Not Just About A Book Club Reads "West With Giraffes"

 

Our book club meeting yesterday was  hosted by Marcia, who went over the top with her "giraffe themed luncheon". The book we read was "West With Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge.  Marcia's attention to detail was incredible.  We all were asked to wear animal print clothing or accessories and to come hungry.

 

 

 

Animal prints everywhere. 

Love Jo's bag and necklace

 

Giraffes photo-bombed us

Marcia presented a beautiful table of dishes and drink that represented each state the giraffes traveled through. This was accompanied by various giraffe decor and framed facts about giraffes. All so clever and thoughtful.

 

Chile rellenos (New Mexico), King Ranch  casserole (Texas) chimichangas (Arizona), Blue crab dip (Maryland), Cheese dip (Arkansas),

 

 

 

 

Delaware (watermelon), Blueberries (New Jersey), Strawberries (Oklahoma) all state fruits.

 

Marcia also ordered salt water taffy from New Jersey! What a great treat! She thought of everything.

 

 

 The state drinks were not forgotton.

Margarita (Inventor lives in El Paso Texas) California wine

Dr Pepper invented in Waco Texas

 

 

 

We watched a short video on the author Lynda Rutledge who spoke on her background idea for the book and other interesting aspects of her journey in the writing of this novel. This book tells the great adventure story of 17-year-old Woodrow Wilson Nickel, who drives two giraffes cross-country in 1938 America, finding himself along the way through the joys and conflicts of the voyage. This is historical fiction and follows the transport of two giraffes across country from New York to the San Diego Zoo in California.

 

 

 A lively discussion was led by Marcia who is, wouldn't you know, a retired teacher.

 

 The food was amazing and Marcia's attention to the giraffes theme   was carried through in detail with her gifts to us in our party favors. (Including a wooden nickel in honor of the lead character Woodrow Woody Nickel. 

 

A beautiful wooden spoon with "West with Giraffes"  written on it with a drawing of a  giraffe.

 Marcia also made a banana cake (giraffes love bananas) with a delicious frosting and home made chocolate cut outs in the shape of giraffe spots! Superb job Marcia!

 

 We tried to get a group shot of everyone.  After multiple attempts, some bunching together, some crouching and much laughter we came up with these.

Thanks so very much to our wonderful hostess with the mostest and Queen of Giraffes Marcia!  You really outdid yourself with this meeting.  We will long remember this day and the lessons of the giraffe! Thank you. Thank you.