Palmabella's Passions

My turn to host of one my book clubs. One group meets at lunch time. Sometimes we potluck appetizers for lunch, and some months the hostess decides to do it all. Last month I joined a second book club that meets in the evening. The first thing I was told is that "we are not about eating, we are about discussing books". I love to read, but I am definitely all about food. I went to the first meeting in May, and brought my own Starbucks. There was no eating. I offered to host the June meeting. Hmmmmm.

Ever since I baked the chocolate hazelnut cookies 2 weeks ago for Sunday Slow Bakers (No, I did not sample even one!), I have been craving a cookie. Brad long ago polished off the chocolate ones I left him, after bringing most to the office for their usual Monday morning treat in Group Supervision. I decided to bake Martha Stewart's cookie of the month with flavors I love! These may be one of my favorite cookies ever! They are bursting with flavor, simple to make, and pretty too! Definitely a keeper!

Lemon-Glazed Candied-Ginger Cookies

They went well with a lemon-glazed zucchini cake and fresh organic lemonade for the book club evening meeting on a day that was 117 degrees! I feared being voted off the island. The first guest arrived and said, " I KNEW you would make something!"
Since she was a therapist, I told her it was a cultural issue. I'm Italian, and I would rather poke my eye out than have guests and not serve them anything. I will not force food on anyone (encourage, maybe...) but the zucchini cake and cookies were enjoyed or taken home to spouses or kids by all but 2 members. I am still in the book club!

We discussed Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez and Kristin Ohlson. This is a fascinating story of an American woman who goes to Afganistan to start a beauty school to empower women who live in a culture of fear, oppression by men, and marriages that are frightening by western standards. We all enjoyed this book and learned much about women in this country.

Deborah Rodriguez fought many battles and had constant challenges, before and after marrying "Sam", her Afghan husband. She certainly lived the saying, When life gives you lemons...make lemonade"!