February Book Group The Irish Girl

 FEBRUARY BOOK GROUP READ 

THE IRISH GIRL BY ASHLEY SEWEENY

Our book group here in Green Valley met to discuss Ashley Sweeney's book, which focuses on the Irish immigrant experience of the main protagonist Mary Agnes Coyne. The story is loosely based on the author's great-grandmother's experiences in the late 1800's. 

For our monthly gatherings, we enjoy discussing a variety of genres. This month, Clare hosted, and Marilyn provided snacks with an Irish theme.  Bailey's Irish Cream Brownies were a hit, as well as a Corned Beef Dip served with crackers and Irish Soda bread.

Baileys Brownies

Cook's Notes:
Baileys Irish Cream Brownies are rich fudgy brownies with a fluffy buttery Baileys frosting and topped with a rich Baileys chocolate ganache. These are definitely the best brownies I've ever had! And I knew you would enjoy getting the recipe.

Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes and serves 40 small brownies
Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients
1 Boxed Fudge Brownie Mix plus box indicated ingredients or make your favorite homemade brownies

Baileys Frosting
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
⅓ cup Baileys Irish Cream
3 cups powdered sugar

Baileys Ganache
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
½ cup Baileys Irish Cream

Directions:

• Prepare brownies according to package directions in a 13 x9 pan Cool completely.
• For Baileys Frosting: Beat butter on medium speed until fluffy. Add in Baileys and mix well.
• Add powdered sugar a little at a time until completely incorporated. Beat until soft and fluffy.
• Spread over brownies and refrigerate while making the Baileys ganache.
• Ganache: Combine Baileys and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring just to a boil and immediately pour over the chocolate chips. Let it sit for 5 minutes without stirring.
• Whisk until smooth and spread over frosted brownies. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Refrigerate until set.

The following is a review of the book I had posted in 2024.  

Multi-award-winning historical fiction author Ashley Sweeney's writing shines in her newest novel, "The Irish Girl." It's a family saga, a coming-of-age story, and the Irish immigrant experience. Narrated by the protagonist, 13-year-old Mary Agnes Coyne, the story's time frame is between the 1880s to 1890s. It spans from a rural village in Galway, Ireland, to New York, Chicago, and Colorado. Mary Agnes has been banished from her Irish home by her mother, who fails to believe a family member molested her. She flees to her grandparents' home. They decide to book a passage for Mary Agnes to America, hoping she will find a better life there and become more educated. Despite her young age, Mary Agnes travels by herself from Ireland to New York City. After a month, she moves to Chicago by train to live with her uncle and his family. But Mary Agnes' story doesn't end there; it continues to Colorado Springs and ends up back in Chicago, all before she turns 21!

Sweeney's vivid sentences are descriptive and filled with sensory details that bring out all the senses, from the Irish seaside to the persistent rain that hangs over the country, the smells and confined spaces on the steamer, the sounds and sights of New York and Chicago, and the wide open spaces of a Colorado ranch. Sentences are punctuated with literary gems and lyrical prose. Period dialogue is used effectively.

Mary Agnes endures the stigma of poverty and discrimination for being Irish. She endures harrowing misfortunes, economic struggles, disappointments, rejection, clashes of heritage and religion, and unsettling matters of the heart. She has a tender heart, longing to find true love, a home, and a real place where she belongs. Through Mary Agnes's perseverance, optimism, courage, and resilience, she finds the love of her life only to lose him, unexpected kindness, and acceptance. Supporting characters are well-developed, adding depth, complexity, and conflict to the main storyline. The chronic lack of sufficient food permeates the storyline, impacting the characters' lives as they try to survive.

The story is loosely based on the author's great-grandmother's experience as an Irish immigrant. Sweeney's well-researched novel gives insight into the Irish experiences before entering America and their continued struggles to be accepted once in the country.

The writing is of the highest caliber. I found the story of "The Irish Girl" to be mesmerizing and engrossing, finishing the book in a day. As a bonus, readers gain a deeper understanding and empathy for the immigrant experience. The story's last sentence was indeed a clever way to end.

