2017 06-24 The Sharper the Knife the Less YOU Cry hosted by Brenda

"The Sharper the Knife the Less you Cry" by Kathleen Flinn was the discussion for this meeting. If you didn't make this meeting you lost out big time. 

One of favorite Chef's Brenny along 
with her friend Chef Gabriella Vacca cooked 
us a homemade meal. OMG  We all figure that Jennifer was biting her lips that she couldn't be here for this meeting. 

The menu was 

Beouf Bourguignon (Brenda's adapted recipe)

Homemade Egg Noodles 

Homemade French bread

Summer Salad 

Crepes (probably strawberry and Nutella) with homemade whipped creme

Yum 

And she even had some wine. Imagine. Well worth the drive. Between the food, the friendship and discussions it was a great afternoon. 
Cliff was there and I think we amused him with all the conversations going on about everything and about the book. As always the conversation strayed from the book.

How many of us could do what Kathleen Flinn did? She lost her job as a middle manager, took her life savings at the encouragement of her boyfriend to fulfill a life long dream of going to the famous Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris to become a Chef. I personally am not so sure I could handle the down right blistering sarcastic criticism those Chef's handed out during the class. And the language barrier to boot. One thing I'd want to do is video tape the class. LOL I don't think I could remember everything and my notes would be scribbles trying to keep up.
A bonus in the book is all the recipes she shares. Not sure how many I will try personally but I know there's a few of you who will try them out.
The book is about her journey not so much about the other characters in the book. And what a journey she had. We get to follow along as she learns to chop, dice, fillet, saute, braise and plate. And her description of poking out the fish eyes, the guts, the skinning of the rabbits, the screaming Chef's, the drinking after class gave us a ring eye view of a student at the famous cooking school. Everyone who had read or still reading really liked the book. It is a fun read for anyone who likes to read, cook and eat. This why Brenda chose this book, she thought it would be fun.
Moral of the story: Cooking is all about the ingredients and definitely become friends with your butcher. 

Thank you Brenda for hosting in your home and going to great lengths to provide us such a tasty meal. Oh Thank you Gabriella for your part in the cooking and prep. Glad you could join us. It was nice meeting you.
I wasn't exactly ready as I planned but Barbara was so I let her go ahead and announce her book.
And Barbara's choice was... Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Our next meeting will be Thursday August 16th and the location will be determined later
Next to choose will be Carla, Cheryl, Deborah, Denise, Diana, Ed or Gaye.
I'm gonna go find my book now before it gets packed away and put it with the door prizes I was supposed to hand out at the last meeting for the first three to RSVP. So Jan Brenda and Cheryl... eventually you'll get your deserved door prize. GRR I seem to have lost what little mind I had. Hugs y'all

Until the next meeting... Books are not furniture but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house~

Your forever unofficial secretary/photographer

2017 04-20 The After Party by Anton Disclafani.. hosted by Jennifer

The first 3 to reply to the EVITE were suppose to get a door prize at the meeting but dum-dumb here left the bags at home on the office floor. So Jan, Cheryl and Brenny.... Maybe I can remember to bring next time I see you. It was meant to make the meeting special. I mean we are in our 20th year of existence Thanks to Jan. 

Thank you Jennifer for sharing your home with us and the great food. Many of you haven't met Jennifer yet but she's a teacher and a cater'er. We told her that from now on she was doing the cooking for all our meetings. LOL   The theme was 50's night at the Shamrock. 



Gaye and Kathy came dressed to reflect the era and a night at the Shamrock.  

They looked perfect. Sorry I didn't get a good picture of Kathy. She brought some lacy white gloves for Gaye and she had some dainty pink ones for herself.






Now in the next couple of pictures you'll note the 3 -4 girls on the left were having a good ole time while I was getting my timer set up. LOL But you notice the 3 on the right was looking an smiling at the camera.  
There's always those people who just won't behave.   Just kidding. It was a great evening. And believe it or not I had my tripod, my camera battery was ready and I had my self timer half figured out.  It took a minute to get it working but YAY I did it.


