June Book Club 2010

Right off the bat we missed Janie, Carla A., Arnora and Terry. But, it was great to see Lou looking and feeling so great after her surgery last month and to have Lis back from Germany. Diana and Biscuit hosted this month.

First, I just want to mention that Diana has created a google calender for us. She has sent it to everyone via email. We can post our vacation and other dates for the purposes of planning a couple of things that are coming up. We are moving into the 10th Anniversary of The Same Time Next Month book club. We're planning a professional group photo so we're looking for a date that everyone can get together. We're also planning a possible trip to Orlando to attend the new Harry Potter amusement park. Lou has contact in Destin/Panama City where we can stay for a week for free. From there we could make a 2-day trip to HP. We're looking at late October or early November. As other events present themselves the calendar will help us in our planning.

On to the food. The jungle, it turns out, is not the place to be inspired by food. Food seemed quite scarce and you really had to know what you were looking for because so much of it was poisonous. So, we took another tack. Percy Fawcett was English so we put together an English High Tea. And by that I mean Long Island Iced Tea! I'm not going to try to remember who brought what dish but we had radish, chicken salad and cucumber sandwiches, three different types of scones, brie & raspberry with crackers, watermelon and fresh cherries. Carla G brought the flowers in Arnora's absence. The food, as always was really good and so beautiful as you can see from the photos.
Let me just say that as I was finishing this month's book Carla and I went camping with Jackie. I know - the princess in a tent is not a common site. But I have to say I loved it! They've definitely improved the equipment over the years and it was an extremely relaxing weekend sleeping under the stars and cooking out on the grill and literally singing around the campfire.

That experience was nothing like exploring the Amazon. Not once in the Chickasaw National Park did I see anything that looked like it was going to eat me or attack me. And I have to say after reading the book it did not leave me with a longing to go there!

Our book this month was The Lost City of Z. The book was about the exploration and obsession of the Amazon. The English explorer Percy Fawcett's story was focused on as he made several trips to the Amazon looking for what he believed was a lost city of unimaginable wealth. On his last trip with his son and son's best friend they were lost and never heard from again. The author of this book stumbled on the story and developed his own obsession with finding out what happened. The Amazon is an enormous area that covers several countries in South America and its vegetation and wildlife are particular hostile to human life. The book also covered the discovery and exploitation of the rubber industry as well as Fawcett's marriage and family. The author told Fawcett's story but also went to the Amazon to see if he could find out what happened to Fawcett. He confirmed that the most likely story is that they were killed by one of the indigenous tribes. And he discovered a recent explorer who is excavating the areas where Fawcett traveled and confirming the lost city. It was sad to know that Fawcett's wife spent the rest of her life traveling from son to daughter and never knowing what happened to her husband and son and always believing they were coming back.

Everyone liked the book for the information it presented. We didn't think the writing was as good as it could have been. Most of us expected and would have liked to have read more about his own adventure in the Amazon. Interestingly enough, Laura and Terry lived in the Amazon as children when their father worked in the oil industry in Venezuela. Laura had some interesting perspective on what it was like to be a white family in the Amazon living in a protected and elite compound.

I for one was really embarrassed and ashamed to be a "white civilized person". I think we have it all backwards. What man has done in the name of civilizing the world is far more barbaric than anything indigenous people have done to protect themselves. Most of the comforts we enjoy in our modern and "civilized" world have come at great cost to other humans we have deemed less than or threatening. I do know there is good in the world and I can see that more and more people are waking up to the need for enlightenment and compassion but it is horrifying to know what still goes on.

Next months book is Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury. We were looking for something light and entertaining and not so gruesome! Stay tuned.

May Book Club 2010

It's almost impossible to believe that we are 5 months in to 2010. But here we are into May. The first thing I have to acknowledge is that we were missing two of our members this month and I wish I could report that it was due to fun events or vacation. But sadly Elisabeth's mother passed away last week after an extended illness. Elisabeth is en route to Germany for the services and we extend our deepest sympathies to her and her family during this time and send her many prayers and blessings for her safe travels.

Lou, also could not be with us due to a need for sudden surgery. Lou was having some tests and was found to have kidney cancer. On first hearing these words I was deeply shocked and saddened. However, on further investigation, we find that #1. She caught it early and #2. This kind of cancer has a high success rate for cure. The surgery was successful and her prognosis is excellent. As I write this, she is recuperating at home without need for any further treatments. We all continue to send her our love and prayers for a speedy recovery.

