We met at Amy's house last night for our monthly book club gathering. We got a late start (8:15ish) and were so hungry we started right in on the food, so we didn't end up taking a self-portrait (bummer). Amy had panini fixins, Jana brought muffins, Jenn brought apples and the wonderful toffee dip, Collette brought a variety of candy, I made a 7 layer dip, and Michelle brought tomato Parmesan soup. It was fabulous!
We finally got to see Amy's recently finished studio in real life (as opposed to just photos on her blog). It's so beautiful and seriously huge. She has 4 desks and a huge island work space! I couldn't resist having the girls do a little demonstration to show the size of this room. She could hold classes and host crops in there! It has been fun to see her studio spaces as they have evolved over the years, they just get better and better. She's a lucky girl for sure!
Book club is always more fun when there are gifts to be had. Michelle brought us all a set of note cards and envelops from her visit to Paper Source in San Francisco a couple weeks ago. What a treat! Thanks Michelle!
Amy finally gave us the Christmas presents she has had sitting on her counter for months. She put together a whole foot softening supply kit. My feet need some definite help so this is great timing. Thanks Amy!
We originally planned to discuss Wild Swans, but ended up finding it to be an incredibly slow (though interesting) read so we extended our reading time another month (phew!). Instead we discussed Julie Beck's 2 talks from last fall's General Conference. (Links are here and here.)
There was a lot to talk about and it was interesting to discuss these religious issues as a book club. We're all members of the same church so spiritual topics often come up in our discussions, but we rarely discuss religion specifically or read church-related books. There has been a lot of controversy because of the bluntness of these talks, but none of us had a problem with them.
I'm so glad we did this, I think it might be something we should do more regularly especially before Conference. I feel fired up and ready to listen to this weekend's talks.
**Can you believe Amy's room?
Do you have soft feet?
How do you prepare for Conference?
Were you upset by these talks?**
Do you have soft feet?
How do you prepare for Conference?
Were you upset by these talks?**
34 comments:
Im seriously jealous she has so much room for just HER! what a gorgeous studio! I would never come out of there...
Your book clubs are always amazing. The food looks delicious and I want to know when is Michelle going to start a recipe blog?! C'mon already!
Amy's room is awesome. I can't believe the size of it but I also love the color and design. It's fabulous!
You know that I love both those talks by Sis. Beck so I don't know why people are getting worked up. I think they are inspiring, powerful, and motivating for all women and mothers.
Amy's room is awesome. I love the pictures and everything is better in real life so I know it is fabulous!
I love those talks. I feel like they relieve the pressure of the outside world and remind us that we are doing what we are supposed to and that we can be selfish with our time for our family's sake. I have heard there is controversy but I haven't actually spoken with anyone who feels that way so I am not sure specifically what rubbed them the wrong way?
That was good thinking to show us the dimensions of the room like that, Jill, thanks. What an incredible place to think and create.
I love that you report your food from bookclub. I find it so fun to read...like a recipe book without any of the work, we just enjoy them through you.
I LOVED Sister Beck's talks. I find her frankness very refreshing and necessary.
Hmmm. Feet. Yes, mine could use some attention.
You guys have such fun times together - and I just go visit Amy's blog so I can fantasize about that room. It is crazy!
I love those two conference talks!
I thought it was interesting to discuss these talks together because, like you said, we don't normally talk about our religious beliefs as much as we did last night. I loved both of the talks and I appreciate Sister Beck's candor. I think we need to hear these messages, even though they may make us feel a bit uncomfortable -- then we know where we need to focus our attention. Another good book club night!
I was thrilled by Sister Beck's talks and have not been able to figure out how anyone could be upset by them...they are some of my favorite talks of all time and I read them anytime I am feeling lonely or need the motivation to continue on in my role as a wife/mother/homemaker. Those talks remind me that what I am doing inside my home is so important even though much of the world doesn't think so. Aren't women awesome and amazing?
Moving on...Amy's room is fantabulous!!! I have been feeling creative again (yeah!) and seeing her studio is making me feel like heading upstairs to clean up my scrapbook room.
Looks like book club was successful--I have been reading To Kill a Mockingbird for Holly's Blog Book Club. It feels good to read something, knowing that I will be discussing it with others.
Sign me up for ANY class or even cartwheels in that space--it is roomy and gorgeous!
My feet are only soft now because I went yesterday to get them done, in between I neglect them terribly and they get down right scary.
Wow, she has a great set-up! I'm so jealous, since I just have a corner of a room to claim for my scrap area.
I really loved both of those talks by Sister Beck. I wonder why people think they are controversial? I think they were timely and necessary, and definitely were a kick in the pants for some people probably.
I loved those talks...they were right on if you ask me. I love that she spoke plainly and even if it seemed harsh it is only because we needed to hear it. I like talks like that because there is no grey area, she tells it like it is and it is up to us to step up and do the things we have known all along but make justifications for.
all that food sounds so yummy and I think it is a great idea to discuss conference talks every once in a while!
and oh I wish I had soft feet...mine are awful, I need to give them some serious attention!
Okay, that is no ordinary craft room. That is truly a studio. No wonder she has a creative day everyweek with you. Wow.
Book club looked great!
Wow-- to amy's room.
