Wild- Cheryl Strayed (book group)

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

One of my favorite genres; true adventure. The story of a troubled woman who hikes the Pacific Crest Trail alone. Loved reading about the hike, but her life story was not compelling to me. Could have used a little editing. Example: talking about the Oregon mountains south of Mt Hood: Jefferson Three Sisters and "Broken Finger". What the heck? We have no Broken Finger. Broken Top and Three Fingered Jack, yes. Broken Finger, no.

All in all still enjoyed the book, can't go wrong with the story of a long hike in an intriguing location.

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Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun new young adult series. Is the dark lung what he appears?

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Darkfever - Karen Moning

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Totally enjoyed his book and would rate it 4 stars for its genre. Fun read similar to the Sookie books. Will read the next one for sure.

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The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Loved the concept, but the main character is a little annoying and inconsistent. Zombies, oh my!

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Dead Tossed Waves - Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Love the concept and the plot,can't stand the twit of a protagonist. This series would make a great movie. Looking forward to the next one

Why do so many books in this genre have such lame female characters. So wishy washy,

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The Book of Air and Shadows - Michael Gruber

The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Long, boring and self-indulgent. The story of a lost Shakespeare manuscript could have been so interesting, but this author sucked the life out of it. Two stars for the plot idea.

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These is My Words - Nancy Turner (book group)

These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Couldn't put the book down. This is a tale of the old west, not gun-slingers, but the regular citizens. Of course, plenty of disasters strike, but in the midst there is a sweet love story. I took away one star for the obvious foreshadowing and lame last 20 pages

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The Beekeeper's Apprentice - Laurie King

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Blind Descent -James Tabor

Blind Descent: The Quest to Discover the Deepest Place on Earth by James M. Tabor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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I am Half Sick of Shadows - Alan Bradley

I Am Half Sick Of Shadows by Alan Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Insurgent - Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wanted to love this book, but 'dauntless' Tris bugged me this go 'round. Yet another Bella. On the other hand, the story is quite interesting as the factions break down, will definitely read the next book. Hopefully, Tris will grow up a bit.

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I Remember Nothing - Nora Ephron (book group)

I Remember Nothing: and Other Reflections by Nora Ephron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I could completely relate to every essay in this book. Fun read, but sad at the same time. Nora's gone.

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All about Emily - Connie Willis

All about Emily by Connie Willis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Quick read referencing All about Eve, but not that great.

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Vacation continues

Day 3
Bike ride along river by stables
Lunch at Hola
New fishing gear
Golf at Lost Tracks
Dinner at 10 Barrel

Day 4
Green Lakes hike in the snow
Picnic and fishing at Lava Lake
Rock hounding for flagstones
Thunderstorm

Day 5
Lazy morning
Shopping at Columbia
Lunch at The Mill Brew Werks
Golf at Juniper in Redmond
Dinner at the Sheppard's


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Sunriver vacation

Day 2
Breakfast at The Sparrow. Amazing Ocean Roll and Quiche
Artists Workshop
Hike to Tumalo Falls and beyond (a little fishing thrown in)
Bend Summerfest with the McDonalds
Dick's to buy some tackle
Fishing at sunset in Sunriver

Day 1
Long walk in Sunriver and through the mall
Pool time (golf for Pat)
Lunch at Sunriver Brewery
Grocery shopping
Dinner at condo with friends (McDonalds, Koffels, Andersons). Awesome party.


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The Iron Daughter-Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Giant sigh. Really wanted to love this book but Meghan is a jealous twit, not worthy of either Ash or Puck.

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No tangle headphones

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Recipes - Darla

A great season for Salads and barbecue.  
Pinto,Black, Red Bean Salad
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pinto-black-red-bean-salad-50400000121366/

Lemony Grilled Potato Salad
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/lemony-grilled-potato-salad-50400000121363/

Thai Steak Salad
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/thai-steak-salad-50400000121374/

Hoisin Peanut Lettuce Wraps
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/hoisin-peanut-lettuce-wraps-50400000121404/

Spicy Moroccan Chicken Skewers http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/spicy-moroccan-chicken-skewers-50400000121410/

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a great book about a time gone by. Makes me nostalgic for my childhood in small town America and for the stories passed down from my grandmother.

