Great Party - No Pics!

We had a great time at our party last week, but, somehow, nobody took any pictures!
(I even had my camera right there in my knitting bag, and I forgot to get it out.)

We did gifts right when we got there, before we ate or anything, which I think was nice, as it gave us time to ooh and aah over everything before anyone had to get going. Lots of creative, fun gifts! (Kiki, Michelle, and Margie - I have your gifts. Colleen - Sarah took yours. Missed you all!)

We ate, talked, laughed, and generally enjoyed each others company. So many good things to eat!

The white elephant exchange was a tad boring, to be truthful. Hardly anything was stolen, except the adorable Sesame Street shirt - I think we all wanted to take that home, Alisa!
And, I should really apologize...next year, my white elephant won't be in the least bit suggestive or unfit for mixed company. Promise. I'm all done with that. Really. (Not that I was the only offender there.)

We tried to talk about next year, and what to read, but we didn't get far with that. I'll let Sarah fill you in on our plans. Basically, we're thinking every other month, but couldn't decide do we start in Jan or Feb, so maybe we should all weigh in here? I vote Feb, but only because Jan is so very busy for me at work.
Either way, we all need to come up with some great books - so get thinking, ladies!

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Party Info

2010 Christmas Party is:

12/16 (Thursday) @ 7pm
located @ Stately Jorgensen Manor (that's my parents home) Great Room
A white elephant
A potluck dessert or side dish or whatever (soup & homemade bread provided)
Optional gift exchange
Mandatory good cheer!

(call or email for address/directions)

December Book Club!

Hi Ladies! It's almost December. YIKES!  Last time we met at Sarah's and watched The Enchanted April. It was hilarious and adorable. I feel like there is a bit of every woman from that book in me. It also got me thinking about how lovely it would be to get away for an entire MONTH to someplace wonderful.

Sarah brought up a great idea that I think many of us were already thinking about.  Our lives are really busy and we should be focusing on the essentials in our lives.  If we met every other month, we would still have a chance to get together regularly without disrupting all of the important items on our full plates. Meeting less often may perhaps also give more incentive to come if it worked out with your schedule.

So, for our December Holiday Party, you all are invited over to my home for 2011 planning and hot tubbing. We talked about doing it earlier in the month rather than later. What say ye?

Jane Slayre

I know, I know, who reads this stuff? But after reading Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (and Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters), I had a taste for it, so I bought this one, too.

Recently, my sis-in-law remarked to me that she'd decided the Bronte's were very dark, maybe too dark.

Surprisingly, the addition of zombies, vampyres, and werewolves doesn't make it darker. In fact, I think it lightens the mood considerable.

"Curious, that!" Jane is often heard to remark, particularly after a slaying.

It's like Buffy meets Shaun of the Dead, but all proper and Victorian.

I can't really describe it better than that.

Not to mention, I think this one much better done than either of the aforementioned Austen re-writes.

Meeting Haley

Once again we had another great night together for September. Our first time meeting the author of the book we read was a success. A big thanks to Haley for spending her evening with us. We really enjoyed reading her book, A Future For Tomorrow, and discussing it with her. Her story was amazing! We had a great discussion of insights and awareness of our own self worth.

OCTOBER BOOK CLUB: The Enchanted April

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim.

It's a delightful classic!  Available in libraries, and on half dot com for 75 cents.  Should be easily accessible.

Where would you like to have it? Kiki, we really don't mind coming to you! :) Let us know!

Masterpiece Theater Jane Eyre

I highly recommend Masterpiece Theater's Jane Eyre. Mr. Rochester was so much more what I'd always imagined him than in the two or three other versions I've seen. I loved it.