Recipe Day- Bookclub on the Deck by A. Woz

It seems I always get to host our group on starry nights in the spring.

We gather on the deck with fresh salads on our forks and this time, a lovely mojito beverage with mint picked from the front porch flowerbed.

Our discussion is not about food,  not even much about the book we have finished, White Tiger by Aravind Adiga.  We do talk about unlikeable characters, family loyalty, traditions,  but it’s really all reflections of normalcy as compared to our regular lives.

On evenings filled with re-enactments of our real-life laughter moments, frustrations, and a-ha moments, this group really knows how to take the topic from India’s caste system and segue effortlessly into the rigors of teaching our children manners, gratitude and our attempts to accept whatever our ten year olds think it is they need that week, which tonight, includes serious inquiries into getting a cell phone.

The deck railing hides the pushpins holding a string of last year’s twinkling white tree lights and with a blanket and a spare sweater the guests settle back in despite the cooling evening air and voices tinged with shivered sounding syllables. We hug our glasses of wine a little closer and lean in to add our opinions as we try to reclaim the book discussion that brings us together each month.

For just a moment, we are interrupted by the ringing telephone. The neighbor has called to report that a bear has been spotted a half mile away at an intersection in Hometown USA. The guests quickly look under their chairs, lift their sandaled feet and pedicured toes just a few inches  off the deck floorboards,  as if to protect themselves from an ankle lick from a wayward bear.

With gentle assurances we turn on the yard light, make sure the dogs are safe inside the fence and resume our sharing of the details that make us who we are. As our giggles float to the willow tree and the grapevine covered arbor in the side yard, we step back inside to add a spoon of Watermelon Lime Salad to our plates or to grab another serving of Totellini Mozz salad. While we chat, my husband who has graciously tucked the children into bed has an opportunity to have the last of Mel’s Cabin Salad- his favorite.

• Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel for July
• Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson for August
• You Remind Me of Me by Dan Chaon for September

- book picks recalled and published here with credit to Karen and her iphone.

Recipes

For best results, use fresh ingredients from a local Community Shares Agriculture farm share. We support Vermont Valley CSA Farm- and farmers Barb and Dave Perkins.

Tortellini Mozz Salad

Fresh or frozen tortellini- tri colored best

2 med. tomatoes diced

1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, drained

10 basil leaves, torn

2-3 T Olive Oil

1 can medium olives

Fresh ground pepper.

Cook tortellini according to directions, drain, allow to stop steaming before adding the remaining ingredients. Toss and serve immediately.

Mel’s Cabin Salad

Fresh lettuce mix

1 pint any combination fresh seasonal berries- mulberries, blackberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.

4 oz slivered almonds

4 tbsp PoppySeed Dressing drizzled on top  (Marzetti’s Natural is a good choice)

Just toss and serve in a pretty salad bowl.

### enjoy! for ChildGrower blog, A. Woz

Authenticity

December 10, 2011
Letter by Erika Hotchkiss as posted on Forward Lookout blog. 

Since the beginning of the recall effort in Verona I have received many messages and phone calls both in support and in opposition to Tuvalu’s participation in the recall effort. I would like to take a moment to clarify why I have made the decision to involve my local business in this issue.
Tuvalu Coffeehouse & Gallery has, since it’s opening, been all about social justice.

Everything I do I do with the thought of how it will affect our community, our children, and quite honestly our world. I have set out to make a place in Verona that educates consumers and offers a family friendly environment and a socially conscious choice within our community.

I feel strongly that what is happening to the people of our state and the divisiveness that we see at the Capitol is, at its core, a social justice issue. I have, therefore, provided the recall Walker organizers in Verona a place to collect signatures where they can sit out of the cold at a table in the corner and be safe, and the people who want to sign the recall petition can sign it knowing that they are signing in a place where they and their signatures are also safe. The recall group has been very respectful of our business and our customers. They sit quietly at a table with their petitions waiting for people to come to them if they so choose.
As a customer recently wrote to me “Some might think that putting politics into your business is risky… Sometimes, separating the two is the least authentic choice. We must all go to bed at night knowing we are measured by the positions we take on a daily basis. I applaud the transparency and I know you sleep well.”
No matter the outcome, I wouldn’t change a thing.

As a longtime resident of Verona, a mother to three wonderful kids, and a small business owner I have to make the best choices I am able to every day. I love that we have a safe place in Verona for people to sign. I love that I am able to stand up for what’s right with integrity and feel empowered and supported by this wonderful community! I have never been silent when I see injustice and misuse of power no matter the risk. I truly would walk away from anything where I was not able to be authentic to who I am and what I believe. This is what Tuvalu is at its core… it’s more than just a place to get a great cup of coffee.

