Discussion Topics - Howl's Moving Castle

    Why did Sophie think that Howl ate girls' hearts?
    Was Howl good or bad?
    Have you ever thought someone was bad and then when you learned more about them found that you were wrong?
    What 3 other places would you want your door to open to?
    What did you think of Sophie's response to being old? How would you have responded?
    What did you think of Michael?
    Why was Sophie afraid of Howl? Of the scarecrow? Of the dog?
    When did you realize what Calcifer really was?
    Why was Sophie nervous about breaking the contract?
    Throughout the book, did Sophie like Howl? Did Howl like Sophie?
    Why didn't Howl tell Sophie what he knew about her spell? About Miss Algorian?
    What would your wizard name be?
    For further discussion, you can find an interview with the author, Diana Wynne Jones, at the back of the book. Get Howl's Moving Castlefrom Amazon.com

    "Cookie" Recipe - Tunnel of Fudge Cake

      OK, it's not a cookie but this cake is so chocolate-y and thick and substantial that it could be.

      We chose Tunnel of Fudge Cake as our treat for Howl's Moving Castlebecause like Howl and his castle, it's dark and mysterious on the outside but sweet on the inside. We also skipped the glaze but you don't have to.




      From Cook's Country: Tunnel of Fudge Cake (episode: Super Fudgy Cake) - Serves 12 to 14.

      Don't use a cake tester or toothpick because it'll seem wet due to the fudgy center. Just take the cake from the oven when the sides begin to pull away from the pan and the surface of the cake springs back when pressed gently with your finger.

      Ingredients

      Cake
      3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder , plus extra for dusting pan
      1/2 cup boiling water
      2 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate
      2 cups all-purpose flour
      2 cups pecans or walnuts, chopped fine
      2 cups confectioners' sugar
      1 teaspoon salt
      5 large eggs , room temperature
      1 tablespoon vanilla extract
      1 cup granulated sugar
      3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
      2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter , softened

      Chocolate Glaze
      3/4 cup heavy cream
      1/4 cup light corn syrup
      8 ounces bittersweet chocolate , chopped
      1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

      Instructions
      1. For the cake: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12-cup Bundt pan and dust with cocoa powder. Pour boiling water over chocolate in medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Cool to room temperature. Whisk cocoa, flour, nuts, confectioners' sugar, and salt in large bowl. Beat eggs and vanilla in large measuring cup.

      2. With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, and butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. On low speed, add egg mixture until combined, about 30 seconds. Add chocolate mixture and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Beat in flour mixture until just combined, about 30 seconds.

      3. Scrape batter into prepared pan, smooth batter, and bake until edges are beginning to pull away from pan, about 45 minutes. Cool upright in pan on wire rack for 1 1/2 hours, then invert onto serving plate and cool completely, at least 2 hours.

      4. For the glaze: Cook cream, corn syrup, and chocolate in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Stir in vanilla and set aside until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Drizzle glaze over cake and let set for at least 10 minutes. Serve. (Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.)

      Discussion Topics - Mother Daughter Book Club: Pies and Prejudice

        Was it 'fair to use audio books? Compare and contrast audio books with traditional books.
        What did you learn about a woman's life situation in the late 1700s?
        Which character are you most like? Why?
        Is there another character you'd prefer to be like? Why?
        The characters have so many interests. Name some of them.
        Did this story inspire you to read Jane Austen? Why or why not?
        Mrs. Hawthorne said Rupert Loomis "hadn't grown into himself yet." What did she mean?
        You can find 'Queen Bees' or bullies like Annabelle Fairfax in real life. How should they be handled
        Jane Austen was Mrs. Hawthorne's favorite author. Who is yours?

        You can find more discussion topics at the back of the book. You can get the book Pies & Prejudice (Mother Daughter Book Club)at Amazon.com.

        Cookie Recipes - Chocolate Cream Pie Cookie Bars

          It's the best of both worlds - cookies and pie!!
          Chocolate Cream Pie Cookie Bars



          Ingredients
          1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
          1/2 cup white sugar
          2 cups all-purpose flour

          5.9 oz package instant chocolate pudding
          cold milk

          Directions

          Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

          In a medium bowl, blend together softened the first three ingredients (butter, sugar, flour) until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 8 inch square pan.

          Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. Let crust cool.

          Prepare the chocolate pudding according to package directions. Pour over crust. Put plastic wrap on top and put in refrigerator to chill for several hours. When pudding is set, cut into bars and serve with whipped cream on top.

          Yields 9 square bars (or more if you cut into small rectangles.)

          Even better when served with a good book - Pies & Prejudice (Mother Daughter Book Club)at Amazon.com

          Review: The Mother Daughter Book Club - Pies and Prejudice

            Because it’s the fourth in a series, I was worried that this book might be a disappointment. I need not have worried. MDBC:Pies and Prejudice was just as delightful, if not more, than the 3 stories that preceded it. The girls are growing up and it’s still fun to be a part of their diverging lives and then watch them come together for book club.

            In this volume, Emma and the rest of the Hawthorne family move to England for a year for the father’s work. Emma is nervous, but excited that she and her mother will be able to visit all places Jane Austen. Her brother Darcy is not so keen on the idea but warms up to it eventually. The concern soon becomes what will happen to the Mother Daughter Book Club when they’re gone?

            No need to worry. In this technological age, Emma and her Mom video chat into the meetings which are held at the Wongs (for technological purposes.) It doesn’t hurt that now everyone else can offer to bring food and Mrs. Wong won’t have to make any of her all-natural, tofu based ‘snacks’.

            Outside of the book club goings-on, Megan is still into fashion and even starts a blog. Cassidy is playing great hockey and coaching a youth league. Emma has always known that she wanted to be a writer. In addition to missing Emma, seeing her friends with direction leave Jess worried because she hasn’t chosen a career path yet. Volunteer work with a wildlife rehab gives her renewed hope.

            After Emma has a nasty encounter with a world-class queen bee, the MDBC ‘cooks up’ a way to brighten up Emma’s spring break by bringing her home. And a few months after Emma’s return to England, the group has the chance to come visit the Hawthornes there. These events tighten the bonds of friendship that have been built over the last three volumes. Sprinkled with some misunderstandings, a bit of romantic adventure and Emma’s publishing debut, this is a great read and a perfectly brilliant tie-in with Jane Austen and her writing. Loved it!


            This book receives four cookies and a glass of milk.



            Learn more about Pies & Prejudice (Mother Daughter Book Club)at Amazon.com