Date for the Next Meeting

Hi Everyone,

I would like to plan our next meeting to discuss Adrift, by Steven Callahan, on Tuesday, August 17th at 7:00 in the Meeting Room of the Library. I would like to make it an open to the public meeting, and order pizzas from the Log Cabin. I tried to plan it for the 12th, but the Council meets that night in the room. I hope that this works out for as many of us as possible.

Thanks!
Esther

Next Meeting Set

Hi Everyone,

We will be meeting at Gerry's home on Wednesday, July 21st at 6pm. Gerry will be preparing a main entree and salad. I will bring scalloped potatoes and Nancy will bring dessert. Chris will be driving in from Spokane, so she might be a bit late (hope she doesn't have any traffic issues). I'm sure Esther will think of something delicious. All are invited. Any questions please call Gerry. Looking forward to seeing everyone next week!

Frank Lloyd Wright

After we read "The Women" by TC Boyle, I decided to also read "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan. It was interesting to compare the two books as they gave a slightly different view of FLW. Horan's book was about Maymah and FLW. Horan made FLW appear less unscrupulous than Boyle's portait. She seemed to feel that Frank and Maymah would have stayed together if Maymah hadn't been murdered. This might have happened, but I really don't think they would have based on Boyle's story. I'm sure Frank would have dumped Maymah for someone else at some point. As was commented on during our book discussion, it would have been interesting to know which parts of the story were based on fact and which were fictitious.

Nancy Horan grew up in the neighborhood that Frank and his first wife and family lived in, so she knew the homes he designed and the history of the former occupants. She now lives in the Puget Sound area. I believe this was her first book. It was an okay read, but I preferred TC Boyle's book over Horan's.

I'm plodding through my selection, "When Everything Changed", and am looking forward to our discussion of this book. Looking forward to seeing you all sometime in July!

Need to Change the Date

Hi Everyone,

Is it okay if we change the date for July's book club meeting? I will be up in Stehekin working and will not be back on the ferry in time to prepare dinner.

Let me know what will work.

Since I'm not sure how often people check this, I will call everyone as well. :)

Thanks, Barbara

Walnut Torte with Mocha Icing

Here's the recipe for the dessert we enjoyed at Chris':

Walnut Torte
1 c. ground walnuts (you can substitute almonds or pecans. According to "Joy of Cooking", pecans will yield a richer, moister cake.)
2 T. flour
2 1/2 t. baking powder
4 eggs
3/4 c. sugar

Preheat oven to 350*. Prepare an 8" springform pan or two 8" layer pans. (Note: do not grease the sides of the pans. I lined my springform pan with parchment paper for easier removal.) Seperate the eggs. Beat the egg yolks until they are a light, creamy color (approx. 3 minutes). Add the flour and the baking powder. Gradually add the sugar and beat until creamy. In a seperate bowl, beat the egg whites until peaks are stiff but not dry. (Note: as per "Joy", you may add one more egg white for a lighter cake.) Fold the ground nuts and the egg whites into the batter. (You may add the nuts to the batter, but I find this make the batter stiff and harder to fold the egg whites into it.) Pour into prepared pans and bake springform approx. 30 minutes and layer pans approx. 20 minutes. Let cool in pan(s). (The cake will sink while cooling.) Remove and top with Mocha Icing or your favorite.

Mocha Icing
1 c. whipping cream
1 t. instant coffee
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
1/3 c. sugar

Beat cream until you have stiff peaks. Add remaining ingredients and beat to combine.

Reading some other good books: The Girls from Ames (audio tape); Feminine Mystique; The Woman's Room...with the current selection and Claudia's coming up, plenty of gender reading!!

Thank you Nancy!

I loved our dinner at Nancy's. The chicken curry, lentils, chapatis were delicious, as are all our meals together. But even more, I enjoy our conversations. I still have a few pages in Three Cups of Tea to finish, but I am so impressed with Greg Mortenson, and his work - humbling and inspiring to realize that one motivated person can make so much of a difference.

We are now reading The Women, by T.C. Boyle. I would be interested in hearing reactions to the book as we go along, if anyone would like to comment here. Sometimes, a thought can be expressed in writing even more easily than in spoken words.

We decided to meet at Chris's house on Monday, May 24 at 6:00 PM..

(If anyone has the ratings for the recently read books that don't have ratings attached, let me know and I can add them. Thanks! )