I love to see your book club posts!! looks like fun
I really liked Julie Beck's talk but as I was listening to- mother's who know- I knew some people were gonna freak. Sometimes I really need to be reminded to keep my priorities in check- like this month!! I should have read it again a couple of weeks ago--- eeeek I guess -I don't know?
I almost forgot to mention how much I love your new header...it makes me smile every time I see it :)
Amy's studio looks huuuge! It's funny, I've just been to Ikea today and it got me in the mood to rush home and declutter. Ikea-world is sooo organised and perfect. *sigh*
Cute little gifts from Michelle. I was just watching a Paper Source video online the other day. I love to go to a shop like that. *another sigh*
As I'm Church of England, and really not au fait with LDS, I have no idea who Julie Beck is, or where she 'stands' within LDS, I quickly looked at the links but can clearly see the talk deserve more of a dedicated read than a quick scan, so I will print them off and read them. If she's attacking what I *think* she's attacking (and maybe 'attack' is the wrong word...) then I'm quite in agreement - but I will read before I spout off!
What fun you have with your book club! And oh my, her room is amazing!
Oh, and I am loving your banner!
Loving that room- oh the joy to be had there! Lucky lady!
I have very UNsoft feet right now- and a gift card in my purse from the husband to go get a pedicure... but do you think I'll even find free time to go?! not yet. :(
Conference weekends are the best weekends of the year! I will admit though that listening to Sister Beck's talks I kept saying, "She's stressing me out again!" But it was all important and obviously needed to be said. It certainly gave me a wake up call on working harder and being better.
Sounds like a great Book Club meeting.
Okay, I've read through Julie Beck's talks now. I can see where people may have got the hump with her, if they've been reading sentences backwards, placing her asides as the points instead. Essentially, I have no problems with what she's saying. I have a slight beef with her bigging up her LDS ladies, because I'm sitting here as a nice CofE lady and thinking, 'I can be the best in the world too...' *pout*
But she is obviously very driven by God and has a much-needed urgency in her tone. What a blessing to be guided by someone like that.
I must say that I was brought to tears in the fourth paragraph regarding the women who can't have children in this life. As a women who is left with no options at this time for having more children and unable to adopt because of our expat status, I was blown away by her frank statement - " women who desire and work torward that blessing (bearing children) in this life are promised they will receive it for all eternity, and eternity is much, much longer than mortality."
I have been typing up a post about my struggle with infertility, but haven't been able to finish it, i felt like I didn't quite know everything - but now I know...
I think Beck's talks are beautiful and simply back-up everything latter-day saint women stand for. Thank you so much for the links, I probably wouldn't have read it if it weren't for your links.
I am SO bummed we did not get a SP! But I still had a great time- like that was ever in doubt!
what a fantastic room! and what a cool book club! :)
As I was blog surfing, this post caught my attention. Julie Beck is my aunt, in-law. Lucky me, she is an awesome woman. I loved her talks of course. I'm sure she's had lots, but I will forward this on to her, I'm sure she'd love to read all the great "feedback".
Amy's room is amazing! The visual aid is so helpful.
I have gotten annoyed when I hear people getting annoyed over those talks by Sister Beck. They are wonderful and I get a bit defensive on her behalf. The message is so clear and we all need it. What a great book club topic right before conference. I'm looking forward to the weekend too.
What a fantastic idea to discuss those talks (I loved them both!). Amy's studio is breathtaking...like something you see in a magazine and drool over.
I love Conference & am super excited & super needing it this weekend!
amy's room is amazing and i would have given anything to be a fly on the wall during that conversation.
and after all my commenting i meant to say first of all, your new blog banner is wonderful!
I love both those talks, especially the Strong and Immovable one, so fitting for me with this years mutual theme.
Wow, THAT is on amazingly beautiful room! I wish I could be a part of your book club! I loved Sister Beck's talks. It's such a blessing to be able to listen to conference. I'm excited for this weekend.
I can't believe Amy's room. Wow. It's amazing.
I think it's fabulous you all talked about Sis. Becks talk. Despite the controversy it seemed to get I got so much from it. It really motivated me.
I am in love with any personal work space. I would love something like that! What a treat to have a space so HUGE! It looks wonderful! Love the design of it all!
I love these talks! I really don't understand how anyone would take offense to the one talk. It isn't like something we haven't heard before. And, I believe, that in this day and age you have to be bold and blunt so people will really HEAR and UNDERSTAND.
I love to use it as a reference and a guide.
FUN book club group for sure!
Hmmmm. I would so love to discuss these talks with a group larger than my own circle of acquaintances...it would be interesting to hear people who take issue with Sis. Beck's statements and listen to their points of view. Because frankly, it seems an uplifting message for a woman of any religion!
I second Robyn's statement: Michelle! (chanting) Food Blog, Food Blog, Food Blog...
okay, i only scaned through the talks...so I don't know what the hype is....but I think anything given or said should be used in a good spirit and for our own good.
love love love the big room...now 4 desks....really....how many cubby holes whould easily fit there? like 6 work stations? gasp.....wow....I am happy with a little closet....but I guess I need to focus and finish what I need to finish so I can enjoy my new closet right? lv ya
Seven layer dip is one of my favorite things!
What a great room!!
I was a little surprised at the reaction to those talks. I didn't think of them in that way when I first heard them.
It was really great to discuss those talks together. It really got me in the mood for conference, too. Oh, and thanks for all the studio love too.
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