We missed our girls but we know that we were altogether in spirit. The connection and friendships that we have formed over the years just continues to deepen and we are so blessed to have each other to share in our joys but, I think, even more importantly to be able to love, comfort and support each other in the difficult moments. It is a proven fact that when people have a strong network of support they have less pain and recover more quickly from illness. We are blessed indeed.

We were missing Lis and Lou but Denise's friend, Darla, joined us and we enjoyed having her company.

During last month's book club The Forgotten Garden sparked a memory for some of The Joy Luck Club. Published in 1989 and subsequently made into a movie only 2 or 3 of us had read it or seen the movie. Because the book is about mother's and daughters and May is the time we celebrate Mother's Day it seemed fitting and appropriate.

Denise had a connection to someone at The Grand House. A Chinese restaurant in the up and coming Asian district of OKC. I say up and coming because even though this area has been around for some time it is apparent that they are making a lot of improvements and I was quite surprised at how beautiful the area is becoming. I don't make it to that side of town so often.

The owner actually gives talks on The Joy Luck Club and graciously decided to set a menu for us and present her talk. Unfortunately, her grandmother passed away this week and she was unable to join us. She has offered to come to another book club at a later date.

I won't even begin to list the food items on our menu because I know I won't get it right but I did take some photos and I hope they do it justice. We did start off with a Sushi platter that I thought was fantastic and then we moved on to some more traditional Chinese dishes. We complimented the meal with Jasmine tea, a Chardonnay and a Merlot and ended with a Flan for dessert. One of the funniest parts of the evening was opening our fortune cookies where no less than 3 groups of 3 people had the same message! There was a part of the story in the book that talked about one of the women working in the Fortune Cookie factory and laughing at how seriously Americans took the messages.

The story of the Joy Luck Club is based loosely on a Mah Jong group started be a group of Chinese women who have come to America after WWII. We are given the story from the two perspectives of mother and daughter. The daughters are actually a bridge generation from the Chinese to the American way of life. The mothers have had difficult and traumatic pasts having lived through and escaped the Japanese invasion during WWII. They have endured arranged marriages, being abandoned or abandoning their own children in some cases, and barely escaped with their lives as they ran from the Japanese army. But in America they find hope. They own businesses they adopt the native religion, Missionary Baptist, and raise new families.

But, their daughters, for the most part, don't know their mother's stories. They are confused and caught between the worlds of China and America. They don't understand the good intentions but misguided attempts their mothers have of trying to protect them and help them fit in.

We discussed that there is this kind of tension in most mother/daughter relationships regardless of ethnicity. Parents before the 1960's and Dr. Spock simply did not have the awareness of how parenting affects the life of the child. Often parents simply live out past patterns and do what was done to them. It's been the Baby Boomer generation that really has benefited from the psychological knowledge that helps us, hopefully, be better parents and forge more loving and understanding relationship with our own children. For example, I know that my relationship with my son is dramatically different from the one I have with my parents. I could totally relate to this story as I have seen how my family history shaped my childhood. And I thank God for Dr. Spock. He may not have gotten it all right but he certainly put us on the path of exploring these issues.

Everyone enjoyed the book and Darby started off the discussion as she actually taught the book in her earlier teaching career.

Notes from Diana: It was wonderful to have Darla visiting with us. This was my first trip to the Grand House and I’ll certainly return. The family style meal was a delicious treat and such great service. I really felt at home and pampered. I enjoyed hearing from Kathy, Mrs. Boss, about her journey from China, to Viet Nam, to France, to Boston and then to Okla. It was fun to know she read the book, had seen the movie, and proclaimed the stories authentic.

I enjoyed the good quality discussion from many perspectives and I think this was the perfect book to read in celebration of moms and daughters. We don’t often stop to contemplate and discuss the powerful connection with our moms, grandmothers, and children. I think that is one lesson from the story. We need to know and reflect on these women, the cord that connects us, seemingly cut upon birth, yet binds us eternally to those from which we come. However easy or troubled the relationships, women bring us into this world and we are blessed to be living and knowing each other because of them. The book rated a 4.07 with ratings from 3.5 to 5, with 2 “I Loved It”.

I’m excited about our next book, suggested by Barb. “The Lost City of Z” The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon (Vintage Departures) by David Grann (Paperback - Jan. 26, 2010). Rex read this book a while back and enjoyed it very much. I heard quite a bit about it while he was reading it. Movie of the same name starring Brad Pitt due out in 2012.

