Feeling thankful

Wonderful Thanksgiving today. While many in the family couldn't gather our small group was just right. My son offered to host which I appreciated. My mom provide the turkey, stuffing and gravy. My sister-in-law made her delicious mashed potatoes, orange and plain rolls and two desserts. I made new green bean casserole (voted "just okay", sweet potatoes, three different cheeses and crackers. It was all in all very relaxing. Busy days. I have been baking different breads- sour dough, braided cinnamon. Made an apple pie with ginger gold apples are our favorite.

Had the opportunity to see Hillary and Chelsea Clinton on their book tour for Gutsy Women. Fascinating.

Book group met last week to discuss Fleishman is in Trouble. I guess you either liked it or didn't. I was in the didn't like group. I can not fathom why this is on so many must read lists. I found the characters to be whiny, self -absorbed, superficial. And not much of a plot. But maybe that was the point. Anyway, we had a really good discussion. We meet in December for our annual potluck dinner and Yankee swap. The book is Little Fires Everywhere. Happy Thanksgiving!

October

Still luckily enough to be able to get to RI these past few weekends and enjoy the beautiful fall weather. It was warm enough to go swimming the past two weekends. Another plus- few people on the beach. Perfect for reading and relaxing. Experimented yesterday with another sourdough bread recipe using beer. I think it came out pretty good- good crumb, good taste, good crust.

. This is the first rise. There are three and it basically took most of the day which was fine.

. Out of the oven to cool.

. Ready to eat. Trouble is the recipe makes such a big loaf. Definitely worth doing again. Maybe I will split the dough and bake two smaller loaves. Recipe is from King Arthur Flour and I almost never have a fail using their recipes. Finished The Scent Keeper. It was slow to start but I finally got into it. Fantasy. Our book group is reading Parable of the Sower(Butler) which is futuristic. To me, it was disturbing and a bit depressing because there are so many parallels to today's society and lifestyle. But a good story. Should be a good discussion when we meet. The past few weekends have had spectacular sunsets. This was the one last night.

. No filter. Simply beautiful.

September planning meeting

Last weekend my book group met for our get-together to select our books for the upcoming year. The weather cooperated! I wasn't sure it would and was prepared for a cold or rainy day with a women's authors jigsaw puzzle. But it was nice enough that we could walk on the beach and take the obligatory beach photo.

. Had a nice lunch of two types of quiche, fruit salad, quinoa salad and cookies. We selected our meeting dates and then got to work on the book selection. Our first book (October)is Parable of the Sower (Butler). I checked and it appears that our library, or the consortium that the library belongs to, has every book in just about any format. Our dinner was great- grilled salmon, rainbow chard, homemade sourdough bread, carrot cake- we always eat well. When it started to get dark we turned on the fairy lights (in wine bottles from past weekends!).

Beautiful sunset

Beautiful sunset

Morning walk

Walked early today, before the rain started. Sun was pretty on the water.

. Last night I finished A Land of Permanent Goodbyes. A story of a Syrian refugee family. Compelling, disturbing, beautifully written. It is a YA book. I learned so much about the conditions, risks and reasons that many consider before leaving their country.

Summer

Summer is whizzing by. There have been lots of sunny and very hot days. Luckily we installed AC units last year. While not a big fan of AC so appreciative that we have it to help with sleeping and staying cool. Too hot to even sit on the beach under an umbrella! Have been reading, and doing some sewing. Walking early in the morning before it gets too hot and humid.

Starting to think about my book group’s annual gathering in September. I always try to think of something to do that is a bit different from the previous year. I found a literary jigsaw puzzle which I purchased in case it is a rainy day. I usually have some kind of a favor for everyone. I have done book marks and thinking this year maybe a handmade soap or something that isn’t book themed. For our last get together in June, I made cupcakes with edible toppers of titles from books we had read. You can find anything on Etsy!!

Gathering a list of potential reads for the upcoming year. Always tough to find a book that will generate a good discussion. Calendar (tentative) has already been sent out. Have been experiencing beautiful sunsets.

I didn't realize that my "grand-dog Nellie is in the picture doing her thing!

Last night my book group gathered at my house. I attempted to make a cheese board. I actually made two that were identical. I think they came out pretty well and everyone really enjoyed grazing.

Our discussion of The Life We Bury was really good and we stayed on topic relatively well, not much digression. The next book is Manhattan Beach. I am not really thrilled to read it as I didn't like Goon Squad but that's why I am in a book group! I am currently reading A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl. Can't say I am loving it but I am working my way through it. It is pretty depressing. I do like the style of writing. Have been busy, when it isn't raining, getting the gardens cleaned up and mulched in RI. My husband finally found someone who will cut brush,mulch etc around the houses and actually shows up. Last week I discovered a bunny nest with at least 2 little ones near the back door.

Unfortunately it is right in the middle of a patch of pachysandra which I had finally convinced by husband to dig up so.... until the bunnies move the pachysandra is staying. Will take a few books this weekend to RI and hope that the weather is nice. Maybe a walk on the beach before it gets too busy.

In like a lion...

Last Tuesday my book group met to discuss House of Broken Angels. The discussion really helped me to get a better grasp of the book. Still I did breathe a sigh of relief that I finished it in time for the meeting. While not my favorite, and I wasn't really driven to read it, I am glad I stuck with it. Two people in the group really loved it while most of us were more ambivalent. Honestly I probably would not have finished it if it hadn't been for book club. Our next book is Evicted which is probably depressing. Seems to be a theme this year- The Great Alone, Educated.....Snowing today.

Didn't really expect the weather man to be correct or to have as much snow. Guess I will have to go to Plan B as Plan A isn't going to work. As we didn't go to Maui this year (health issues) I have been experimenting with sour dough bread. After successfully making the starter, and keeping it alive, I think I have finally gotten the recipe correct. This is the last loaf I made and it was just about perfect in my mind. It is a very dense loaf with a very chewy crust which I like.

The ridges in the bread are caused by the banetton basket which is used for the final rising. It's been fun but every time can have different results because of a variety of factors-humidity, heat, etc. Two days ago this guy

strolled through our yard. Quite large and appeared very healthy. I always worry when my kids' dogs are let out because you just never know what is in the backyard- coyote, deer, etc.

New year! New post!

Happy New Year! My book group met last night to discuss Killers of the Flower Moon. Lively, spirited discussion,sometimes more than one going on! There was, as usual great food. And it was fun to catch up with everyone. Our next book is House of Broken Angels. I managed to get a copy from our library. I picked up Dear Martin, a YA book, that was highly recommended by two of my friends. Having the time to try something new I was interested in making my own sour dough starter and using it to make bread. Following Baker Bettie on Instagram I managed to get the starter going and actually made a pretty decent loaf of bread. While it was a bit time consuming, and you had to measure out the flours and keep track of the water temperature, in theory, now that the starter has been made, I should be able to make a loaf when I want. I have placed "Selma" (yes I did name it) in the refrigerator to go to sleep. I will need to read up on the best way to wake her up. A couple of pictures of the finished product.

My loaf right out of the oven.

Cut in half to admire the "crumb"- nice structure with a few holes which indicate a good starter. This was a no knead bread so it was a bit dense with a crusty, chewy crust (if that makes sense) which was really good. I am actually amazed that it worked!!