Wish me luck as the next one Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown is at an impressive 682 pages 😉

Puff Pastry Cherry Turnovers 101

 

PART TWO

In a previous posting, I noted that San Diego has a thriving restaurant scene. But what I overlooked was mentioning the culinary scene at our friend's home was quite noteworthy. Since San Diego has a temperate climate, their yard was like a tropical paradise with colorful flowers and bushes. The Bird of Paradise is a showy plant. But what fascinated me was 

their lemon trees (3 kinds), avocado trees, and grapevines. From a historical perspective, this area was once developed as an orchard with citrus, avocado, and grape vines. Thus, it is common for many homes in the neighborhood to have fruit growing in their yards.  

This is a sample of what they sent home with us. Our hostess, Marcie,  made grape jelly for my husband, as she has done every year.  Since they have so many lemons one year, she even mailed us a huge box for the holidays. The avocados from their trees were much larger than those found in the grocery store. And we weren't too surprised when she made guacamole for us one day, along with these impressive Puff Pastry Cherry Turnovers for breakfast.  

  With a little preplanning, you too can make them.  

1 Thaw the Puff Pastry box in the refrigerator overnight. 

2 Make Cherry sauce the night before and refrigerate. It will thicken over a few hours.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of sour cherries in a can, with liquid, you will use 3/4 cup liquid from the can
• 1 box Puff Pastry-remove one sheet and repackage the other sheet and freeze for another time 
• 3 tablespoons of cornstarch 
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Egg wash ( 1 egg beaten mixed with 1 tablespoon of water) 
• Topping: 1/2 cup granulated sugar mixed with cinnamon 

Directions: 

• Make the sauce: In a saucepan, add liquid from the can, cornstarch, and sugar. Whisk to blend. Bring to a boil and stir frequently until the sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat, add the almond extract. On a low heat, cook until thickened, about 5-8 minutes. 
• Remove from the stove top, fold in drained cherries, and cool for 20 minutes. Stir again and refrigerate. 
• Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.   

Supplies

• On a floured large working surface, use a rolling pin to adhere the edges together.

   

• Cut the rolled-out pastry into four even squares using a pastry cutter. 

• Place heaping two tablespoons in the center of each square. 

• Brushing the outer edges of each square with egg wash. Fold over into a triangle. 

• Brush triangles with egg wash and sprinkle each one with the cinnamon and sugar mixture. 

• Clean the edges with a pastry cutter

 

• Cut a vent in the center.
• Place turnovers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 15 minutes while the oven preheats to 400 degrees.
• Bake for 14-15 minutes. 
  

And VOILA! Just like that, you've created a mouthwatering bakery item. 

Book Review Just Call Me Pardner

Award-winning author Sherry Roberts weaves a heartfelt story about a young boy, A.J., growing up in the 1930s and 1940s during the depression in Northeast Oklahoma. This is the first book in a series of stories about A.J., his family, and friends. The stories are based on tales her father passed down, including factual events from this time period.  

Realistic themes of responsibility, family bonding, perseverance, and resilience are prevalent throughout the story. As children growing up, we all longed for something we didn't have. A.J., also known as Pardner, has always wanted to be a cowboy, ride horses, and be like the cowboys in the movies. He dreams of being capable enough to ride alongside his grandfather, father, and Jon, the farm hand, during the cattle roundups.

Despite his father and grandfather reminding him that owning a horse is a huge responsibility. A.J. is determined to prove to his family that he is capable of taking care of a horse. When his family does get him a horse, A.J. names her Lady Star. A.J. is determined not to disappoint his family as he assumes his new responsibilities.

Another wish on his list is having his very own cowboy hat. But who knew owning a cowboy hat also came with a few responsibilities: Do not wear your hat in the house or in the classroom, and the proper place to hang your hat is by the back door or in your cubicle in school.

Readers will enjoy A.J.'s enthusiasm as he finally gets his first horse and goes for a trail ride, and his satisfaction when he learns how to milk a goat. A.J.'s devotion to his friend Benji was a testament to what friendship means.  

