April Book Club

Written by Guest Blogger, Lisa

For April's Book Club, we gathered at Katy K and Emily's place on Southport. Katy did a wonderful job hosting! Delicious snacks were served including some gems from our beloved Ina Garten. As I write this, food from last night would be awesome right about now!

Our April book was the classic The Great Gatsby. Let's just get this out of the way: lots of us read it but somehow it didn't make its way into our discussion. We all agreed that we are definitely going to see it in the theater and make it a Book Club outing. Leo is quite a draw and looking hot as ever.

This book club was particularly special because our mini-member Corinne was able to make an appearance.  We were so thrilled she was able to fit us into her calendar even though we are all a bit jealous of her long and naturally curled lashes. She clearly enjoyed the girl talk and Sofie did as well.

Topics of discussion included crazy moms - one in particular, Botox, the joys of dating, La Baby (do NOT try to get rid of La Baby), Lincoln Square, painting, the difficulty of finding a good rug and American Girl. We also discussed some summer BC outings, including May Fest and Turtle Racing! Katy K, you're going to have to send out the details on that!

The only person who had a book suggestion was Corinne. She cannot get enough of this book and has read it countless times. She also thinks it would be a quick and easy read for all of us. The book is Baby Beluga and it is available on Amazon. Whoever hosts next should consider this one!

All in all it was a great night as usual. Thanks again Katy for hosting!

Hope I wasn't too much like this by the end of the night:

http://whatshouldwecallme.tumblr.com/post/47119209985/when-ive-had-too-many-drinks-start-to-say-really

Lisa's Homemade Skinnygirl Margarita

Makes 1

1 oz Cointreau (triple sec works just fine)
3/4 oz fresh squeezed lime juice - one half of a juicy lime is the right amount when squeezed with the help of a fork - otherwise use a whole lime if it is drier
2 oz tequila (if this sounds scary, try 1.5 oz first)
Juice of half an orange

Combine ingredients in a shaker. Add ice and shake it like a Polaroid picture - it will be a bit frothy. Poor contents of shaker into glass including ice. Salted rim optional.

Enjoy!

Snickerdoodle Blondies

Here's a recipe for those awesome Blondies that Katy made at February BC.

Ingredients:
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon 
a pinch nutmeg


Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and/or line a 9×13 inch pan. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and set aside.2. In large bowl, beat together butter and brown sugar for 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, and beat until smooth.3. Stir in the flour mixture until well blended. Spread evenly in prepared pan (mixture will be somewhat cookiebatter-ish, so it’s best to spread it out with a greased spatula or your hands). Combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a little bowl. Evenly sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the top of the batter.4. Bake 25-30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed. Cool before cutting. Makes 20-24 bars.

February Book Club

We had a really fun night up in Roscoe Village, thank you first time hostess, Katy! You did a great job! Most of us read the book, good job RBTW!! We read The Round House by Louise Erdrich, this book was a story of a boy on the cusp of manhood who is seeking justice and understanding in the wake of a terrible crime that will forever transforms his family. There were some mixed reviews and overall confused ladies...a lot of "ohhhh yeah ok now that makes sense". We had a nice discussion about our book and nicely transitioned into the good stuff, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Topics included: Academy Awards, lots of movie talk!, sororities, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, sock buns, pinerest, apartment hunting, South Africa, cats with six toes, Costco, dodge ball, ombre hair, Downton Abbey, Homeland, Mindy Project, Modern Family, New Girl and on......

And with a pending snow storm, some of us made it home just in time or maybe a little late. That was one LONG cab ride!

Book Club...Next Generation

Check out our littlest BC member....

What a little Book Worm! Too cute!

January Book Club

Thanks for hosting January Book Club Elizabeth! It was great to see your apartment and meet your two new cat friends. Everyone had a great time! We didn't do great with reading this month, let's blame that on the Holidays! For February everyone is ready to get back on track.

There were too many sides conversations and topics to even list this month.

Until next time RBTW......