Book Club - Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

My book club meets approximately every other month. We have been meeting since 2005 I believe.

It started because we all seemed to like the same type of books (beginning with Janet Evanovich). Do not confuse us with the "Oprah" book club. We are not that intellectual or deep (well, some of us may be "independently" but as a group we keep it upbeat and chick lit if possible)

This month it was my turn to host - and I chose the below book based on a recommendation from my friend, Brett. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it - and I had fun putting together an "indian" theme luncheon at my home (see next post)

Synopsis -

Tilo, proprietress of the Spice Bazaar in Oakland, California, is not the elderly Indian woman she appears to be. Trained as a mistress of spices, she evokes the magical powers of the spices of her homeland to help her customers. These customers, mostly first- or second-generation immigrants, are struggling to adapt their Old World ideals to the unfamiliar and often unkind New World. Though trapped in an old woman's body and forbidden to leave the store, Tilo is unable to keep the required distance from her patrons' lives. Her yearning to join the world of mortals angers the spices, and Tilo must face the dire consequences of her disobedience. Divakaruni, whose conversational style translates well into audio, blends social commentary and romance into an eloquent novel of the human condition.

Mistress of Spices Theme

The "drink" table
The "dining" table

I bought tons of bracelets and placed them all over the "dining" table. We all sat and the table long after lunch and "played" with the bracelets while talking to each other.



This is the "italian wedding cake" made by my Aunt Mary. It's not "indian" but that's ok because it's CAKE.. and we LOVE cake...

Unfortunately, I totally forgot to take pictures of all the "indian" food on the kitchen island. Oh my gah.. there was so much food too. It was a true "India Palace or India Garden" buffet.
So try to envision -
hummus
grapes, cheese and crackers
plain pita chips
naan
flat bread
jalapeno cheese dip
jalapeno cheese squares
yogurt dip
sweet potato chips
samosas
spinach paneer
cherry almond salad
chicken tikka masala

Each person was assigned a "spice" and asked to bring something that included their spice.

Kathy "Ginger" Spice brought Ginger Ale.
Dixie " Cinnamon Spice" brought cinnamon roll sticks
Wendy "Chili Pepper Spice" brought 3 dishes (show off) - spicy hummus, jalapeno cheese squares, and jalapeno dip
Shelby "Curry Spice" went in on the indian food with me - everything had curry in it.

The best part of all - I got to use Pandora Internet radio - love it - I created a "radio station" based off a song from "Slumdog Millionaire" - and it just kept playing songs of the same genre. It was awesome.

Fliphappy Crepes

As seen on "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" on the Food Network.

I've blogged about this one before but didn't have pictures. Our favorite correspondent, Janae, has graciously visited for us. I didn't warn her about the "casual" setting, so I think she expected it to be a bit more formal like "The Magic Pan" restaurant at Northpark years ago. Sorry Aunt Janae. She did say the crepes were delicious.

I CANNOT WAIT TO CHECK IT OUT.

View from the Handicap Chair Lift at the Plaza

Met my friend for lunch today at the Plaza of the Americas. I have walked over there many times over the last 4 years, and I never noticed that there was a chair lift for those who can't take the stairs. It was VERY slow, but couldn't resist riding it. Of course, I used it on the way back too.

Birthday Cake #2

One of many birthday celebrations! This is a yellow cake with cream cheese frosting garnished with flowers and mint from Bev's garden.