Wine is a Must at Book Club

Recently my sister Bonnie joined a book club looking to have some fun. Apparently it is a little bit too serious for her. Maybe she should join my daughter’s group in Boston. They make you take a shot if you don’t read the book. Now that sounds like a good time!

Bonnie writes:

The book club I joined at our local library will take anyone, and it was of course not the kind I have been dying to be invited to for years.......the "wine-swilling-don't really read the book-but just gossip with ladies kind". The librarian in charge actually expects us to read the books and be prepared to discuss. She evens emails us discussion questions to refer to. I just couldn’t get into our latest book, the highly acclaimed, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Steig Larsson. Only the third month and I was checking to see if the movie version was available! (I so fondly recall an episode of "Cheers" when Sam labored through reading War and Peace to impress Diane only to discover, "It's a MOVIE??!!) Back at home, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie version of the book I was supposed to read. It was days before the book club and my husband Paul kept making air quotes when we talked about "the book" and "the plot" and my anticipated participation in the discussion. I decided to return to the book and spent a good bit of time playing "open book test" with our discussion questions and passed last night with flying colors! I know, I know, the book is ALWAYS better than the movie. But it kept me involved in book club such as it is. Oh look, June's choice will be Eat, Pray Love. Actually have read it already-SCORE!! And yes, the book is way better than the movie.

A Tale of Two Proms, Forty One Years Apart (Part II)

So you heard how prom went in 1969 – now a guest blog from my sister Bonnie about her daughter’s prom held a few weeks ago in San Francisco.

Ahhhh, prom season has arrived and all that it entails. I was lucky enough to have two daughters who “allowed” me to indulge my girlie side and accompany them to try on dresses, select accessories, and of course, pay for said items. Fortunately, I was also privileged to hold the pre-prom party for each of the girls and their myriad of prom-going friends.

While I attended my senior prom in my high school commons, the couples and singles attending the prom in our area of California go out of town to a swanky place for the event; our Rosie girl (fuschia dress above) was to join 750 of her classmates at San Francisco City Hall and arrive there via a limousine built for 10. (Annie once traveled to prom on a tricked-out limo/bus that held 24!) Those traveling in Rosie’s limo and their parents received invitations by mail to a soiree held at our home to enjoy light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, and take photos to their heart’s content. It was fun to see the beautiful girls, suddenly all grown up in their updos and jewel-encrusted gowns, and the boys dressed to the nines, holding doors and champagne flutes with aplomb. Our al fresco buffet consisted of an assortment of cheeses, tropical fruit kebabs, homemade baby quiches, shrimp cocktail, mozzarella/tomato/olive skewers, and various sweet treats. We all enjoyed the beauty of the evening, the views, and especially the kids getting a kick out of how fabulous they were. The photos continued until they boarded the limo, with some folks climbing aboard for that special shot! I was so thrilled to see Rosie looking so happy, silly and beautiful. Best of all, just as she entered her carriage, I saw Rosie scanning the crowd to find me, gave me a soft smile, and a really sweet, “Bye, Mom!” Mom - best job ever.

The Guac Off

Hi Becky Knows Everything Readers! So, Becky is taking a few days off from blogging and asked me (her daughter Adie) to fill in. I recently went to a great party and she thought you would be interested, so I am happy to oblige! My mom always throws a really fun party and one of the things she taught me is to have either a theme or some sort of activity to keep the night lively. People love to play games, dress up, and compete – throw some cocktails into the mix and you’ll have yourself a killer party.

When I was little, mom would always put on wonderful parties for my friends – when I was 8 there was “Adie’s Ladies Lunch”, an elegant luncheon for 6 of my friends. And by elegant, I mean we used the fine china and ate Andes Mints. When I was 12 she threw a “Come As You Will Be In The Year 2010” party. My girlfriends and I dressed up as the women we would become in 2010. I was a pregnant lady with a missing tooth – thank god that’s not what actually happened, but I guess I still have another 5 months. Her friend Mrs. Parker dressed up like a gypsy and told our fortunes. And then there was that “Christmas in July” party where all my friends came over and decorated Christmas cookies, followed up by caroling in the neighborhood. I am sure the neighbors thought we were insane.

Okay, so you get my point. To have a great party, you’ve got to plan something or else everyone just sits there and is boring. My husband and I just moved to Boston and we were thrilled when my co-worker invited us over for a party – the main event was a guacamole making competition. NICE! Needless to say, I was psyched. I came armed with my molcajete and with all the ingredients I needed to make Rosa Mexicano's famous guacamole tableside – I wanted it to be nice and fresh. That’s right, I meant business. To sway the voters I bought five types of candy bars and tied cute little notes on them asking the voters to support me. A note on the Mounds bar said “I bet you could eat mounds of this stuff! Vote for Adie!” A note on the Payday said “God this guac is better than payday!” Apparently, I have a lot of extra time on my hands.

I am sad to report that my husband and I made a huge party blunder and showed up late. We walked in just as they were judging the 8 official guac entries. Each competitor placed his/her entry on a main table and each bowl was labeled with a letter. The party-goers took a taste of each, cleansing their palates in between with Coronas. Then came the anonymous vote. After the hostess took the official tally she announced the winner. The crowd broke into cheers as letter F was named the most delicious guac of the night. It was a traditional guacamole with a twist – chunks of mango that made it nice and fruity. I was so disappointed I didn’t get to officially compete – I just know I could have won. I guess next year I will make sure to show up on time.

So remember, the next time you plan to host a fiesta, have a competition or make your friends dress up. Everyone is sure to have a great time.