Happy June!
We've had a gorgeous summer weekend here in Colorado. Saturday morning, Andrea led Jan, Laila, Barb, Mary and me on a beautiful walk around Twin Lakes in Gunbarrel - we joined Christie at Page 2 Cafe.
This morning my summer got off to a "high-flying" start, literally! Jack gave me a gift certificate for a Mile HIgh Glider Ride and today was the day. It was fantastic! It really is an experience I would recommend. As beautiful as Boulder and the surrounding foothills are from the ground, having a birds-eye view is just spectacular. I'll be posting photos on the blog, so do check them out at http://cookinandbookin.blogspot.com.
Book Report:
Christie is very enthusiastic about a book that she just couldn't put down - The Shack by William Young
Review
When the imagination of a writer and the passion of a theologian cross-fertilize the result is a novel on the order of "The Shack." This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" did for his. It's that good! --Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, B.C.
Finally! A guy-meets-God Novel that has literary integrity and spiritual daring. "The Shack" cuts through the cliches of both religion and bad writing to reveal something compelling and beautiful about life's integral dance with the Divine. This story reads like a prayer--like the best kind of prayer, filled with sweat and wonder and transparency and surprise. When I read it, I felt like I was fellowshipping with God. If you read one work of fiction this year, let this be it. --Mike Morrell, zoecarnate.com
"The Shack" is a one of a kind invitation to journey to the very heart of God. Through my tears and cheers, I have been indeed transformed by the tender mercy with which William Paul Young opened the veil that too often separated me from God and from myself. With every page, the complicated do's and don't that distort a relationship into a religion were washed away as I understood Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the first time in my life. --Patrick M. Roddy, ABC News Emmy Award winning producer
Review
Finally! A guy-meets-God Novel that has literary integrity and spiritual daring. "The Shack" cuts through the cliches of both religion and bad writing to reveal something compelling and beautiful about life's integral dance with the Divine. This story reads like a prayer--like the best kind of prayer, filled with sweat and wonder and transparency and surprise. When I read it, I felt like I was fellowshipping with God. If you read one work of fiction this year, let this be it. --Mike Morrell, zoecarnate.com
Laila recommends In God's Name by journalist, David Yallo. It appears to be a provocative investigative story about the murder of Pope John Paul I.
Here's a reader review:
This is a difficult book to digest for faithful Roman Catholics like myself. It is the story of a wonderful priest who loved the poor and wanted the church to improve the quality of life for Catholics. Pope John Paul the First was a man who would not seek to impose christian solutions on non-Christians; he was someone who was sensitive to social problems and open to dialogue; with a commitment to the search for unity; a good pastor, a good shepherd in the way that Jesus was; a man who sincerely believed that the church should not be out of date but be a relevant, nurturing factor in the lives of Catholics worldwide.
The press called him the "Smiling Pope." However, in reality Albino Luciani who wished to be called Pope John Paul the First and became the first double name in the history of the papacy was a man of enormous faith. What a shame his 33 days as pope in 1978 was the shortest stint since Pope Medici Leo XI in 1605 who only served 17 days. In all likelihood, he had the inner strength and intelligence to be the greatest pope in the history of the Vatican.
To this end, "In God's Name: An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I," by highly regarded journalist David A.Yallop is a work of monumental research and importance. The author dares to point a finger at the financial corruption within the Vatican. He names names...Michele Sindona, Roberto Calvi, Lucio Gelli, Cardinal John Patrick Cody of Chicago and Bishop Paul Casimir Marcinkus in Vatican City all coducted illegal activities. And Albino Luciani was determined to put an end to it.
This well-written book is difficult to put down. Quite naturally it is officially condemned by the oligarchy in the Vatican. However, I think it is important for all interested in the pursuit of truth to read this compelling book and drawn one's own conclusion. The evidence is hard to ignore. The conclusion is based on facts. It is truly hard to imagine but I am know convinced that Pope John Paul the First was murdered because he dared to promote positive change and rid the Vatican of corrupt banking practices. Highly recommended.
