carolabbotthiking: March 2018

Feb 2018 Book Babes - The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

I was going to have The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George for Feb Book Babes at my house. But it seemed too heavy for winter. This book, The Uncommon Reader, was a recommendation for those who liked Little Paris Bookshop and it was a lot shorter, lighter, and about Queen Elizabeth II, so perfect as I anticipate going to the UK this spring for Prince Harry's royal wedding.

I've always wanted to try making Yorkshire pudding and a Victoria sponge cake (I like watching Victoria on Masterpiece Theatre and enjoyed the film "Victoria and Abdul") so I settled on Sunday night dinner with a traditional English roast.

It was easy to make the roast in a crock pot all day Sunday and the Victoria sponge was just two round cakes with a nice strawberry jam between layers topped with whipped cream and berries. I thought the best thing I made was the no-churn Earl Grey ice cream to go with the cake.

Here are Maureen and Talethia in their tiaras...

Sherry and Karyn...

Margie in her tiara

Susan and Carol with their crowns

and me

Book Babes are the best! Next month we're at Maureen's.

Mar 2018 Book Babes - This Is How It Always Is By Laurie Frankel

Maureen outdid herself with a high tea for Sunday lunch at 12:30p.

Everyone but Susan was able to come, including Marjorie and Tonna.

Maureen actually created the triple plate racks by glueing wine glasses, teacups, and plates together

The assortment of different sandwiches and teas she had was incredible. I never had "flower tea" where the tea ball opens up in a glass pot just like a flower (this was jasmine tea)

What a great way to cheer up during a snowy March! Not to mention I left with enough leftovers for a whole other meal. Thank you, Maureen.

I thought the raspberry scones were my dessert until this dessert tray appeared.

Mar 13, 2018 WGLF

Years ago, when "Spring Forward" Daylight Savings Time changed from April to March, I was skeptical when Brigitte said we'd be golfing on the first Tues after the time changed, just like we always had. But she was often correct ... there have been good Tuesday nights in March.

Tonight was not one of them. It snowed several times today. Dutch and Rhoda are heading to Sarasota to visit Minky Thurs and Margie is going to Virginia to visit her friends Nancy and Mark. Karyn's recovering from some minor surgery and I had to pick up a painting at the studio, so we did not golf tonight.

But we had a good warmup last Tuesday night at Top Golf in West Chester. It was also cold that night but the bays are heating, the couches were heated and even the table was heated. We had a good-looking waiter who kept us supplied with drinks and food, all good. I won the booby prize by far ... I think I had 9 points to everybody else's 50 plus. Glenda said "I thought it was good to get a lower score" Ha ha; not at Top Golf. But I liked getting used to my clubs, shoes, and swing before the season starts.

And now we have a couple of viable golf options for bad weather Tuesday nights:

- Glow Golf at Eastgate Mall for indoor putt-putt practice
- Indoor Golf at Dave & Buster's Tri County
- Top Golf in West Chester

It cost us $5 each for a Players Card and $45 for an hour in the bay, which we could split among up to 6 hitters and 2 watchers. And there are lots of places to go out to eat afterwards -- I took this photo of Dutch, Rhoda, Dee, and Barb at PF Changs after the round.