Our Great Escape

February Pick: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader...

2011-01-22T09:55:00.000-08:00

'We will be reading "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S Lewis... It is the 3rd book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, but it's not necessary to read the first two in order to understand and enjoy this one.

This story returns Edmund and Lucy, along with their priggish cousin, Eustace, to Narnia. Once there, they join Caspian's voyage on the ship, the Dawn Treader, to find the seven lords who were banished by the evil King Miraz who took over the throne. This perilous journey brings them face to face with many wonders and dangers as they sail toward Aslan's country at the end of the world.

This series is considered one of the classics of children's literature and has sold over 100 million copies in 47 languages.'

If anyone wants to go see the movie, let me know!

January Pick: "Left to Tell"...

2010-12-28T19:45:00.000-08:00

Immaculee Ilibagiza grew up in a country she loved, surrounded by a family she cherished. But in 1994 her idyllic world was ripped apart as Rwanda descended into a bloody genocide that lasted three months and claimed the lives of nearly a million Rwandans. Incredibly, Immaculee survived the slaughter. For 91 days, she and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them.

The triumphant story of this remarkable young woman’s journey through the darkness of genocide will inspire anyone whose life has been touched by fear, suffering, and loss.

We will be discussing this book January 20th 8:00pm at Geanie Rodgers' House.

December Pick: "The Great Divorce"...

2010-11-24T17:40:00.000-08:00

VERY SIMPLY, this story is about a man who, having died, found himself in Purgatory/Hell, waiting for a bus that would take him to the foothills of Heaven. There he would have the opportunity to choose one place or the other. The majority of the book is a collection of the conversations and teachings that he witnessed as people were implored and entreated to choose Heaven; most declined and returned to Hell. A few advanced to the glories unknown. The book's primary message is presented with almost oblique tidiness--"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'"

We will be discussing this book tentatively December 16th, 8:00pm at Stacie Cheney's house.

November Pick: 'Still Alice'...

2010-09-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

"Alice Howland has a career as an esteemed psychology professor at Harvard, living a comfortable life in Cambridge with her husband, John, when the first symptoms of Alzheimer's begin to emerge. First, Alice can't find her Blackberry, then she becomes hopelessly disoriented in her own town. Alice is shocked to be diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, after which her life begins steadily to unravel. She loses track of rooms in her home, resigns from Harvard and eventually cannot recognize her own children. The brutal facts of Alzheimer's are heartbreaking, but this book is one of the unity that can come to a family who have to band together to love and nurture the woman who always loved and nurtured them."

We will discuss this book on November 18th, 8:00pm at Allison Larsen's house, 431 S Burgundy Bay Way!

October Pick...

2010-09-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

"Wang Lung, rising from humble Chinese farmer to wealthy landowner, gloried in the soil he worked. He held it above his family, even above his gods. But soon, between Wang Lung and the kindly soil that sustained him, came flood and drought, pestilence, revolution and also riches.

Through this one humanly flawed Chinese peasant, Nobel Prize-winner Pearl S. Buck traces the whole cycle of life, its terrors, its passion, its persistent ambitions and its rewards. Her brilliant novel—beloved by millions of readers throughout the world—is a universal tale of the destiny of men."

This book discussion will be October 21st, 8:00pm, Cold Stone Creamery, Eagle & State.

MOCKINGJAY BOOK AVAILABLE!!! WHO WANTS IT?!?!

2010-08-31T10:25:00.000-07:00

Whoever texts me first, can have it! 250-8202

We'll meet to talk about this on September 16th, 8:00 pm, at Jill's house: 11357 W. Hercules Drive!!

Email of Upcoming Picks and Tentative Schedule!!!

2010-08-31T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all!!!

Now that vacations and boating and camping and traveling are all out of the way, and school is back in session, let's get back to business and hopefully get on a schedule! We met at Rembrandt's last week and talked 'a little bit' about 'The Midwife', and A LOT about everything else in our lives! Haha, such is our habit. Amazing pick, Kim, thanks!

We also set up a tentative schedule that MIGHT help with the organization of things. I'm still hanging on to the hope that we can have book assignments chosen a couple months in advance to give the library circulation some time and get available books around to each other so everyone can have the chance to read it (or at least start it) before we meet. Due to lack of attendance and/or volunteers, TENTATIVE assignments have been made.

If you no longer want to participate in Book Club, or you want to pick a book but not host, or host but not pick a book, or the month assigned isn't a good month for you, let me know and we'll fix it!! We have quite a few books that have been talked about and suggested (The Shack- [GREAT for discussion], Man's Search for Meaning and The Horse Boy) and also several available meeting places, so if you are having trouble with your 'assignment', speak up!!

September- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins- Jill Baird
October- The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck- Luisa Perkes
November- Still Alice by Lisa Genova - Allison Larsen
December- The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis - Stacie Cheney
January- Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza - Geanie Rodgers

February- Beth Webb
March- Jess Mortenson
April- Sharla Jenkins
May- Chelsea McClure
June- Katie Jones
July- Heather Soelberg
August- Brit Cooper
September- Kim Davis

As you can see, we have some new members! Please check the blog for addresses when it comes to their month to host, but I will also be sending out emails with updates and info.

Keep me updated on your thoughts, opinions and changes!!! Thanks!

Our next book- The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth -and does anyone know when our next meeting is?

2010-07-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

OUR NEXT MEETING

Thorn Birds Book available

2010-06-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

I finished reading the Thorn Birds. It was a good one. If anyone wants it feel free. I think it's due back to the library June 21.

Book Club Meeting this Month!

2010-05-01T12:12:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

Just a reminder that our book club meeting this month is May 20th at my house: 746 N Aspen Lakes Way (in the Rockbridge Subdivision). I'm thinking we'll have it at 8pm unless I hear from you all that you'd like it to be at a different time.

Here are some remarks regarding the book that I found and thought I'd share:

"Cry, the Beloved Country is a beautifully told and profoundly compassionate story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set in the troubled and changing South Africa of the 1940s. The book is written with such keen empathy and understanding that to read it is to share fully in the gravity of the characters' situations. It both touches your heart deeply and inspires a renewed faith in the dignity of mankind. Cry, the Beloved Country is a classic tale, passionately African, timeless and universal, and beyond all, selfless."

"Cry, the Beloved Country is set in this tense and fragile society, where the breathtaking beauty of the nation’s natural landscape is tainted by the fears of its people. And yet, the message of the novel is one of hope. Characters such as Stephen Kumalo, James Jarvis, and Theophilus Msimangu reveal a potential for goodness in humankind, and are able to defuse hatred, overcome fear, and take the first steps necessary for mending a broken nation."

"Cry the Beloved Country" is the deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice. Remarkable for its contemporaneity, unforgettable for character and incident, "Cry, the Beloved Country" is a classic work of love and hope, courage and endurance, born of the dignity of man."

I hope you're all reading the book, but if you aren't, here's an option...

Not to tempt you away from the book (because I really hope you all will read it) but if you know for sure that you just can't/won't get the book read for the 20th, I own the movie on dvd I could lend out. That way you can still know the plot and participate in the discussion. It's a moving rendition of the book and has James Earl Jones as Kumalo. Let me know if you need to borrow it before we meet.

Thanks,
Stacie

BOOK CLUB TOMORROW NIGHT * ARYN'S HOUSE!!!!!

2010-04-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

i'm so sorry. i've totally slacked on my emailing duties.

book club is thursday night april 15th * sampson residence 8:30p.m

discussing "ALCHEMIST"... and other important matters.

address:

4488 north station ave * meridian

from star:

go south on star rd. (heading toward chinden)

turn left on chinden

right on ten mile (not very visible, little green sign)

go through the mcmillian intersection and then take 2nd left into the BRIDGE TOWER subdivision

turn left after waterfall (Desert Breeze)

right on Piazza

rode will curve left on STATION AVE.

right hand side in the cul-de-sac.

can't wait to see all of your lovely faces!!!

Book Ideas for Future Months...

2010-04-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

Per a conglomeration of brainstorming at last months book club:

The Lost Symbol

The Shack

Les Miserables

The Great Divorce

Zookeepers Wife

I Am Mother

Galileos Daughter

Fahrenheit 451

Water for Elephants

#1 Ladies Detective Agency

I believe at Brittany's house we decided that after Cry The Beloved Country, we were going to read Thorn Birds, then Mere Christianity [if Kim still wants that one], Eat, Pray, Love [if Jill still wants that one] and I'm going to choose Pope Joan.

So... the order for right now should be... approximately:

March - The Alchemist

April - Cry, the Beloved Country

May - Thorn Birds

June - Mere Christianity

July - Eat, Pray, Love

August - Pope Joan

September - The Good Earth?

Everyone! Does this sound right???? Please Add Add Add! Or make whatever changes you need to!!! Jessica, we haven't really had a pick from your direction in a while!!