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Recipes - Nathan

Citrus-Marinated Tofu with Onions and Peppers:

Wasabi Salmon with Bok Choy, Green Cabbage, and Shiitakes:

Tex Mex Rice bowl

With: avocado butter lettuce salad

Steak house pizza

Found this recipe in bon-appetit if you want to try it or just buy dough at store. No-Knead Pizza Dough:

Mrs Kennedy & Me - Chris Hill (book group)

Mrs. Kennedy and Me: An Intimate Memoir by Clint Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clint Hill's memoir of the time he spent as Jackie Kennedy's secret service agent was so interesting.  He did not have a single harsh word to say about "Mrs. Kennedy" or the Kennedy clan.  Highly recommend.  Lots of insight into the lifestyle of the Kennedy's.

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Blue Nights - Joan Didion (book group)

Blue Nights by Joan Didion

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Brilliant writer.  Sad memoir.  Joan Didion had a charmed life until she lost her husband and daughter within a very short time.  This is the story of the loss of her daughter, lots of interesting anecdotes.



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Weekly recipes - Jill

Some tasty looking recipes...you know I like my breakfast type items too! :) ---- no not just cold cereal.  Jill
Numero Uno: 
Carrot Cake pancakes - what?? but soooo many people like them...
http://smittenkitchen.com/2012/03/carrot-cake-pancakes/

Numero Dos:

Asparagus Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Kevin of Closet Cooking

1 tablespoon butter
2 slices whole grain bread, very lightly toasted
2 slices Wisconsin Gruyère
2 tablespoons asparagus pesto (see below)

Heat a pan over a-little-below-medium heat. Butter one side of each piece of bread.

Place one slice, butter side down, in the pan, top with the cheese, pesto and the remaining slice of bread, butter side up. Grill until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden brown on both sides, about 2-4 minutes per side.

Asparagus Pesto

1 cup asparagus, blanched
1/2 cup baby spinach
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
4 tablespoons Wisconsin Parmesan, grated
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 lemon, zest and juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Place everything into a food processor and puree.

Numero Tres

Burgers and Fries with a Twist! -- Chicken parmesan burgers and shoestring zucchini fries
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/menu/views/dinnerrush0302

Numero Quatro
Oven Roasted Salmon, Asparagus, and new potatoes... always a fav
http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/oven-roasted_salmon_asparagus_and_new_potatoes/

Weekly Recipes

Steamed Egg (Shawan Mushi)

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup cooled chicken or fish stock
• 1 dash sake
• 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken breast meat
• 1 shiitake mushroom, sliced into strips
• 2 sprigs fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs gently while slowly pouring in the chicken stock, sake, and soy sauce. Divide the mushroom and chicken evenly between two small tea cups. Pour the egg mixture into each cup until filled.
2. Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in a steamer or saucepan. Reduce heat to a simmer, and place cups into the steamer. Cover, and steam for 12 minutes, or until egg is firm but soft and silky like tofu. Garnish each cup with a sprig of parsley, and serve.

Broccoli and Goat Cheese Quiche
1 pie crust
2 cups broccoli, cut into 1/2-inch florets
3/4 cup cream
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
Freshly grated nutmeg
2 ounces soft goat cheese
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out dough on lightly floured work surface and press into 9-inch tart pan. Trim edges of crust. Line crust with parchment paper and weigh down with pie weights or dried beans. Bake 20 minutes. Remove parchment and pie weights and set crust aside.

Blanch broccoli in 2 quarts of boiling, salted water until tender, about 4 minutes. Plunge into an ice bath and, once cool, drain and pat dry with paper towels.

In a medium bowl, whisk together cream, milk, eggs, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Line crust with broccoli and goat cheese. Pour custard over all, filling crust almost to top. Place on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until a knife inserted into the custard comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.

