What I'm Reading | February 2016

Recipe testing is going well.

This is what remains from a batch of muffins I tested (again) for the cookbook. If you've been following along, you'll know tomorrow is the big day. Manuscript day. As in, all 50,000 words are due to my publisher. (!) It's a huge milestone in book making, and I could not be more excited about it. 

One more thing: The 2016 reader survey is here, and I'd love to get your feedback. This year my hope is to encourage your writing, especially in areas where you might be struggling. Because let's face it, creativity is hard sometimes! If you have about four minutes to spare, please share your thoughts! They are greatly appreciated. 

How to overcome the fear of putting yourself out there.

Relearning the art of eating.

Why designers love the ampersand.

Anthony Bourdain reads a poem by Derek Halpern. 

Julia Child's home is now a yoga retreat.

How we belong somewhere.

Molly's musings on cooking with a young child.

Stop comparing your creative life to others.

Every positive change starts with these two words.

"It's the process of getting better, and lucky for the craftsmen, the process is its own reward, because everyone starts at the bottom, sweeping the shop, just hoping to get a little better each day."

[Book Ends] The smell of laser ink

Book Ends is a new series where I share a bit about the cookbook writing process. For even more behind-the-scenes information, subscribe to my newsletter.

Something happens when you write a cookbook. Or, I should say, something happens when you write a cookbook and a blog. You can't do both, at least temporarily, because for weeks you're in the thick of it recipe testing, writing, thinking, tasting, and almost all your meals are for the book, so you can't share them. Any stray recipes that aren't from the book might not be recipes at all (hello, almond butter and toast).

I think most of us cookbook writers/bloggers hope this doesn't happen. I know I did. But between work and baby things and this very important project with a looming deadline, I haven't been able to sift through new poems or develop new recipe pairings or finish new literary city guides (there are three waiting in the wings!). It's all book, all the time over here. But only for about fourteen more days. 

On Sunday, Valentine’s Day, I did something monumental. After I got a massage (every new mother's dream gift), and after I made a cake for the fourth time, I printed out the first draft of my manuscript. The whole thing, all five sections, all hundred-and-something pages, all on my laser printer that I absolutely love the smell of. As my husband eloquently pointed out, it smells like progress. 

The manuscript isn't done yet, but it’s close. I’ve managed enough writing and note taking and tinkering to have a comfortable, fully formed draft to start reading through. This is the good stuff now, when I can step away, be objective, read on paper instead of my computer screen, and get a real sense of things. I'll be doing this with a red pen in hand and a slice of toast with almond butter nearby, naturally.

If you're interested, here are a few sneak peeks of some recipes I'm working on. More to come!

What I'm Reading | January 2016

It's a new year! With new, inspiring links! I don't usually throw around exclamation marks, but this month has me a little bit excited. Here's why, in case you haven't heard.

Last week we took our first family road trip to our favorite place, and it was the best weekend. We introduced Henry to wine country, relaxed in our Air B&B studio, and toured him around the UCSB campus, where we met exactly 15 years and four months ago. If ever an afternoon could be filled with so much nostalgia, this was it. 

Here's what I've been reading this month.

The story behind the most famous New Year's song of all. 

How to cook pasta and tomato sauce.

5 ways to make small talk more meaningful.

Can a 'do nothing' day change your life?

Encouragement for starting a meditation practice. 

Why kale is no longer a health food. 

Should you add milk to your tea? 

Thoughts on cloth napkins.

How Jhumpa Lahiri learned how to write again.

Inside Etsy's locally focused food program.

A handy guide if you grind whole spices.