Monday, January 26, 2026

2025 Winter Potluck and Blind Book Exchange Recap


Image: Polly Esther on the left with four smaller holiday Sockmonkeys next to her and Pierson the Sock dog on the right next to a plastic tote with notebooks in it. A roll of blue tickets sits on the table in front of them and a gray backpack sits on the table behind them.

Hello Sockmonkeys!

December was so busy around here and January has had some interesting schedule changes as well, so I'm just getting to this update post. Sorry about that!

Our yearly December Potluck tradition was attended by a small but lively group of writers. We had a good time chatting and catching up in between enjoying plates of the delicious food that was provided by those in attendance. There is a recipe at the end of this post for any who might like to try it!


Image: A table with a green striped Sockmonkey bucket in the upper right corner with wrapped books, including one in a paper bag, surrounding it.

As is our tradition, about halfway through the event, everyone listened for their ticket number to be called for their turn to choose one of the wrapped books based solely on the description written on it. There were a few extra, so some people were drawn a second time and went home with two books. Once everyone had their books, we all opened them and began sharing what we'd gotten with the group. This also led to some interesting discussions about the books themselves and how they found their way onto the exchange table. I do hope everyone is enjoying their selections!


Image: A page of lined steno paper with a handwritten recipe on it.

Everyone enjoyed Jen's minestrone and she very graciously agreed to share the recipe with any who wanted it. (The pasta was kept separate, so if one were gluten free or low carb, I suppose you could do the same if needed.)

Here is a typed version of the recipe, for ease of reference:

Minestrone - Jen (jexx30)

2 ribs celery, diced
1 med onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
--- Saute in olive oil 5 mins

Garlic, minced
1 diced zucchini
1 tsp paprika
1 Tbsp Italian herbs
---Add to pan and saute until fragrant

3 C(ups) chicken stock - Deglaze pan
1 can tomato sauce
1 can beans w/juice
1 bay leaf
1 parmesan rind

Whack it in a crock pot for a while
Add cooked ditalini if you like.


Thank you for bringing this to the potluck and for sharing the recipe with everyone. (I actually need to make some soon!)

Now that this is all caught up, I'll quickly let you know that our 1st Quarter Social and Potluck has been scheduled for Saturday, March 7th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. More details to come in a separate post soon!

Saturday, November 29, 2025

Announcing the 2025 Winter Potluck and Blind Book Exchange!

 

Image: A white tile background with assorted illustrations around the edge. Starting in the upper left corner: A brown gift tag with a white snowflake on it; A green curly-cue; A light beige card with a tree on it that looks like it's taped in the upper right corner; The left half of a scribble star; 3/4 of a mug of cocoa with marshmallows on top; a smaller scribbled star; The PCSockmonkey Writers logo with Polly Esther and Pierson; A larger scribbled star; Words in green "Sat Dec 6th 1 - 3 PM"; A smaller scribbled star; A present wrapped in green starry paper with a white ribbon and a brown gift tag; A smaller scribbled star. Brown capital letters in the center, from top to bottom, read: "Winter Potluck & Blind Book Exchange"

Hello Sockmonkeys!

We've reached the end of November already, so, whether you've been working on a November Novel or any other writing or editing projects (or even if you haven't), I hope you'll join us for our Winter Potluck and Blind Book Exchange.

What: Winter Potluck and Blind Book Exchange
When: Saturday, December 6th, 1 - 3 p.m.
Where: Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library

You are welcome to attend even if you're not able to bring food to share, so please join us. If you plan to attend, please RSVP using this Google form. If you plan to bring something to share (even if you're not sure exactly what), please sign up on this Google form - it just lists general categories of food.

Not sure what a Blind Book Exchange is? You may have seen them in libraries or bookstores as "Blind Date with a Book": The book is wrapped and there is a note or tag on the outside with a sentence or less as a hint to what the book is about. This post from just prior to our event last year has links to some of our other social media posts if you're still not sure how this works and would like some ideas. In our case it can be a new or gently used book, and you're not checking it out or buying it, but you do get to keep it when the event is over.

Also, if you have it and would like to, please wear your funny or festive holiday attire!

Masks are welcome, but not required. For the health of all, please do not attend if you or anyone in your immediate household is ill or has been recently exposed to a cold or other contagious illness.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out using the contact form on the blog or via email to the PCSockmonkeywriters (at) gmail.com email.

I hope to see you then!