As a former middle school and elementary teacher, I found the story moved at a good pace. There are so many elements in this story that lend it for classroom discussion. It's the perfect read-aloud. The book's vocabulary was age-appropriate and served as a good introduction for readers moving from picture books to early chapter books. The stories were relatable, as A.J. mastered caring for Lady Star along with the joy and satisfaction of teaching her tricks. I thought Kashif Qasim's illustrations perfectly complemented the storyline.   

ALL ABOUT THE AUTHOR

https://www.sjrobertscreative.net/

Sherry Roberts is an award-winning children’s book author. Her personal experiences shape her emotionally rich stories. One of her goals is to help children navigate life through engaging, character-driven fiction. Roberts is a former middle school teacher. Dr. Roberts decided to write her first middle-grade novel. Her debut novel, The Galaxy According to CeCe, is the first book in a three-book series. It was officially released on February 24, 2024. Book two, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Mysterious Dr. Pruitt, launched on August 12, 2024. Book three of the series, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Stars Align, launched in February 2025.

Dr. Roberts is also a picture book author. Her picture books include Twas the Night Before Christmas…A First for Gus; Hello, Can I Bug You?; Sonnet, Sonnet, What’s In Your Bonnet?; The Best Reading Buddy; What’s Wrong With Barnaby?; and Gabriel and the Special Memorial Day. Her newest picture book is Amica Helps Zoe, released in April 2025.

San Diego Adventures

We have not been to San Diego in some 40 years. We recently had an opportunity to return to the city and visit some former lake neighbors who have lived there for over 35 years. The three-day trip was packed with lots of sightseeing, food, and a variety of city experiences. Since we had been to the zoo before, we skipped it this visit and planned to see other things we had not seen. The restaurant scene was "over the top" in my estimation. There were so many to choose from with very diverse menus. Did you know there are over 4,986 restaurants in the city?  

A memorable lunch at a nearby yacht club offered stellar views of the water and fancy boats docked.

Near Point Loma, we enjoyed panoramic views of San Diego Bay and learned about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's historic landing.

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park offered breathtaking ocean vistas and dramatic cliff formations.

We enjoyed watching the seal escapades at La Jolla Seal Rookery.

The Mediterranean climate of San Diego and its rich underwater world of marine life attract large colonies of Pacific harbor seals and California sea lions. In the morning or late afternoon, most of the San Diego seals and sea lions can be found basking in the sun along the sandy beaches of La Jolla. It was difficult to get clear photos of the seals and lions because they blended into the landscape/rocks.

Coronado Island Escapade

A visit to the island of Coronado over a very steep bridge was quite spectacular. The massive hotel has about 1,500 rooms and a pristine white-sand beach. We are on the 😊steps

 Backside of the hotel with more rooms. 

                                                                                                                                       

I thought the plastic domes over the tables, protecting them from wind, sand, and rain, were a creative touch. 

Back into the city and to the harbor area, we found the iconic "Kissing Statue." The statue, crafted from bronze, is titled “Unconditional Surrender” and is commonly known as the “Kissing Statue.” Located next to the historic USS Midway Museum, this towering sculpture has become a symbol of love, celebration, and the end of World War II.

• 
  

The legacy of Bob Hope is commemorated with a major sculpture titled "The National Salute  to Bob Hope and the Military" located in Waterfront Park. 

 

I was mesmerized by the expansive Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial in La Jolla. It honors veterans by preserving their legacy. Each granite plaque is a narrative of bravery, a testament to the unbreakable spirit of those who defended our freedom. 

  

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is a beacon of history and maritime heritage at Cabrillo National Monument. Perched atop the Point Loma Peninsula, this iconic structure offers visitors a glimpse into the past, showcasing the lives of the lightkeepers and the evolution of coastal navigation. Built in 1855, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse was one of the first eight lighthouses on the West Coast.

So you can see we made a wide sweep of the city in a very short time. On our last day, an extra bonus was that our hostess made homemade cherry turnovers that were so delicious. I documented all her steps as a tutorial, hoping to recreate this flaky puff pastry at home. Check the Ever Ready site for the Cherry Puff Pastry Tutorial on Monday.   