April Book Club 2010

Greetings Dearest Book Club Friends, I'm sitting on my couch with my little dog, Biscuit beside me. We are listening to classical music this gorgeous, sunny Saturday morning. I am the "stand in" writer this month since Sherrie is off living the good life, eating Cajun cuisine and experiencing the jazzy sounds of New Orleans. We missed about half our group at book club. Darby in San Antonio, Janie in Austin, Sherrie and Carla in New Orleans and Lou, well we decided you are the mystery woman as we had no idea what kept you away. Hope all the travelers had good adventures.

I'm here reflecting on a great evening with lovely friends, delicious dinner and interesting conversations. I just finished reading my "love notes" from more of you. I am blown away by your sentiments. Very touching and how incredibly lucky I am that you all enrich my life innumerably.

We had great food for dinner. Our dear hostess, Terry, made a wonderful broccoli and cheese quiche! Elisabeth did, in fact, after work ran home and made a delicious dish of cheese ravioli with pesto and toasted pine nuts! Pam tossed up a delicious spinach, fruit, nut and avocado salad. Denise brought yummy bread served with Janie's butter. Carla G. brought a fabulous fruit tray and then there was plenty of wine and Laura brought strawberry pie. I didn't bring a thing, felt a little weird but I recovered and enjoyed every scrumptious dish!

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Moss was well liked and rated one 3.5, several 4.5 and 4, a couple of 5's and a couple of "I liked" rankings.

Everyone thought it was an easy read, and interesting. Eliza is the tragic hero and for the majority of the book's setting, the pastoral countryside which one thinks of as peaceful and serene was in fact an isolated, tragic and unhealthy environment for the characters. The Forgotten Garden was the one redeeming location but still laced with tragedy.

One of the questions for discussion asks if this is a love story and after discussion we deemed it was many love stories and Denise rightly quoted the movie, "Love Actually" noting "love is all around." It was all around but also filled with tragedy. In the end we decided the mysteries unraveled by Cassandra resolved the mother/daughter losses experienced by Georgian, Eliza, Nell (Ivory) and Cassandra. We felt sorry for Linus as a child being verbally abused by his parents but loathed his adult behavior; though Eliza's loss of mother and her brother Sammy left her so emotionally disturbed it produced a love and affection for Rose that led to Eliza's demise. We enjoyed the autobiographical fairy tales dispersed throughout the story the revelations revealed through Rose's scrapbooks and the characters historical research. The story ranked a 3.8 overall.

For Laura the story brought to mind the book "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan that she read many yeas ago. I believe she said it was the mother daughter connection and its epic qualities. A couple more ladies had read it but so long ago they wanted to reread it and several of us had not read it. Denise has a Chinese friend who gives talks about the book at the Grand House Chinese Restaurant in the OKC Asian district. The Grand House is noted for its exceptional authentic dishes. This seemed like fun to all of us, a book club outing in may at the restaurant with discussion and input from Denise's friend. Denise will fill you in on any details I've left out. Pam said she was okay with hosting another meeting as the May meeting was scheduled at her home. Also, with Mother's Day in May "The Joy Luck Club" seems a good choice for our May read.

Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the food and gathering but Denise took a couple of shots so hopefully she will send these along to post on the blog. I hope I've not forgotten too much. It's now noon and I need to get moving. Hope you all have a great weekend. Love, Diana.

March Book Club

Book club this month was at my house. Diana brought two of her friends and my friend Boopy came. Everyone arrived at the same time and someone brought up that on the blog we had decided to have dinner at the Mont. I had totally forgotten. There was a lot of hubbub and discussion about what to do. Diana decided to blow off book club and go to the movies with her friends. Several others decided to leave and when we sat down there were about 8 of us at the table. Boopy asked if we just wanted to jump into the discussion. I looked around the table and it hit me. I said, "Ladies, we are witnessing an historical moment. Please take note that THERE IS NO FOOD AT BOOK CLUB!" (cue the ominous organ music.)

Then I woke up laughing. "Quell Nightmare!" Unthinkable, a book club without food. And fortunately that was not the case on Friday night. Book Club was at Denise's house. She greeted us at the door standing next to the tantalizing aroma of Teriyaki Chicken. She also had scrumptious baked beans. I brought the Pear, Almond, Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad with Raspberry Walnut Dressing. Lis brought jalapeno cornbread. Diana brought her "best ever" Guacamole (thanks, Diana for not running off to the movies) chips and salsa. Janie topped off dinner with chocolate covered strawberries and lime squares. Thank God, that not only was there food at Book Club but there was enough for seconds.

