From the book The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love
(a former Sammy read)
½ cup sugar
1⅓ cups dark brown sugar
1 stick butter or margarine
4 eggs
3 tsp. (running-over) vanilla
2½ cups chunky peanut butter
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
20 oz. (approximately) Butterfinger BB’s or chopped up candy bars
In large mixing bowl, mix first 5 ingredients.
Stir in peanut butter.
Add flour, baking soda, salt, mix well.
Add Butterfinger candy and mix.
Drop teaspoon size blobs on cookie sheet and bake @ 350 degrees for 7-9 minutes. Do NOT over bake.
Makes approx. 6 dozen cookies.
Rhonda’s Notes:
To fully appreciate this recipe you need to read this very funny book. There are also some other YUMMY recipes.
I cut the recipe in ½ and it made 3 dozen cookies.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Cake-Mix Chocolate-Chip Cookies
Cake-Mix Chocolate-Chip Cookies
1 box cake mix, any variety, such as yellow or devil's food
1/4 cup (1 stick) melted butter or margarine
1/4 shortening or oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
1 cup (6 ounces) chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat cake mix with butter or other fat and the eggs and vanilla until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips, and the nuts, if using.
3. Drop batter by the teaspoonful onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing each 2 inches apart.
4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges begin to brown but centers are still soft. Cool 1 to 2 minutes on sheet before removing to a wire rack. Bake in batches, as necessary, until all batter is used.
Enjoy,
Teri
1 box cake mix, any variety, such as yellow or devil's food
1/4 cup (1 stick) melted butter or margarine
1/4 shortening or oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
1 cup (6 ounces) chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat cake mix with butter or other fat and the eggs and vanilla until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips, and the nuts, if using.
3. Drop batter by the teaspoonful onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing each 2 inches apart.
4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges begin to brown but centers are still soft. Cool 1 to 2 minutes on sheet before removing to a wire rack. Bake in batches, as necessary, until all batter is used.
Enjoy,
Teri
Friday, March 14, 2008
artichoke dip recipe
Thanks to Karen for hosting last night. Sorry I couldn't stay long enough for all the mightily planning - looks like I missed a lot.
By popular demand here is the recipe for the dip I fixed last night. It is fast and easy and comes from a co-worker of mine Cherise Still.
Artichoke Dip
1 can artichokes, drained. I bought the whole artichoke hearts and chopped them pretty fine in the food processsor.
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
garlic to taste
Mix together and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. I served with blue tortilla chips.
See you all in a couple of months to discuss Benjamin Franklin!
Diane
By popular demand here is the recipe for the dip I fixed last night. It is fast and easy and comes from a co-worker of mine Cherise Still.
Artichoke Dip
1 can artichokes, drained. I bought the whole artichoke hearts and chopped them pretty fine in the food processsor.
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
garlic to taste
Mix together and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. I served with blue tortilla chips.
See you all in a couple of months to discuss Benjamin Franklin!
Diane
March Meeting Merriment
We were a small but mighty force at Karen's house last night. Mighty because we attempted to answer deep probing questions about the excellent novel Montana, 1948 by Larry Watson. And, mighty because we planned (Vivian, we planned mightily!) our next course of reads and hosts for upcoming meetings. These are posted on the sidebar, which is to your right. Karen served us excellent food and with an amazing artichoke concoction from Diane, and "refreshing" cucumber dip from Susan, we partook as usual (no further reporting necessary from the social columnist here, but recipes will follow no doubt at some point -- send in your recipes because we are women!). Karen's husband lured some of us into the basement afterwards for a PS II kareoke challenge. He so wanted us to stay for five more hours doing this; we told him to plan a separate party. Anyway, it was an enjoyable and productive night. I feel like Eva Wood from my parent's community newspaper. Onward, upward. Love, Teri P.S. Your turn to blog now. :)
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Montana 1948
With Teri's help and help from the Internet - I am posting some questions for everyone to think about before we meet Thursday night, March 13th to discuss the Montana 1948 book.
How is the "harsh life" demonstrated?
Why is there so much description given to Bentrock and its location?
What is the importance of the year 1948?
What is the importance of the Indian reservation?
Questions to think about when comparing the brothers:
How do their descriptions differ?