San Diego is a must-see destination with so many interesting sights and activities. Living in the desert makes the Pacific Ocean a very attractive sight. 

Easy Stir Fry Chicken Rice Bowl

 Easy Stir Fry Chicken Rice Bowl 

Cook's Notes: Protein-rich chicken and fresh veggies tossed with a flavorful Asian style sauce. Serve the stir-fry over seamed brown rice, cellophane, or udon noodles. Garnish with diced green onions, chopped cashews, or peanuts. Beef cubes could substitute for chicken.

Broccolini is not baby broccoli even though it may look like it. This lanky vegetable is a hybrid; first created in 1993, it’s a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has small florets, long stalks, and a few small leaves — all of which are edible. Compared to the bitter flavor of regular broccoli, Broccolini is milder, with a sweet, earthy taste. And while it can be eaten raw, Broccolini is best when cooked. It can be sautéed, steamed, roasted, and grilled. It's a winter vegetable.

Asian Chicken Stir Fry Rice Bowl
Recipe serves 3-4
Ingredients:

• 4 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil
• 2 large chicken breasts, diced or beef cubes
• 1/2 cup green onions, diced
• 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 cup matchstick carrots
• 1 cup mini sweet red peppers, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4-1 cup Kung Pao Stir-Fry Sauce, divided (readily available Asian aisle- grocery store)

• 1/4 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
• 1 cup broccolini
• 1-2 cups sugar snap peas
• Optional red pepper flakes or Sriracha Sauce
• Garnish with salted cashews or peanuts

Directions:

• In a wok or a large skillet pan, heat sesame oil and add 1/3 cup stir fry sauce, chicken pieces, carrots, onions, peppers, sesame seeds, and garlic. Sauté on medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally. Uncover and add the rest of the stir-fry sauce and chicken broth.
• In a colander, add a tray of ice cubes. Blanch sugar snap peas by bringing water to a boil in a saucepan, add and boil for 1 minute. Drain peas in a colander with ice.
• Add the cut broccolini florets and blanched sugar snap peas, and stir-fry for 3-4 min more with the chicken mixture.
• To serve, fill a bowl with rice or cooked udon noodles and top with the chicken stir-fry mixture
  
  
  
  

Book Review A Day for Just Us

Read Your World is a non-profit whose mission is to raise awareness of children’s books that celebrate diversity and to get more of these books into readers' hands. Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative 13 years ago. They are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine a spotlight on the multicultural books and authors on the market, while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

With the alarming increase in children’s books being challenged and banned, giving kids access to diverse stories is more important than ever.
We do this by donating books to reviewers and classroom libraries.
We provide book lists and classroom kits to help parents, guardians, teachers, librarians, and readers find the diverse children’s books that they need.
Our weekly Ig Live Interview series also highlights children's books, spotlighting multicultural books and authors on the market and working to get these books into readers' hands.

This board book, written by teen parents,  "A Day Just For Us," imagines all the possibilities a child and parent can explore and do on Saturdays after a week of work.  The concepts and text are relatable and relevant for the age group 4-7. The board book is a good discussion tool for classroom and/or in home enjoyment. The idea of making Saturday a choice day, whether going to the market, shopping at stores, the mall, or enjoying a festival/celebration, promotes discussion between child and or parent. The book can also prompt a parent and child to explore new ideas on a Saturday or a day off that weren't included in the book.  The authors carefully chose the limited vocabulary. It encourages word recognition and repetitiveness for young readers.  

This board book is durable and features eye-catching colors and bold shapes. Young readers will relate to all the discoveries possible on a day when a child gets extra time with a parent. I liked the inclusion of diverse characters with a variety of skin tones featured.  

 

To Dave Ring,  Publishing Manager, Shout Mouse Press, for support and resources for this review. 

Sue Ready is a freelance writer, food blogger, former elementary and middle school teacher, and book reviewer of all genres on Facebook at EverReady Book Reviews. 

