Thursday, June 26, 2008

Recipe and Cookbook for Crock Pot

Hello Ladies,
 
Many of you last night asked if you could have my recipe.  Here is both the recipe and the book it came out of.
 

The name of the book I use most often is "Easy Slow Cooker Cookbook", ISBN 1-931294-45-3 by Barbara C. Jones. Of course the only thing you need to do is add a little more cook. Last night's recipe:

 

Artichoke-Chicken Pasta

1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken tenders

1 15-ounce can artichoke hearts, quartered

3/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped (purchase or chop ~1 red pepper, lay on flat sheet for ~15 minutes at 450 degrees in the oven)

1 8-ounce package American cheese, shredded (or… the Casserole cheese since I couldn't find it already shredded)

1 tablespoon White Wine Worcestershire sauce (or 1/2 and 1/2 of Worcestershire and White Cooking Wine since I couldn't find)

1 10-ounce can cream of chicken soup

1 8-ounce package shredded cheddar cheese (did a mild/sharp blend)

4 cups hot, cooked bow-tie pasta

 

1. In a slow cooker combine chicken tenders, artichoke, roasted peppers, American cheese, Worcestershire sauce and soup. Mix well (here I added seasoning)

2. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours

3. About 20 minutes before serving, fold in cheddar cheese, hot pasta, salt and pepper to taste.

 

Enjoy!  I know I had a lot of fun last night.... even without the Punch!

Allison


Friday, June 20, 2008

Tax Deductible Donations

Queens, you truly are amazing!
 
Hillene has made some wonderful cloth books!  I can't wait to see them. Some have objects with the name of the object in English, French and Spanish!!  More stars in your Tiara Hillene!
 
Also, I was asked to find out about tax deductible donations: 
 
Checks can be made to Abrazando Christo Mission Program (in Spanish it means Embracing Christ). 
 
Can't wait to see you Wed!!


 Kay
 
 
Justice --- When you get what you deserve
  Mercy ----- When you don't get what you deserve
 Grace ----- When you get what you don't deserve




______________________

i'm EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Literacy Project for Nicaragua

Most generous Queens!
 
Our Queen Laurie spoke with Father Danny regarding our support of Literacy.  He said this year with the airlines charging for baggage, money would be greatly appreciated and much much easier to administer. 
 
All donations would go to purchase Spanish Bibles  for the children at the orphanage.  Father Danny also said he would purchase the books in Nicaragua to help the economy in the local area.
 
We'll pass the hat, (does any one have a fancy leopard one?) at our June meeting for those who wish to contribute to this very worthwhile project.
 
Thank you Queen Laurie your efforts to bring culture and literacy to  Nicaragua!

Queen Kay
 

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The Pulpwood Queen's Book Club: Pulpwood Queen Book 2008 Book Club Selection Announcements (So Far)!

The Pulpwood Queen's Book Club: Pulpwood Queen Book 2008 Book Club Selection Announcements (So Far)!

New Book List through October...We'll review at our meeting.
Also, we have one person who has a granddaughter interested in a book club. If anyone else knows of someone, we'll discuss sponsoring a Splinter version at our next meeting also.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Kay is inviting you to a Windows Live Event

Kay has invited you to "Pulpwood Queens June Meeting."
 
Check it out now
 
Message from Kay:
Pulpwood Queens,

Please click on the "event" link to indicate whether you will be attending our next meeting. At the event site on the right hand side of the page the discussion questions are listed. They are also on our blog site.

Hope you are enjoying reading Mermaids!

Happy Reading,

Queen Kay


When: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Where: Allison White

Get a great, free upgrade for your Windows experience.
Having trouble getting the links to work? Try copying and pasting this link into your browser.
Check it out now: http://cid-00090BDE07EEA0BF.events.live.com/?ticket=e970b5db0ab1390d1%3ay0295R89yIaZKpbs6Oy1hJEYY0P20B7JcL62Nehbed22a2cqIIuSq%2fLoZB8g2CVsNwpWeQ8RlmkKo2a1%2bFhvnuCixEIyJXaWuP8ArHlvO%2bynjiQr6A8fgCNZXZ%2bdS%2fN3

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Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Mermaids Reading Guide

Reading Guide for Mermaids in the Basement:

1. Mermaids in the Basement is story about fathers and daughters. Renata DeChavannes returns to her family’s home in Alabama to discover the truth about her parents’ failed marriage and to reconnect with her estranged father, Louie. How did Renata and Louie drift apart? Do they reach an understanding? How does divorce impact their relationship? Why was Renata shielded from the truth? Discuss the father/daughter relationship and how it differs from mothers and daughters.

2. The novel opens and closes with faux tabloid articles; the chapters are short and each one has a “title.” Discuss the use of tabloids as a metaphor. Can ordinary lives be more outrageous than stories in the Star and Globe?

3. Honora and Gladys present Renata with a trunk that’s filled with artifacts—puzzle pieces to her parents’ tumultuous marriage and divorce, and also clues to secrets from Renata’s childhood. Discuss and how each artifact (newspaper clipping, obituary, jewelry, etc) solves a bit of the mystery.

4. After Renata returns to Alabama, she tries to reconnect with her father, but before she can make headway, she is accused of attacking his fiancé, Joie, sending the woman into a coma. Discuss how Louie and Renata became estranged. How does divorce affect the parent/child relationship?

