Book Friends

This month was my turn to host a luncheon for "book club". We're not really a club in terms of membership, dues, and initiations, but we are a group of LDS girlfriends who enjoy reading and get together once a month to discuss a book that we've all read. Each month the hostess provides lunch (always delicious) and offers book selections from which we collectively choose the next book to read. We select books a couple of months ahead so that everyone has a chance to obtain and read the book. There are 12 women in the group thus everyone gets a chance to host once a year. I was invited to join in 2002 so that means I've read and discussed 84 books with my girlfriends. That represents many enjoyable hours of reading and about 168 hours of talking and laughing and crying with some dear friends.

Not everyone attended but here are the women pictured from left to right and why I enjoy them. Please note that my reasons are subject to change and there isn't room for all I could say. Karen - I have worked with her in the church for most of my years in Merced. I served as her counselor when she was Relief Society President and then she served with me when I was Young Women's President (about 10 years total) we relate in so many ways, obviously we really get along well. She has been a mentor to me in so many areas. I'll have to devote a whole blog to her someday. Julie - is a kick in the pants. We have spent time together sitting on the organ and talking on the phone. She knows exactly the feelings of my heart right now as I am just enjoying my family so much. If you ever need a boost in your day, just call Julie. Kathy - is a mother with spunk. She loves to tease and somehow I can see her standing on the piano singing and raising her skirt just a little. We challenged each other to memorize the Proclamation on the Family and The Living Christ. We memorized while on early morning walks. Laverne - my favorite book choice of hers was A House on Mango Street. She came to me once when I was really struggling and shared some of her own struggles with me and I will never forget that. Nese - is my favorite person to discuss books with, sometimes we have additional discussions outside of book club just to share our thoughts and feelings She reads a ton, quilts, sings and teaches school. I have learned lessons from her about letting others make their own choices and letting them be responsible for themselves. They have been good lessons for me. Jenny is homemaker extraordinaire from repairing everything to building anything she is amazing. We all enjoy her meals and I wish I could cook like her. Sue - is in another ward and so I only know her from book club. What I love about her is her pragmatism. For about 8 years (I think) she taught seminary and wore her hair "seminary style" a short bob with a perm. I love realistic people who change themselves to fit their circumstances. Janet Weed (not pictured) - taught Scott in seminary last year. He loved her and when I asked him why he said, "She is always so happy and she KNOWS the gospel". To me that is a great compliment. Janet Hendricks I also know mostly from book club. The thing that is amazing about her is she served for 5 years as Young Women's president and then was called as Relief Society president and served for another 5 years. She is totally a hard worker. Christa is currently serving in the temple and so only attends a few times a year. She has the greatest comments and reads a ton. I was so impressed by her memorizing Shakespeare while mowing the lawn - multitasker. So those are the women in my group.

I served a spinach bacon salad, roasted winter vegetable soup with homemade croutons, bread, and stewed berries with vanilla ice cream.