ALL ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Tamara Huzair Sahin (she/her) is a 23-year-old second-generation Sri Lankan American from western New York. A Day Just For Us is her first published book. Tamara is a proud student mom raising an adventurous three-year-old daughter with her husband. She is working toward her degree in early childhood education with
a goal of becoming an educator. Tamara hopes to challenge stereotypes about misrepresented groups and amplify voices that are often left unheard.
Aniyah Martin

Aniyah Jhanae Martin is a 22-year-old African American from

Washington, DC. A Day Just For Us is her first published book. Anyiah is a proud

student mom, balancing studying to become a pediatrician and raising her

daughter, Dakota. As a survivor of domestic violence, Aniyah advocates for family safety and wellness. With this book, Aniyah wants parents to celebrate their time off and embrace quality time during the weekend.

Diana Padilla is a 21-year-old Mexican American from Brooklyn, New York. A Day Just For Us is her first published book. Diana is a proud student-parent, raising her son, Elias, while studying pre-med with the goal of becoming a neonatal surgeon. She hopes to inspire families to have more quality time together.

ILLUSTRATOR

Romeo Montero 

Is a freelance illustrator by night and a museum worker by day. He is based in Philadelphia, where he received a BFA in illustration from Moore College of Art & Design. You can find more of his work at romeoillustration.com.

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Read Your World is honored to be supported by these Author Sponsors!

Authors: Audrey Barbakoff, Federico Erebia, Teddi Ahrens, Stephanie M. Wildman, Maritza M. Mejia, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Storytime Podcast, Josh Funk, Frances Díaz Evans, Gaia Cornwall, Eric Clock, Maria Wen Adcock, Diana Huang, Gwen Jackson, Gea Meijering, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Ismee Williams, Karin Fisher-Golton, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Tami Lehman-Wilzig, Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, Nancy Tupper Ling, Teresa Robeson, Crystal Z. Lee, Karen Leggett Abouraya, Elly Swartz, Robbin Miller, Shifa Safadi, Tonya Ellis,Lisa Stringfellow, Sylvia Liu, Kimberly Biddle, Robbin Miller, Eric Clock, Tonya Ellis, Nadine Pressley, Natahsa Yim Carter, and Lisa Chong.

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Grown-Up Baked Mac and Cheese with Crumb Topping

 

This Kraft box of macaroni and cheese represents one of the most quintessential comfort foods. My children have consumed many, many macaroni and cheese dinners courtesy of Kraft during their childhood. Truly, it was one of their favorite foods. I liked it because it was so easy to make, though I never indulged in it. 
It would probably surprise you, given all the cooking and recipe testing I do, that I have only made macaroni and cheese from scratch a few times. Perhaps I have always been suspicious of the main ingredient used in most recipes: Velveeta Cheese.

It is not a refrigerated product, but to its defense, it does have an amazing shelf life. The best thing about this product is that it produces a very creamy sauce.

But I recently found a grown-up version that I definitely will be making on repeat. It's creamy, made with three cheeses (not with Velveeta) and its absolutely delicious. The recipe serves six and is an Ever Ready Special. It was made on the stove top, transferred to a baking dish, and topped with a Panko crumb topping. It deserved to be served on a fancy china plate. Some options that could be added include steamed broccoli,  bacon, sausage bits, green chiles, or chopped tomatoes. Note: I used small elbow macaroni.

Baked Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2-1/4 cups dry small elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
•  3 cups whole milk
• 1/3 cup sweet yellow onion, finely diced
• 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg, paprika, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes 
• 1-1/2 cups Swiss cheese and 1-1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup Italian Panko bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter 

Directions:

• Make the topping ingredients and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8 x 8 baking dish.
• Salt a pot of water and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook al dente about 5.  Avoid over-cooking. 
• Drain, rinse, and set aside. 
• In another pot, melt butter and sauté onions.  Whisk in the flour and mustard, and keep whisking for 2 minutes. Make sure there are no lumps. Stir in milk and simmer for 8 minutes. Stir in Swiss and Cheddar cheeses, whisking until incorporated. 
• Fold macaroni into cheese mixture and pour into baking dish. 
• Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the dish and sprinkle the topping evenly over the dish, and bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until bubbling around the edges.