Book of the Month

2010-03-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

"Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its simplicity and wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a meditation on the treasures found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is art eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts."

next month:

Book Suggestions

2010-03-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

Really cute one for kids...and adults~

"Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children-two boys and two girls-succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. But what they'll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies. So, if you're gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably use your help."

Through this one Chinese peasant and his children, Nobel Prize-winner Pearl S. Buck traces the whole cycle of life, its terrors, its passion, its persistent ambitions and its rewards. Her brilliant novel—beloved by millions of readers throughout the world—is a universal tale of the destiny of men."

For March 19th book club we are reading "the help." and will be held at Brittany coopers house at 7:00...see you all there!!!

2010-03-01T06:19:00.000-08:00

Book Club February 18th

2010-02-17T11:45:00.000-08:00

Hey Gals, Has anyone offered to do book club this month? I haven't heard of anyone so I am going to make an executive decision. Book club will be held at Louie's Italian Restaurant in Meridian at 7:30. That will give us an hour and a half to discuss the book. I am planning on going to a movie afterwards with Jessica. Come if you can! "Dear John" is playing at 9:40 and "When in Rome" is playing at 9:15. We can wait to decide what movie we want to see until after dinner. Hope to see you all there. Can't wait! Jill

P.S. Happy Birthday Jessica ---I love you!

Back to Business...

2010-01-29T22:10:00.000-08:00

While talking to some of 'the ladies' about book club, I decided to do a kind of maintenance post so that after the holidays we can all get back on the same page.

First of all, I got the list from the Boise Public library of all the sets that they have for the express purpose of lending to book clubs. I decided to post that here so that we can all take a look and get some ideas for future picks.

LIBRARY LIST

Second of all, a couple of people have mentioned that perhaps we should start up again with the emails finalizing dates, times and locations of Book Club nights, in addition to the blog. I think people are more prone to checking their email than the blog. Aryn, would you still be up for doing that?

Also, I was thinking that perhaps we could try to pick the books a couple of months in advance so that people will be able to have enough time to get them at the library.

Just some thoughts... [I'm not meaning to sound presumptive... excuse me if I am!!]

January Bookclub!!

2010-01-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

Heather Soelberg has been nice enough to offer to host our book club tomorrow night, Thursday the 21st at 8:30pm at her house: 761 Finsbury Way in Saddlebrook! We will be meeting to discuss Katie's pick for December- The Christmas Sweater!

Heather has picked 'Three Little Words' by Ashley Rhodes-Courter, so get your reservation at the library!

December Book Club

2009-12-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

I've picked the book for our next Book Club... We will be reading "The Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck. I thought it would be fun to read a Christmas book. I didn't want anything cheesy and this is a really great one. We will meet at my house on Thursday the 17th at 8:00. My address is: 11835 W Gambrell St. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone there to discuss "Uglies" with Jill Baird!!

Book Club has Moved to Dec

2009-11-17T18:50:00.000-08:00

I have been talking to a few people about book club and the verdict is to move it to December. Jessica Mortensen and Allison Larsen are hosting a new moon party up at Avimore on Thursday night. I thought about rescheduling it for next tues night but that is basketball for a lot of the guys. We'll just plan on talking about Uglies and then whatever Katie decides to pick for the Dec read. Jessica and Allison said to be sure and invite any and everyone to the New Moon Party at Avimore. If you aren't sure about how to get there you can call me or Jessica. See you there!

November Bookclub?

2009-11-11T23:23:00.000-08:00

I need some feedback on what we want to do for this month. Do we want to call it good with the NEW MOON movie night or meet another day this month or just meet in December?

Please give me your thoughts.

Nov Book Club

2009-10-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

This is for "Book Club." Not to be confused with "Cool Club!" Sorry about my typo last week. We had talked about reading the Potato Club Society but I don't know what my problem is, I just can't seem to get excited about reading it. Since I was able to host last month I get a chance to pick a new book. The book I have chosen is Uglies. It is the first of a series. I came across this book last month and loved it. When I was reserving a copy at the library there were several copies available. Hopefully everyone will get a chance to read it before the next meeting. It will be a great discussion! Katie offered to have the meeting at her house in Nov. She already has a book in mind. I think it's called the Giver.

New Book for October

2009-10-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

Next meeting is Nov. 19th Any takers on hosting?

Book Club This Thursday!

2009-09-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

September 17th @ 8:oo p.m.

