– 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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My dear friend, Cherrie, took me out for a surprise birthday celebration the other day. My birthday was several weeks ago, but she and I hadn’t “celebrated” it yet. We went in her car and I had no idea where we were going. She drove south to San Clemente (the town made famous by Richard Nixon’s “Western White House” located within a stone’s throw of the freeway). Having never shopped the couple blocks of San Clemente town, it was a delightful surprise. For those of you reading this who don’t know where San Clemente is, it’s a little bit south of halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. It’s at the very south end of Orange County (the north end houses Disneyland and the south end has San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente).
Cherrie and I enjoy afternoon tea. A lot. And you’ll remember that some months ago she and I hosted a tea for a group of 12. Whew. We made just about everything for it – my golden raisin buttermilk scones, lots of sandwiches, even cold soup. What a lot of work it was, but fun nevertheless. This time we got to enjoy it from beginning to end and somebody served us. Cherrie was tickled to even FIND this place since so many hotels and cottages no longer serve tea at all. For many years the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel served tea in their gorgeous but small library. But, it closed up tea-serving some years ago. We’ve been to any number of places around our large county over the years, but almost no one serves it anymore. There are a couple in downtown Orange, but neither place is a favorite of ours.
Anyway, Cherrie found this little place in San Clemente called the Posh Peasant. And what a treat it was. From the moment we walked in, until the moment we left nearly two hours later, we were pampered and cosseted. We ordered the full-on tea. They call it High Tea, but technically it’s not, it’s an Afternoon Tea . . . lots of tea places mistakenly call it High Tea, which is more of a peasant meal served in the evenings in England. No matter. There were umpteen choices of tea (we ordered Lady Grey). The only other decisions we had to make involved what type of scone (we chose lemon over the blueberry), which of two soups and which dessert. First we were served a plate of bruschetta to take the edge off our appetites. Next were the scones, served with an adorable little server for crème fraiche and jam. Then we had a very small demitasse serving of cream of mushroom soup (delicious). The teapot was kept hot over a tea warmer and the waitress poured it frequently for us. Next came a salad and sandwich plate with a delicious green salad containing lots of fresh, diced fruit, dried cranberries and candied walnuts, and five small tea sandwiches with various fillings. Lastly we were given a choice of about 6 or 7 desserts, all homemade by the owner. Cherrie opted for lemon crème brulee and I had the choco-lat, their version of a chocolate lava cake, but a dainty serving in a small ramekin topped with vanilla ice cream.
Everything at the Posh Peasant is homemade by the owner, Kim Bennett. We asked to meet her and she graciously came to our table and visited with us. She used to be in the corporate world (worked for PacSun). Her family thought she was plum crazy earlier this year when she told them she was buying a tea shop and that she was going to BAKE and MAKE everything. Most of her family never knew she could cook, let alone bake. She said she used to years ago, but just got out of the habit. It’s like riding a bicycle, I think. She got right on that thing and is successfully baking lots of goodies for the patrons. Cherrie and I are discerning afternoon tea aficionados, and I’d rank the food as top notch.
This little restaurant is dolled up to be a tea shop, with much of the usual decor you’d associate with afternoon tea (with cute hats you can choose to wear for the duration of the tea if you’d like to get in the mood), but it’s tastefully done. Not too much. Not too little. There are a few things to buy (tea-related stuff). And the shop serves a variety of lunch items too (eleven sandwiches and four entree salads) in addition to the full tea items. There’s a children’s tea, too, for $19.99. And any number of other afternoon tea variations of tea with scones, a tea sampler, a sweet tea and the very common Cream Tea that you’ll find throughout. There are eleven lunch-type sandwiches on their menu. The full tea we had was $24.99, and worth every penny (thank you, Cherrie!).
Will we go again? Absolutely. The sooner the better. Want to join us? It’s a very cute place. Fun for a small group, even. Great for a lunch with a small group of women. They do open for catered events too, in the evenings. If the food at the tea is any representation, it would be fantastic. And when you leave there, go across the street to Oliver’s, a new olive oil and balsamic vinegar shop that is fabulous. Lots of things to taste. We just wished we had been hungrier for tasting oil and vinegars. We did try a few and came home with some purchases from there. Their website isn’t quite up and running as I write this, but Bob, the owner, said it’s in progress.
The Posh Peasant
220 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 498-7813
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM
Erin B
said on October 12th, 2010:
Great review of the Posh Peasant. I’m sold and I can’t wait to try it!
Thanks for the information.