Last bookclub we talked about the ability to RSVP on the blog. Let's try this "EVENT" gadget I have added in the right hand column. It describes the date/time/place of the next meet up, with an option for signed in members to click on whether they will attend. Folks WILL have to sign in order to post a response (at least I think so) but all this means is become a follower (click "Join Site to RSVP" under map or scroll down to FOLLOW THIS BLOG...)
Anyone who wants to create posts but hasn't accepted membership yet, contact me at amanda@awmd.ca so I can email the author invite again. If its all driving you crazy, (the blog I mean) or if you just need a little help, call me at 9-4159
I will be asking for blog feedback, ideas, improvements, etc. next meet up. See you there :)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
gabor mate at hollyhock
just stumbled across the upcoming event at hollyhock featuring gabor mate called 'healing the hungry ghost'.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Party at Sue's August 8th
For all of you who are not on Facebook I am having a party on the evening of August 8th. It is a Rocky Horror Picture show theme and also my 40th Birthday. (18 with 22 years Experience)
Would love to have you all there, so please let me know if you can make it! No presents and please just bring an appy and whatever you want to drink.
Would love to have you all there, so please let me know if you can make it! No presents and please just bring an appy and whatever you want to drink.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Summer Reads
OK, I am sorry that this post has taken so long. I lost my list and finally found it last night. (This is what happens when you have too many coats).
Now my notes are kind of rough. I think that Jen ("Fraction of the whole or Three Day Road" )was going to host September and I know that Marnie was thinking "Run" for October and it looks like Liz is going to Host November.
I see that Slap - Sandra's recommendation has already made the blog.
So if I got some of them wrong ... so sorry! Too many glasses of wine while taking notes!
Recommended reads:
Run author Ann Patchett
A Fraction Of The Whole author Steve Toltz
Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden
Multiplicity Author: Rita Carter ( I think this is the right book)
She's Come Undone author Wally Lamb
Fall on Your Knees author Ann-marie Macdonald
White Teeth Author: Okot P'bitek
The Hour I First Believed author Wally Lamb
The Unbearable Lightness Of Being Author: Milan Kundera
Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures: A True Story From Hell on Earth author Kenneth Cain
The In-between World Of Vikram Lall author M.g. Vassanji
The Road author Cormac Mccarthy
Happy Reading Everyone!
Now my notes are kind of rough. I think that Jen ("Fraction of the whole or Three Day Road" )was going to host September and I know that Marnie was thinking "Run" for October and it looks like Liz is going to Host November.
I see that Slap - Sandra's recommendation has already made the blog.
So if I got some of them wrong ... so sorry! Too many glasses of wine while taking notes!
Recommended reads:
Run author Ann Patchett
A Fraction Of The Whole author Steve Toltz
Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden
Multiplicity Author: Rita Carter ( I think this is the right book)
She's Come Undone author Wally Lamb
Fall on Your Knees author Ann-marie Macdonald
White Teeth Author: Okot P'bitek
The Hour I First Believed author Wally Lamb
The Unbearable Lightness Of Being Author: Milan Kundera
Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures: A True Story From Hell on Earth author Kenneth Cain
The In-between World Of Vikram Lall author M.g. Vassanji
The Road author Cormac Mccarthy
Happy Reading Everyone!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
October's read
Hi all, Jen B gave me the heads up that we are already discussing the fall book list. I would like to host the October meeting with the book "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts" by Gabor Mate. It is a large book, non-fiction and the best and most illuminating read I have ever had about addiction. Let me know what you think, Liz
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Found the Book!
Hi everyone...just saw a huge ad in the Globe and Mail for 'Slap', by, Cristos Tsoilkas, the book that Sandy recommended at the last meeting. It is available at chapters online for only $16. We could order a whole bunch and get free shipping if anyone's interested.
Friday, June 26, 2009
List of Books read
Just a thought but would it be possible to get a list on here of the books that have been read so we have a reference for future book selections.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thank you Sue for a lovely Tuesday evening!
Just wanted to post the dressing for my salad which is super easy and good, particularly when paired with fresh red leaf lettuce, creamy goat cheese, red onion, lots of grape tomatoes, peppers, sunflower sprouts and toasted almonds.