Before I get on with the discussion of the book let me just say that Diana, Carla and I were honored with the most amazing sunset on our drive north do Denise's. At first, the sun was at such an angle that it was creating dramatic shadows. Part of the landscape was in deep shadow and part of it looked like it was being hit with a bright spotlight. As we drove north and then into the west the sun hitting the clouds turned the sky all purple and deep pink. We tried to capture it in photograph so you could enjoy it if you missed it. That is one thing you can say about Oklahoma. Lots of people complain because much of the landscape seems so flat but the "wide open spaces" leave the skies visible for these spectacular sun rises and sun sets.

Our book this month was The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. Barbara is a much loved author by most of the ladies in BC. Her Prodigal Summer is THE favorite book of several of the girls and The Poisonwood Bible is high on the list of others. Lacuna got more mixed reviews. It was not universally loved. The story is about a young man whose mother is Mexican and father is a "Gringo". The mother, either by personality or as a product of her environment is a narcissistic opportunist who leaves her husband and takes her son to Mexico to be with a man who is wealthier. He is the first in a line of men she looks to for financial provision. The mother gives her son his first journal and tells him to "write the story of their lives in Mexico." Later, even though she doesn't like what he writes and tries to discourage him she has set him on his path to being a writer.

The story vacillates between Mexico, DC, and Asheville, NC. The book is written in journal form and reports his life against the backdrop of history. At one point he is living with the artists Diego Rivera and Frido Kahlo and the revolutionist Trotsky and his wife.

You learn early on that Lacuna is a word that means "the missing part of the story" or the "missing piece" of something. And this missing piece is the thread runs throughout the book.

The general concensus was that most of us didn't connect with the characters. Carla A thought the last 100 pages of the book were the best. Laura loved the book because of the historical context but agreed that it is more of an intellectual story than an emotional one. Several attempted the book but didn't connect with it long enough to finish it. Pam recommended the book and she loved, loved, loved it saying it has become her favorite. Pam was unable to attend book club so I didn't get the full low down on why she loved it. Most of the girls felt like they were reading a history book rather than a novel.

As for me I liked the book and probably would've rated it higher except for the fact I grabbed the CD's of The Poisonwood Bible on a trip to Missouri. I had resisted reading this book because of the subject matter and my personal history. However, I ended up loving it. Of the 3 Kingsolver novels I have read (and I didn't read Prodigal) Poisonwood is my favorite. Poisonwood and Lacuna are very different stories and told very differently. Two things we all agree about Kingsolver: 1. She does her research 2. She is not formulaic and does not tell the same story twice. The book rated 2.7.

This month we missed Pam, Barb, Carla G, Darby, and Terry. Laura came a little late because of her son's ball game but we were glad that she was there to balance out the discussion.

February Book Club - Be Mine, Valentine

It is early on Sunday morning as I sit here in bed. I have one kitty at my feet and one stretched across my lap between me and the computer. I'm having a steaming cup of Godiva Creme Brulee coffee with frothy cream. It is Valentine's Day and I have just finished reading the "love notes" from my book club Valentine's and listening to Unchained Melody. I consider myself my own best Valentine and one lucky girl! Any single person out there feeling lonely and sad because they don't have a "romantic partner" doesn't have my wonderful friends! But more about that in a moment.

This months book club was hosted by Janie out on Easy Street. I just love that she has arrived where everyone wants to be! Several of us car pooled from Norman and we arrived, as usual, with arms full of food, drinks and books. The door was locked. That was unusual as we usually just walk on in. But we rang the bell and I was looking curiously through the window when this vision in black and orange all "a sparkle" came toward the door. It was Elisabeth all decked out in her Indian Salwar Kameez. She'd been keeping the door locked and guarding it so that Janie could keep her foot up and not be tempted to hobble to the door. Yes, our hostest with the mostess had surgery on her foot this week and still managed to serve us lasagna for dinner. She had planned to host book club around this time so she could enjoy it in her own home while she recuperated. These girls are troupers for sure! A little later in the evening we got a bit of a "show and tell" from Elisabeth about her ensemble that she had purchased on her recent missions trip to India. We're all just green with envy but thrilled that Elisabeth had this exciting adventure.