Chelsea McClure's House
10161 West Arrowleaf Ct.
Star, Idaho 83669

Phone #899-3233 (if you need directions)

We'll be discussing "THE ACTOR & THE HOUSEWIFE"- should be a Fun debate:)

We'll also be getting excited for our next book....."CATCHING FIRE"!!! It's so good to have Katniss, Peeta, & Gale back in my life!!!

The Actor and the Housewife book for grabs!

2009-08-28T15:42:00.000-07:00

I just got the book from the library. There is a 14 day checkout on the book because it is a new book so whoever wants it just give me a call (898-4647) and you can come get it or I'll drop it off today. Can't wait to discuss!!

Book Club Thursday Aug. 27

2009-08-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

Alrighty Ladies!! We are going to be meeting this Thursday at 8:00 pm at Cookies & Cream ice cream shop (located next to The Majestic movie theater - 2032 E. Overland Rd. #100). It will be fun to discuss "The Choice." Then we will catch the 9:15 showing of "The Time Traveler's Wife."

Sorry to conflict with the sew/craft night. I didn't read that comment until I already posted. I hope you all can still make it.

See ya Thursday!

Date Change

2009-08-17T12:07:00.000-07:00

After reading Aryn's post I hope everyone feels okay changing our next book club date to Thursday, August 27. Lets still plan on ice cream and a movie. I'll check the movie times and post the time and place next week.

So that everyone has a heads up, the book to read for next month is "The Actor and the Housewife." This book will be excellent for discussion and an enjoyable read. It still has me thinking.

If there are any suggestions as for where to go to movies and ice cream or times please let me know!

See you next week!
Sharla

Change of Date?

2009-08-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

I know a couple of us will be out of town for the Aug. 20th meeting- would anybody be opposed to meeting on the 27th instead?

Recipes from "Lemon Tart!"

2009-07-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry if the book wasn't as good as hoped! Maybe the recipes will be better?!?!?!

Mom's Lemon Tart

Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup powdered sugar

Pinch of Salt

1/2 cup [1 Stick] cold unsalted butter [cut into small pieces]

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor or mixer, combine ingredients for crust. Pulse together until a dough starts to form in clumps. Press into tart pan, making sure to cover bottom and sides evenly. Pierce the bottom of the crust with a fork and place in freezer for 10-15 minutes. Place tart pan on a cookie sheet and bake until crust is a golden-brown color, approximately 12 mins. Remove from oven and let cool.

Filling:

5 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup granulated sugar [Option to use an extra 1/4 cup sugar]

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice [about 2 large lemons - DO NOT use concentrated lemon juice].

2 large eggs

Zest from one lemon [Get zest from lemon before juicing].

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Mix cream cheese with electric beaters until smooth. Add sugar. Mix until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each egg. Stop and scrape bowl, halfway through. Add the lemon juice and zest and mix until smooth.

Pour filling into tart crust and bake on cookie sheet for 20-30 mins or until filling is set. Let tart cool on wire cooling rack. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.

Use whipped cream as an optional topping. It can be piped on in stars or served on top with each piece. For extra flavor in the whipped cream, add a teaspoon of lemon zest.

Cinnamon-Ginger Cookies

Cookies:

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cups white sugar

3 T light corn syrup

2 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup quick oats

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground cloves

Cream butter and sugar. Add corn syrup and eggs. Mix well. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix well. Roll into teaspoon-sized balls [refrigerate if dough is too soft] and bake at 350 degrees for about 6 minutes or until bottom edges are barely browned.

Remove cookies from oven and press flat with a glass dipped in sugar. [Spray bottom of glass with cooking spray for first 'press' and then dip back into sugar between each cookie thereafter.] Let cookies cool 1 minute on baking sheet before removing to cooling rack.

To make sandwich cookies, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting between cookies.

Cream-Cheese Frosting:

1/4 cup butter or margarine

8 oz. cream cheese [Neufchatel or fat free works fine].

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Cream butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla and mix until smooth. Add powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached; you want a thick frosting to hold the cookies together. If frosting is too thick, thin with evaporated milk. If frosting is too thin, thicken by adding more powdered sugar. Spread between cookies when cookies are cool. Makes about 2 dozen sandwich cookies [or 4 dozen single cookies].

Sadies Better Brownies

24 oz. [1 1/2 bags] semi-sweet chocolate chips [using 1/2 mint chocolate chips is delicious!]

1 cup [2 sticks] unsalted butter

6 large eggs

2 cups granulated sugar

1 T vanilla

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup walnuts [pecans are better than walnuts].

