Gift/Teaser from Louise Penny

[Ursula]

This morning Louise included a link to an excerpt from her newest book How The Light Gets In, which will be released on August 27.  She's often written about the wonderful man who does her audio books and he is perfect IMHO.  So you decide if you want a glimpse of the new book, or if it will be too frustrating since you'll definitely want more, but will have to wait 3 more weeks.

Here's the link: https://soundcloud.com/macaudio-2/how-the-light-gets-in

If it doesn't start automatically, look to the right side of the screen and click on the arrow.

[Mandy Muffin]

As I listened to the excerpt, I started to think of where one could get their own f-ing duck in the Eastern Townships area, and came up with this service in nearby Lac Brome: http://www.canardsdulacbrome.com/en/recipes/grilled-beer-can-duck-a...
I also remember eating in a lovely restaurant there called "Les Deux Canards." Great duck there also.

[Lip Service]

They probably get their ducks by shooting them out of the sky.

If you are going to do that though: one big caveat from experience; make sure you understand where the local ducks get their food. Ducks that feed on vegetation are what you look for. Stay away from ducks that feed on seafood since they will stink to high heaven when you clean them.

[Ursula]

I know it probably wasn't your intention, but you made me laugh.  Duck hunting is definitely not on my schedule.  Mandy can speak for himself.

[Ursula]

I've never visited the Eastern Townships, but definitely need to fix that.  Les Deux Canards sounds delightful!!

[Mandy Muffin]

I have a grandmother from Sherbrooke and have spent considerable time in Canada researching my genealogy, as all four of my family lines came from Quebec.  About 15 years ago I attended a program in the Eastern Townships that included a week of golf at two of the local golf courses, history of the Eastern Townships taught by Sherbrooke University and some great cultural immersion into the unique French/English intermingling that makes this a charming place to live and visit.  I almost purchased a condo on the golf course and Lake, as I fell in love with the region.  The Penny novels read like I am at home, as I picture each scene.  I believe much of her fictional village is based on the Lac Brome area.  For example, here is the auberge (bed and breakfast) where I stayed. http://www.aubergedujolivent.com/en/country-inn/ Does it sound like the bed and breakfast in her book? 

[Ursula]

Mandy, you are now the tease in this message!!  I am ready to pack and head off to Auberge du Joli Vent.  Of course, I'd also have to book the Bury Your Dead tour in Quebec.  This is sounding more and more like a good idea.

My French is almost non-existent; I always confuse auberge (inn) with aubergine (eggplant).  I was trying to figure out why anyone would name their inn "eggplant", but of course, it is an inn....remarkedly like Gabby & Olivier's inn.

Did you notice the Brome Lake Duck Festival (Canard en fete Lac Brome) will be held the last 2 weekends in September??

[Mandy Muffin]

The Eastern Townships are at least a couple of hundred miles from the ocean.  I have seen the Lac Brome ducks all over the golf courses and in the the local marshland.  I believe the restaurant I cited, Les Deux Canard, was in nearby Cowansville.  In fact, there was beautiful pond in the middle of that town where they flocked.  I guess I didn't make the connection that you would be admiring them one minute then eating them the next.  Unlike the Chinese, the French Canadians do cut the head off the duck before it is served. 

[tnbopeep]

I've got mine on pre-order - can't wait!