5. Why did Renata’s mom, Shelby, conceal the truth? Who was she really protecting? What happened in her past to make her want her daughter to have a “normal” childhood? Did Shelby succeed? Should parents shield their children from painful truths?

6. The novel’s title was inspired by an Emily Dickinson poem. The title serves as a metaphor for Renata’s depression and for the hidden past, bringing the truth out of the darkness, into the light. How many secrets were hidden? Which one had the most impact?

7. Central to the novel are the relationships between the women—Renata, Honora, Gladys, and Isabella. How are the women alike and different? How do their actions define character? For example, Honora has a large collection of designer handbags that she regularly “sets free” in public places; and the flamboyant Isabella has a penchant for lacing the food with laxatives and tranquilizers. These women are capable of forgiving each other—but not the men in their lives. What is the significance of their friendship? How has it sustained the women?

8. During the course of the novel, Renata learned the true history of her family. Which “secret” did you enjoy the most? Which one had the biggest impact on her? Do you think she and Ferg will have a successful relationship?

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Pirates' Punch

Here's Queen Allison Pirates' Punch from our last meeting.

It is taken from Marshes to Mansions Junior League of Lake Charles 2007 Cookbook.

Serves 30 to 35
****Make Ahead to Freeze*****

2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 (12 oz) cans frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
2 (46 oz) cans pinapple juice
1 cup water
1 (1 1/4 oz) bottle almon extract
2 (2 liter) bottles ginger ale

Combine 2 cups water and sugar in saucepan. Cook until the sugar dissolves, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool.

Combine the sugar mixture, lemonade concentrate, pinapple juice, 1 cup water and almon extract in a bowl and mix well.

Pour into a sealable freezer-safe container or sealable plastic freezer bags and freeze until firm.

To serve: Let stand at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. Remove to a large bowl. Add the ginger ale and sir until slushy.


AND it mixes well with spiced rum or amaretto!

Friday, June 6, 2008

Author in Lake Charles for Book Tour


 
 
Many of you may have read in today's Lake Charles American Press that author  Michel DeLaune will be in Lake Charles On Monday June 9.  Having grown up around here by visiting her grandmother, she describes many  local areas in Lake Charles such as Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church , Drew Park and the Lakefront. 
 
I plan to attend the Book Signing at Books A Million on Monday June 9.  Perhaps I'll see you there!!!
 
Queen Kay
 
 

Lake Charles

Monday, June 09, 2008 12:00 PM - 02:00 PMDeLaune Michel, will be promoting Safety of Secrets, The
Appears on/at: Books-A-Million
2934 Ryan Street Lake Charles, LA 70601

 

Now you can invite friends from Facebook and other groups to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. Add them now!

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Very Important to Sign UP

This is the new emergency service especially for people who do not have landlines etc I hope you will take the time to sign up and forward to your friends and family in the area

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury just made it a whole lot easier to alert the parish in the event of an emergency.
Residents may register their contact information at: www.calcashout.com

They launched a new emergency communication tool for the entire parish community called the "CalcaShout Emergency Alert System." CalcaShout is being called a "reverse 911" system, because it uses the existing emergency communication resources such as email and web- and phone-based alerts.

But, unfortunately, not everyone in the parish has a landline phone.
The system is powered by FirstCall systems. It allows residents in Calcasieu Parish to designate an alternate email address or telephone number where an email, voice or text message can be quickly sent in an emergency.
The emergency contact information stored in the system is not displayed in a public directory, or used for any other purposes.

If a resident cannot access the internet, or has trouble entering their information, they may call the Office of Emergency Preparedness at 337.721.3800.

Queen Kay


Monday, June 2, 2008

RE: The Pirates Daughter - Discussion and Interview

Thanks for your comments about the May meeting. I was wondering if you had a lively discussion.

Evelyn Schopen



The Pirates Daughter - Discussion and Interview

Our May meeting to discuss The Pirates Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson was lively and as spirited as Jamaican rum. With a group of women who are used to their own independence, they related to Ida's independence ---- sometimes with support and sometimes with disapproval of her choices. The questions about Ida's mothering really brought some fierce opinions expressed on the roles of mothers. It's amazing to have so many varied opinions! Some really liked the books and others couldn't stay awake to finish it. One thing for certain these book choices are stretching each of us!!

Connie, who had lived in Jamaica for few years, remembered the extreme differences in the classes. The Haves and Have-Nots, and extreme poverty that was heart-breaking. While the beauty of the island was more than Margaret could describe.

We were delighted to have the author, Margaret, call-in during our meeting. I think she has a fan club for life. She said it took her over 7 years to write the novel, plus a year of stacks of rejection letters, before publication. And no, she is not any one of the characters of the book; and no, no one in her family ever met Errol Flynn! Here's a link to her YouTube video interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnYLj61VKZI

Just returning from a literary festival in Jamaica where she was one of the featured authors, Margaret said she felt very safe there now. In her book she wanted to portray how the changes in government from a British colony to independent rule influence the choices of individuals. The literary festival website is www.calabashfestival.org


She's excited that her previous book The Treasure of Paradise will be coming out in paperback in the next few months. We'll definitely be looking for it!

Also, Margaret agree to sign bookplates for us. I will be mailing them to her, to sign and return; and hand out at our next meeting. I hope you all like the design I did. If one of you has some graphic design experience and would like to try your hand, contact me.








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