Caleb's Crossing - And Our Own

Special thanks to Mary Ann for a lovely autum display.
 Caleb's Crossing was enjoyed by all. 

All the little details added to the ambiance of autum:

 

 

Mary Ann researched recipes from the time period, so our fare was that as close to a feast as Bethia and Caleb might have enjoyed during plentiful times,

which we know were not many.

 

 

 

She even tried to get us small beer as beverage to our 'board', but it was not being produced in time for our meeting.  Lovely hard cider and wine took it's place with no complaint!

 

Though Mary Ann says she struggled with the charms, we all felt they were wonderful and very representative of our literary journey following Caleb & Bethia

on their spiritual & educational paths.

 

 

As we have discussed that several of us are dealing with Crossings of our own, this is the last meeting of Vellum & Vino.  We will be ending on a perfect note as the seasons turn and holidays set upon us.

 

It has been a delightful journey, hasn't it?

 

Thank you one and all.

 

Imaginary Sand Between Your Toes

         Thanks to Julie    --  for such a lovely event. 

 

All of the details were absolutely delightful - and for someone claiming to have little creativity, I think I speak for all that Julie has hidden talent, even if she doesn't think so.

 

 

 And our very own mermaids attended.. these lovely little gals were everywhere!

Some even made a splash...

 

Our lovely hostess left nothing to chance.

 

 
And the beautiful beach scene that greated us upon entry made me wish I could morph into one of those plastic little mermaids and have myself a beach day.

 

Thank you again Julie, for bringing the coast to your living room.

And we look forward to Caleb's Crossing with Mary Ann next month....

Next time - October 7 at MAR's (not on Mars)

Caleb's Crossing: A Novel by Geraldine Brooks available from Amazon, of course.  Or try a local bookstore such as Underground Books at 35th and Broadway in Oak Park.  Mother Rose will be ordering copies so let me know if you'd like to get your copy there.

I'll email the address, and you might still have it in the list we made at Audrey's last month.  Parking is on the street and my condo is a short walk up through the trees.  

Thanks everyone for a fun afternoon today.  Julie, your house is gorgeous, just in case I didn't say it enough already!

Mary Ann

August Book Club Update

Greetings Everyone,

Well, I am still in "vacation mode" but wanted to make sure I got my information out before the 10-day warning shot was fired!

I hope you enjoyed the book and that I will see all your bright, shiny faces on the 26th. My address is 2501 Cantara Way, Sacramento. It is in the Natomas Park neighborhood, if you are familiar with that area. If not, you can always plug it into your GPS thingy or give me a call/email anytime to get specifics.

Hopefully, by the end of the month, the Climate Gods will have turned down the heat so we can perhaps enjoy a bit of outdoor relaxation. If not, thank goodness for A/C.

See you all soon!

Julie B.

A Little Bit of Good Housekeeping

I was thinking that we never actually sat down and layed out a few little quips and queries of what it is that makes a good book club. As we can all attest to without hesitation, we are indeed quite fabulous at it by default with all the tasty wines, edible delights, quirky craftiness, and veritable variety of books we all have brought to the table. It's been an absolute ball through and through!

However, just to make sure we keep our high standards of awesomeness up, I thought I'd just tidy up a few cobwebs that were scattered in my brains amongst the corners, and go grab a little Windex to shine up the glass. As such, here be just a bit of Book Club Code you'd be wanting to read of...




 First rule of book club: We don't talk about book club.

Wait, wait,...sorry, wrong list...

Ah, here we are...


Vellum & Vino Codes in Awesomeness


1. As the hostess during your "book choice" month, you are absolutely and entirely welcome to have guests as you see fit share in our joyous frolicking. If you are not hosting and would like to invite a welcome guest, please just contact your hostess ahead of time to let her know so she can make arrangements as needed. It is entirely up to the hostesses discretion to allow guests, and to determine if she will be able to provide any sort of charm, trinket, doo dad or thing-a-majiggy to your guest due to various reasons we could not presume to list. 


Addendum for next year: Once we move over next year to a "potluck style", it would be kind of you to notify all members of guests so that people can plan food amounts accordingly.