DRESSING
(1/2) cup cranberry juice (pure, not from concentrate)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon dried cranberries, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons ground almonds
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
DIRECTIONS
Whisk together the cranberry juice, lemon juice, cranberries, shallot, parsley, almonds, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and sugar in a small bowl until the sugar has dissolved. Whisk in the vegetable oil until the dressing is thick and smooth.
Just wanted to post the dressing for my salad which is super easy and good, particularly when paired with fresh red leaf lettuce, creamy goat cheese, red onion, lots of grape tomatoes, peppers, sunflower sprouts and toasted almonds.
DRESSING
(1/2) cup cranberry juice (pure, not from concentrate)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon dried cranberries, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons ground almonds
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
DIRECTIONS
Whisk together the cranberry juice, lemon juice, cranberries, shallot, parsley, almonds, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and sugar in a small bowl until the sugar has dissolved. Whisk in the vegetable oil until the dressing is thick and smooth.
Sacred Hearts Press Release
Hello Afictionados!
Thanks for Tuesday night, Sue! Everything was smashing; is there any chance we'll see some of those salad recipes on our blog? Just a thought.
I wanted to let you all know that I received a letter from a book promoter after our article ran in the Globe & she's sending me a promo-package for 'Sacred Hearts' by Sarah Dunant. I thought I'd attach the press release for your perusal, as it looks really intriguing. I'll read the book when I get it and perhaps we'll put it on our list for next fall. You'll see that there's a music cd that accompanies the book so I can imagine a full-on 'theme' meeting. Keep your eyes open for nun's habits!
OOPS...I can't attach the press release so watch for an email!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Book of Negroes
HI Ladies!
As it is presently 9 pm - I am sure you are currently eating yummy food and discussing the amazing Aminata. I enjoyed the book very much and had a hard time putting it down to get other things done.
I am obviously not there with you, but I am in spirit - Colin was at our staff end of year golf social and I was home with the kids.... it is a bit late to show up now and I'm already in P.J.'s!
Thank you for hosting Sue and I apologize for the late R.S.V.P.
A very happy summer filled with lots of quality reading time to all of you!
xo Jill
As it is presently 9 pm - I am sure you are currently eating yummy food and discussing the amazing Aminata. I enjoyed the book very much and had a hard time putting it down to get other things done.
I am obviously not there with you, but I am in spirit - Colin was at our staff end of year golf social and I was home with the kids.... it is a bit late to show up now and I'm already in P.J.'s!
Thank you for hosting Sue and I apologize for the late R.S.V.P.
A very happy summer filled with lots of quality reading time to all of you!
xo Jill
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
the Book of Negroes
Came across this website with lots of interesting info to supplement June's Book of Negroes if interested- http://www.blackloyalist.com/canadiandigitalcollection/wireframe.htm
Really enjoying the book so far.
PS had lots of good feedback from friends in Ontario and locally who enjoyed our article in the Globe.
See you on the 23rd!
Really enjoying the book so far.
PS had lots of good feedback from friends in Ontario and locally who enjoyed our article in the Globe.
See you on the 23rd!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Globe trotters
You girls looked amazing in the Globe today! Kudos to Jen for submitting the idea & Amanda for generating interest with the blog. No doubt you've inspired a lot of other bookclubs to blog & to party at the beach! Cheers!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Mint Flat Bread with Green Onion Pesto
NOTE - Australian tablespoons are four teaspoons, not three like in Canada. IE two tablespoons of oil is actually two tablespoons and two teaspoons with our measuring utensils.
It calls for self-raising flour which equals one cup of flour and one teaspon of baking powder.
2 cups (300g) self-raising flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups grated haloumi
1 cup boiling water
1 cup mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
sea salt flakes, to serve
Pesto
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped mint
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3/4 cup olive oil
sea salt and cracked black pepper
To make the pesto, place the green onion, mint, oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
Place the flour, oil, haloumi, water and mint in a bowl and mix well to form a soft dough. Set aside for 15 minutes to rest.Turn out onto a lightly floured surgace and divde into eight pieces. Roll each piece out to 30 cm long. Top with extra minut leaves. Brush with the pesto. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook bread, in batches, for 1-2 minutes each side or until golden and crisp. Brush with the remaining pesto and sprinkle with salt to serve.
