Hello my most wonderful read alongers, hard to believe that we are over halfway through, kind of sad but fun at the same time. It has been a joy to read along with you. So many of your answers are full of things I've never thought about, which makes this even more fun for me!
Onto the super fun part, the awarding of last weeks prize and this was a big one if you pick the handmade gift (if you don't I'm making more brownies LOL)!
The winner of the PBS credit OR $5 Amazon Gift Certificate or Handmade bookmark with Brownie Kit is...
Sandy
Congratulations!
Now onto the Clairvoyance section of the book. First a quick review of how this all works.
Below you will find a few questions. Answer them to the best of your knowledge in the comments section. Please number your answers (you do not need to re-type the questions) and leave a way for me to get in contact with you (e-mail, blog address, PBS nickname).
For each question you answer correctly I will enter your name in the cauldron for this weeks prize (1 PBS credit OR $5 Gift Certificate from Amazon OR a handmade gift by me). You have until Thursday September 15th at noon EST to answer the questions. The winner will be announced on next weeks Read Along questions and have 48 hrs to claim their prize (I will redraw at that point if contact has not been made).
This weeks handmade prize is a Bookmark and a blue silk flower hair pin (to wear when you are in trouble, for me that is always).
1. What has no fear of Jimmy's ghost?
2. What do the Aunts send Kylie for her birthday? How late is the gift?
3. What does Kylie cook and whose favorite is it?
4. What is sitting on Kylie's window sill and what does it give her?
5. What does Gillian o to help Sally out of her depression?
Bonus: There are 3 animals mentioned in this section what are they and what is their significance to the story?
Just for fun:
So how are you feeling about Kylie and Antonia now? Do you think it reasonable that the girls personalities would change so much with just one person entering their life (Gillian)?
What about Gillian do you like her more as a character now or less?
Have you noticed all the food mentioned in this book? There seems to be something in each chapter, why do you think the author did this? Do you think she did it intentionally?
How are you feeling overall about the book? Are you still enjoying it? What story line are you most interested in?
Speaking of food I decided to make Ben's dinner, the Carrot soup, Salad and Welsh rabbit or Rarebit (however you spell it). I selected a cream of carrot soup with fragrant Indian spices that is fabulous however it doesn't pair well with the Welsh Rarebit which is out of this world good!
Cream of Carrot Soup with Fragrant Indian Spices
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger root
1 pound carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
7 cups chicken broth
1 can coconut milk
1 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
Melt the butter in a large pot. Add the onions and cook until soft and lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in the spices and ginger root. Cook about a minute. Stir in carrots, potatoes, chicken stock andcocnut milk, bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 30 minutes or until carrots are very tender. Using a hand blender liquefy the contents of the pot. Add cream simmer 10 minutes, add salt and pepper and serve hot.
Welsh Rarebit
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup beer (I used Sam Adams Oktoberfest)
3/4 cup heavy cream
6 ounces cheddar cheese (I use extra sharp)
2-4 drops hot sauce
Rye bread
In a medium saucepan over low heat melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook whisking constantly for 2-3 minutes. Whisk in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper until smooth. Add beer (drink remaining) and whisk to combine. Pour in cream and whisk until well combined and smooth. Add cheese, stirring constantly until cheese melts. Add hot sauce. Cut thick slices of bread and pour creamy cheesy concoction over it.
For the salad I just bought a bag of European mix and added some artichoke hearts that have been marinated and topped it with a bit of balsamic dressing. This is my new super fast super yummy salad.
Of course I couldn't leave out the chocolate cake, even though the one in the book had a rather traumatic ending. Here is my Hazelnut Expresso German Chocolate Cake with Black Cherry filling and Hazelnut Mocha Rum Icing (that is a mouth full I need a better name for this concoction).
I thought about adding decorations to it but decided Kaylie wouldn't have so I shouldn't. Taste the same regardless.
Alas there is no recipe, I made this one up as I went, If you really want me to figure it out I have no problem re-making this (and eating it) just let me know and I'll try to get that done next week.
Hope you are enjoying the book.
Next week (Friday September 16th) the Questions will be about the Levitation portion of the book. See you then!
