The Classics- Room with a View and Scones!

 I joined the Patreon account for one of my favorite podcast- A Strong Sense of Place and this weekend they did their first book group discussion.   They sent us all a copy of A Room with a View and a box of tea.  I had never read the book and remembered the movie slightly from seeing it 30 years ago! 

 I ended up finding it on Audibles for free and listened to it while walking this week.   So, first a few thoughts on the book.  The narrator of the audio version is OUTSTANDING!   Her name is Rebecca Hall and I would listen to anything she reads.  She made it super enjoyable.  I went back to the actual book a few times but just didn't find it as exciting as the audio version.  Second, I didn't love the story.  I liked it okay and I think he was making some statements at the time about classes in England and women being more independent and free thinking.  All of that is good but I still didn't love the story.  I think if i was in school and we were discussing novels set in that time and the role of women in literature, it would be fabulous.  And third, I think this is one case where the movie is actually better than the book.  That doesn't happen often but the movie is so beautiful and it is super faithful to the book and for some reason the fact that they fall in love in like 5 minutes, didn't bother me as much.    Still glad I read it as I feel like I haven't read that many classics and I've been wanting to add classics to my reading agenda.  ✅

Now, the book group discussion was totally fun.  I was only able to stay on for the first hour because I had a #@% work thing come up which was a drag.  But, I got to meet our delightful host and some of the other members of the Pateron communities.  I will say that 3 super positive things to come out of COVID are - Bookstagram,  Podcast and Pateron.   I get to support my favorite podcast with a small monthly donation and in exchange you become part of a community of booklovers.  Totally worth it. 

Also, one of the members posted a yummy recipe for Scones and I made them that morning right before the gathering.   They were delicious and went well with my English Breakfast tea.  

Here is the recipe , listen to Strong Sense of Place and think about reading a classic this year! 

Recipe for Tomi's Scones posted by Emily Kerr 

2 Cups of Flour 

1 Tablespoon of Baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/4 cup of Sugar 

1 cup dried fruit or Chocolate chips-  I did both- 1/2 cup chocolate Chips and 1/2 cup dried cherries 

1 1/4 cup of Heavy Cream 

Melted butter and sugar for topping (I used turbinado sugar) 

Oven 425.  Ungreased pan .   Mix dry ingredients and add fruit and chips.   Pour in cream and mix until dough sticks together.  It will be sticky.  Dump out on a floured surface and knead 8-9 times.  Pat down into a 10 inch circle.  Cut into 12 wedges.  (I only got 10 wedges from mine but maybe i had it too thick) Brush on melted butter and sprinkle with sugar .  Bake 15 minutes.  

The Circus- Life She Was Given and Palmiers

 I'm so far behind on posting reviews!   I've been reading a ton but just not stopping to post anything.  My goal/promise this year was to post more often so i want to keep that promise. 

My book group read The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman.  I was excited for this book because i do have a love for the circus.  Not necessarily the animal acts ( which make me feel bad for the animals) but the costumes and the history or legend of the sideshows.  I know that sideshows are totally inappropriate now but we would never stand for putting people on display this way but it makes for good storytelling.   I wanted to love this book for all of those reasons but I didn't.  I liked it and it was a fairly easy read.  But, there felt like some gaps in the story. 

what I liked-  The theme of the traveling circus, the sideshow, the atmosphere.  And I also liked the storytelling technique she used on going back in forth on time periods.   Half of the story is about Lilly who is sold off to the circus and builds a life there.  The other half jumps forward 20+ years and it is told from Julia's point of view.  Julia inherits her parents house after their death and goes back there to start uncovering secrets. 

That might be it for the likes.   

What I didn't like was that it didn't feel plausible.  The whole locked in the attic for the first 10 years and then she is still fairly normal seemed odd.  I didn't like the animal abuse.  I know circus stories often have this as a theme but it is hard to read.  I also felt like about 3/4 way through the book the author decided she needed to wrap up the story and rushed the ending.     Also, hated both of the parents.   

I'm giving this  3 stars but it might just barely hit that rating.  I think there are better circus stories out there to read if that is your goal.  A few I'd start with are -  Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen or the Autobiography of Mrs Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin. 

What was worth doing was thinking about the fun things i could eat with this!   I was at my sisters the week after finishing the book and she had the most amazing tablecloth and dishes that had circus themed.  Of course i had to use them for photos.  Her husband happen to pick up some corn dog snacks for us so we did a quick photo shoot.   When i got home I made Palmiers which is like an Elephant Ear but smaller and fancier! 

Palmiers are so easy to make and everyone thinks they were difficult because of how good they taste.  

Here is all you need; 

1 sheet of puff pastry , thawed 

3/4-1 cup of sugar 

a pinch of salt 

At the pinch of salt to the sugar.   Pour half of the sugar on a flat surface and roll out your puff pastry.  Spread the remaining sugar on top of the puff pastry.  Roll it out till you have ~13X13 inch square.  It's okay if it's not perfect.  this is where it gets a little tricky .  Fold over the edges towards the middle.  Fold them again until they meet .  Fold one more time.  You should have 6 layers. 

Slice into 3/8 inch slices and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.  Heat oven to 450.  Bake for 6-7 minutes and then flip the cookies over and bake for another 5 minutes.   The baking is the only tricky part.  You want them to look caramelized.  If they don't, leave them in.    

that's it.  Enjoy.