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Bonnie hosted our book club's Christmas meeting, which included delicious dinner and dessert and a discussion of "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. Many members didn't appreciate the beauty of the book. I loved that the book spoke to the "life is a journey, not a destination" perspective. I shared with the group my personal goal of enjoying each day and not wishing away my life looking forward to Friday nights. Each day is a gift.Afterwards, we had a spirited dirty Santa book exchange. We each bring a book we like from our own personal collection (but one our club hasn't yet read). We draw numbers. And then, starting with No. 1, each member chooses a wrapped package and opens a book. No. 2 can steal No. 1's book or open a new one (and on and on). I was quite pleased that my copy of "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle was stolen again and again by Carrie R. and Peggy. Fellow blogger Chris ended up taking it home. (Hope you enjoy it!) I bought it used for my college children's lit class, and I marked my favorite passages in the book. The fantasy is a great read.
I'm also looking forward to reading the book I brought home, "Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife" by Mary Roach. Our book club read her previous book, "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers." I found it to be strangely interesting and insightful.
First, though, I'll finish my more festive book of choice, "The Christmas Pearl" by Dorothea Benton Frank. I try to read a Christmas book every December. A couple of years ago, for example, I enjoyed "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham. If you haven't yet seen the movie "Christmas with the Kranks," read the book first. It's cheesy and silly and has a very sweet ending.
We had our annual holiday luncheon in the newsroom today. I contributed my no-fail rosemary cornbread, which always receives compliments. I've told several friends that I'd post the recipe here. It's simple and quick, as promised:Rosemary cornbread2 eggs, slightly beaten2 8.5-ounce boxes cornbread mix1 8-ounce container plain yogurt2 7-ounce cans whole-kernel corn, drained1 tablespoon dried rosemary leaves**Heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray and set aside. Stir all the ingredients together. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 25 minutes or just until golden. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy!Source: Real Simple
At our house, peanut butter & Dakota go together almost as well as PB & J.
Since he was a wee 10-pound pup, he's been a big fan of peanut butter. He didn't even mind when we switched this year to my new fave, Smucker's Natural. Whenever we scrape the bottom of the jar, Dakota's ears perk up. He knows that means it's time for him to lick it clean. See how he holds the jar upright with his front paws? What a smart (albeit totally weird) dog.
It's official! On Friday night, my youngest sister Amanda accepted her boyfriend Kurtis' marriage proposal in front of a Christmas light display in Fayetteville, Ark. Wedding plans are pending. We'll keep you posted! In the meantime, this pretty ring is now at home on her left hand. Congrats, you two!
UPDATE: You can see a photo of Lights of the Ozarks, the Christmas light display in Fayetteville where Kurtis purposed, here.
Connect, the young adult group at my church, had its annual Christmas party tonight. We started out caroling, had dinner and then commenced the much-anticipated gift exchange. Here's how it works:We each bring a white elephant gift, something that we already own (the rule is you can't spend any money on the gifts). Last year, for example, some of the funny gifts were a sweet potato from my kitchen and a jumbo pack of toilet paper (as in 24 rolls) that my friend Brent had at home. Then we all sit in one big circle while I read the right/left Christmas story, which prompts us to pass our mystery gifts to the right or left.At the end, you open the gift you're holding. (Unless it's one you brought. In that case, that person can trade for a gift of his or her choosing.)
Tonight I received this box of Boy Scout popcorn. Useful, tasty -- and the gift of complete power. In the lower left corner of the box, it says, "Anything's possible with popcorn."
Another gift that drew a lot of attention was this moose toilet paper holder, which was in Kirk and Jocelyn's home when they purchased it. It now belongs to Brent. (Notice a t.p. trend with him?) He was hoping to beat his roommate home tonight to install it in his bathroom as a little Christmas surprise.)
Other gifts included a fabric little drummer boy doll that Teresa started in fourth grade and never finished. We'll see what Nicole makes of the project. Ann is now the proud owner of an odd little trash can that sucks up your dust piles. And Tony took home a berry blast-scented candle. May you find something just as special under your tree this year!
Bonnie hosted our book club's Christmas meeting, which included delicious dinner and dessert and a discussion of "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. Many members didn't appreciate the beauty of the book. I loved that the book spoke to the "life is a journey, not a destination" perspective. I shared with the group my personal goal of enjoying each day and not wishing away my life looking forward to Friday nights. Each day is a gift.
I'm also looking forward to reading the book I brought home, "Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife" by Mary Roach. Our book club read her previous book, "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers." I found it to be strangely interesting and insightful.
First, though, I'll finish my more festive book of choice, "The Christmas Pearl" by Dorothea Benton Frank. I try to read a Christmas book every December. A couple of years ago, for example, I enjoyed "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham. If you haven't yet seen the movie "Christmas with the Kranks," read the book first. It's cheesy and silly and has a very sweet ending.
