The Elegance of the Hedgehog: November Book Club

Abbie hosted November’s book club. Her book selection, The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, can be difficult to get through. She may have known it was going to be a tough one before we even started because she offered a prize to anyone that finished. Of course the best part of book club a lot of time is not the book but the food and drink.

Abbie made delicious Pomegranate Martinis and while not everyone finished the book everyone finished off their martini. 

Dinner was a salad with homemade French dressing and a cassoulet. No dinner is complete without dessert! The dessert was tarte aux pommes (which is just an apple tart in French) served with French press coffee.

If you manage to make it through the book the ending of the novel really is beautiful and worth the struggle.

Abbie also provided Thankful journals at the beginning of November so everyone could write down a few things they were thankful for. It is always important to remember all the things we have to be thankful for.

Reconstructing Amelia Book Club

Ella's  selection for her last book club was Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight and it was a doozie! The novel was filled with suspense and readers didn’t want to put it down.

Ella was not only preparing for a big move but had also undergone foot surgery so the other members helped prepare the food and drinks.

The book takes place in New York and often times the cocktail that comes to mind (thanks to Sex and the City) is a classic Comso. The food was homemade calzones, salad, breadsticks and for dessert- a berry cobbler.   

It is always sad when one of our book club members leaves us. We really miss having Ella in our group. We welcome her back anytime she can make it! Virginia isn't really that far is it...

Katie is missing but not by choice!

Right before Poppy was born.

Little "B"- A Baby Shower for Abbie

Since little Poppy is already six weeks old we thought it was time to share the little soiree that was held in her and Abbie’s honor. Since Abbie and Ryan didn't want to know the gender, Skylar and Cindy hosted a gender neutral party themed with honey bees. 

No party, not even a baby shower, is complete without a delicious cocktail. Sticking with the theme all of the food included honey. The cocktail was a honey-vanilla martini made with honey simple syrup and infused vanilla vodka. Also on the menu was roasted blueberry ricotta crostinis, apple, brie and honey bruschetta, strawberry-honey bruschetta, honey-prosciutto flatbreads, homemade baby corndogs with Cindy's honey mustard, and more!

For dessert, Stacey baked some delicious vanilla bean cupcakes topped with Skylar's honey buttercream frosting. 

Abbie and Poppy received so many thoughtful gifts from all the wonderful guests. 

Annette made these hand-rolled onsies that looked like cupcakes. 

All the guests received a little jar of local honey to take home with them! 

                                         

                      

It was so much fun celebrating with everyone! Thanks again to everyone that came.