Bert Ruiz
Website of the Week: http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/ - this is actually a food blog written by Mark Bittman of the New York Times
Podcast of the Week: Oprah's Soul Series Podcast - go to www.itunes.com and search for that title - she is doing some pretty amazing interviews with different spiritual teachers - I've heard her interview Jon Kabat Zinn, Pema Chodron, Jill Bolte Taylor and Eckhard Tolle.
Vocabulary Word of the Week - Splendid
splendid
Pronunciation:
\ˈsplen-dəd\
Function:
adjective
Etymology:
Latin splendidus, from splendēre to shine; perhaps akin to Middle Irish lainn bright
Date:
1624
1: possessing or displaying splendor: as a: shining, brilliant b: marked by showy magnificence 2: illustrious, grand3 a: excellent b: being out of the ordinary : singular
— splen·did·ly adverb
— splen·did·ness noun
synonyms splendid, resplendent, gorgeous, glorious, sublime, superb mean extraordinarily or transcendently impressive. splendid implies outshining the usual or customary
Cooking and Dining Report: Some good cooking to tell you about!
Libby had friends for dinner last night - here's the menu. David grilled his specialty steaks with Peter Lugar Steak Sauce. Libby started out with Ina Garten's Gazpacho http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_23574,00.html
Along with the steak, Libby also made one of our family favorites, Spicy Baked Shrimp but did them on the grill instead of the oven - http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/SPICY-BAKED-SHRIMP-1428
She also served whole artichokes which she first steamed and then finished off for a few minutes on the grill and Ina Garten's Corn Salad - http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_23069,00.html
Libby's friend Erin brought homemade Strawberry Shortcake with fresh whipped cream - a perfect ending to a lovely meal!
Here are some of my recipes from this week:
Mark Bittman's Pasta with Soft Shell Crabs as seen on the Today Show - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24844116/ - easy, quick and delicious!
From the Two Meatballs Cookbook, Mark Strausman's Sausage and Peppers - yummmmmm! - this is worth writing out:
2 T olive oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium rend onion, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
6 hot Italian sausages- 1 1/2 pounds (definitely could use turkey sausage)
6 sweet Italian sausages (same as above)
2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch squares
2 yellow bell peppers, cored, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch squares
2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1 cup dry red wine (always use a wine you would actually drink)
1 t dried oregano
2 fresh thyme sprigs, leaves finely chopped
A small Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind (optional)
1/2 t kosher salt
1/2 t freshly ground black pepper
Place a 6 -7 quart casserole over medium heat, and when it is hot, add the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onion and sausages and cook, turning the sausages occasionally, until they are starting to brown, about 10 minutes.
Add the bell peppers and cook for 2 minutes. Raise the heat to high, add the tomatoes and wine, and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, add the oregano, thyme, cheese rind, if using, salt, and pepper, and cook until the sauce thickens and turns a deep red, about 30 minutes. Remove the Parmesan rind, if using. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Serve with some pasta, tossed with some of the tomato sauce from the stew, or with crusty peasant bread on the side. (I used nice crusty Ciabatta bread and not pasta). Great with a Caesar Salad!
From Bon Appetit, a very seasonal dessert - Rhubarb and Strawberry Compote with Fresh Mint (fresh from Janet's garden!) - http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/RHUBARB-AND-STRAWBERRY-COMPOTE-WITH-FRESH-MINT-242109
great over Boulder's locally made Glacier Vanilla Bean Gelato!
From the Global Gourmet, Five Hour Roast Duck - http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/special/2006/150best/roast-duck.html - very crispy and moist!
Have a great week ahead! Our A New Earth Study Group will be meeting at 9 AM on Thursday, June 5 at Barnes and Noble - Chapter 2.
Love,
Susan
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