April Meeting

Discussion

Elisabeth:

Hello! I hope you all had a lovely Easter/Conference Weekend. I learned a valuable lesson about choosing a book for book club. One should at least flip through the book before suggesting it. Although Lives of the Trees An Uncommon History is a fun book to browse through, it doesn't lend itself to a deep discussion. I liked being able to randomly select a tree and read about it, no need to read from cover to cover. I enjoyed the interesting folklore and history of trees that I have learned to love in California; trees that we have in our backyard and neighborhood. The Eucalyptus, Orange, Olive, Walnut and Redwood. On the other hand, having no story line to hook me, it was harder for me to read the whole book. Several nights it put me to sleep, while books usually cause me to stay up way too late.

I was expecting a more poetic, beautifully written book.(Think Terry Tempest Williams) The style of the book reminded me of a history teacher rambling on about a subject. I couldn't help but think of my eighth grade history teacher Mr. Woodard. I used to really enjoy his stories, but he was a rambler! Robyn had him too. What do you think Robyn?

The Acacias and Alders inspired me. Acacias can thrive in very poor soil and Alders live where other trees can't because they their roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules. Both Acacias and Alders enrich the soil in which they grow. Alders even help reduce pollution because they absorb metals into their leaves. I could wax profane drawing comparisons to lives of humans, but I'll spare you!

Ann, I guess it must be your turn to select a book!

Karen:

Hello All!

I am sorry to say that I was not able to find this months book in our library system. We're a little behind the times. It did sound interesting, so I'll keep it on my list for the future!

Ann:

Wahoo! Finally my turn! I will attempt to draw out the suspense a little and share with you another thought I had about the Hunger Games during General Conf. (Does that mean it was inspired?) I was thinking how the gifts that Katniss received from her trainer, forgot his name, H-something, weren't what she thought she needed but in the end she did...he seemed to know what would benefit her the best...especially if she was careful in the way she used the gift. Kind of like blessings from a Heavenly Father who wants the best for us even if we can't see it at the moment. A great book, I think about it a lot. I would also be thinking about trees a lot too I'm sure had I been able to get a copy of the book, but alas I am victim to the same library system as Karen and we are still waiting for a copy of Trees to grace our valley. I have renewed Sarah's Quilt twice now and am still working on it. I'm just reading about Lazrus the water witch and he creeps me out.

OK, now for my big moment. I have thought about my selection for months just waiting for this responsibility to come my way and have had many good candidates. However I tried to pick something that might interest the majority of the group rather than just me, so we'll see...you can let me know in a month. The April book choice is (drum roll...) The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad. I have been a bit obsessed with Afghanistan lately (not in the Switzerland way) because a good friend of mine just spent 4 months there and I've been trying to imagine what life must be like there in so much turmoil. Maybe this will enlighten me.

Lisa:

Alas, I, too, live in a small town with an insufficient library system. So what I do is borrow from Salt Lake. And the Tree book (my mom asked, "Are you sure you meant to order this book?") is awaiting me for my next trip down. Which will be today. Which is, unfortunately after the fact. But, knowing of our literary weakness, I've already ordered the next book- which I should be able to get later in the week, on my way back through Salt Lake. I hope. For those who do not know, my four oldest and I are embarking on a driving tour of Garfield county- with overnight stops at Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef- for a Spring Break adventure/study session- as Cam has been assigned Garfield county for his 4th grade Utah County report. I can think of far worse:).

Robyn:

There is only one copy of the book at the Salt Lake City Public Library and I have had it for about a week now! As Elisabeth commented, I found the book an interesting collection of random facts randomly presented. Trees were not organized by genius, region, or any other characteristic (trees were listed alphabetically) so browsing was the best approach to reading the book. I found the connections the author made fascinating. I got a kick out of all the biblical references. It is clear that humans throughout history have been molded and influenced by the presence of trees.

One of my favorite trees is the Gingko. It has been around for a very long time (pre-insect!) and is very resilient. Several gingko trees survived the atomic blast at Hiroshima where everything around them were completely destroyed. I could use some gingko leaves because it is thought they might help memory deficiency! I loved listening to Doug Woodard because his memory was amazing. He was a great person who lived a fascinating life. But he did tend to ramble.

I am looking forward to warmer weather so I can get outside again and enjoy trees, grass, sun...

(books I have recently devoured... anything by Melina Marchetta - Finnikin of the Rock and Jellicoe Road. I am currently reading a delightful little book called A Nest for Celeste: A story about art, inspiration, and the meaning of home by Henry Cole and for the youngest crowd try Bunny Days by Tao Nyeu!)

Recipes

Elisabeth:

I have a recipe for a yummy healthy whole wheat chocolate cake. This recipe from a woman in Provo, Utah, won a Better Homes and Garden competition. $25,000!!!

Karen:

Easter Pie

All-purpose flour, for dusting

1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

32 oz frozen spinach, chopped

3 ¼ c whole-milk ricotta cheese

½ c grated Parmesan cheese (1 ½ oz)

½ c grated mozzarella cheese (1 ½ oz)

½ lb thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped

1 large whole egg, plus 2 large egg yolks

¼ tsp salt

1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1 Tbsp heavy cream

Line a 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on two sides. On a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, roll out one piece of dough to a 14-inch square, about 1/8 inch thick. With a dry pastry brush, sweep off excess flour; fit dough into the prepared pan, pressing into corners. Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork. Roll out the remaining dough on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Transfer dough strips (on parchment) to a baking sheet. Chill pie shell and dough strips until firm, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°.

Line the chilled pie shell with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang; fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the edges just begin to turn golden, about 15 minutes; remove parchment and weights. Return to oven; continue baking until the edges turn light golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

In a medium bowl, combine spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, prosciutto, the whole egg, 1 egg yolk, salt, and nutmeg. Spread evenly into cooled pie shell. Weave dough strips on top to form a lattice. Using kitchen shears, trim dough flush with the top of the pan. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg yolk and the cream; brush egg wash over the lattice top and the edge of the pie shell.

Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until crust is golden brown, about 45 minutes (if edges or top of crust browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.) Cool slightly on a wire rack. Using parchment paper overhang, gently lift pie out of pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. The pie is best eaten the same day it is baked, but it can be kept, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Easter Pie Dough

4 ½ c all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

½ c finely grated Parmesan cheese (1 ½ ounces)

1 tsp coarse salt

¾ tsp freshly ground pepper

1 ½ sticks (¾ c) unsalted butter, cold, cut into pieces

¾ c vegetable shortening, cold, cut into small pieces

½ to ¾ c ice water

Put flour, cheese, salt, and pepper, in the bowl of a food processor; pulse several times to combine. Add butter and shortening; process until the mixture has the consistency of coarse crumbs, about 10 seconds. With the machine running, pour ice water through the feed tube in a slow, steady stream until the dough just holds together.

Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide dough in half, and form each piece into a flattened square. Wrap each piece of dough in plastic, and chill at least 1 hour or overnight before using.

Ann:

Amish Baked Oatmeal
(This recipe yields 4 servings)

2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 a teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup dried fruit (optional)

Mix all ingredients and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven 30 minutes.

Club News

We would like to welcome a new member of the book club. Christina Bowen, a friend of Elisabeth's, will be joining the Bluestockings. Welcome Christina! We're happy to have you!

Business

April book: The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad