Community Blogs
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A Book Review for Parents with Kids and Teens!
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Our french chef, Alain Guichard, shares some fun and easy recipes to make at home.
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Here you will find educational stories from the community about experiences, situations, and the various applications of Meditation.
SUSIE’S BOOK NOOK
A Book Review for Parents with Kids and Teens!
Susie Ferguson has been a teacher at heart forever. After graduating from Florida State with her teaching degree she went on to teach elementary schools in Greenwich, Connecticut, and then in San Carlos & Pacific Grove, California. Moving to San Jose and attending the Episcopal Church in Almaden, she followed through with her teaching of Sunday School while managing a branch of her family’s printing business in California.
After closing her printing business, she became the Christian Education Director at ECA for several years which followed her real passion of teaching and spreading God’s love to children. Her favorite accomplishments are the camps she developed at ECA for elementary school children during her tenure. Now those camps serve as her inspiration to develop her book review blog, “Susie’s Book Nook” focused on creation care and social justice related topics.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “The Third Gift” by Linda Sue Park and Illustrated by Bagram IBatolilline.
“With this book, The Third Gift, you and your children can learn all about how a family in Jesus’ time harvested this precious and valuable product for their livelihood…Everyday people are a part of history in ways they may never fully know.” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie: “Birdlore - The Iridescent Life of Florence Merriam Bailey” by Jess Keating Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
“Published in 2025, it can now be a wonderful story and resource to introduce your children to the iridescent and colorful world of bird-watching….” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “Gam Gam Am I Mixed?” written by Mollie Openshaw and illustrated by Linda Phelps.
“Mollie Openshaw’s book gives us an opportunity to ponder, “Am I Mixed?” and how our cultural diversity should be celebrated and embraced rather than be a cause for division….” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's books reviewed by Susie this month: “An ABC of Equality” written by Chana Ginelle Ewing illustrated by Paulina Morgan & “The Young Activist’s Dictionary of Social Justice” in collaboration with Ryse Tottingham illustrated by Andy Passchier.
“Do you find it hard to explain complicated concepts to your young children? Here’s some help in an interesting, fun, and colorful approach covering topics of our differences physically as well as in our beliefs….” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “Stellaluna” written and illustrated by Janell Cannon.
“This story through delightful characterizations of bats and birds teaches us to be appreciative of our differences along with the many ways we are alike. The illustrations…are rich and bold….” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “Into the A, B, Sea” written by Deborah Lee Rose and illustrated by Steve Jenkins.
“…This book has such a fun way to reinforce the “ABCs” and learn about many wonderful creatures that fill our seas...” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “The Bug Girl” (a true story) – written by the Bug Girl, herself, Sophia Spencer, with Margaret McNamara, and illustrated by Kerascoet
“In her early years at school, she was made fun of because of her interest in bugs. So much so, that she decided to give up her interest in bugs for a while, but that didn’t really make her happy….Besides a great story with clever illustrations, Sophia includes a ‘More Bug Facts’ section at the end of her story….” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “Let’s Fill the World with Kindness”
“This month’s selection is an amazing collection of individuals who have made a difference sometimes small and sometimes big through their kindness to themselves and to others….” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “Each Kindness” by Jacqueline Woodson, “I loved the image Jacqueline Woodson creates dropping a small stone into a bowl of water and watching how tiny waves rippled out away from the stone. Imagine, “each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world.” This should give us all something to consider….” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henkes
” In my search for good books that could address bullying for young children I found a classic favorite, "Chrysanthemum" one of Kevin Henkes' Mouse Books....” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “Kid Olympians - Summer”, stories by Robin Stevenson and illustrated by Allison Steinfeld
” What could be better than this book…to introduce your children and teens to the childhoods and growing up of some amazing human beings who became champions of their sports and world issues….” Join us on our website to read Susie’s full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “The Peace Book” by Todd Parr.
” I’m gazing at the cover of The Peace Book by Todd Parr and I cannot help but smile and feel hope. The brightly colored faces with fun hairstyles or hats will delight your young children and maybe even you, too….” Join us on our website to read the full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “The Tree Lady” by H. Joseph Hopkins and illustrated by Jill McElmurry.
”…Kate’s story is fascinating and inspiring as you read how she changes her desert city into a lush garden with all kinds of trees such as Yucca and Eucalyptus, Jacaranda and Bristlecone Pine, Brazilian Pepper and Palm Trees…. people took to calling her the Mother of Balboa Park.” Join us on our website to read the full review.