This now brings me to the this months book "Baking Cakes in Kigali" by Gaile Parkin. This was a very sweet story of Angel who bakes beautiful and very artistic cakes in a community in Rwanda. Angel, her husband and 5 grandchildren live in a "compound" in Kigali where people employed by various government agencies and embassies live while working in Kigali. This setting brings a lot of diversity of people and culture to Angel's doorstep. Angel's son and daughter are both "late" meaning deceased and she and her husband are raising the 5 grandchildren.

The cakes are what bring the variety of people to Angel's door. She learns all about their lives and loves as she gently questions them about their desires for the cakes. Angel is very aware and observant, some might event say intuitive. She acts on this information in some subtle and not so subtle ways as she impacts everyone she meets. In the process, she is also impacted and brought to a deeper understanding and awareness of her daughters passing. Angel also becomes a mentor for young "Girls Who Mean Business". Angel is a very special, professional "somebody" who is also going through the undignified process of menopause. We all liked the book very much. We thought some very serious subjects, including that of "cutting" young girls" and AIDS was handled deftly, thoughtfully, with humor and a light hand.

The book rated a 3.7 and 2 "I love its!" Darby and Denise compared it to Alexander McCall's #1 Ladies Detective Agency set in another part of Africa. Pam, who recommended the book, agreed.

Next to the lasagna Denise served a beautiful salad, Barb brought the bread and Lis brought a tuna appetizer. I don't know what she calls it but it looked a little like a pizza and tasted yummy. Diana brought dessert; A Valentine's Heart Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Icing. My mouth waters thinking about it. Arnora brought beautiful red tulips and Darby brought homemade wine "Montepulciano", which was really, really good. And as always there were other beverages, coffee and tea.

Pam, Laura, Terry, Carla G., and Lou were unable to attend and we missed them.

Now, about my book club Valentine's. Before we had our book discussion Janie handed us all an envelope with strips of paper inside. She instructed us to write our names on the envelopes and pass that to our left a couple of times. Then we were to write a "love" note to the person whose name was on the envelope. The envelopes were sealed and to be opened today... Valentine's Day.

What a great idea! It was fun to do and what a treat to sit here in the quiet of a Sunday morning with an envelope full of love from all you wonderful women. I am so blessed and never take for granted how you welcomed me in to a group that had already been going strong for a couple of years. I know, I didn't make the best first impression, ha-ha. But you got past it and I am so grateful and thankful and happy! You enrich my life in ways you will never know and words can not express! I hope for you all the best of Valentine's Day no matter how you spend it or with whom. You have made mine complete!

January 2010 Book Club

Happy New Year! The first book club of the year was hosted by Ms. Laura Madden. Thanks, Laura, for leaving up the Christmas decorations long enough for us to enjoy them. Everything was very festive. Janie and Darby were ill and we missed them. Laura made White Chicken Chili; warm and spicy for a cold winter's evening and served it with a cheese bread. Pam brought shrimp won tons and Barb brought a Waldorf salad. Denise brought variety of cheesecakes and an Italian Cream. Arnora brought the flowers and there was a fine assortment of wines, coffee and Diana brought Coquito, a cold creamy aperitif similar in consistency to eggnog but with a slightly different flavor.

This months book was The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coehlo. Previously we had read and enjoyed his book The Alchemist. TWoP is written by an anonymous narrator and he tells the story from the various perspectives of the people who surround the main character Athena. Athena is born in Romania to an unwed mother who leaves her on the doorstep of the orphanage. The baby is adopted by Lebanese parents and the family must flee their home during the time of Ceausceau to London where Athena finishes school. From the start Athena is a difficult child, indepenedent and willful. She has no intention of doing things by "the book" or traditional ways of her parents. Though they love her deeply they don't understand her and are frustrated by her. Athena literally dances to the beat of her own drummer as she discovers that by dancing in opposition to the rhythm she can put herself in an altered state of consciousness or trance. While she is in college she meets a young man who she is determined to marry because she desperately wants a baby. Though they do love each other, too much responsibility too soon and giving up on dreams to pay the bills wrecks the relationship. The rest of the back story is about Athena as a single working mom but more than that is about the people she meets when she travels to Transylvania to find her birth mother and the path she takes to discovering her inner Goddess or the "feminine" side of spirituality. It is a story about how "different" is often made wrong and even persecuted.

