2. Magnolia Market brings an assortment of people together to help one another, sometimes reluctantly. How do the characters learn from each other? Who in your life has lent a helping hand when you needed it? Is there someone you know who might need your help now?
3. In what ways are people in Samford contradictions? Are they good and bad? In your experience, are people what they seem on the surface? Why or why not?
4. Before the novel opens, Avery withdraws from friends and family for a year. Why does she do this? Have you ever had a time when you retreated from the world? How might you help someone hurting in such a way?
5. Avery and T. J. are young adults, growing and making a difference in their community. But they also need coaching, mentoring, and wisdom. Who helps on their journeys? How do they respond? Who in your life has played such a role? Is there someone who might benefit from your guidance?
6. What do you think of the importance of family in this story? What are the good aspects of family? What troubles you about these families?
7. Avery and Kathleen come from different corners of Samford and don’t seem to have much in common. What draws them together? Do you have people you are close to who are different? What binds you together? How do you benefit from these relationships?
8. Avery’s father is a missionary in Haiti. While Morris does wonderful work with an orphanage there, he is away from his daughter during a time of sorrow. Do you think he makes the right choices? Has your work or calling ever taken you away from those you love?
9. The betrayal by Avery’s husband is one of the hard issues this story addresses. How did Avery deal with this trauma? Have you ever made a major life decision that did not go the way you planned? How did you handle it?
10. Avery and Kathleen need a fresh start. In what ways do they go about it? What part does faith play in their stories?
11. Magnolia Market is located at the intersection of Trumpet and Vine, where lives intersect. Where in your life do you connect with others? How might a group help build community?
12. Avery makes decisions—large and small—that affect others. What are some examples? What is their impact? Are there people in your life who make a difference in the world around them? How do they do it?
13. At times T. J. and Avery have trouble trusting each other. What is at the root of their suspicion? How do they handle their struggles? Have you ever had a tough time trusting someone else? What advice about trust might you give someone?
14. What inspires Avery to make changes in her life? What steps does she take, and how do they turn out? Have you ever made a major change? What did you learn from it? How might you coach someone about to embark on a fresh start?
15. The market itself becomes a character in this novel, and regional food plays a major role in its personality. What draws people to the market? What does Avery learn from her work behind the counter? Do you have a favorite market or place to eat? What is the specialty in the area where you grew up?
Kathleen’s Easy Pralines
1 large package vanilla pudding mix (not instant)
1 cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup evaporated milk (not condensed)
1 tsp. margarine
1 cup chopped pecans
Combine pudding, sugars, and milk in boiler. (Double boiler can be used but isn’t necessary.) Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cook until mixture reaches full boil and then boil for 2 to 3 minutes (until good soft-ball stage*). Remove from heat. Add margarine and nuts. Beat candy until it thickens.
Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let set until firm.
A tip from Sarah, who shared this recipe: “The key to making these pralines is knowing when to start spooning them onto the waxed paper. They harden pretty fast. Don’t beat too long. (It’s easy to beat them too long thinking they won’t harden.)”
* Soft-ball stage is when the mixture forms a soft ball when dropped in cold water. Keep a little dish of cold water by the stove and test the mixture every few minutes (getting fresh water each time). The longer it cooks, the firmer it will be in cold water. A variety of factors can affect how quickly pralines harden, but don’t be afraid to give this recipe a try.
Quick Mini Binis (Beignets)
1 cup self-rising flour
⅛ tsp. salt
Dash of nutmeg
2 T. honey
½ cup buttermilk
Vegetable oil—enough to make a minimum of 2 inches in your frying pan
1 cup powdered sugar (have measured in a heatproof dish, ready to receive hot mini binis)
Measure all ingredients.
Pour oil into the pan and begin to heat.
Mix flour, salt, and nutmeg in a bowl. Add honey and buttermilk and stir until combined.
When oil is at the proper frying temperature (360˚ F), drop the batter in batches (I use a small cookie scoop) into the hot oil. Do not crowd with too many at a time, as this will decrease the temperature and allow for oil absorption. Continuously monitor temperature, turning the mini binis as they brown.
When golden brown on all sides, remove from the oil and place into dish containing the powdered sugar. Coat, then plate the cooked mini binis.
Continue cooking in batches until all batter is used. Yield 12 mini binis, 4 servings.
—From Cindy Gleason Johnson http://southernfaire.blogspot.com/2013/04/quick-mini-binis.html. Used with permission.
With Gratitude
What fun it has been to gather again at the corner of Trumpet and Vine—and what a debt I owe to many, including my home state of Louisiana that provides flavor to write about.
A special thanks to:
My agent Janet Grant, editor Julee Schwarzburg, and the entire team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. What a blessing it is to have such help on this adventure.
To friends and readers who step up in numerous ways, from phone calls and letters to blackberry cobblers, including Ginger Hamilton, Carol Lovelady, and Kathie Rowell; Karen Enriquez, who helps with my Spanish language questions; the creative Mary Dark, who inspired the name New Wine; Cindy Gleason Johnson, who shared her mini beignet recipes; Sarah Leachman with her Ashland recipes; and a host of other authors, including Carla Stewart, Kellie Gilbert, Lisa Wingate, Liz Talley, and Lenora Worth, who enrich my life in ways too numerous to list; and to my family, the Paces and the Christies.
And always to my husband, Paul.
About the Author
Judy Christie writes fiction with a Louisiana flavor. She is the author of the Green series of novels including Gone to Green. A fan of primitive antiques and porch swings, she blogs from her green kitchen couch at www.judychristie.com. She and her husband live in northern Louisiana.
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