Book Club Christmas Dinner 2023

The 13th of December was mt book club Christmas dinner. This is something I always look forward to. We always meet at Cubley Hall anyway, but usually we just have a drink while talking about the book. But at Christmas we have a meal each and play a game and do a Secret Santa too. This year Ceri (the leader) had mentioned doing a Pass the Parcel so I volunteered because I do one where there were forfeits in each round. I had fun putting it together, and I wrapped it at lunchtime on the Wednesday. I think there were about sixteen layers! 

Because of this I needed to get to Cubley Hall early to set up. Lee took me so I could have a drink, and I got there about 6.20 I reckon. I set up the drink forfeits which were some alcohol including neat gin and neat cherry brandy, and some non alcoholic including neat Vimto and grenadine. Totally gross! I waited for everyone else, hiding my stuff behind a chair. We did some furniture removing so that we could all sit together, and then we ordered food. The vegetarian selection at Cubley Hall is not brilliant but I went for the vegan burger and actually really enjoyed it, so that was good. 

We talked about the book - Silas Marner - while we were waiting for the food to arrive. We generally liked it and it is quite festive so it fitted in quite well for our December meeting. We all enjoyed our food and drink. There were thirteen of us in total, I think. After food we did a quiz that Paula's husband had put together for us - me and Rae got 18 out of 20 which was pretty good but we didn't win! Then pass the parcel. It was ridiculous, everyone really enjoyed it and said they'd love for me to do it again next year. A few people said they would do a similar thing for their families over Christmas! It didn't cost me very much. I got the pirate masks off eBay.

We posed for a photo together before we said goodbye, which was around 10pm! I have the same photo from last year too. Our book club was ten years old this year and it really is such a joy in my life. 

I was wearing this Joe Brown's dress which I like to wear at Christmas as I feel it's quite festive. And then sparkly tights which are basically all I've worn in December, but I'm not sure if you can see them properly! Lee came to pick me up and I was very glad to go straight to bed!

The pass the parcel all ready to go when I'd done it at home

The drinks all ready behind the chair so no one could peep!

My vegan burger which came with chips

In the middle of singing Twelve Days of Christmas

So cute!

And just as the pass the parcel was about to start 

Our pirates all together at the end. Lynn took the masks home for her grandson, at least they'll be used!

Our full club photo - we had two members missing but otherwise this was all of us

And finally my lovely red and navy dress when I got home

Lunch Out with Book Club

At the beginning of November it was the tenth anniversary of my book club. I started going very near the beginning, but then I had to not go for a while because I was doing my MA which had stuff on Wednesday evenings. But then I have been going now for a really long time! I love book club because it makes me read books I wouldn't otherwise choose, and because we have a lot of different life experiences within the group which always makes for interesting discussions. As always, you can find my book reviews here on my book blog. 

Ceri organised for us to go to Kin, which is sort of near Denby Dale. I haven't been before but I've heard it's nice. There were a lot of vegetarian choices on the menu so I wasn't sure what to get. I went for smashed avocado on sourdough toast, with poached eggs, feta, pickled onion, and chilli jam. It was lush! I also had a latte which was nice. We were all sat chatting, and then we all moved round a bit so we could talk to some different people. We ordered coffee and cakes and shared the cakes between us which was nice. I had a little bit of a blondie that had Mars Bar in it, I think, and part of a millionaire's shortbread. 

I set off back when everyone else did and picked Lee up so we could go to the craft fair at Silkstone parish church that happens every year. It was just closing up as we got there which was a shame but we had a quick look round and I bought a couple of baubles. Once I got back I just relaxed for the rest of the night!

I was wearing this old Scarlett & Jo dress which I got on Vinted some time in 2022 and have only worn once before I think. I like the vintage type print to it. I was slightly overdressed for the venue but it felt nice. I was wearing these sparkly star tights from Snag - they're some of my favourites so in winter I wear them a lot! I put my DM boots on as well which was good because it was really rainy. I had put on a smidge of make up to go out in - lipstick, some concealer, and some highlighter on my cheeks.

My face outside just as I arrived. I'm really trying to get into the habit of wearing just a tiny bit of make up if I want to. It's hard because I feel like I should do 'more', but I hate wearing a full face. And actually this looks nice!

My brunch, it was lovely

All eleven of us that were there. There's about fifteen of us in book club but not everyone is always there. I'm happy to be part of it!

This lovely S&J dress when I got home. I really will try to wear it more often!

And sparkly tights! I love them!

World Book Day 2023

My book club decided to have a social get together on World Book Day, which we've never done before but would like to make into an annual event! Lynn very generously offered to have us all over to her house. She said she would buy bread and if we could all bring a salad we would have a faith supper. I at first had a prior engagement but then my friend had to cancel, so I could make it to the social! I decided to take mozzarella salad with cucumber and tomatoes, and some pesto to go along side. I didn't put the pesto on as I know not everyone likes it. 

I got to Lynn's about 7pm and was actually the first there although others were very close behind me. Everyone brought something delicious and the vast majority of it was vegetarian which was very exciting for me. Even the quiches were both veggie! Someone also brought some 'nozeco', some alcohol free prosecco, so I had some of that. We helped ourselves to food and sat round Lynn's table to eat. It was so lovely! We had sunken rhubarb cake for pudding with sour cream.

Lynn had also suggested that we each take some books to swap. I am always getting rid of books so I took a bag full. I managed to only come home with one in return, which was a loan from Paula anyway. Go me! We chatted and had coffee. I didn't leave until around 10.30pm! It was so nice to get together and not talk about books! 

All of us at the table before dessert, the picture was taken by Lynn's husband

Look at this beautiful spread! It was so good, I love a faith supper

And here's the rhubarb cake which I wasn't sure about but ended up really enjoying

Book Club Christmas Dinner

I've been a member of a book club in Penistone for the best part of a decade. I like it - I'm the youngest member, but I have some friends there, and it makes me read books that I wouldn't otherwise pick up. (Remember, all my book reviews can be found here, on my book blog). Pre-pandemic we met at Cubley Hall, a nice restaurant and pub, and every year at Christmas we would have a meal there. During lockdowns and until August 2021, we met online. This meant that our ex member Amanda who now lives in Germany could join in too, which was nice. 

In August the group started meeting again at St Aidan's in Oxspring, because it's a bigger and more ventilated room. That's been nice too, I've been a couple of times. We started discussing what we would do for Christmas, and decided to order afternoon tea and have that together in the smaller room in the church. We ordered from The Copper Kettle and it was only £8.50 each, which was nothing. The owners bring everything, set the table with all vintage china, set everything out, and go, then come back later to take everything away. It's no fuss and makes it a bit special. 

There was vegetarian stuff for me, and lots of gorgeous cakes and lovely scones with fresh cream and jam. We all ate enough, and then took leftovers home - everyone had brought a tupperware to do that with. There was enough for Lee and I to have some bits the next day - the cakes were just so nice. 

We did talk a little bit about the book, but it was nice to have a bit of normality in the middle of Covid madness. Maybe this year we'll be back at the pub... let's see I suppose!

When I got home Lee had put the wreath up on the floor. I had bought one for me and one for my mum from a lady on a local Facebook group. They were really lovely; I love the blues and silvers of mine and was happy to see it all over the festive period!  

My lovely vintage china 

Veggie sandwiches and savouries for me on the bottom, tea loaf and parkin in the middle, and cupcakes on the top

Didn't it look lovely all set up for us?