October's book pic

Becky has chosen "Lit" by Mary Karr for our October 2011 book. It's a book she thought was phenomenally well-written with a griping story. One of the best books she's ever read. Now that's a recommendation!

 

Here's a bit about it from www.npr.org (You can also listen to her speak about the book at this web site):

When it comes to writing about the pain of growing up, author Mary Karr isn't one to hold back. Her new memoir, Lit, describes Karr's early years as a writer, wife and mother, years that were marked by drug use, drinking and the dissolution of her marriage.

Burrowing into painful family stories has long been a Karr trademark. Her first book, The Liar's Club, focused on her volatile relationship with her mother, who had a psychotic break while Karr was a child. Her followup, Cherry, mapped the author's rebellion and coming of age.

Karr's new book, which follows Cherry by nine years, recounts her own descent into alcohol abuse through more family trauma and eventually her unlikely — as she describes it — conversion to Catholicism. Along the way, she grapples with her place in a lineage that she sometimes feels was preordained for disaster.

September's wine

- Clean Slate, 2010 Riesling, Grace's pick
- Kiyapura, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Elizabeth's pick

Plus we polished off the bottles from our August meeting.

And everyone tried MooJoos, a great beer with coffee and dark chocolate overtones.

I think everyone loved the Clean Slate Riesling, for sure.

Special Night Out in the works

Elizabeth and I are ready to go out and hit up some wineries. Woodland Hills Winery in Delano sounds like a great place to visit. It has just been named Minnesota's Best Winery.

Listen to this (http://woodlandhillwinery.com/winery/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=27&Itemid=2):


On a scenic, winding country road on the outskirts of Delano sits one of Minnesota's newer and most beautiful wineries. After planting in 2005, making a commitment to the land (to use no herbicides and only natural compounds and fertilizers), and first harvesting in fall 2007 -- owners Katie and Mike Dickerman have been reaping accolades ever since.
No wonder. The setting is picturesque (pretty buildings surrounded by pine and oak trees and well-tended flower gardens); the wines are top-notch (winning eight medals at the 2010 International Cold Climate Wine Competition); the tasting room/boutique a delightful place to spend time; and the winery calendar is filled with fun activities all year, from sleigh rides and teas to Girls Nights Out, art fairs, German festivals and holiday dinners.


In season, there's live music on the covered patio, winery tours, wine tastings and more. The gorgeous setting is also making Woodland Hill a new favorite option for weddings and events.


We are thinking about doing this event:

Ladies Night Out
Holiday Boutique
November 5^th 4:30-9:00
$15.00 per Person

Glass of Wine, live music,
Appetizers & Desserts
Ladies bring your friends to the winery and enjoy a memorable evening of wine, music, shopping and loads of fun. If you haven't been to a Ladies night out you will want to make sure to experience this event.

Call for Reservations
763-972-4000

September 2011 Book Pick

by Tesha

Amy has picked Dan Buettner's "Blue Zones" for our September 2011 read. This was a last-minute deviation from her intended book choice which would have educated us all on Mexican immigration issues. She promises that next time she picks a book it will be that one.

I just might read his sequel, "Thrive" as I've already read "Blue Zones."

ABOUT BLUE ZONES

With the right lifestyle, experts say, chances are that you may live up to a decade longer. What’s the prescription for success? National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner has traveled the globe to uncover the best strategies for longevity found in the Blue Zones: places in the world where higher percentages of people enjoy remarkably long, full lives. In this dynamic book he discloses the recipe, blending this unique lifestyle formula with the latest scientific findings to inspire easy, lasting change that may add years to your life.

You’ll meet a 94-year-old farmer and self-confessed “ladies man” in Costa Rica, a 102-year-old grandmother in Okinawa a 102-year-old Sardinian who hikes at least six miles a day, and others. By observing their lifestyles, Buettner’s team has identified critical everyday choices.

Author Dan Buettner with Oprah.  Buettner lives in Minneapolis. Wonder if he'd come to book club?

Find out more about Buettner's Blue Zones by going to the web site: http://www.bluezones.com/

Take the True Happiness Test here: http://apps.bluezones.com/happiness/

9 Secrets for Living Longer: http://www.bluezones.com/live-longer/

Wine from August meeting

We had quite a variety of wine at the August meeting, including my sangria. In retrospect, we were heavy on the Merlot!

