Boston Book Festival

The Boston Book Festival will be happening October 15th. Anyone interested in going? I'll keep my eye on the blog to see what it's all about and keep you all updated!

At our last book club meeting, Laurie brought those of us who ordered it, The Best Simple Recipes from America's Test Kitchen.

Love, love, love this cookbook. The recipes are so easy and delicious. I have made the Fettuccini and Sausage (with brocolli rabe and also with kale) and the Chicken stuffed with Goat Cheese and Spinach.

If you would like to try a recipe before buying, just let me know-I can send a copy of ones I've tried.

Our newest selection:

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction. Brilliantly reported and beautifully crafted, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down explores the clash between the Merced Community Medical Center in California and a refugee family from Laos over the care of Lia Lee, a Hmong child diagnosed with severe epilepsy. Lia's parents and her doctors both wanted what was best for Lia, but the lack of understanding between them led to tragedy.

Hello Everyone! Well, we had a great meeting on 3/13. Thank you to everyone who came and for all the beautiful flowers everyone brought to my home. Although this particular meeting had a lot less to do with our book choice (Life by Keith Richards-not many people read it), we had a wonderful time. Thanks to Mary for bringing fabulous stuffed mushrooms, Gail for her decadent deviled eggs, and Tracey for her wonderful avocado dip! Laurie once again made a wonderful cocktail: Jack Frost

• 2 tbsp Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey


• 1 tbsp Drambuie Scotch whiskey


• 1 dash grenadine syrup


• 1/4 cup sweet and sour mix


• 1/4 cup orange juice Combine all ingredients over ice and serve.


• (20 proof, 214 calories, 28.40 carbs)


• Frankly, a fantastic drink!

Lori brought Greek Spinach-Pasta Salad with Feta and Beans:

• 5 oz fresh baby spinach


• 1 15oz can Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained


• 4 oz crumbled feta


• 1/4 cup dried tomatoes (not oil packed)


• 2 green onions, chopped


• 2 cloves garlic, minced


• 1 tsp finely shredded lemon peel


• 2 tbsp lemon juice


• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil


• 1 tbsp snipped fresh oregano


• 1 tbsp snipped fresh lemon thyme or thyme


• 1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt


• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper


• 12 oz dried cavatappi or farfalle pasta shaved Parmesan or pecorino romano cheese


• Combine all ingredients (except pasta) and let stand at room temp. for up to 2 hours. Cook pasta and combine warm pasta with above mixture and enjoy!

We then had sausage lasagna (I used Barilla no bake lasagna noodles and it turned out quite good) Monica made a "Quiche" Richards, accompanied by many items inspired by Keith! For dessert we had chocolate cake, coconut cupcakes (here is the link to the recipe), Diane's wonderful Trifle and Tracey made LSD's-Little Strawberry Delights! I apologize for not posting pictures-haven't quite figured out my iPhone/blogging capabilities yet! Ali