The beginnings of a book group...

{I got over my frustration (previous post) so here ya go...}

This is my second attempt at this post and thus it will likely be shorter and less eloquent, but nonetheless...

Tuesday night was the first meeting for my much anticipated and newly created book group. Most of us were able to meet at Maple Street Grill to get the ball rolling and lay out the plan.

Let me back up and give you a little history first. My amazing mom started a book group with some friends and colleagues a couple of years ago. It has been so successful! They have read a WIDE range of books, been exposed to new texts and old texts alike. They have, through their books, traveled to far away places and rural places, and city-fied places and everything in between. They have also literally traveled together to a get-away in a fcabin and also to a beautiful beach!

So inspired by my mother, as I so often am, I decided to start a book group of my own! It can't get much better than to participate in something that is fun and social and enriching all at the same time. I am really looking forward to reading more and being exposed to different texts because many times when I read I get into a "rut" and tend to read the same types of books for periods of time!

That said, I am happy to announce the beginning of our book group. I am the first hostess and thus have chosen the book. I figured we could start small, and so our first book is Small Change: The Secret Life of Penny Buford. Next month I will host our lovely group in my home for a meal and discussion. At that time the next hostess will be announced as will her choice for our next book.

I can't say how every excited I am! I looking forward to the adventures and travels and emotions that the stories we read will bring to our lives and I am looking forward the women that will enrich my life with their character and humor and charm.

I am interested... are any of you in a book group or have you ever been?

Stay tuned to my "What I Am Reading" area of my sidebar to find out the lasted book group book!

It has just been one of THOSE days...

I had a beautiful post typed about my new book group and blogger gave me some crazy error message and deleted my post!

In fact right now, there is a BIG and very UGLY red "ERROR" on my screen!

So that's it for tonight... I'm too frustrated and tired to try again tonight.

Oh! I only have on follower on my new sidebar "follower" button thingy and it's my sister... so if you don't mind... will you "follow" me? :-)

Tasty Tuesday... patriotic style

In the cold of January I was warmed by thoughts of sunny summer weather and one of my favorite recipes came to mind. Nothing says summer to me like back yard barbecues with burgers and baked beans and slaw! So, I give you my slaw recipe... it's a winner every time!


Red, White, and Bleu Slaw Salad
1 pkg bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 bag slaw mix or shredded cabbage
1 container of crumbled bleu cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes - halved
Slaw dressing (use as much as you need to make it the consistency you like... I like mine nice and creamy!)

Mix together and serve! I wait to add the bacon until the last sec so it's still crunchy - this slaw is wonderful if you're a bleu cheese fan like me!

Just a picture or three...

I got the pleasure of spending some QT with Vance tonight while his Mommy and Daddy went to a function! I'm telling you, this is one precious angel...

And this is one proud Aunt...

Home Sweet Home...

It's hard to find anything better than time at home with no schedule and no agenda! Sometimes it seems as though it's these times when I get the most done. After a busy holiday traveling for both Christmas and for New Years Eve, I was so happy to be home and to have some time to myself. I have enjoyed every second and have accomplished quite a bit. All the Chirstmas decorations are down and my big "storage" closet is all cleaned out and the decorations neatly stored in totes and put away! It's funny how "work" around the house can be so pleasant and accompanied with such a feeling of accomplishment when you are home to enjoyu it

Bentlee

Hello New Year...

Hello 2009,

It's nice to meet you. I have big plans for you and I... change is in the wind! I am hoping to save more and eat less... or at least a little better. This will entail cooking more (which I love anyway) and eating out less (a convenience I am quite fond of). I'd like to actually use the gym membership I pay for monthly... 2008 taught me that you don't get in shape just by writing the check each month, you actually have to go. I'd like to spend more time reading and that should be accomplished with the start of my long anticipated book group. I feel a home make-over (on a tight budget - so small changes) is in need. I intend to find a new church home this year and spend more time in the Word. 2008 spread me pretty thin with so many obligations and functions and with you, 2009, I want to bring everything back into focus. I intend to choose carefully my commitments, weed out the clutter, and choose to do things well and with quality - and that means doing fewer things. I want to make excellent use of each of your seconds, 2009, and so time management will be key. I hope that even with the re-focus this year that you will bring me many surprises, spontaneous moments, and exciting adventures. Teach me some lessons - don't make them too hard, please - and enrich my life in ways that only you were designed to do! I look forward to our time together, 2009, and that time is limited, so let's make the best of it!

Sincerely yours for the next 365 days,

Meagan