• Door County Blackberry American Merlot

Amy's contribution

• Pavao Branco-White wine, Portugal

Grace's contribution

• Abby Road, 2009 Washington State Merlot

Sweet cherry aromas continue on the palate marrying with the flavors of blackberry and blueberry with a touch of cedar. A smooth tannin structure rounded out with lingering notes of berry on the finish.

• Hyatt Vineyards 2006 Merlot

Bright and generous flavors of raspberry and black cherry with tannins turning dry on the finish.

• Menage a Trois California Red Wine, 2009

Becky's contribution in July. I finished it up in the sangria.

A delightful blend of three varietals: zinfandel, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

What did you gals think?

Our July meeting

We had a great time at our last book club meeting discussing what we liked and disliked about "The Latehomecomer" by Kao Kalia Yang. 

WINE

We tried three different kinds of wine: California Red by Meange A Trois, Sunset Blush by Door Country Peninsula Winery, and Purple Moon (a steal for only $4 at Trader Joes!). 

AUGUST

Our August meeting is set for Wednesday, Aug. 17, 5-8 p.m., at my place. If you're a bit late, we understand :) Remember to bring a bottle of wine to share.

The book of the month is "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. It's Cindy's pick. Amy will be picking our September book.

GOODREADS

I want to remind any of you on Goodreads that I've set up a group for us. Especially if you can't make it to a club meeting, I hope you write a review of the book and post it on Goodreads so we can "discuss" it with you! 

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/50304.Standish_Book_Wine_Club

Following our start-up meeting...

Hey all!

We had a great first meeting of our book club. I cooked too much and then Grace brought chocolate! We tasted Mead from Wine Haven and Cabernet Sauvignon from Gnarly Head this last month. They were both delicious!!!

Cindy recommended that folks read two of her favorite books: "The Winds of War" by Herman Wok and "Last Seen Wearing" by Colin Dexter. I praised "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons", a book about a book club written by Lorna Landvik. And Amy suggested "The Spirit Catches You When You Fall Down," another great book about the Hmong culture.

We'll be rotating who picks the book. I picked for July. The book is "The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir" by Kao Kalia Yang. Amy is going to be ordering a few used copies from Borders (they are about $3). Let her know right away if you'd like her to order a copy for you. I picked this book because it received much acclaim when it came out a few years ago and I've been wanting to read it ever since. The Hmongs are such a big culture group in Minnesota and I'd like to learn more about them. There was another woman in my last master's class who was Hmong but had been born and raised in Minnesota. She shared some of the struggles she's had as a Hmong-American, including how odd it is to speak Hmong at home and English every where else. Plus, she didn't learn anything about her own culture, people or language in Minnesota schools. That is also something Yang discusses -- and the Hmongs fought on the side of America in Vietnam. I'm really exciting to be reading this book with the rest of you.

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Yang, cofounder of the immigrant-services company Words Wanted, was born in a Hmong refugee camp in Thailand in 1980. Her grandmother had wanted to stay in the camp, to make it easier for her spirit to find its way back to her birthplace when she died, but people knew it would soon be liquidated. America looked promising, so Yang and her family, along with scores of other Hmong, left the jungles of Thailand to fly to California, then settle in St. Paul, Minn. In many ways, these hardworking refugees followed the classic immigrant arc, with the adults working double jobs so the children could get an education and be a credit to the community. But the Hmong immigrants were also unique—coming from a non-Christian, rain forest culture, with no homeland to imagine returning to, with hardly anyone in America knowing anything about them. As Yang wryly notes, they studied the Vietnam War at school, without their lessons ever mentioning that the Hmong had been fighting for the Americans. Yang tells her family's story with grace; she narrates their struggles, beautifully weaving in Hmong folklore and culture. By the end of this moving, unforgettable book, when Yang describes the death of her beloved grandmother, readers will delight at how intimately they have become part of this formerly strange culture. (Apr.) 

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

SCHEDULE

July: Tesha - The Latehomecomer

August: Cindy

September: Amy

October: Becky G.

November: Grace

December: Elizabeth

We'll be announcing the next month's book at each month's meeting.

Our next meeting will be the Third Wednesday of July, the 20th, again at my place from 5-8. I make dinner so come hungry! Bring a bottle of wine and a treat if you want to. 

WINE TOUR

We're going to need to reschedule the wine tour of local wineries. Please email me and let me know which dates work for you:

• Saturday, July 30

• Sunday, July 31

• Saturday, Aug. 6

• Sunday, Aug. 7

• Saturday, Aug. 20

• Sunday, Aug. 21

I'm so excited about our new little group, and hope to see those that couldn't make it last night at our next meeting!