– by Neil White (on my Kindle) – a really, really interesting book. It’s a memoir about the year the author spent in prison in Louisiana. About his sanctimonious attitude when he arrived there (he was convicted of kiting checks trying to keep his publishing business afloat) and what he learns during his year. But as much as it’s about his life as a prisoner, it’s more about the other residents of the prison – the last remaining lepers (Hansen’s Disease) who are provided for in the facility. Neil White is quite a character and I wondered more than once if he was ever going to “get it,” that he was greedy and egotistical. The book wasn’t published for about 10 years after his release, so at least he didn’t profit immediately by telling tales. The epilogue was so sad – listing the deaths of many of the leprosy patients and some of the inmates he came to call friends. One person at amazon commented that it was not worth reading because the author profited from his incarceration, and that he didn’t appear to have redeemed himself. I disagree – I think he did. If he didn’t, then he knows how to spin a good yarn. I choose to believe he learned a whole lot about himself and where his life took a (wrong) left turn, and that he’s trying to atone for his failings by publishing the book. You decide.
- by P.D. James (on my Kindle) – if I hadn’t read about this book in the Los Angeles Times a week or so ago I’d never have pursued this book. It’s nothing even close to her wealth of books of the mystery genre. But yes, it IS a mystery (not something I normally read) but it takes place about 5 years after Pride and Prejudice leaves off. That was the hook for me. An entertaining read and a way to keep in touch with all the lovable (and not-so) characters from Jane Austen’s classic. It’s not a page-turner in the true mystery-murder style, but it’s fun to read.
– by Judith Ryan Hendricks – I picked up this book at a lending library I use now and then. I have to laugh, though – the collection of books (probably numbering about 350 or so) is divided by paperback and hardback. And then by color. COLOR? I find that so ludicrous. But anyway, the title caught my eye. It’s definitely a novel, about a youngish woman who’s been a baker and a chef, but who is suddenly single. It’s about her struggle to find herself, to find a new rhythm of life. In the telling of the journey some recipes are included (baked goods, including bread-bread), which are available on the 
– by Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) – most everyone who reads blogs knows about Ree – the Pioneer Woman, from Pawhuska, Oklahoma. She’s always entertaining, whimsical and enjoyable to read. A couple of years ago she wrote a memoir of her romance with Ladd, her now husband. I can’t count how many times, as I was reading this, that I was LOLing (Laughing Out Loud). She is such a witty writer and knows how to tell a story. Even though I know she married Ladd and has since had 4 children, I was caught up in her story from the first page. I wrote it up in more detail on
– (on my Kindle) Michael Tucker (from L.A. Law some years ago) and his wife, on a whim almost, buy a home in Umbria. An old, old, old house with two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, I think, and a nice terrace (where a lot of living goes on in Italian homes and families). It’s the story of the purchase itself, the friends they meet, the neighbors, how Michael finds the best butcher(s), bakers and candlestick makers. It made me long for another trip to Italy, actually. They enlarge the home, although they’re not there for most of the construction. It’s a similar tale to Frances Mayes’ books and Peter Mayle’s books too, but it’s different. Tucker is a TV star; his wife’s a stage actress. They live on some higher plane than I do, for sure, with lots of friends with connections. But it’s a cute story and I enjoyed it clear to the end.
(Stacy Schiff); 
; and 
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Looks like guacamole, doesn’t it? Wrong. It’s a smooth, unctuous spoon-able soup. Lovely on a hot, summer evening, in small glasses with some crushed tortilla chips on top and a little sprig of cilantro. It was VERY easy to make in the food processor. You just have to have some ripe avocados and some buttermilk. Very delicious.
Our neighbors gave us a bag of about 8-9 avocados – what a treasure! With avos costing upwards of $2 apiece, I was thrilled. I considered making avocado butter, an appetizer I’m fond of, but soup sounded more interesting. I looked up a few recipes, but nothing sounded just right, so I made up my own. I combined fresh garlic and salt in the food processor and let it sit while I gathered up the avos, limes, buttermilk, a green onion, seasonings (including cumin), champagne vinegar, cilantro and I crushed up some tortilla chips for garnish. I added extra salt, a little bit more buttermilk to get it the right consistency, some pepper and it was done. It chilled for a few hours, then I spooned it (carefully, I might add) into the little 4-ounce glasses I have that make a perfect hand-held appetizer. Even if you haven’t received a free stash of avocados, this soup is worth making.
Avocado Chilled Soup
Recipe By: My own concoction
Serving Size: 10
3/4 teaspoon salt — or more to taste
1 large clove garlic — minced
3 whole avocados
3 tablespoons lime juice — (about 2 limes)
3 cups buttermilk — or more if needed (I use low-fat buttermilk)
1 whole green onion — chopped
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne — or other hot ground chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon champagne vinegar — or more to suit your taste
1/2 cup fresh cilantro — chopped, plus extra for garnish
1/2 cup tortilla chips — crushed, for garnish
1. In the bowl of a food processor combine the garlic and salt. Puree until the garlic is finely ground. Allow it to rest while you gather the other ingredients.
2. Peel the avocados and drop them into the workbowl, then add the lime juice, salt, pepper, cayenne, cumin, green onion, white wine vinegar and fresh cilantro. Blend briefly.
3. Add half the buttermilk, then continue to blend the mixture until it’s smooth. Add remaining buttermilk and puree again. Taste for seasoning. The mixture may need more salt and more lime juice. Adjust seasonings to suit your palate. If the soup is too thick, add more buttermilk or milk until it’s the consistency you think is right.
4. Chill the soup, then pour out into short glasses or bowls and garnish with crushed tortilla chips, a few sprigs of cilantro and a spoon. The soup is somewhat thick, so guests will want to use a spoon to get it all. Do serve small servings, as the soup is rich. And use it up within a day or so. It kept fine (the color) for 24 hours.
Per Serving: 189 Calories; 13g Fat (58.5% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 16g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 3mg Cholesterol; 306mg Sodium.
One year ago: Simple Summer Squash
Two years ago: Lemony Green Salad
Three years ago: Meatloaf with Sweet and Sour Sauce (my old standby)
Cucee Sprouts
said on July 29th, 2010:
This soup looks fantastic. I recently made an Avocado soup myself and really loved how light and flavorful it turned out. Here is my recipe – hope you get to try it as well. http://cuceesprouts.com/2010/07/the-superhero-soup/
Yours looks great, too. Now if only I can get another free supply of avocados! . . . carolyn t
hddonna
said on July 29th, 2010:
Carolyn–I’ve been contemplating improvising an avocado soup all summer, and your post was just the impetus I needed. My husband is recovering from a medical procedure which left him with a sore esophagus, so soft and creamy is the the order of the day. I had only one avocado in the house, so followed your recipe exactly but cut it by to 1/3 the original, and it was just what I’ve been imagining. That little bit of champagne vinegar was the perfect touch–I tasted the soup before adding it, and it was definitely needed to balance the flavors. Excellent!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! . . . carolyn t