Okay now the 3 on the right aren't paying attention.  I tell ya it's hard to find good photo subjects. LOL

First question at the start of dinner from Jennifer was "What did you think the book was about?" The answers I heard was dysfunctional family/friendships. The 2 main character Joan and Cece(also named Joan) became buddies that day in kindergarten.. Joan Fortiers was blond and beautiful while Cece was dark haired and good looking but she wasn't Joan. After Cece's mother died the Fortiers took Cece in. The girls remained friends into their 20's. While Cece married well, Joan remained wild and uncontrollable. They bought their clothes at Battlestein's and Sakowitz and went to the Shamrock Hotel regularly. Okay so I shopped at Battlestein's and Sakowitz and I spent some time at the Shamrock pool with my one of my boyfriends in college but I never tried the high diving board. The boyfriends family had membership at the pool or club. That was many years ago and I don't remember which or how but I sure didn't have the money that the girls had. I even worked at Sakowitz. The discount allowed me to shop there. LOL
Anyway Cece seemed to be obsessed with Joan and her secretive wild life. Joan was known to do what she wanted, when she wanted and however she wanted and was always the center of attention. Their friendship tended to be one sided once they hit their teens but Cece just couldn't fly on her own it seems. Cece's life was all about Joan. Worrying about her, thinking about her and cleaning up Joan's messes. I kind feel Cece may have had a girl crush but did she act on it? I haven't finished the book so you tell me.

How many of you figured out what the big issue was between Joan and her football boyfriend and why she disappeared? mmmmm
Some at the meeting never even thought about it and others knew exactly what was going on.
I believe everyone really liked this book and of course everyone loved the mention of familiar landmarks in the Houston/River Oaks area. 

Tidbits Club: 

• Remember Jan wanted to know why her friend ever recommended her book choice Accordian Crimes.... well the friend liked the wording and how it all came together..
• Not our next book but Cheryl said we should read "Crimes Against a Book Club" by Kathy Cooperman.  sounds fun!

And now for Brenda's book choice for the June meeting....

"The Sharper the Knife the Less you Cry" by Kathleen Flinn.

Back row l-r  Brenny, Jan, Diana, Jennifer& Harlow, Gaye Cheryl, ME
Front and Center Kathy

And look my self timer did work. See all present and account for in the picture. Including me. 

Next to choose will be Carla, Cheryl, Deborah, Denise, Diana, Ed or Gaye... My Hope  is that one of us will be there and/or ready to announce the next book. 

**I'm not going to continue keeping up with who missed their turn to chose and go back.  I'll just keep going going down the list and you'll have to wait until we come back around to your name. Those present agreed.

That's it for now.. Until June  

2017 02-16 Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling hosted by Kathy

Last night was loud with all the conversation and discussions going on. If you weren’t able to join us at Kathy’s for her book “Why Not Me?” by Mindy Kaling you missed some good food and awesome friendship time. And the food was very yummy...quiche .. salad .. fruit with whipped creme and nuts. And Kathy also served chocolate cupcakes with an oreo cookie and nuttella in the center. mmmmm 
Thanks Kathy for hosting in your home.

As always conversations were flying. Had to laugh and comment at one point because at some point the conversations used to turn to who got drunk where and when or who went out with whom but now it’s all about what hurts and various remedies we’ve tried. LOL.  OH How we have evolved.

We had a special guest join us last night….. Lance, Our sweet crazy Cindy’s brother.  You could definitely tell they were siblings but he was calmer and he told us he’s less quirky. LOL. It was great meeting him. Maybe if he's still here in April he'll join us again.  

Cheryl was the first to ask if she was the only one who had never heard of Mindy Kaling. Well several said no and some said yes. Once I realized she was the girl in the tv series “office” then I sorta knew who she was. And she couldn’t believe we didn’t know more of her since she goes to state dinners and gives talks at Harvard.

Some of the reviews stated that the book was hilarious but Kathy had to say she didn’t find it all that funny but it was an easy read, especially after the last book that some found very depressing.. Oh saying that.. Jan did you ever find out why the person that recommended this book to you loved it so much?

I read something Mindy wrote and think it kinda said it all. Mindy heard people said they were tired of hearing how great she thought she was or they just don’t like her or she looked different but it's not that she thought she was great it was she just didn’t hate herself. Mindy does and says crazy stuff all the time and sometimes she even regrets it but decided not to let it ruin her. Her thought is that People are sometimes uncomfortable around women who don’t hate themselves. Mindy says your tiny bit of bravery.

Mindy has been told she didn’t look like most actress’s meaning she wasn’t white, skinny and beautiful. Now I personally think she’s pretty. Anyway TV is evolving and actors and actresses don’t have to be all the stereo type.  Perfect example, look at the characters on “This is Us” on channel 2 Tuesday nights. Most everyone but not all knew the show and love love it. If you have seen it you need to check it out.  Anyway what it takes is confidence in yourself and a tiny bit of bravery to make it in the world in whatever you do.

From what I was reading I'd say this is her motto:

Work hard, know your shit, show your shit, and then feel entitled. Listen to no one except the two smartest and kindest adults you know, and that doesn’t always mean your parents. If you do that, you will be fine. 

Brenny had an advantage on this book… she listened to it and it was Mindy’s voice. She thought it made a differenct but also thought the book was rather superficial. She would have hated to be the guy who worked for Obama or Mindy’s best friend. Mindy spared nothing and told all.