It calls for self-raising flour which equals one cup of flour and one teaspon of baking powder.
2 cups (300g) self-raising flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups grated haloumi
1 cup boiling water
1 cup mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
sea salt flakes, to serve
Pesto
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped mint
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3/4 cup olive oil
sea salt and cracked black pepper
To make the pesto, place the green onion, mint, oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
Place the flour, oil, haloumi, water and mint in a bowl and mix well to form a soft dough. Set aside for 15 minutes to rest.Turn out onto a lightly floured surgace and divde into eight pieces. Roll each piece out to 30 cm long. Top with extra minut leaves. Brush with the pesto. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook bread, in batches, for 1-2 minutes each side or until golden and crisp. Brush with the remaining pesto and sprinkle with salt to serve.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Fat Woman
Hi all,
My other bookclub is reading the Fat Woman and some of the women are having a hard time finding the book.
Do any of you have a copy that I can borrow to share within the group?
Thanks!
Lisa
My other bookclub is reading the Fat Woman and some of the women are having a hard time finding the book.
Do any of you have a copy that I can borrow to share within the group?
Thanks!
Lisa
Secrets of the yum...
Toasted Israeli Couscous Salad with Cucumber, Mint and Feta
1 cup small-diced feta cheese
fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice, more as needed
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh spearmint or peppermint,additional sprigs for garnish
Kosher Salt
1 medium English cucumber, peeled and finely diced (2 cups)
1 cup Israeli couscous
In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts well-salted water to a boil.
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet over medium heat, toast the couscous, stirring frequently, until golden-brown, about 7 minutes.
Cook the couscous in the boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water until cool. Pour the couscous into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the cucumber and mint.
In a small bowl, mix the oil, lemon juice and zest, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Stir in the feta. Add the feta mixture to the couscous, season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, and mix well. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the mint sprigs.
You can refrigerate the salad for up to 4 hours; toss before serving.
1 cup small-diced feta cheese
fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice, more as needed
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh spearmint or peppermint,additional sprigs for garnish
Kosher Salt
1 medium English cucumber, peeled and finely diced (2 cups)
1 cup Israeli couscous
In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts well-salted water to a boil.
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet over medium heat, toast the couscous, stirring frequently, until golden-brown, about 7 minutes.
Cook the couscous in the boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water until cool. Pour the couscous into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the cucumber and mint.
In a small bowl, mix the oil, lemon juice and zest, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Stir in the feta. Add the feta mixture to the couscous, season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, and mix well. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the mint sprigs.
You can refrigerate the salad for up to 4 hours; toss before serving.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Hi Ladies
As we are enjoying the sunny weather I thought you might appreciate a little sunscreen info that a friend passed along to me.
http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2008/04/21/safe-sunscreens/
As we are enjoying the sunny weather I thought you might appreciate a little sunscreen info that a friend passed along to me.
http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2008/04/21/safe-sunscreens/
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Also reading...
I am about to reveal the REAL reason that I didn't get through Mr. Pip last month...and it's not the baby! ;) For all you voracious readers who are looking for extra-curricula book club reading this summer, I want to suggest two recent reads: "The Believers" by Zoe Heller and "Ten Year Nap" by Meg Wolitzer. If you are a fan of contemporary fiction a la Anne Tyler or Jonathen Franzen and are a sucker for novels that take place in NYC, these new releases will appeal. I would suggest both for book club but will wait until they come out in paperback...
Friday, May 22, 2009
June's Book Club
So as most of you know June's Book is the Book of Negroes. We will have it at Sue's house (1942 Greenwood Cres. in Comox) please call me if you need directions. So we will have it on June 23rd! Hoping to have the hot tub and pool ready so bring a towel.
Sue's News
Well I hope you all don't mind me using this blog to spread my news but I thought you might be curious. So on Wednesday I got notice from GM that they will not be renewing the contract with us to sell their product. At first I was really upset, obviously as GM has been my life for the last 20 years. Today (48 hours later) I am super excited for the future. I can't say what is going to happen yet, but as soon as I can I will let you all know. Thanks for all of your support and your friendship. I am so very lucky to have such wonderful supportive women in my life!
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