Why is David more disappointed in his father than in Frank?
Both Frank & Wesley hold the Indians in low regard. What is the difference in their attitudes?
Frank's suicide is a selfish act. Wesley's handling of Frank's crime is a selfish act. What is the distinction?
Who paid the highest price, Frank or Wesley?
Questions about Julian:
What is the initial impression of this man?
What are his connections to the Wild West?
What are his reactions to Wesley's life style and Frank's crimes?
What does Julian feel being a police officer means?
What is Wesley's definition of a law man?
Other questions:
When do you have to speak out against evil?
Does justice mean jeopardizing your family and future?
Does power and influence wash you of your crime?
Is justice larger than family?
Why did David's family survive while the extended family seem to self-destruct?
Why is the past a foreign county where things are done differently?
How is this novel about privilege and power?
How have you been affected by this?
See everyone Thursday!
Karen
How is the "harsh life" demonstrated?
Why is there so much description given to Bentrock and its location?
What is the importance of the year 1948?
What is the importance of the Indian reservation?
Questions to think about when comparing the brothers:
How do their descriptions differ?
Why is David more disappointed in his father than in Frank?
Both Frank & Wesley hold the Indians in low regard. What is the difference in their attitudes?
Frank's suicide is a selfish act. Wesley's handling of Frank's crime is a selfish act. What is the distinction?
Who paid the highest price, Frank or Wesley?
Questions about Julian:
What is the initial impression of this man?
What are his connections to the Wild West?
What are his reactions to Wesley's life style and Frank's crimes?
What does Julian feel being a police officer means?
What is Wesley's definition of a law man?
Other questions:
When do you have to speak out against evil?
Does justice mean jeopardizing your family and future?
Does power and influence wash you of your crime?
Is justice larger than family?
Why did David's family survive while the extended family seem to self-destruct?
Why is the past a foreign county where things are done differently?
How is this novel about privilege and power?
How have you been affected by this?
See everyone Thursday!
Karen
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
SammySub--Investing
Our SammySub group meets on alternate months over the course of the year to discuss a specific topic in depth. If you're interested, please join us, even if you haven't had a chance to read the book. We ALWAYS have fun!
This time, the general topic is finance and investing. We'll let you know the date of the next meeting, which will be decided at the regular Sammy get-together in March. So far, we've been meeting at Table 27 (the private, round table) at Boone Tavern at 5:30PM (1/2 price snack time). Here's a list of the books we've chosen:
1. Nice Girls Don't Get Rich by Lois Frankel (already discussed); light reading, a good introduction to becoming more confident and self-reliant when it comes to money issues.
2. A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel (2007 edition; already discussed); an enjoyable, well written and really interesting book on investing from an historical and economic perspective.
3. Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist by Roger Lowenstein (to be discussed at next meeting).
4. One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch
5. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't by Jim Collins
6. Moneyball by Michael Lewis
7. Succeeding Against the Odds by John Johnson
Call or email Kathie Lucas (356-3435) if you have any questions.
This time, the general topic is finance and investing. We'll let you know the date of the next meeting, which will be decided at the regular Sammy get-together in March. So far, we've been meeting at Table 27 (the private, round table) at Boone Tavern at 5:30PM (1/2 price snack time). Here's a list of the books we've chosen:
1. Nice Girls Don't Get Rich by Lois Frankel (already discussed); light reading, a good introduction to becoming more confident and self-reliant when it comes to money issues.
2. A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel (2007 edition; already discussed); an enjoyable, well written and really interesting book on investing from an historical and economic perspective.
3. Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist by Roger Lowenstein (to be discussed at next meeting).
4. One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch
5. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't by Jim Collins
6. Moneyball by Michael Lewis
7. Succeeding Against the Odds by John Johnson
Call or email Kathie Lucas (356-3435) if you have any questions.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Responses to the survey
Below are your responses to book club activities and organization ... please comment below if you have additional thoughts you want to share. We would love to have them!
1) I think the idea of getting together on the off months is great. I'm always looking for more social outings! The suggestions of restaurants, lectures, movies, short road trips all sound good.