Jan started off wanting to know more about Mindy while reading the book but now she’s over it. LOL

After reading this and talking about NY Diana thinks it’s time for a field trip to NY. It’s a thought folks. Oh and she extended an invite to her daughter’s wedding that’s coming up in September. Sounds fun fun

Our newest member Jennifer came back for another meeting. We didn’t scare her off. YAY. She was one of the folks on the list to announce a book and was at the meeting soooo….

She announced her book choice last night….. “The After Party” by Anton Disclafani.  Our next meeting will be at her home on April 20^th. Oh and the theme that night will be the 50’s. The book is about the Houston social scene in the River Oaks area I believe is what she said. Get to reading folks.

Until April 

Your unofficial secretary/photographer

Accordion Crimes Novel by Annie Proulx hosted by Jan

Well while the book was not a big hit with everyone including Jan we still had good food and fun. Jan said this book came highly recommended but she not sure why. She can't wait to get hold of the person who recommended it to find out what it was that this person loved so much.  Jan will have to share her findings.




We welcomed a new member tonight...Jennifer. She already knew the way to our hearts was through our stomachs.  She made an awesome Italian Creme cake with Orange curd between the layers. Hmm I think that's what she said...Either way it was soooo good.  And I was told that Naomi will be coming back to join us. Will be great having her input.

This is Riley. He was hoping Lauren would give him more luvs and maybe drop a morsel of food his way. Sweet boy. His co-heart in crime was Lulu and she was the official greeter.

As always trying to catch pieces of the many conversations regarding the book is always fun.
Jan said this was full of raw sex, hard to read, but the book was interesting because of all the different windows you saw of so many immigrates but wanted know where the humor was in this book. 
Cheryl's not sure if she'll finish reading the book or not. She kept reading hoping for some happy ending. 
Brenny too was waiting for a happy story and Barbara felt the book too wordy.
Jennifer was waiting for a climax. She found no redeeming value.
Gaye said Nope to this book
The book jumped around too much and the writing seems to be disjointed. You could never get attached to a character. 

Maybe that's because you knew that the character was going to die a violent or grim death.

I went to read some other reviews and they pretty much said the same thing. Depressing, grim and hard to pick up after you stopped reading. No one is happy, not the characters nor the reader at this point. One reviewer said it was refreshing. From everything I heard and read I don't know that this book and the work refreshing belong in the same sentence. LOL

Jan did say that the Green accordian originated in Italy. And Hey Lisa Rhodes where was our accordian music. You were suppose to play for us.. Jan laughed and goes now that we've thoroughly slammed this book who picks our next book.

And the answer was/is Kathy.... TA..DA

LOL she feels the pressure of picking the next book is big. She was too worried trying to decide which book that she didn't finish this one. Poor Kathy.

Without further ado, Kathy's choice is "Why Not Me?" by Mindy Kaling.  Next meeting will be February 16th, 2017. Location to be determined later. So get that book and get to reading. Next to choose will be Lisa, Lauren, Pam, Patrick, Sandy, Susan, or Suzanne. Be ready folks.

Thanks everyone for coming out and thank you Jan for hosting in your home.
One Last thing....Happy 20th Anniversary WTS Book Club!

February 20, 1997

Can you believe it?  January 1997 our club was formed and on February 20 we had our first meeting. Brenny chose that first book "She Came Undone" by Wally Lamb. It was pouring down rain that night but it didn't stop this group. 
Thank you Jan for bringing us together.  Oh the adventures we have had and oh how we've changed


Until next meeting

Your unofficial secretary/photographer

Music for Chameleons: New Writings by Truman Capote hosted by Ed

Great evening folks. Small group but fun. Thanks to everyone who was able to come out to Tampico's to join Ed as we discussed his book choice Music for Chameleons: New Writings by Truman Capote 
Music for Chameleons is a collection of short stories fiction and non-fiction and for a couple that was fine but some not so fine. Kat wants more. She says short stories end to fast and don't go into a enough depth but she did like the stories she just wanted more out of them. LOL.
Brenny loved the Marilyn Monroe story best and Ed loved the Pearl Bailey story. Truman Capote's writing was simple, direct and grabbed your attention. Barbara and Jan loved all the stories except the Handcarved coffins but that was someone else's fav I  think. Jan hated the cliff hanger and how the story stopped abruptly.
After reading these short stories some were fascinated with Truman Capote's life and are ready to read "In Cold Blood" 

Couple of news making funnies for the night 

• Brenny may have broke her toe putting on her pants. the broken part not so funny.  
• learned her lesson and she won't be.....well.....what was said at the meeting will stay at the meeting. Should have been there.
• She actually READ the book and didn't just listen to it.

