I’ve been a member of a BookGroup that meets at the local B&N for awhile now. It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve opened my reading spectrum so much, and each of the women in the group have touched my live in one way or another. I am so happy that I’ve started going, and I look forward to the monthly discussions. We have become more than just a ‘BookGroup’. We have become friends. Something which is truly a treasure. We are all different ages, come from different backgrounds, have such diverse opinions, yet we all have one thing in common… our love of books.

At Christmas time, one of the ladies in my group gave us each an invitation to the Eighteenth Annual Oklahoma Book Awards. I have never been, just as some of the other ladies hadn’t been either. I was so excited to get to attend something like this!

The evening began, one of the ladies in the bookgroup, *K picked me up and we then drove to Target to meet up with the other ladies. We were all being driven by *D’s SIL so that ‘adult beverage’ consumption, and parking wouldn’t be a problem. So, *K and I met up with *D, and *C1. We arrived at the Petroleum Club, on the top floor of the Chase tower downtown. It was beautiful weather. Of course, there was the Big 12 Tournement going on downtown as well… traffic was pretty bad, but not ‘too’ bad. The ladies were all dressed up, and we were ready for some fun! 

First, they had tables set up and authors were there offering their books, and of course autographing them. It was nice to walk around and meet some of the authors who were nominated for the awards. I bought two books, and had them both authographed. The first one was by this lovely lady named Molly Levit Griffis, and the book I picked up was Paradise On The Prairie. Then I picked up Fire In Beulah by Rilla Askew. Both books I got autographed and personalized. I also ended up winning another copy of Fire In Beulah, so I just had Rilla autograph it for me, so I could give it as a gift.

We had a wonderful dinner after the signings. It came with the most delicious assortment. A salad with italian dressing started us off. Followed closely by a nice steak smothered in a mushroom dark sauce; lightly crusted chicken breast stuffed with cream cheese, spinach and sun-dried tomatos; twiced baked mashed potatos; and asparagus. Our dessert was a delicious chocolate cheese cake, drizzed with chocolate sauce and garnished with a plump strawberry and some raspberries and blueberries. To drink we had Iced Tea, Water, and coffee… of course, I had some wine from the cash bar. It was simply divine.

After dinner, they announced the awards. There were some emotional moments, as one of the authors had just passed away two days prior, so it was a heartfelt moment when his friend had accepted an award that they both won.

I can’t wait for next year. I’m going to have to try to go for sure! It did make me realize that I could become an author, even though I live in Oklahoma. I guess I had it in my mind that in order for me to ‘make it’ I’d have to move some place else. So, it was nice to see that I could make it even if I stay here… though I’m planning on moving someday. ~grins~

I had a dinner and movie night, which turned out to be dinner and chatting night, with a good friend of mine. She made “Tortilla Pizzas” and let me tell you, they were DELICIOUS! — Not sure if you’ve ever tried them… but here’s what you do.

Wheat Tortilla (as the crust) — Top with Pizza Sauce — Put on your toppings you want… such as mushrooms, ham, canadian bacon, sausage, even pepperoni.. basically whatever YOU want on your pizza. We put ham and black & green olives, mushrooms, and topped with cheese. – Place them on a cookiesheet, in the oven at 350 and cook until the cheese is melted and the tortilla looks a little (or a  lot depending on your taste) crispy. That’s IT!

They were wonderful, AND not that bad healthwise!Quick to make too