A Book Review and a Treat

Ok - for those following the Sam story - here is an update.

The little stinker is still peeing on the floor - We just have to keep better watch.  He loves sleeping and hanging out in his kennel.  I am sure if Riley had not had such a rough start with his giardia problem - he would love to sleep in his kennel as well.   Sam LOVES to go for walks.  He is like the energizer bunny - he wears all of us out by the end of the day.  Riley still thinks he owns all the food dishes in the house.   As long as I stand between the two as they eat and not let them cross the dividing line - they do ok.  Sam eats his food just like my Mom's dog.  He takes a mouthful from the bowl and takes it to another room where he drops the kibbles and eat them one by one and then returnes to his bowl for more.  Riley?   he just sits there and scarfs until he has had enough.  Sam is a lovey little cutey!  I keep trying to get more pictures but he just won't sit still.

I had bookgroup at my house tonight.  Which means I got to pick the book.  I chose Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.   The book...wow how do I sum this up.    The book starts out with a doctor and a couple of nuns headed for Ethiopia - which leads to a story about conjoined twins and their coming of age and then where their lives lead and those people who had some sort of impact on these boys.  And yet... the story is about so much more.  I will say there are a few "scenes" in the book that are not necessary and maybe - ok -not maybe, a little graphic.  I think it does belong on the best seller list - and I would recommend the book

For dessert - I once again faced the challenge of including or not including my vegan friend.  I came up with Cherry Jubilee - minus the "Jubilee"(alcohol spirits) served with a crisp cookie. Here is the recipe I used that was such a great hit.  I found it on the Northwest Cherries website It initially didn't sound very exiting to me, it is just a warm cherry sauce over ice cream.  It turned out to be a huge hit, lots of compliments - fed my ego a bit!
   
Ralph's input is that it would be super good with tart cherries.  Yes, it would be good, however this particular recipe is supposed to be sweet and showcase the fresh sweet cherry.

Fresh Cherry Jubilee
1/2 C sugar
3 T cornstarch
1/4 C water
1/4 C orange juice
3 C cherries - pitted and halved
1 tsp orange zest
1/4 C brandy - (or 1 1/4 tsp brandy flavoring)

Mix the sugar and cornstarch together - add water and orange juice  - cook until thickened and smooth.  Add cherries and orange zest return to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.  At this point I also added the brandy flavoring.  For those interested -gently heat brandy, pour over sauce and flame.  Serve over ice cream. 


Happy Reading!
Ta Ta for now -