September 2012 Host:  Nancy

 

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

 

Summary

 

This novel is told from two different perspectives:  Jacob Jankowski at 23 years of age and again at 93 years of age.  It is 1931 and Jacob is finishing up his last year of Veterinary school at Cornell University when a family tragedy causes him to flee and wind up on a train with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth.  The circus hires him as a vet and he works alongside American workers, who are mostly just one step away from homelessness.  Although the circus is a harsh life, (workers go for weeks without getting paid and workers disappear at night when times are tough – management throws them off the train in the middle of the night) the men get at least three meals a day and a place to sleep.  Jacob quickly becomes an advocate for the animals, especially Rosie the elephant who exhibits more ‘human’ characteristics and feelings than some of the circus bosses.  93-year old Jacob Jankowski resides in a nursing home and laments the physical and mental curses of old age, the passing of his wife, and his family’s waning attention to him. When the circus arrives in his town, the elderly Jacob revisits his youth and time spent with the circus, his heart remains young as his flesh ages.  The author uses circus stories from real life and the antique photos of long ago circuses throughout the book add to the story.  We all enjoyed this book thoroughly, from the interesting characters (including humans and animals) to the surprising, yet satisfying ending. 

 

Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy by E L James

Summary
 

This is the story of Anastasia Steel, a young naïve college student, and the man she is attracted to, Christian Grey, who is a handsome, confident, billionaire.  The couple begin a passionate love affair and Anastasia discovers some of Christian’s dark secrets, one of them being an addiction to bondage, and Ana also begins exploring some of her own desires.  In the second book in the trilogy, Ana begins a new career and breaks off her relationship with Christian - she can no longer even pretend to like some of his darker sexual tastes.  However, Ana at this point, cannot stop thinking about him and they find their way back to each other once again.  In the third book in the trilogy, Ana and Christian work on compromising some of their differences, but dark forces threaten to rip them apart once again.   We had a love/hate relationship with this trilogy, it was entertaining (and yes, lots of sex) and a real page turner, on the other hand, the trilogy was at times poorly written, repetitious, and insipid. 

 

Menu

 

Mimosas

 

Coffee Cake and Zucchinni Bread

 

Ultimate Coffee Cake (from FoodNetwork.com)

 

Ingredients
 

-16 to 18 unbaked frozen dinner rolls

-1 (3-ounce) package regular butterscotch pudding mixk, not instant

-1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

-1/2 cup pecans, chopped

-1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted

 

Directions
 

The night before place frozen rolls in a well greased Bundt pan.  Sprinkle dry pudding mix over rolls.  Sprinkle brown sugar over pudding mix.  Sprinkle chopped pecans over brown sugar.  Pour melted butter over all.  To prevent the dough from forming a hard crust while it’s rising overnight, cover with a damp towel or tightly wrap with plastic wrap.  Let rise overnight at room temperature, about 8 to 10 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Bake in oven for 30 minutes.  Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes.  Turn pan over onto a serving platter to remove.  Serve by pulling apart chunks with forks

 

Cinnamon Apples

 

Monte Christo Casserole

 

Cheesy Baked Hash Browns

 

Kugel

 

Omelet Bar

Strawberry Dessert Cakes