We had a very interesting discussion about "witches". Throughout history a women's feminine powers of intuition, their knowledge of healing through herbs and their ability to ease the pain of childbirth often had them labeled as "witches" and most often put to death in an effort to destroy their "power". Athena was no different. Worshipped by some, vilified by others she did what she had to do to protect herself and her son. The story takes an interesting twist at the end and the anonymous narrator is revealed.

The next day, Carla and I were discussing the book. Carla had not read it but had an interesting observation comparing the fictional Athena with her namesake the Greek Goddess. In mythology both Athena and Artemis are two Goddesses that are different sides of the same coin. Artemis is the nature Goddess and Athena is of the "city". She would represent your urban woman . However, both are considered "virgin Goddesses". During this time in Greek history "virgin" did not mean pure, it simply meant unmarried. Both Goddesses were very powerful and they loved men but had no need for marriage. They had their own personal agendas they were carrying out. That Coehlo chose Athena for the "nickname" of his protagonist is probably no accident.

This month 8 people read the book and it rated 3.6 with scores between 3 & 4.5.

Happy Birthday to me this month. I apologize that we didn't get the birthday girls last month in the book club crown. I hadn't realized it had broken and the one I had from a costume I only stumbled on to again just recently.

Christmas Book Club

Let me just say for the record
That my love for you all grows stronger
Each and every year.
The words that we read together
Our shared experiences
Tears and laughter.
Was it just my good luck,
Or were we destined to meet?
I shudder to think
What life would be like
If we passed on the streets
Unaware of each others existence.
One of my greatest joys
Is you all at my Christmas Tree
Sharing our poems and letters.
Let me just say again for the record
That my love for you all grows stronger
Each and Every Year.

Ok, so maybe it's a little hokie but the sentiment is real. Can you tell that I was totally inspired by our evening of poetry? Last month we decided to submit our favorite poems to Darby. Only Darby would know who submitted which poem. At book club she passed out copies and each poem was read allowed and we guessed who made the submission. Three people submitted the Road Less Traveled by Robert Frost; two people submitted different poems by Rumi. Two people submitted different Bronte sisters. The poem I read was "The Highwayman" submitted by Janie. I had never read it before but it had been brought to my attention twice this week on a radio show about poetry. I am not sure why exactly but it brought both Laura and I to tears, but in a good way.

On this radio program they were talking about how the short and long lines of the poem move your eye across the page and the movement sends a signal to the cerebral spinal fluid. This signal sends an electrical charge through the body that changes the biochemistry. In other words, there is a scientific explanation for the healing effects of poetry.

I thought it was a beautiful and moving experience. Lou brought a binding machine and Darby had made copies and covers for everyone so that we'll have this permanent record. Each time we write our Christmas letters, exchange poetry, or discuss a novel we're brought to new levels of depth and understanding of each other that continues to strengthen the bonds of our friendship.

That said we never even got around to discussing the David Sedaris "Holiday On Ice" that we'd chosen for December's selection. There was the briefest moment where Diana and Janie expressed their distaste for the book. "Hated it!" I believe was their unanimous decision. Diana wanted to give it a zero but I wouldn't let her. It was a little joke because I'd wanted to give a book a zero but I had to give it a one since we rate 1-5. Several of us liked the book. We took it for the exaggerated, dark humor, that I think was intended. There was just too much going on with the poetry and the binding and the food. I do believe it is a first in all the time I've been to book club that we didn't discuss the book at all. Out of seven who rated the average was 2.5.

For the main dish I prepared an Etouffe with shrimp, chicken and sausage choices. Thanks to Darby for the sausage. Carla G brought a gorgeous salad, Pam brought veggies & hummus and Diana brought sausage pastries. Lou brought a chocolate cherry cake with raspberry whipped topping. Laura made Butter Beer which is Butterscotch Snapps, Cream Soda and Werther's candies topped with whipped cream and served warm. A great "hot toddy" . Janie brought coffee cake and Macaroons and Arnora brought the beautiful flowers. We had a great selection of wine also that included a Chocolate Merlot brought by Arnora.

As usual, it was just a great evening of laughs (a couple of tears), conversation and food. A great way to wrap up the year and celebrate the holidays.

We missed Lis, Barb and Denise. And, Happy Birthday to Laura and Carla this month!

Several of us went snow tubing and I include our photo here with Segway Santa! Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!