Beach House

September 2002- the second road trip- to Sanibel Island, Florida, USA. Joanne opened her family’s beautiful home to us for our book club meeting and road trip. We read Beach House by James Patterson, so what a perfect spot for us to congregate and play! Joanne, Debbie H and Susan held a Hawaiian luau where we all dressed in our beachy best…the culmination of the evening was a surprise re-enactment of the kidnapping that took place in Beach House. Each guest was told to go in the basement to get dressed in character for a mock trial. In reality, the hostesses ambushed each one individually as they came downstairs. We were tied up and blindfolded and stuffed in the back of the van. Once all the guests were captured, we were taken on a wild ride through the neighborhood. Happy the police weren’t called!!

Barnes and Noble says about this book:

Jack Mullen is a driven student of the law. His brother Peter is a servant of the rich, parking the cars of the Hamptons' elite-and perhaps satisfying their more intimate needs as well. Then Peter's body is found on the beach. Jack knows the drowning was no accident, but someone's unlimited power and money have bought the cops, the judges, the system. Now Jack is learning a lesson in justice he never got in law school ... and his astonishing plan to beat the billionaires will have you reeling-and cheering-to the very last page.

Joanne, Debbie H and Susan kept our beach theme going with a delicious menu of rumaki (Joanne's famous appetizer that I have already given you the recipe for- hope you have tried it!!), pineapple and cream cheese spread, fruit kabobs, Bibb lettuce salad, shrimp bowtie pasta, and cheesey bread. For dessert- key lime pie.

Shrimp Bowtie Pasta

1 Tbsp garlic pulp (smash cloves of garlic)
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
3 Tbsp lemon juice
8 oz. bow tie pasta
3-4 plum tomatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup whipping cream (heavy cream)
3 oz. goat cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup capers, drained
1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/3-1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
asparagus tips- partially cooked (optional)

Bring 2 quarts water and lemon juice to a boil in a Dutch oven. Add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Add shrimp and cook 2 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Drain.
Toss together pasta and shrimp with garlic pulp, chopped tomatoes, and rest of ingredients. Serve with extra grated parmesan cheese.

The door prize was a decorated Book Club nightshirt...

We had a blast on our 4 day weekend in Sanibel- although Lisa and I almost missed the plane! Fun times for all...
Next blog will feature a book called Hanna's Daughters...