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and melt chocolate chips and butter in a double broiler [or melt in microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each heating until smooth]. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly. In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs and sugar. Mix in the melted chocolate and the vanilla. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the chocolate mixture and mix well. Pour into a 9x13 greased pan and bake for about 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and let cool before cutting into 2-inch squares.

Makes 24 brownies.

Carrot Cookies

1 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 tsp orange extract

1 cup cooked and mashed carrots [steam carrots in microwave until soft- don't use baby food- bleck!]

1 tsp grated orange zest

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups flour

1 cup chopped walnuts [optional]

Icing

2-3 tsps. orange zest

3 T orange juice

Powdered Sugar to consistency.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, extract, carrots and orange zest. Mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until combined. Roll into walnut-sized balls and press flat with fingers or a fork on a greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 mins.

For icing, mix zest and juice, then stir in powdered sugar until icing is slightly thicker than a glaze. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto warm cookies so icing melts into cookies. Makes 2-3 dozen.

Granny's Gingerbread

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

1 cup molasses [mild]

1/4 cup applesauce

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsps ground ginger

1 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp salt

2/3 cup hot water

Whipped cream [optional]

Powdered Sugar [optional]

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream sugar and butter, add egg and mix well. Add molasses and applesauce- mix well. Add dry ingredients and spices- mix well. Add hot water- mix well. Pour into greased and floured bundt pan [don't cheat with cooking spray!]. Bake 45 minutes, cool in pan before turning out onto a plate. Serve with whipped cream , applesauce, or sprinkled with powdered sugar. Tastes better on the second or third day as flavors mingle.

[Smells just like Christmas!]

Homemade Alfredo Sauce

1 cup heavy cream*

1 cup butter

1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in small saucepan [not Teflon-coated] and simmer on low until melted and mixed, stirring continually [about 20 mins]. Whisk until smooth before serving over pasta. Can be refrigerated and used again if reheated on low heat. [Remember to whisk again!]

Makes 4 servings.

*Half and Half or evaporated milk can be used for some or all of cream to reduce fat but the consistency won't be as rich or as thick.

The Choice

2009-07-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life-- boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies--he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him . . . and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Despite himself, Travis can't stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heart wrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

I can't wait to see what everyone thinks about it. See you the 3rd Thursday in August.

July Book Club

2009-07-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

We are meeting at my place this month and discussing Lemon Tart.

I live up at Avimor and we will be meeting in one of the model homes so park in the sales parking lot.

For directions- click on Avimor and it tell you how to get here.

See you on the 16th at 8pm

Homemade tide

2009-07-09T05:55:00.000-07:00

So the amazing miss Teeter gave us this recipe for your own Laundry Detergent and I have been spreading the word, except that I ALWAYS forget to bring it with me to give out...so the wonderfulness of the internet I thought I would post it and then it will never get lost and always be handy.(i have not tried it yet but miss teeter said that her clothes are so soft that most of the time she doesn't use fabric softener AND her children's eczema is gone now that she has been using this!) WOW!

Here is what you need- all purchasable at Winco (in Laundry Isle)...

1 bar of Soap (you can use whatever but Miss Teeter uses Fels-Naptha because it is made for treating laundry stains)

1 Cup Washing Soda- Arm and Hammer brand

1/2 Cup Borax (20-Mule team brand)

3 Gallons Water

5 Gallon Bucket

Step One: use a regular cheese grater and grate your soap (then throw in the dishwasher and you have a very clean grater!) Next heat up 4 cups of water in a large sauce pan(it will become very volumous so use a huge pot) until it is almost boiling. Add the grated soap and stir until it is dissolved, keeping below the boiling point.

Step Two: Put 3 Gallons of hot tap water into the 5 gallon bucket. Then mix in the hot soapy water from step one. Stir for 1 minute. Add 1 Cup of washing soda and stir for another minute, then add 1/2 cup borax and stir for another minute. Let the mixture sit overnight, uncovered.

That is it you are done. You should have now a bucket of gelatinous slime that iis a paler shad of soap you used before. You will need about 1/2 cup per load and this bucket should last for about 96 loads!!! about $10 per year!!!! Also Miss Teeter said that she bought all she would need for a year and put it all in a extra 5 gal bucket and set it in her food storage- great idea!

Lemon Tart By Josi S. Kilpack (July)

2009-06-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

A recipe for murder!

*5 families living on Peregrine Circle

*1 flowered curtain tieback

*1 missing child

*1 body in the field

Mix with a long list of suspects & top with 2 very different detectives. Increase heat until only the truth remains.