Nancy's comments
(member since Apr 07, 2009)
Nancy's comments from the Readers and Reading group.
(showing 1-20 of 26)
I read Gate at the Stairs a few months ago; I did finish it but my synopsis is short- OK book about a nanny and a weird family LOL. I guess it wasn't very memorable for me heehee.
My sister and brother both like the Reacher novels; I tried one but not my cup of tea! I have quite a few books I'm waiting on- hope Santa brings me a B&N gift card instead of STUFF I don't need LOL. I did finish Lacuna- the last third is very good!
I was going to stop until I read the reviews so I persevered- also, I purchased it and I usually get my books from the library LOL! I had an extra 15% off at B&N and I'm a member so get a big discount anyway. I bet I finish it tonight. The only book I can think of that I couldn't finish was the 100
Years of Solitude by Marquez. I tried to read it a couple of times...
I liked that too- he's one of my favorite contemporary authors. I am almost finished with Lacuna by Kingsolver- I can say I am enjoying the last third of the book but the first 2/3rds...not....I don't know what I'm going to read next!
Donna in Southern Maryland wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I have never made gravy with butter- I do make a white sauce with it but I don't call that gravy. My DD was home as couple of days last week for a dental appointment and I made her c..."
Yes, I just melt the butetr, add some flour and stir it and then the milk and cheeses; yum- I love fattening mac/cheese. I made some delicious cranberry bars last night using a whole package of fresh cranberries. They were more like a crisp though,
I have never made gravy with butter- I do make a white sauce with it but I don't call that gravy. My DD was home as couple of days last week for a dental appointment and I made her chicken fried steak and gravy- I used the drippings from the pan though and added flour directly and then milk. She loved it. I've been collecting recipes and am ready to start making lists LOL. I also have a big cookie exchange in December and like to WOW the gals.
I guess I have always made gravy- my dad even liked hamburger gravy! It's no big deal to me; nor is cooking a turkey/stuffing/mashed potatoes or baking homemade pies. I'm 62 though and grew up in Iowa! No one ever considered not makng one's own pie crust so I learned from the best. My girls could care less! I cook several turkeys a year because I like the low fat content and price LOL.
Donna in Southern Maryland wrote: "JoAnn asked: I love this magazine and show. Do you like Cooks Country better than Cooks Illustrated? This edition of CC sounds great!
I like them both, but I think I actually like Cook's Country..."
I make my gravy with all purpose flour (Wondra in the can is really easy to use too)but some people find it easier to use cornstarch- no problem with lumps then! Occasionally I've had a few lumps and I just strain it and it tasted GRAND regardless. I'll be making a large amount ths year for the shelter and also, sweet potato pies which they requested last year.
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Marcy wrote: "We will probably only be 9 for dinner this year and I am very fortunate in that both my daughters are excellent cooks and help prepare most of the meal. "
Oh, Marcy, this sounds nic..."
Last year I started a new traditon and served food to the homeless; I baked 2 turkeys, stuffing and made 2 pumpkin pies too. My daughter usually hosts Thanksgivng but last year her inlaws did and that was my perfect OUT LOL. I plan on serving again this year- they start at 10 AM so can volunteer a few hours and then go to daughters for a family dinner or I can just stay and eat there. Like Donna, my son lives far away and I only see him once or twice a year-he will be here for 5 days December 9th so that wll be nice. My girls live close by so I see them frequently but youngest will probably be leaving the state after she finishes grad school. She's going to be a librarian!!
madrano wrote: "Shauna, i agree with your assessment of Mockingbird. The repeated information was annoying, particularly when it was in the preceding chapter! Additionally, i tired of the recapping of TKAM.
deb..."
I've read some Anne Tyler - Ladder of Years comes to mind (I liked it)and I think I thought Back When We Were Grownups was OK but I need to check my logs and sometimes, I reread a book later and like it! An old quirky book that I often recommended years ago was Beachcombing For A Shipwrecked Island by Joe Cooomer. I should pick that up aghain and also, I found Russo's Mohawk and started reading it again last night. Every couple of years I reread my favorite book by Wallace Stegner Angle of Repose. I just love that book!
Alias Reader wrote: "Madrano: As i've noted many times, i don't read much contemporary fiction,
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Deborah, your in good company. :)
"Somebody who only reads newspapers and at best books ..."
Contemporary fiction is my favorite genre- classics would be next. I don't particularly care for mysteries and I detest romance LOL. I do enjoy a good biography or memoir.
madrano wrote: "JoAnn, thanks for clarifying. I didn't see the Russo books in that light for some reason. The people & the character of the town were what caught my interest. Somehow i never saw them as harsh. Int..."
Ditto- I love books with quirky characters though!
I just love Richard Russo but That Old Cape Magic IMO wasn't one of his best. My sister and I have all his books; she especially likes Bridge of Sighs but I prefer Empire Falls or Nobody's Fool which was also made into a movie with Paul Newman!
I don't mind Toni Morrison but she uses a lot of symbolism and can be hard to understand! the movie Beloved helped explain the book..well, a bit LOL.
I'm from Iowa- best corn in the US (maybe tied with Illinois LOL.) We always put ours in boiling water, left the lid on and it was done in a few minues. I'm sitting here trying to decide what to serve my guests tonight and then make to take to daughter's tomorrow for a pool party. My sis and 3 nephews will be here soon after a 7 hour drive.
My sister loves creme brulee; I have made it with Splenda for her but it's not anything I ever crave. I prefer desserts/cookies with nuts in them. I just made a batch of ginger cookies for our school's open house tonight- not a one was left LOL but mine were the only homemade. Store bought/bakery cookies just don't taste like homemade IMO. As for pie crust, I have patted in a 9x13 pan- not bad. We often make apple pie like that with a crumble type topping. I don't care much for cobblers though. Neither of my younger sisters or two daughters can make pie crust- they say too much work but they sure like my flakey ones heehee.
I've made some mousse cakes- not really that difficult. Mousse is so easy to make! I also make my pie crusts and can whip up several while others are thinking about it LOL- same recipe I've used for 40 years- 2 cups flour, 2/3 cup shortening, pinch of salt and 7 tablespoons of ice cold water! Trick is not to overstir or roll- patch if necessary- or crust will be tough.
I'm more of a baker than a cook but I have told my kids the day I use instant mashed potatoes they will know I am suffering from dementia or in the early stages of alzheimers. I also enjoy making my own desserts- really not that hard or time consumsing.
OOps, Cathy, we'll have to disagree on South of Broad; I liked the book but was disappointed too and found it rather FAR-FETCHED! I also really disliked Leo's mother! I've loaned the copy to my sister and am anxious to hear what she thinks.
Jo wrote: "I am reading The Time Traveler's Wife and White Oleander"</i
I liked both of those books and White Oleander was also made into a movie (kind of weird but entertaining IMO.) You know WO was an Oprah pick and for some reason LOL, many readers don't like her picks. I have enjoyed almost everyone starting with Stones From the River.