There is a new ‘Susie’s Book Nook’ children’s book review live on YouTube! The book reviewed by Susie this week is:
“Just Ask, Be Different, Be Brave, Be You” by Sonia Sotomayor and illustrated by Rafael Lopez. “I love how this story revolves around planting a garden filled with plants, all different, all beautiful, and all not needing the same thing. The friends ask questions and learn about each other…” Click on the photo to read more.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “The Earth Book” by Todd Parr
“This book is full of vibrant colors that truly represent the variety of colors and flavors of our world. At the same time, he teaches his young readers what's possible, what they can do, how they can make a difference, and how they make our world better for all….” Join us on our website to read the full review.
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “Old Turtle” by Douglas Wood, illustrated by Cheng-Khee Chee.
“This book reminds us of what happens when we set ourselves in superiority of everyone else and how things can be balanced and pleasant with the differences when we recognize what is special in each other….”
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “Growing Green, a young person’s guide to taking care of our planet” by Christina Goodings and illustrated by Masumi Furukawa
” This book is a delightful way to engage your 5- to 7-year-old in being part of a gentler and kinder world….”
The children's book reviewed by Susie this month: “All the Colors of the Earth” written and illustrated by Sheila Hamanaka
”…What a beautiful story this author reveals as she looks at children and how they can embrace their own beauty through all the colors present in this beautiful world we actually live in.”
Tales from the Kitchen
Author: Alain Guichard
“…A classic recipe is Fish Almandine that uses the meunière style of cooking. Meunière is where the fish is first coated in flour, then pan fried and served with lemon juice, butter and parsley….” Have a look at the full Trout Almandine recipe in the ‘Tales from the Kitchen’ community blog by Chef Alain on our website.
“Two months ago, I cooked a dinner for a Vestry meeting and I was asked to provide some recipes. I’d like to share with you the recipe for the black pepper sauce I made to go over the meat. The best cuts to use with this sauce are either New York steak or filet mignon....” Have a look at the full Steak Au Poivre recipe in the ‘Tales from the Kitchen’ community blog by Chef Alain on our website.
“I recently cooked a dinner for a Vestry meeting and I was asked to provide the recipes for a couple of the dishes I served. I’m starting with the Parmesan potatoes this month and next month plan to provide a pepper steak recipe....” Have a look at the full Parmesan Potato recipe in the ‘Tales from the Kitchen’ community blog by Chef Alain on our website :)
“Last night I had some left over rice and couldn’t figure out what to do with it. Eventually, the idea of fried rice came to me. So I thought I would share this recipe with you. With its humble beginnings in China, fried rice is more than just a dish- it’s a story of culinary adaptation and cultural fusion….” Have a look at the full Fried Rice recipe in the ‘Tales from the Kitchen’ community blog by Chef Alain on our website :)
“Elizabeth and I were in New Orleans a couple of years ago for the New Orleans Jazz Fest and I enjoyed trying to create some of the dishes we sampled there. On Friday, we served Jambalaya, the recipe for which is here….” Have a look at the full Jambalaya recipe in the ‘Tales from the Kitchen’ community blog by Chef Alain on our website :)
“…When I was younger, my favorite dessert was bread pudding. I often went to the boulangerie/patisserie (bakery) to buy it. When I started my second restaurant, the Bistro Parisien in Almaden, my bread pudding with bourbon sauce was a real favorite with my customers….” Have a look at the full Bread Pudding recipe in the ‘Tales from the Kitchen’ community blog by Chef Alain on our website :)
“Recently a friend of mine asked me to teach her how to make Lobster Bisque soup…. The first step, of course, is getting the lobster…. if you go to one of the Asian markets in our area, you can buy a whole live lobster pretty inexpensively or you can buy frozen tails.” Have a look at the full Lobster Bisque recipe in the ‘Tales from the Kitchen’ community blog by Chef Alain on our website :)
“Growing up, soup was a staple for my family at this time of year. France does not really celebrate Halloween, but they have 2 different kinds of squashes that are like a pumpkin. One is a citrouille (the traditional American pumpkin) and the other is a potiron, both of which translate into English as “pumpkin”….” Have a look at the full Pumpkin Soup with Chanterelles recipe in the ‘Tales from the Kitchen’ community blog by Chef Alain on our website :)
“I took another fishing trip to Alaska with my son, Kyle, and 2 of his friends…Each day, the guides cleaned the fish and threw the fish carcasses aside. Then beautiful bald eagles would swoop in to eat the remains. We caught salmon, halibut, and cod…this month, I thought I would share a simple hailibut recipe.….” Have a look at the full Halibut Piccata recipe in the ‘Tales from the Kitchen’ community blog by Chef Alain on our website :)
“I’d like to share the recipe of one of my most popular dishes when I had my restaurant, Le Bistro Parisien, here in Almaden…Braised Lamb Shanks…I prefer to get these from Lunardi's, around 13 ounces each….” Have a look at the full recipe in the ‘Tales from the Kitchen’ community blog by Chef Alain on our website :)
“My son Kyle and his wife, Lindsay, recently took a trip to Italy where they attended a cooking class and learned to make homemade pasta. If you look closely, you can see Kyle at the back of the picture, on the left, with Lindsay next to him at the end on the right. They received this recipe at the class…” Enjoy this base recipe that you can adapt as you like!
