My apologies to the group for being delayed in writing November's blog. Work has been kicking my butt and I was preparing to be away Thanksgiving week. So, now here I am sitting in a rustic, warm and cozy cabin in the Taos mountains. The sun is coming up behind the snow clouds and the ground is still covered from Monday's snow. As I believe there are no accidents I think this is perfect timing for writing this month's blog. When I have had a few days of rest and relaxation and my brain has finally slowed down and I can reflect upon the evening.
When we arrived at Darby's house she was putting the finishing touches on the turkey and broccoli casserole. The day had been cold and everyone had brought out the coats and gloves. We put down the food and I softly padded down the hall to the bedroom to throw my coat on Darby's warmly inviting leopard skin chaise. As I stood alone in the dimly lit room, mellow jazz was playing in the background and I heard the chatter and laughter of the women as they arrived. It was truly the happiest moment of my week. The next moment was slightly marred when someone bumped my dainty elbow sloshing the ruby red wine I was sipping. I was relieved to find it did not hit Arnora's sleeve but horrified later to find it splashed on Darby's fawn colored wall. Thankfully, she has touch up paint.
As we prepared the meal we exchanged hugs, got our drinks and caught up on the month's news. Darby, Laura and Diana had just returned from the new Harry Potter Theme Park and Diana had gorgeous photos to share. Terry has bought a new house and is moving this month.
Janie brought her, now traditional, Amish butter as an early Christmas gift along with cheesy potato casserole. Janie may have to miss next month due to surgery but we're hoping for a speedy recovery. Arnora brought her traditional floral centerpiece, Terry brought dressing & gravy and Barb brought a different version of dressing. Pam brought salad, Denise brought bread, Lou brought pumpkin-caramel spice trifle and Carla A brought Tirimasu. Lis brought the lemony cheese, I brought wine and Laura brought her "badself!" Diana brought "Butter Beer" she made inspired by the recent visit to the Harry Potter Theme Park. As always, the food was delicious and I know I went back for seconds.
Carla G had come from the hair dresser and we could not keep our hands off of her blonde and silken hair. There was some discussion about flat irons because none of us can get our hair to look exactly the same as when we have it done. Apparently, you have to spend the big bucks to get an iron that will give you the same effect. Carla had her hair done because Lou had enlisted a professional photographer to come in and take our group photo as commemoration for the 10th anniversary of the inception of book club next year. We all dressed in a variety of black and white to maintain continuity and stood or sat in front of Darby's fireplace.
There had been some joking previously that our commemorative photo should take on a "Calendar Girl" flair. But I thought we were kidding. Until Darby left the room so that the photographer could get a personal photo of her. While she was out of the room someone started insisting we take off our shirts and grab a "big book". When Darby & the photographer came back in they found us all standing bare shouldered behind our books. We were all laughing hysterically but the photographer thought it was great so we now have 2 versions of the photo. The CD's should be ready about the time we get back to the city. I am excited and scared at the same time!
Turkey $30, Book $12, Darby's expression..... priceless!
The book discussion of Girl in Translation was actually cut short because the photographer came during the middle. Laura really liked it said she could've talked about it all night. It reminded a couple of "The House on Mango St." The story is fictionalized autobiography of a young Asian girl traveling to NYC from China with her mother after her father's death. They are put up in an abandoned apartment building by the mother's sister and put to work in their "sweat shop". This story takes place around 1997 and everyone was surprised to find that sweat shops still exist in this country. This is a coming of age story as Kim learns to speak English, goes to school, makes friends and goes through the growing pains of becoming a woman and a mother herself. The book rated 4.15, with 2 "I liked it" and me to finish (refer to earlier paragraph about work kicking my butt!)
So, on the eve of Thanksgiving 2010 as I reminisce about this month's book club let me just say again, how much I love and appreciate each and everyone of you. The depth of our friendships deepen with each month and book. There is no other group of women on the face of the earth where I could feel so comfortable, so loved and where I can laugh so hard and leave behind the cares and frustrations of life! On book club night - how sad others must be that they are not us!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families as we look forward to Christmas at my house and the book "One Day" by David Nicholls.
