Giving thanks for gatherings
After celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving this past Monday, it reminds me that time spent around the dinner table, kitchen island or coffee table isn’t only an opportunity to eat; it’s a time where we can give thanks for what we have and make time to learn more about each other.
Whether you’re hoping to entertain some new guests, or you’re inviting family and friends over for a special occasion– feel free to stop into your local library for ideas to incorporate into your next gathering.
A book available to borrow that talks about food and dining in a different way is The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook (Adams Media, 2010), written by Dinah Bucholz. Not exactly your conventional cookbook, the 150 recipes in this book are inspired by the Harry Potter novels, with a guide to where the foods can be found in the books, including good food with bad relatives, treats from the train, the favorite cook’s dishes, holiday fare, and more. Cauldron cakes and pumpkin juice? Don’t mind if I do! This book promises to have a few fun recipes for Harry Potter fans of all ages to try out.
Another interesting read that may influence the way you view dessert is Year of No Sugar: A Memoir (Sourcebooks, 2014), written by Eve Schaub. The author wrote and published this memoir after she challenged her husband and two school-age daughters to join her in a search for meals that would contain absolutely no added sugar– for an entire year.
Laurie David, producer of the academy award winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth, has also written a book titled The Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids, One Meal at a Time (Grand Central Life & Style, 2010). She speaks from her own experience confronting the challenges of raising two teenage girls and the role that today’s technology is playing in making parenting a challenge. This book includes over 75 “kid-approved” recipes; tips on teaching green values; conversation starters and games to play too.
Upcoming events - sharing stories and having fun The eight-week Laugh, Play & Read program, in partnership with Kids First and the Westville Library, will begin on Wednesday, October 11 at 12:30 p.m. in the Westville Gym. This interactive drop-in program designed for caregivers and kids ages five and under gives attendees a chance to get together, have some fun and enjoy hands-on activities that include a special song and story time with the library (along with a healthy snack). All are welcome. Please contact Kids First at (902) 7555437 for travel support, and a special thanks to the Town of Westville for providing space in the gym for this program.
On Saturday, October 14 at 2:00 p.m., New Glasgow and Pictou libraries will be celebrating Indie Author Day as local authors from the Pictou County writing group Write Intentions release their anthology Where Pines and Maples Grow (with the eye-catching book cover illustration courtesy of John Ashton from Ashton Creative Design).
Not only will some of the authors be reading a few stories from their Canadian-themed compilation, but copies will also be available for purchase. All are welcome.
For more information on upcoming library programs, special events and services, please drop by your local library branch, follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook, or visit us online at www.parl.ns.ca