BOOK GROUP READING SCHEDULE FOR 2010

At the last meeting of our book group (Burrum Fillys), I presented to the ladies, the books that we will be reading next year. (A previous post listed the titles/authors).
Each year I rack my brains as to how the reading list will be presented, and this is what I came up with:




There are 4 Canvases that I painted, and then affixed a small cigar tin to the front. The tin has been painted as well, with images on the front and inside cover.
3 cards inside the tin, list out the book titles/authors/month.






As I was unable to find an easel size to fit the canvas, my husband made a small wedge, which is glued to the back.



Presentation wise, I decorated brown paper bags, and a canvas was placed in each of them - small tag at the handle lists the dates of the meetings.

CREWEL WORLD by Monica Ferris

First in the series and the book has a free needlepoint pattern at the end of the book.
Betsy Devonshire comes to Excelsior to visit her sister, Margaret, who owns the shop, Crewel World. But Margaret is murdered and no one can think of a reason why.
Good light read.

Goodreads | search results for "Crewel World" (showing 1-4 of 4 books)

Goodreads | search results for "Crewel World" (showing 1-4 of 4 books)

Goodreads | Trisha's review of Home to Big Stone Gap

Goodreads | Trisha's review of Home to Big Stone Gap

THE SPICE BOX by Lou Jane TEMPLE

The Spice Box by Lou Jane Temple


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An historical mystery - with authentic recipes of 19th century New York city.
This is the 1st Spice Box mystery - Bridget Heaney, an Irish orphan gets a job as cook in one of the "big houses" in New York.
But on her first day, she discovers a dead body in the pantry - it is her employer's son, who disappeared a few days before she arrived at the house.
Bridget sets out to solve the murder, and also track down her sister,who disappeared some years back.

View all my reviews >>

GLUTEN FREE RECIPES

I have just finished reading a very inspirational book - GLUTEN FREE GIRL by Shauna James AHERN (which I bought through Amazon). (also follow her blog).
Her style of writing got me thinking about food in general, and how it would be to eat gluten free.
Since my sister was diagnosed with celiac disease, I have become interested in the foods that make up their diet.
One of the brands here in Australia is Orgran, and they put out a magazine, every 3 months called Everyday Health, which contains wonderful recipes and articles dealing with this health problem.
This morning I made up a batch of biscuits (or cookies if you are in the States) and just had to try one of them. Delicious.
So here is the recipe from the Magazine - Issue 16 Vol1/2009. The recipe is by Yvonne Voorthuizen, who has compiled 3 recipe books now and this happened after trying to come up with meals for her husband, who was diagnoised withCoeliac Disease about 11 years ago.

BUTTERNUT BISCUITS

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons soft butter
1 egg
2 tablespoons golden syrup
1 cup castor sugar
1 1/2 cups Orgran Self Raising Flour
1 cup coconut
1 tablespoon milk
Dash of vanilla essence

Method
Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius and line trays with baking paper.
Cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla essence. Add the egg and golden syrup.
Fold in the coconut, flour and milk
Drop teaspoons of the mixture onto the trays,using it all.
Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

I found that I had to cook for a bit longer, and this depends on your oven.
Also this made 2 1/2 trays of biscuits.

PROTEAS IN MY GARDEN

I have been enjoying reading my books since the last post, plus catching up with some cooking.
One of the books that I got from the library - DARK ANGELS by Karleen Koen, is proving to be a wonderful story. I have been able to get a copy of this book through the BOOKMOOCH site, as well as one of the others in the series.
The story is set in England in the era of Charles the 2nd and I would recommend this author to anyone who loves reading historical fiction.

The protea bushes that I have in the garden are prolific growers - must love the sand and I was able to pick a few to bring into the house

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Not the best of photos, but will give a glimpse of the flowers.

One of the orchids has flowers as well - think it is called Dancing Lady



Whilst walking around the garden, the chickens had to join in as well. We have 11 at the moment - 3 Rhode Island Reds, 5 Black Australorps, and 3 Lohmann Browns and here are a couple of photos of them




There is nothing to compare to fresh free range eggs, and you would never go back to shop bought eggs after tasting these. Lovely rich yellow yolks.

I may just get back to my book now.