Nicole's Letter about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

March 26, 2009

Dear Book Club Ladies,

As a fellow book clubber, who enjoys “reading, meeting, and overeating,” I am pleased to present “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.” It must be more than coincidence that we, as a group, decided upon this lengthy title, for more than just I made a request to read this book. As you may recall, at our last meeting, 3 ladies made this suggestion. I hope it was as enjoyable for each of you, as it was for me.

I feel at this point I need to quote Juliet on page 10 in a letter to Dawsey. “I wonder how the book got to Guernsey?” she writes, “Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in a book that brings them to their perfect readers.” I wonder, was this the case for Benee and Kim? The book came into my hands in a fairly common way. I mentioned our ‘mandatory’ book club meeting and my mother in law suggested this book. I decided that I should read it before I made my request, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Was this book sent my way through some homing instinct? Probably not, but with 3 requests, I think it’s fair to say, we needed to read this. Are you happy that we did?

As I settled into reading, I’ll admit some hesitation about the writing style. A story told through letters? Would it hold my interest? But as I began, the descriptions of the 1940’s era and the Channel Islands fascinated me. As a student and teacher of history in a former life, I was also compelled to know more of the effects of WWII on this part of the country. Then there was the tone, word use and rhythm of speech that was so marked, I could practically hear the English accent.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story from beginning to end. But then, I always love a good love story, and this one was most satisfying on many levels. There is, of course, the story between Juliet and Dawsey, Elizabeth and her German, Clovis Fossey and Widow Hubert, and Juliet and Markham V. Reynolds. But there is also the relationship between Guernsey folks and what they read, between what was and what is, between what is and what my be, and the heartbreaking what is and what might have been. And for me, the grit of war to make it not quite so cute. What did you like about the story?

So, as I sit writing this letter in preparation for presenting this book to you ladies, I am grateful to have read such a lovely tale. And, as we discussed before and as Juliet asks the Potato Peel society: What is the philosophical value of reading? What is the benefit for you in reading? For me, reading has always been a mini-vacation to another place or time. I love to lose myself in a good story and expand my perspective as I contemplate new thoughts and life experiences. Whether it be history or fiction, fine literature or a compelling narrative, books can elevate us beyond our own little worlds. Doesn’t that make life fun? And please, let us NOT serve Potato Peel Pie.

Sincerely, Nicole Fountaine Fisher

Shan's Amazing News you MUST read about. Life really can be GREAT!!

There are 3 amazing e-mails Shan has sent me this past week. Here they are for all of you to enjoy in order of date received. :) It is about her and her experiences with her son, the most awesome military man Trev. If you are short on time, come back and read all the way through the third e-mail because honestly, her writing is so hysterical to read. You just don't want to miss the content of these e-mails.

#1 SOI Graduation 3/3/09

I have all of 7 seconds to splash this to you before diving into my 88 hour day~
The weekend I spent with Trevor will go down as one of the top 3 mom experiences thus far!
I have it written in a file and it's around 20 pages. It was almost surreal.
I have a pic. taken right after he graduated when we had literally 40 min to visit while he ate lunch before he was wisked away to begin Recon. training.

Bookies, you're looking at the newest graduate of SOI.
I'm so proud of my PFC Pumpkin!

Details later...
Have a happy~
Shandelirious

#2 The e-mail about Trevor's Ordination...3/7/09

I just wanted to send a quick update on Trevor... now PFC Lundgreen (United States Marine Corps OO-RAH!)

I received a call earlier this week from him informing me that he had just finished his interviews with the church leaders there and was going to be ordained an Elder this Sunday!
Imagine my elation at the good news, and equal sense of disappointment at the lousy timing... as I had just spent 4 days with him the weekend prior for his graduation from SOI.
Long story short, my sweet husband surprised me with a plane ticket so I could fly down and be with him when he's ordained! Mark knew how important this is and simply said,
"Shan, your his momma, you need to be there... for both of you." I was overwhelmed... and speechless! (And as we know, it's a rare moment that causes me to be speechless!!)
So, I'm hopping on a plane this morning to go be with my PFC Pumpkin today and tomorrow.

He has asked Elder Paul Hansen of the Branch Presidency to ordain him. I met Elder Hansen when I was down there and was deeply impressed with his wisdom, love, and
great concern for our military members. (He also had a striking resemblence to Mark's dad.)
When Trev told me he had asked Elder Hansen to ordain him, I told him I thought that was perfect to which Trevor replied, "Besides mom, he reminds me of Grandpa Bob."
Yes, I cried.
Please know of my deep love and appreciation for your support you've generously given along this new journey of mine with a son serving in the Marines. WOW have my eyes
ever been opened to our Father in Heaven's plan for ALL of us!

Much love and gratitude for your contined prayers and concern,
Shan



#3 The Follow-up e-mail about Trev's ordination.. amazing. 3/10/09



Dear Sister/Girlfriends,

Just in case you were wondering ... for me this year Mother's Day landed on March 8th!!

Tho' the trip was a 'fast mad-dash' to California and back, that experience is imprinted in my heart forever. I have fallen in love with the wonderful Senior Couples serving at Camp Pendleton. My son has several 'sets' of grandparents there. The love they feel and extend to our children in the military is almost enough to make ME want to enlist!! But alas, grey hair, stretch marks and wrinkles (not to mention my age) disqualify me for this noble commitment.

A couple of military moms have asked if my husband is LDS and I'd like to clarify that with a resounding YES!!! The rest of that story in a nutshell is: he actually would have been there had it not been for our business (timing) and the fact that child services frowns on leaving a 13 year old home alone... even tho' Wyatt THINKS he's 21~...

So, back to Trevor's ordination, those present for it were: the three priesthood holders standing in the circle, Trevor and me. It was beautiful, powerful, private, sweet and perfect. The blessing Trev received along with the ordination has given me great strength and comfort in knowing without a doubt Trevor is on the Lord's errand and under His watchful eye at all times. He has some pretty tall orders to fill and has been promised with what he needs to carry out the Lord's work so long as he is faithful to his covenants and worthy of this priesthood.

I bear witness, as a mother and as a daughter of God, I KNOW the time is here for these righteous men (and women) to be called up to defend our freedoms and be the instruments in opening the doors in countries where presently the church isn't allowed to proselyte. It takes GRIT and nerves of STEEL for our military to do their jobs. They are constantly exposed to the perverse and diabolical elements Satan is using to wreak havoc here on earth. Nevertheless, they are there because of their deep 'hard wired' commitment they seem to have been born with. The good that they are doing, the influence for righteousness sake and the seeds they are planting are VITAL to our Father in Heaven's plan. It takes a very unique individual to exist in this type of element and do it with strength and integrity.

Moms, we must have done something right to be deemed caretakers and given custody to rear these fearless, committed warriors in God's army. Somewhere along the lines we obviously screwed up and did or said something RIGHT in providing the example, the spoken word or at the very least, a fertile environment for their own seeds of commitment to cultivate and sprout. ... I'm sure in my own case I provided more fertilizer than anything else ... (all through middle and high school the look on their faces told me so!!) At the end of the day, this is the Lord's work and it WILL go forward. Nothing will stop it. He needs his strongest players (inside and out) playing first string.

A member of the Stake Presidency that interviewed Trevor 2 Sundays ago said to Trev, "There will come a time when you along with your platoon will be given orders to fight. It will be your first time as well as many others in your group. I promise you Trevor, when that happens, several of those around you will crumble under the extreme circumstances you're forced to be in. And when they do, you will stand up and have the strength, courage and fortitude to carry out the orders given. When the 'episode' is over, those who were trained the same as you and couldn't step up to the plate will ask you why you were able to and they weren't. It will be in that very moment you will look them in the eye and say to them boldly with the Spirit, 'The reason I was able to do what I did is because I am a worthy priesthood holder and member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.' And THAT, dear Trevor will be when your REAL work for the Lord begins."

The Church is true.
The last days are here.
The war (on all levels) is in full swing,
and our children (be they full time missionaries, full time military or full time members) are the soldiers fighting it.
I pray as mothers we will continue to support each other, encourage each other and lift up those hands which hang down.
For that is what you have done so willingly and continue to do for me.

Much love and gratitude,
Shan
MM PFC (Elder) Lundgreen :0)

Etsy: Nadia's Place

Carrie has the coolest baby stuff. Check out the Etsy's Web site at http://www.nadiasplace.etsy.com/ and pass the information along. :)

Rich and Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

"The secret to the richness of this soup is to use real butter, fresh basil leaves, and heavy cream. Please do not substitute, or you will not have the same high quality end result."

RECIPE RATING: 4.5 on Allrecipes.com
PREP TIME
10 Min
COOK TIME
35 Min
READY IN
45 Min
4-6: Servings

Ingredients:
4 tomatoes - peeled, seeded and diced
(Note: for easy peeling, drop in boiling water for about 5 seconds. The skin comes right off)
4 cups tomato juice
14 leaves fresh basil
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Place tomatoes and juice in a stock pot over medium heat. Simmer for 30 minutes. Puree the tomato mixture along with the basil leaves, and return the puree to the stock pot.
Place the pot over medium heat, and stir in the heavy cream and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Do not boil.