Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Book Club ... with Poultry

These charming folks invited me to their book club last night.  I have to say, this is a lovely way to meet with a group (as long as it's of a manageable size.) 

We ate dinner ( two different lasagnas-- one with zucchini slices instead of pasta -- both delicious, a fancy salad with grapes and sugared nuts, and brownies and a marvelous lemony polenta cake with fruit and whipped cream.)

And while we ate, we talked about Signs in the Blood -- and I told them about the original ending to the Little Sylvie story, as well as how the story came to be.

This is fun for me -- I usually know the answers to the questions. And it was more like a group of friends having dinner than me Giving a Talk. 


And for an added fillip, there were baby ducks. And chickens. And dogs and cats. I really felt right at home.
These are baby Runner Ducks -- ducks kept for eggs, not for eating. They stand very erect and look like a covey of bowling pins as they wobble along after their mamas -- who happen to be two hens, one of whom brooded the eggs.
 

The neat thing is that this is a house in a wooded suburban development. Kim and her husband have a chicken house and a chicken tractor as well as lots of herbs and tomatoes growing in places where you might expect to see traditional landscaping.

I think Elizabeth Goodweather would feel at home too.
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20 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

What a nice looking group of bookies! I like that you are visible in the group pic, as well. And duck eggs! I can't say that I've ever had one, actually. Are they better than chicken eggs?

Vicki Lane said...

You're up late, Willow! As am I -- we lingered over dinner and I didn't get home till 11.

I've only had duck eggs once or twice and I think I remember that the yolks seemed richer than hen eggs. But it's been a very long time.

Martin said...

I agree with Willow. The group looks charming, and with the photographer caught behind the lens, the picture is complete.

We used to get duck eggs when I was a small child. My mum used them to make superb omelettes.

Pat in east TN said...

What a great looking group and it sounds like you all had a good time. The meal sounded delicious too!

Love the animals and veggies they are growing in their little bit of paradise .. anything is possible no matter where a person lives!

Brian Miller said...

cool to hang out with book people...bet that was a lot of fun. the coop at the end is really cool. have not seen a triangle coop before...

Unknown said...

Wow. I am sure it was great hanging out with all of them. Lovely pictures...:)

Vicki Lane said...

It's always great for me to meet the people who read my books and find out how nice they are!

Jean Baardsen said...

What a special evening! And I loved seeing the ducklings bonded with the hen. There's a cool book called "Edible Landscaping." For yards that are beautiful and useful at the same time.

Tammy said...

Looks like you had a great evening! What fun. I've been reading more and more about 'urban farmers' that are trading in their grass for edible plants. Chickens are really getting popular in cities as well. It is nice to see all this 'new attitude' that is really just old ways swinging back around. Duck eggs seem to be a little 'greasier' or something than chicken eggs. They taste fine, but the texture is different.
Tammy

Deanna said...

Your title cracked me up (or should that be quacked me up). I've never ever had duck eggs. I love the cover of your new book.

Folkways Note Book said...

Vicki -- What a wonderful way to spend your evening! Meeting new folks that have the same interests is always a treat. -- barbara

Vicki Lane said...

It's really wonderful, seeing a suburban yard being put to such good use. And it was nice looking too -- nothing for the neighbors to fuss about.

I love the idea of lots of similar urban and suburban farmettes, helping people feel more connection to their food.

("Quacked me up" - oh, teehee!)

Anonymous said...

It is very gratifying to see our own work well recognised, isn't it ?
I am sure it was a delightful evening.

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

Well, what a fun thing! For you and for the group. These types of "at homes" are lovely! I like the idea of a smaller group at someone's home over a nice dinner. It just seems so relaxed and elegant.

Victoria said...

I love that photo of the group with you in the picture taking the photo!

It's great that their putting their yard to such good use. And how wonderful that the ducklings bonded with the hen!

Merisi said...

What a lovely home, ducks and all!
I imagine it must be wonderful to be the author in the middle of such friendly readers.

I started drooling when I got to the "lemony polenta cake" - you didn't get the recipe, did you? ;-)

Stella Jones said...

I'm playing catch up today after all the football and before the next lot, so I am behind with my reading. I'm glad I back tracked to this post because I am fascinated by book clubs, having never been to one. I must join one because I want to know what they're all about!
Love the ducks and the hens. I think they're all gorgeous and the meal sounds good too.
Blessings, Star

Vagabonde said...

That must have been a fun evening. It’s nice that they can have ducks and chickens in a suburb – do they have to have a lot of land? Here in Cobb country I think you have to have 2 or 3 acres before they’ll let you have chickens or ducks in your yard. I don’t think I ever tasted a duck egg. I wonder if it has more or less cholesterol – do you know?

Vicki Lane said...

Vagabonde -- their house is on a large-ish lot but the back yard isn't overlooked by anyone -- there are woods between them and their neighbor -- who doesn't mind the poultry.

Different cities and counties have different rules, as do, I expect, different developments.

I don't know about duck eggs and cholesterol -- as Tammy said, they seem 'greasier' -- which may mean higher cholesterol.

Tipper said...

Neat chicken tractor! Looks like you all had a good time-talk of books, friends, and good food-sounds like a winner for sure.