Sunday, December 13, 2009

Virtual Book Clubbing is A-OKAY

New in town? Too hard to get the girls or your book club together for a discussion? Too much stress to gather at someones house? The act of sharing with others is an important one. We can usually find a way to do the things we really want to, but then again coordinating several folks for the same date is sometimes just too big of a challenge.

Be innovative.

FACEBOOK OR TWITTER:: Use your facebook account or twitter for a chat. If you use twitter, set up a hashtag like #WedNiteBookClub or something so everyone can find the conversation easily. Facebook is easy because you can post and then everyone can just pile on.

POSTCARDING:: Set up the book club right down to the "date", but rather than get together everyone in the club sends a postcard or card to each of the members with their thoughts. Good OLD FASHIONED mail ... it has a nice appeal.

YAHOO GROUPS:: You can always set up a yahoo group of your special friends. It's free and intuitive to use. You can even open it up to people you don't know.

SKYPE:: If your techno-savvy ... how about a skype meeting?

CONFERENCE CALL:: Did you know there are websites that offer free conference calls? Everyone will have to pay the long distance fee, but depending on your long distance terms ... that could be free, too. Try freeconferencecalls.com.

What's your solution?
I'd love to hear.
Nancy

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Fa-la-la-lala Bon-Bons


For any holiday party, gift, or next book club meeting that you want to have a melt-in-your-mouth to-die-for chocolate treat . . .

This easy Chocolate Truffle will make you the star of the day.

You will need:
One Box Cake Mix (Dark Chocolate/Milk Chocolate - whatever your pleasure!)
oil and eggs as indicated on the box mix

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup apricot preserves (I promise you this is fab -- use it!)
1 tsp vanilla
2 pkg (8oz) semi sweet chocolate chips/squares

Step by Step:
Step One: Bake a chocolate cake following the directions on the box. Set aside and let cool.
Step Two: In a large pot slowly melt the butter.
Step Three: Add cocoa and sugar. Stir until smooth and glossy.
Step Four: Crumble the baked/cooled cake into the mixture.
Step Five: Add the apricot preserves, confectioners sugar and vanilla to the pot.
Step Six: Mix well blended and moist.
Step Seven: Roll the mixture into one inch balls or form small cubes. (You could use small ice trays or candy forms if you are feeling adventurous.
Step Eight: Place in refrigerator to chill. This makes dipping the treat into chocolate easier!)

DIPPING and DECORATING:
Melt the semi-sweet chocolate over low heat and stir until smooth.
Dip truffles into melted chocolate and place on wax paper. Let stand for an hour.

*Decorating:
You can drop sprinkles across the top of the truffles, or I like to get white chocolate and drizzle or draw a swirly circle on top. A wreath or holly leaf with berries using different colored decorating gels is a cute holiday theme as well.
If you are feeling especially adventurous, roll the still moist truffle in coconut or chopped nuts. The possibilities are endless!

Place them on a plate and wrap with cellophane and a bow, use a tin, or a little chinese take out box.

Pass along and share the delight!
~Hugs and Happy Holidays
Nancy