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Sunday, June 26, 2016

Anatomy of a Book Club

Hello, dear friends.  I hope that you are enjoying your weekend.  We lucked out with picture perfect weather.  Today, we are off to a walking trail to visit with Chili's brother, Alan and his family.  You can read about our last meeting here.  

On Wednesday night, I hosted my Book Club.  The Mister took the day off to do all the work to give me a hand. 



The guests were due at 7 PM, so I had some extra time before they arrived to take some pics.






Eight lovely ladies were expected.












I put together eight of these little flower vases so that each of the ladies could take one home.



The Mister We decided to do some different types of crostinis.






Roasted tomato with garlic herb goat cheese, fresh sage, and balsamic cream.





Tiger shrimp with edamame and mint, hummus, grilled asparagus, and siracha mayo.




Zucchini ribbons with sundried tomato goat cheese, crumbled feta, and roasted peppers.





Espresso rubbed sirloin with apple fennel slaw, olive creme fraiche, and white truffle oil.





We offered wine and spiked and non-spiked Arnold Palmers.   







For dessert, the Mister whipped up individual servings of a buttermilk panna cotta with rhubarb jam, black fig, and fresh berries.  Also, a lovely lady by the name of Nancy brought the most delicious butterscotch brownies.  The bad new is I didn't get a picture because we inhaled them; the good news is Nancy was kind enough to send me the recipe which you will find at the end of this post.






The hostess selects the book, and everyone seemed pleased with my choice.  Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite authors.  She has a way of reaching into the souls of her characters and the hearts of her readers.  I highly recommend this gem of a novel.






Next month's book. 
Has anyone read it?







NRRBC
Non-Reading Reading Book Club 

Our illustrious founder is Mickey, standing second from the right.
I consider myself blessed to have the opportunity to see these wonderful women every month.  We may not discuss the book much, but it is always a guaranteed great time.


Warning:  this recipe should be kept in a vault.


Nancy's Butterscotch Brownies


2/3 cup butter, melted. (10 2/3 T.)

2 cups light brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. Baking powder
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 handfuls chocolate bits

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat, then cool 10 minutes.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla and brown sugar.
Combine flour, salt, and baking powder, then stir into saucepan.
Add chocolate bits.
Spread into buttered 9 x 13 pan
Bake @ 350 degrees for 26 minutes
(In my oven 26 minutes works well - I don't like them as well if overcooked)
Happy baking!

Thanks Nancy!

Until next time...





Proudly linking up with:

Preppy Empty Nester
Preppy Empty Nester

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44 comments:

  1. Your table setting was beautiful! What an elegant home you have. It is funny that you admit you don't necessarily talk about the book much at a book club gathering. -Jenn

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  2. Lovely photos. Looks like an enjoyable evening! I would read a plumbing book cover-to-cover in order to have some of the Mister's tasty creations.

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  3. Katie, you are lucky to have a fun group of women to gather for a book club. I've never been in a book club, but think it's a fun idea. I've requested the book from our library and look forward to reading it. Thanks for the recommendation. Enjoy your pretty weekend. It's hot and humid in TX. I know you miss that! Ha!

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  4. May I rent The Mister for my next get together? Your spread looks amazing! You are sooooo
    lucky to have a hubby that cooks like that.
    Not familiar with either book. Will check them out.

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  5. You are killing me with those food pics!! Do you know lucky you are to have such a willing and super able chef in the house!! Lucky lady..of course he's lucky too:) Happy Sunday to you.

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  6. I too am a member of a book club. We affectionately refer to our book club as therapy. For several years we selected a book, read it and had a discussion about it. As time went on we would mention the book in passing. Now we don't even select a book, but rather look forward to our time together at "book club". We talk about everything happening in our lives. Over the years the night for book club has become sacred. And we have adopted the saying "What happens in book club stays in book club. "

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    Replies
    1. That sounds like my kind of book club!! I love the thought of calling it "therapy." How fortunate you and your friends are to have each other. Enjoy your week, Bobbie!

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  7. Lucky you to be part of such a lovely group! I am going to request both those books - I always appreciate a good recommendation. Thank you (I think!) For the recipe.

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  8. A very elegant book club gathering..must be so nice to have your Mister serve such beautiful foods! Will definitely look into the book too! Have a great week Katie!

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  9. Be careful. Your readers might all move close to you so they can join your book club and enjoy the Mister's delicious treats. I am so jealous. I couldn't even begin to make something similar because I'm not familiar with half of the ingredients! It sounds like it's a great group.

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    Replies
    1. I'm with you, Susie, when it comes to ingredients. Hope you have a great week!

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  10. ok. now really????? Such a good thing that that mr. of yours doesn't live around here. He'd be able to quit his real job and hire out for all of my friend's gatherings! That is SO NOT RIGHT that you have a husband that not only likes to antique with you but also prepares major culinary art FOR you???!!!! Sheesh!
    I looked at the pic of your book club buddies and immediately thought Mickey looks like Beemie!! I thought she had come to your party!!!
    And now I am 'jonesing' for that sirloin truffle oil treat. And panna cotta? Oh My....my fave. You better be treating him right, girlfriend!!!!

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  11. I want to be in your book club like all of the others reading this post. Your table is lovely and what a handy hubby! I must try that recipe too. Thanks for the book suggestions...have a great week.
    sheila

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  12. Your house is gorgeous! I, too, have a non-reading book club - we always pick a book but then sit around and chit chat about everything but . . . which I think is awesome! Those brownies sound delicious - I just saved the recipe - thanks for sharing!