2) I'm happy to host and am pretty flexible. Maybe we should aim to have some back-ups in case the primary host has a last minute conflict. Left-over back-ups can have first dibs on the hosting jobs for 2009.I'd prefer planning 4-6 books ahead to save on shipping charges if ordered online, or increase availability if it's a library book.I'm open to having more get-togethers. We could consider off-month gatherings at a restaurant to discuss a great op-ed piece---or an interesting online magazine article---or just chat. Another option might be to meet on the Katy Trail and chat while we walk---when the weather gets LOTS warmer.
3) Meeting extra times is always a fun idea…even though I’m often too busy, it’s good when some of you can. I’d like to see us pass around a list at the beginning of the year or now or whenever so we could sign up to host (in homes or a restaurant), and Kathie’s back-up idea is perfect. No more than we meet, most wouldn’t have to host but about every 18 months or so. Then if the back up doesn’t host in a given year, she will be on the list to host the following. Anything can come up as we all know and that would give us the security to go ahead and choose a month.
We could draw up a list of 6 books to read every year and decide on the months they will be discussed.
4) I would be interested in outings with the book club. My other book club does this. They go to movies and lectures at the University when someone interesting comes to town. They also go on vacation together (wine tour in California, Home tours in Kansas City each year [some type of fundraiser], St. Louis botanical gardens) those types of things that are an interest to everyone. I think it is more difficult to get together in the summer with vacations and such. Also, we don't need everyone to participate in these outings, just those who are interested. I think my other bookclub averages 5-8 people for their outings, along with their spouses.We could develop an events calendar and have those interested sign up. This would require a fair amount of planning and I'm not sure who would be willing to take that on as a project.I do think it would make the group more cohesive.
5) I'm interested in extra group activities and more group cohesion. It seems like the group is large, and it's difficult to get to know one another. However, people may be too busy because not many people answered in the affirmative to the question of extra activites. We could try it and perhaps there will be more response? But, I guess extra activities for greater cohesion will only work if people want it. At least five of us say yes ... but now what should we do? Is there enough interest? I like the idea of planning meeting times and books ahead.
1) I think the idea of getting together on the off months is great. I'm always looking for more social outings! The suggestions of restaurants, lectures, movies, short road trips all sound good.
2) I'm happy to host and am pretty flexible. Maybe we should aim to have some back-ups in case the primary host has a last minute conflict. Left-over back-ups can have first dibs on the hosting jobs for 2009.I'd prefer planning 4-6 books ahead to save on shipping charges if ordered online, or increase availability if it's a library book.I'm open to having more get-togethers. We could consider off-month gatherings at a restaurant to discuss a great op-ed piece---or an interesting online magazine article---or just chat. Another option might be to meet on the Katy Trail and chat while we walk---when the weather gets LOTS warmer.
3) Meeting extra times is always a fun idea…even though I’m often too busy, it’s good when some of you can. I’d like to see us pass around a list at the beginning of the year or now or whenever so we could sign up to host (in homes or a restaurant), and Kathie’s back-up idea is perfect. No more than we meet, most wouldn’t have to host but about every 18 months or so. Then if the back up doesn’t host in a given year, she will be on the list to host the following. Anything can come up as we all know and that would give us the security to go ahead and choose a month.
We could draw up a list of 6 books to read every year and decide on the months they will be discussed.
4) I would be interested in outings with the book club. My other book club does this. They go to movies and lectures at the University when someone interesting comes to town. They also go on vacation together (wine tour in California, Home tours in Kansas City each year [some type of fundraiser], St. Louis botanical gardens) those types of things that are an interest to everyone. I think it is more difficult to get together in the summer with vacations and such. Also, we don't need everyone to participate in these outings, just those who are interested. I think my other bookclub averages 5-8 people for their outings, along with their spouses.We could develop an events calendar and have those interested sign up. This would require a fair amount of planning and I'm not sure who would be willing to take that on as a project.I do think it would make the group more cohesive.
5) I'm interested in extra group activities and more group cohesion. It seems like the group is large, and it's difficult to get to know one another. However, people may be too busy because not many people answered in the affirmative to the question of extra activites. We could try it and perhaps there will be more response? But, I guess extra activities for greater cohesion will only work if people want it. At least five of us say yes ... but now what should we do? Is there enough interest? I like the idea of planning meeting times and books ahead.
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