Hillary Chybinski: Book Club. . .Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Monday, February 20, 2012

Book Club. . .Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

These warm winter days hold a promise of spring weather to come.  Whispers of short-sleeves, flip-flops and gardens ride the winds.

My family has had a garden as long as I can remember.  I recall my grandparent's gigantic garden full of everything you can think of: tomatoes, lettuce, chard, onions, carrots, squash cucumbers and more.  They also had raspberries, blackberries, cherry trees and persimmons. They took the state motto, "The Garden State" to heart.

My parents had a smaller-scale garden as well.  With all the usual suspects of a summer New Jersey garden.

There was an orchard nearby where we got apples and cider.  We picked our own strawberries every year.  One year, my dad planted a pumpkin patch.

Then I went away to college and moved to the city.  I grew tomato plants on my balcony.  We moved to a house in the burbs. . .but I didn't feel skilled enough to attempt a "real" garden.  We finally put in a raised bed and I have a large planter for herbs.  But besides lettuce, tomatoes and peppers. . .I haven't experimented too much.  And what I can produce (that the groundhogs don't eat) isn't enough to sustain us.  And that leaves me feeling inferior.  I try to shop at local markets and farm stands - but sometimes, the effort it takes and the cost involved makes it overwhelming.

As part of From Left to Write Book Club,  I read Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Vegetable, Miracle.  And the next step in my route to feeding my family better has been set. 


There are so many things I love about this book, and so many takeaways.  But it also leaves me with a feeling of want. . .wanting to do more, be more.  I love how the book is arranged into months. . .I have to confess, I read February and March first. . .since that is my current season, and I'm moving into garden planning mode.

Speaking of planning. . .I'm going to try sugar snap peas this spring and maybe spinach too, in addition to our tomatoes and peppers.  My herb planter is typically a success, and since this winter has been warm, I am still cutting rosemary.

But first, I'd better go find a book about thwarting groundhogs. . .and dust off the bread machine.

What are your gardening plans this year?

Could you live an entire year eating locally or the food from your garden? Barbara Kingsolver transplanted her family from the deserts of Arizona to the mountains of Virginia for their endeavor. Join From Left to Write on February 21 as we discuss Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. As a member of From Left to Write, I received a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

7 comments:

  1. I wish I our apartment patio received more sunlight so I could grow some veggies. Sugar snap peas sounds yummy!

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    1. this will be my first attempt - my mom suggested it. Wish me luck - I really am a brown thumb - LOL

      Hillary

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  2. I'm going to plant tomatoes again this year because I love having a couple of fried green ones in the early season. I'm considering trying an herb garden again...but I've consistently killed every one of those that I've tried over the last 15 years, so I don't have much hope (;

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    1. LOL - herbs are about the only thing I'm decent at. . .I buy small plants and put them in a pot on my patio. . .clipping regularly is a big part of them flourishing.

      Good luck!
      Hillary

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  3. This is my fourth year of gradually expanding gardens. I've started seeds indoors for tomatoes, peppers, and basil. I may start seeds outdoors tomorrow for lettuce, chard, and carrots. It's been warm here, but I won't plant all of my seeds because we could easily get a cold snap. But, maybe, I'll get an early salad or two from my garden!

    Good luck with your garden this year!

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    1. Thank you - good luck with yours - wish I was that brave!! =)

      Hillary

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  4. "Left me with a feeling of want" - I think that perfectly sums up what I'm feeling after reading the book!

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