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  13. I miss reading and need to get back to enjoying it. It looks like you girls have a wonderful time together and you are a lucky one to have a mister with such culinary skills. Now...what color of blue is that on your dining room walls??? I am crazy in love with it!!

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    Replies
    1. Here's the link to the paint:
      http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6241-aleutian/#/6242/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0

      Enjoy the rest of the week, Jan.

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  14. I don't even know where to start, Katie!! Your dining room & kitchen are beautiful, but that food! Wow...I am speechless! They look amazing. I honestly can't decide who got the better deal: You because you're married to a man who can just whip those dishes up, or The Mister because he's married to the beautiful and charming you!! I want to be your neighbor!

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  15. That's one fancy shmansy book club party, so beautiful. Did you all read 2 AM at the Cat's Pajamas by Bertino. I think you'd all like it. :)

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  16. I would like one of each of the crostini, but especially the espresso rubbed sirloin - yum! Everything looks just lovely Katie :-)

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  17. Katie those crostini platters look amazing! Where are those recipes? I love your variations they sound so yummy. Your home is gorgeous and it looks like such a great group of friends. How nice to be in a book club, I'll have to check out your recommendation, I'm always reading something.
    xo
    Leslie

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    Replies
    1. I'll have to have the Mr. write down the recipes. I just started The Trail of Broken Wings and loving it. Have a great week, Leslie.

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  18. Beautiful blue, beautiful food, beautiful YOU!! What a splendid book club!!

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  19. I want to join your book club...if nothing else...for the food!!! LOL You have such a gorgeous home!

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  20. Love the table setting. My book club meets Tuesday, and I am going to recommend this book-Trail of Broken Wings along with the brownie recipe!

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  21. Love your photos of stylish book club members, your beautiful home, and enticing food! I always enjoy your book recommendations immensely. Thank you for sharing the brownie recipe. Can't wait to make it! Like other commenters, I also would love to know the paint color for your dining room and crostini recipes if you're willing to share please. Hope you have a wonderful day.

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    Replies
    1. Hello dear southernmum here is the link for the paint color:
      http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6241-aleutian/#/6242/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0

      I'll have to get the Chef to sit down and write the recipes. Enjoy your week!

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    2. Thank you very much for the paint color information! I chose a color of blue that looked perfect on the paint chip strip but was too bright on our walls. My Mister and I are grateful for your sharing of your beautiful paint colors. Hope you are having a wonderful day!

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  22. I don't know where to start. Your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous, and I love the color of your dining room walls. Also, your table setting for the book party looked lovely, and the recipes look scrumptious!!!

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  23. Wow! The table is beautiful, and the food looks amazing. I'm partial to anything with goat cheese and I love Arnold Palmers. Your book club sounds fun and relaxed, yet elegant at the same time. How blessed you all are to have such a wonderful group.

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  24. Oh my word -- what a wonderful dining experience for your book club! The table settings and food look divine! I wanna be in your book club! ;) Have a great week!

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  25. If the Mister wants to start a cooking club, sign me up. That food is gorgeous as is the house and your book club pals. The flowers as a gift is really charming. I would have been just as thrilled with a vase of panna cotta.

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  26. What fun! I am definitely making those brownies! I used to belong to a book club and many times it ended up being a non-reading one as well...it should have been called a wine club. Anyway, I will have to check out those books to add to my list.
    Shelley

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  27. The table, food, and company look fabulous. The brownies sound amazing...look out hips and thighs.

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  28. Okay, I just gained three pounds reading this post. Oh yeah, what was the book again LOL
    xo Laura

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  29. Pretty table setting, and the food looks delish! I love the idea of a book club - just wish I had time to read - lol!!

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  30. It all looks scrumptious, and I'm especially interested in the glass dishes for dessert. How adorable! Do you remember where you got them?

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  31. Everything looks so beautiful! The Mr. sure can cook, the food looks amazing! I might need to make a visit ;)

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  32. Oh my goodness, this looks fabulous! Between your beautiful decor and the Mr.'s food I am in awe. I would love to come to a book club at your house.

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  33. Seriously? I want to move to Boston just to crash your book club!!! Wow - your Mister is such an amazing chef - you are one lucky girl! Hope your week is going well, my dear! xoxo

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  34. Oh my Katie, can I come join your book club too??? What an incredible spread. Your friends must love you and what a gorgeous home. You certainly created a very elegant table for your friends to enjoy. I think that as a host, that is the ultimate gift we can give to our guests. The food looks spectacular.

    Thanks for visiting me. I am so happy I stopped by. Love your blog and I am definitely following. Hope you visit me soon.

    Hugs,

    Janet
    rosemary-thyme .blogspot.com

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  35. We eat well at our book club but not nearly so elegantly as you do at yours! My mouth is watering at the delicious treats and my eyes popping from your gorgeous table! I have a feeling I need to up my game!

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  36. Everything looks just beautiful and the food so delicious. My mom has always been an entertainer and doing beautiful table settings, lovely favor/gifts and more. Her health has been declining these past few years and she can't do as much as she used to. I got my love of entertaining from her and it always makes me smile to see others enjoying this tradition as well. To put down the electronics and truly visit with one another, for friends are such a blessing. Thank you for sharing...I really enjoyed the post and the smiles on your friends faces says it all!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  37. Katie, If we ever do move to Boston/Cape Cod I'll apply for admission to your "book" club! Your Mister is a gem to add his talents! At all my bookclubs the hubby usually sticks his head in says hi, and retreats to the room with the tv to relax in peace. I haven't read either of those books! Right now I'm alternating between Utopia for a class and listening to a good trashy georgian romance from Georgette Heyer. Linda

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