2. If you are interested in suggesting a new member to join us, it is important that everyone have a chance to meet this person and decide for herself whether she feels that the person would add that special "je ne sais quoi" that we might be missing and never known it! As such, bring any prospective member with you as a guest at least once, and recognize that the group needs time to decide without that person present, before extending a full invitation as a member. A majority vote will be the deciding factor with all members present, so that we can be all official like and stuff. Cases of ties (if there were any), would always lead to Queen of the Vines (Terri) as determining vote. There is absolutely nothing wrong with discerning taste, and it's imperative that we protect all our dear sisters of the bookstacks legitimate right to feel comfortable chocolatey gooey happy in our little coalition.


3. Lastly, this is just more of necessary paperwork, hostesses should contact members at least 10 days in advance to confirm your address, the time and date of the meetup, and any special requests or directions. Note that many members use varying forms of communication so please use the blog, the contact list with email addresses, and phone calls or text at your discretion. 






Alrighty then, let's move on to the chitter chatter for future meetings!!

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” 

― Eleanor Roosevelt




August 26th is our next book club meeting at Julie's house (PB & J's ya'll!!) and October 7th is set aside for MaryAnn's hostess month. We are still determining assignment and timing for November and December, but have chosen to do a little brunchy meetup in the middle of the Christmas chaos! Books for the month of December will be on an individual basis and themed as a favorite children's story, so you get to choose what you read for December and can share it's best qualities with the group over mimosas and tea. We'll also be finishing off our wine charms crafting year by doing a wine charm exchange, so bring a wrapped charm based on your choice of book.

Before you leave this page, go do this! 

Look to the right side bar here on the blog and help us choose a place to do brunch in December. Timing needs to be a  bit earlier than our usual most likely. Holler if early is an issue :)











Chaa chaa chaa changes for next year


By group decision in May, we have decided to adjust the duties of the hostess for future meetings starting next year, and switch out wine charms collecting with something else befitting our booklovin' status. For the next year, hostesses will be responsible for providing beverages and whatever trinket or accoutrement they wish, along with at least one main entree. Members attending will need to bring a side, salad, or dessert of their choice, or can speak to the hostess for theme suggestions.Also through group agreement this last meeting, we will try out a little yearly theming on for size and go with a very broad scope theme of Classics. This is certainly open to interpretation and no one should feel too stifled, or feel any pressure to choose a lengthy book just because it looks impressive. Classics covers all genres, shapes, and sizes; from Faulkner to  Asimov, from Tolkien to Madeleine L'Engle-we'll have a great time!


So in summary, the changes starting with Terri in the month of January are:


1. moving to a potluck style hosting where the hostess is in charge of libations and the main entree for feasting, while us readers shall bring a side, salad, or dessert.


2. Wine charms will be retired but a new little commemorative collectible will be started and ideas are welcome. Book marks perhaps?


3. The new theme for the year will be Classics. If you are planning on choosing a significantly lengthy novel, do your club sisters a favor and give us fair warning ahead of time so we can get Cliff Notes.

I hope you all have a wonderful month of July, enjoy the festive fireworks tomorrow, and welcome to the Black Pearl!

Skim Cheese Comes From Occupied Cows

Vellum & Vino had Happy Cheese added to the simple fare
 (of a romantic interpretation) of post WWII life on Guernsey.  No skimming here!

V & V readers enjoyed a version of the "forbidden roast pig" much to our delight.

Our hostess, Audrey, created a 23 hour slow roasted pork that was mouthwatering!

The wine charm of the month was aptly inspired by a part of the story recalling the bombing of London where the main character finds one solitary item has survived in her otherwise bombed out flat: a paperweight from her father that said Carpe Diem! Quite prophetic.

Some of our yummies....

We each had the most lovely take-away gifts:  handcrafted stationary created by Audrey.

Goodbye Guernsey!

Next up:

Sunday, August 26 at Julie's home in Natomas.

Her selection: The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

Check it out:

The Mermaid Chair at Barnes & Noble

Only Two weeks Away

Hope everyone is enjoying our book for this month! I look forward to seeing you on July 1st at 1!

Happy reading!

Audrey