Thank you all and Happy Holidays!
Erika Hotchkiss

Erika is the owner of Tuvalu Coffeehouse and Gallery in Verona, WI. 

Covergirls picks for June 2011-May 2012

Welcome new members Cami and Paula.

Marti and Lisa and Julie- we know you’ll be back. They always come back! We’ll continue to meet at host’s choice of location at  7:30pm with discussion beginning at 8pm on the third Thursday of each month unless noted below due to holidays, etc. Hosts please route directions prior.  Let’s try and plan for the year. Put these in your calendar and count on conversation,  time away and a discussion of everything plus the book.

Bookclub pick was completed in record time on Thursday evening at the local Barnes and Noble. Mya will be hosting on June 16, perhaps on her back deck, where frequent sightings of  Baltimore orioles and candlelit wineglasses have been known to frame discussions.

Our first book is not a bodice ripper, but Amy Chua’s Battle Hymm of the Tiger Mother may cause some of us to tear our hair out. Let’s see!

On the 2011/12 Calendar with links to Amazon for a Peek at the Covers!

• June 16 at Mya’s -  Battle Hymm of the Tiger Mother (video clip of author on PBS defending “memoir”)  by Amy Chua
• July 21 at Joanne’s – Exit the Actress by Priya Parmar
• August OFF
• September 15 at Theresa’s – Those who Save Us by Jenna Blum
• October 20 at Karen’s – A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan and/or 13 rue Therese by Elaina Mauli Shapiro (DARE WE MAKE THIS A 2 BOOK discussion since we took August Off???)
• November 17 at Paula’s- Cleopatra by Stacey Schiff
• December 15 at Marcia’s – TBA Short Stories by Grace Paley
• January 19th 2012! at Lynne’s – The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon
• February 16 at Carol’s – The Worst Hard Time- Timothy Easton
• March 15 at Annita’s – Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson
• April 19 at Cami’s – TBA-
• May X at Nancy’s – TBA-

Karen’s tip of the Day- Don’t forget to try the Large Print Edition if the library waiting list is too long! : )

See you all at Mya’s

RedTent Bookclub picks Feb 2011-Dec 2011

 

1. Robert Goolrick, The Reliable Wife—-February 10th(Thursday)—-Jo Yarwood 2. Garth Stein, The Art Of Racing In The Rain—-March 22(Tuesday)—-Anita Wozniak 3. Chris Bohjalian, Before You Know Kindness—-April 26(Tuesday)—–Branda Weix 4. Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever—–May 24(Tuesday)—–Kate Sebastian 5. Colum McCann, Let The Great World Spin—-June 28th(Tuesday)—–Amy Dombrowski 6. Karen Russell, Swamplandia—-July 26th(Tuesday)—-Karen Johnson

7. Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden—–September 27th(Tuesday) 8. Abraham Verghese, Cutting For Stone—-October 25th(Tuesday) 8. David Eggers, Zeitaoun——November 29nd(Tuesday) 9. Robert M Persig, The Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenence—–January 24th(Tuesday)

 

 

Mother Hubbard’s Red Tent Bookclub

Wonderful book club event in a beautiful setting with Ms. Michelle and the shoe ladies. We are clearly not Mother Hubbards…tee hee.

Grateful to have such interesting women to visit with on a fall evening.  Thank you Michelle and all the crowd, enjoyed catching up with all of you…Didn’t realize how much I needed the night out to just “be.”

This book club thing is a good thing. 10 years in Dec. Wow.

October 7th (robin’s birthday) at Karen’s house.  We are reading Fat White Vampire Blues.

November 11th at Erin’s House, reading Never Let Me Go

December 2 (no read) Holiday book exchange at Jessica’s

Other suggestions, Franzen’s Freedom, Malachi, (Robin) , Branda’s “Politically Correct Holiday Stories”, etc.

Covergirls don’t pick any Sci Fi?

Post (not the title) stolen from Karen:  Great to see everyone at Barnes and Noble that could make it to the book pick, sorry to miss a few of you that couldn’t make it. Here’s a listing of what will be happening for the next few months. We are keeping the 3rd thursday of the month at 7:30 pm as our meeting time unless there is a holiday- Karen

September 16 -Marti’s house for “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”

October 21- Carole’s house for “The Other Side of the Bridge” by Mary Lawson

November 18th – Marcia’s house for “Let the Great World Spin” by Colum McCann

December 16th – Mya’s house for “Freedom” by Jonathan Franzen

January 20th – Karen’s house for “Little Bee” by Chris Cleave

February 17th – Theresa’s house for “Father of the Rain” by Lily King

March 17th -Lynn, for “Love, Anger and Madness-A Haitian Trilogy” by Marie Vieux-Grauvet

April 14th – Annita’s house for “Wildwater Walking Club” by Claire Cook or a Science Fiction book, darn it.