Drum rolllllllll please...

Jan's book choice is 

Accordion Crimes Novel by Annie Proulx 

Next book club meeting will be Thursday Dec 15th.  Location to be announced

Next to choose:  Kathy. Lisa, Pam, Patrick, Sandy, Susan, or Suzanne 

Be there or be square.  Maybe Lisa Rhodes will play us a tune on her accordion. Maybe jingle bells? It could happen.

Your unofficial secretary/photographer

Carla

The Far Empty Discussion hosted by Gaye

Another lovely evening with friends with a common bond...reading and laughter. Gaye wasn't expecting the so many to show up but was so happy to see everyone come out to discuss her book choice The Far Empty by J. Todd Scott. Even had a surprise return from Lauren who had been MIA due to school and work. Welcome back. Hopefully school won't interfere too much this year.
Everyone thought the book was a good read and didn't want to put the book down. It was a real page turner. My review on this one won't be that great because I'm still reading but this is what I got out of the discussion which was going every which way. LOL What's new.
It was agreed that the book was around Alpine Texas and probably actually the town of Marfa out in West Texas. The name was just changed to Murfee. Did I get that right? 
The book was bloody, evil, had death, crooked cops, and drug etc. The author is an Ex-DEA agent that threaded a good tale based on his own experiences. Everyone was a little surprised that this was a book that Gaye picked. I mean it was kind of gruesome and all the sex. LOL

The big question was "Did the Sheriff kill his wife" well the book never comes right and says but the group present said without a question he did.
Everyone agreed that Duane was the biggest villain in the book.

Thanks for picking this book, serving up some good food and conversation Gaye. Had a great time. Oh and I have to mention the awesome dessert. It was Brenny's recipe apparently that she had and while making for us tonight she

accidentally modified but it was so good and refreshing. She even cut me a piece to bring home and I sadly went off and left it. aauuughh! It had mandarin oranges and pineapple in it. I'm drooling just writing about it. Oh and remember Gaye you're suppose to share the recipe with everyone.


Next to choose was Ed. His choice was Music for Chameleons..New Writings by Truman Capote. Next meeting will be October 20th. Ed always pulls out the good ones for us to read. Get busy folks. This book has 4-5 short stories to enjoy.

At the October meeting the
Next to Choose will be:   Jan, Kathy. Lisa, Pam, Patrick, Sandy 

Until the next meeting ...

Your unofficial Secretary/Photographer

Carla

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman hosted by Cheryl

What a lovely evening. Sorry everyone couldn't make it out for the great conversation, food and as always great friendship.

Everyone loved Cheryl's choice "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman. It was one of those feel good kind of books. 

I personally wasn't so sure when I started reading it. Ove was driving me crazy with all his pet peeves about people and rules. I'm thinking to myself as I read good grief man you're only 59 and you're this big of a pain to everyone around you.  He's Oscar the Grouch. Black is Black and White is White, he's right and everyone else is wrong. 

Hmmm I think I know someone like this. 

Then I as I read I kept thinking okay where's the humor. Oh wait here's a man who's trying to kill himself and fails miserable every time. Between failed equipment, neighbors interfering, someones else's accident or that damn cat that keeps appearing. Or the the over weight neighbor who warms up the cat. And is.... well I won't say... won't spoil it for those who haven't read it yet.

Here's a man who appears to hate people but seems to draw them to like moth to a flame. 

And there's the love story side of the book. When he see's the girl and goes out of his way to be with her. And without her in his life, it's not worth living.

He's hard working and self motivating but computers and economy push him out of his job.

This book makes you think of that commercial someone commented where the man walks into the coffee shop all irritable at everyone and thinks they're stupid or cry babies whatever then he gains insight into their life and sees that the woman crying just lost her husband and another person just got word they had terminal cancer and another lost their job and has 3 kids to support.  My description is not the exact commercial but you get the idea. Basically next time you run into someone and think what a "JERK" give them the benefit of the doubt they may have been given bad news or had a rough day themselves.

This book brought about as all our books do many other conversations and examples of in our lives that paralleled the book in some little way.

One conversation went to politics. YIKES. Trump..... Clinton. Crap... The choices we have are ......... 

Thanks Jerry and Cheryl for opening up your lovely home to this rowdy crowd. LOL

Now for Gaye's Choice.....  "The Far Empty" by J. Todd Scott        (Pam you may be in trouble this book has 448 pages so if you enlarge the words you could end up with 700-800 pages.. Love you  LOL)     

Our next meeting will be Thursday, August 18th

Location TBA later

Next to Choose:  Ed, Jan, Kathy. Lisa, Pam

Get out there. get your book and start reading. You have 448 pages to read. Till August.

Your unofficial Secretary/Photographer

Carla