“…travel(ed) the Scottish whisky trail to learn more about (and to taste!) some good Scottish whisky. I did learn a lot; for one thing I discovered I really don’t like the “peaty” tasting whiskys--they are too smoky for me….I think Scotland also has more sheep than people. So I thought I would combine lamb and whisky into an interesting dish….”
“…We used to finish working by around 11 pm, then it was time to go have fun! So with friends we’d go dancing, having fun in the city of Paris and by 1 or 2 am it was time to have the traditional french onion soup to end the evening….”
At our recent fellowship party, several people asked me to post the recipe for the Chicken Fricassee we served. Chicken Fricassee is a traditional French chicken stew made with browned chicken pieces braised in a creamy white mushroom sauce. This is a rustic family-style meal that is easy to prepare and serve….
At our recent Oktoberfest dinner, a few people asked me for my sauerkraut recipe, so I thought I would share it here.
This dish reminds me of the time I spent in Donaueschingen Germany (in the Black Forest), where I served my compulsory service with the French army. I was the chef in the officers’ mess. I’m not very fond of the “sour” part of this dish, so I created this version….
This month I thought I’d share a recipe I created myself. We’ve served it at our house a number of times and it has been a big hit every time. Personally, I’m not to fond of salmon- but I do like it prepared this way. And it’s fresh and healthy! Choose small, French (of course!), green lentils if possible since they stay together better.
Charcuterie boards have become all the rage for wine tastings at vineyards, so I thought I’d talk a little bit about charcuterie- and how to make one of the staples of such boards- a country pate.
Last month I explored a few common French cheeses. So this month, I’d like to share a recipe using Gruyere. This soufflé is usually made just with a Gruyere or Swiss cheese…
A good cheese-usually along with wine- is one of the important elements of a French meal…
With inflation running high today, it made me think of Boeuf Bourguignon, a French dish which can be made with an inexpensive cut of beef and an inexpensive red Burgundy wine…
Meditation Reflections
Here you will find educational stories from the community about experiences, situations, and the various applications of Meditation. Take the time to listen and learn from those around you on this shared journey of life.
May these shared reflections bless you with thoughts of application to your own life.
A new Meditation Reflection has been posted. “He is a just-in-time God. He shows us just enough for today. Why? Why can’t He show me what’s up ahead?…." Come join us on our community website and find some inspiration in this meditation reflection.
“For many Christians, fear is a constant companion. It’s no wonder that God told us in the Bible, “fear not,” 365 times....While God promises to walk through life with us, He does not promise an easy path. He is much more interested in our being like Jesus rather than being happy or comfortable....." Come join us on our community website and find some inspiration in this meditation reflection.
Meditation Reflection: Versions of the Lord’s Prayer
”The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples, when they asked him how they should pray. Most Christians know the prayer by heart in their own language, and it is used today by every Christian tradition, though there are sometimes minor variations in the wording. It has a place in every Anglican act of worship, and forms a pattern for prayer for Christians….”
Follow this link to view and hear 5 versions of the Lord’s Prayer to meditate upon :)
A new meditation reflection has been posted:
"When I was young, I read the Bible verse “Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day” and thought of my actual body becoming weaker as I grew older. Now that I am older, I realize I am more concerned about my mind and memory becoming weaker..."
Follow this link to enjoy a good read :)
“My son loved to have his boots polished by a shoe-shiner, especially enjoying sharing stories with the person. Since my son’s death, I occasionally have donated money in his name to a shoe-shiner. Waiting in an airport recently…
Meditation became an important part of my daily routine, as I found a peace and joy in connecting with God and slowly learned to accept Her unconditional love for me. I struggled with consenting to be in Her presence when I had been angry and judgmental. Slowly I let go of the struggle in realizing I can come into Her presence because of her love for me and not because I am worthy by own actions…