Slice quiche into wedges and serve warm, room temperature or cold.

Serves 6

Nutritional information per serving
Calories: 271; total fat: 18g; cholesterol: 133mg; sodium (not including additional seasoning): 88mg; carbohydrate: 20g; total dietary fiber: 2g; protein: 9g 

Guinness Corned Beef

Notes:  Use spice packet, don't rinse beef, cover with guinness.

Ingredients

• 4 pounds corned beef brisket
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle Irish stout beer (e.g. Guinness®)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Rinse the beef completely and pat dry.
2. Place the brisket on rack in a roasting pan or Dutch oven. Rub the brown sugar on the corned beef to coat entire beef, including the bottom. Pour the bottle of stout beer around, and gently over the beef to wet the sugar.
3. Cover, and place in preheated oven. Bake for 2 1/2 hours. Allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Chicken Piccata

Ingredients

• 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• All-purpose flour, for dredging
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.

In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter and add another 2 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.

Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

Italian Sausage Soup

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can great Northern beans, undrained
• 2 small zucchini, cubed
• 2 cups spinach - packed, rinsed and torn
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a stockpot or Dutch oven, brown sausage with garlic. Stir in broth, tomatoes and carrots, and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes.
2. Stir in beans with liquid and zucchini. Cover, and simmer another 15 minutes, or until zucchini is tender.
3. Remove from heat, and add spinach. Replace lid allowing the heat from the soup to cook the spinach leaves. Soup is ready to serve after 5 minutes.

The Best Beef with Broccoli Stir-fry

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
• ½ cup water, plus
• 2 tablespoons water, divided
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 lb boneless round steak or 1 lb charcoal chuck steaks, cut into thin 3-inch strips
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 small onions, cut into wedges
• ¹⁄₃; cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• hot cooked rice

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water and garlic powder until smooth.
2. Add beef and toss.
3. In a large skillet or wok over medium high heat, stir-fry beef in 1 tablespoon oil until beef reaches desired doneness; remove and keep warm.
4. Stir-fry broccoli and onion in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes.
5. Return beef to pan.
6. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and remaining cornstarch and water until smooth; add to the pan.
7. Cook and stir for 2 minutes.
8. Serve over rice.
   
   

The Death Cure - James Dashner

The Death Cure by James Dashner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As usual, the author was unable to keep up the pace for the third book.  It felt like it was written as a screenplay.  Thomas continues to rebel against WICKED, escapes and then returns to headquarters.  At least it wrapped up pretty well.


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Divergent - Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love these young-adult dystopian novels. On everyone's 16th birthday they are tested to determine what 'sect' they belong in based on their temperment. Love the descriptions of each type: Dauntless, Amity, Erudite, Candor, and Abnigation. Fascinating. Of course, one of the sects tries to take over. Fun.

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Scorpio Races - Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Who knew there were Scottish mythological Water Horses? Fun read. Killer water horses, love story, what else could one want?

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Recipes - Nathan

Tomato Basil Soup
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tomato-basil-soup-50400000119662/

Steak House Side Mac and Cheese
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/steak-house-side-mac-cheese-50400000119677/print/

Chicken and Waffle Sandwiches
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-waffle-sandwiches-50400000117834/

Black Beans and Rice with Chicken and Apple Salsa
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Black-Beans-and-Rice-with-Chicken-and-Apple-Salsa-378344

Mexican Pizza
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/mexican-pizza-10000000577206/

Garlic-Rosemary Lamb Pita
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/garlic-rosemary-lamb-pita-10000000577224/

Curried Couscous with Broccoli Feta
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/curried-couscous-with-broccoli-feta-10000000577218/

Chinese Hotpot of Beef and Vegetables
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chinese-hot-pot-of-beef-vegetables-10000000521596/

So Much For That - Lionel Shriver

So Much for That by Lionel Shriver
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This authored tried way too hard. Too many themes, too much alliteration, unlikable characters, a completely unbelievable story. Definitely not my cup of tea.

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