The good news is that my manuscript is submitted to my editor. All 258 pages of it. Holy Crap, holy, crap, holy crap, is what I said to myself when I uploaded it yesterday. I was sweating and my heart was beating fast. This is by far the biggest project I’ve ever taken on, the scariest, most doubt-inflicting project I’ve ever taken on. Writing a cookbook seems like such a glamorous thing, but to be honest it’s scared me to no end. I guess that’s a good thing? I still have 50 recipes to re-make and photograph over the next few weeks – that’s about 2 recipes and shoots per day plus blog posts. So, I’m definitely not over the hump yet or breathing a sigh of relief, but I’m getting there slowly but surely. When I took on this project I truly had no idea how much time it would take me away from this blog and that has been the most challenging part by far. I miss my regular blogging schedule and can’t wait to get back into a groove! Thank YOU for your patience with my crazy schedule over the past year.
More good news? Spring decided to finally arrive here in Southern Ontario! Mainly, the sun came out and it stopped pissing rain all day, every day. Well, I guess that was spring too, but I like this glow-y version much better. I’m fighting the urge to spend all day outside doing aimless things when I should be indoors working my tail off. People are out walking, running, cycling, swatting bugs, laughing, and otherwise just loving life. I’m totally feeling that whole New Beginning Vibe and the fact that it’s my birthday month (a big 3-0 birthday month!), makes it all the more inspiring to do good things with my life. I’m drinking a lot of these apple, beet, cucumber, carrot, lemon smoothies, for instance.
Yesterday, I went out for a few drinks on a patio to celebrate and then I came home and organized my closet. I’m not even joking. I’m one of those people whose house reflects the current state of their life/mind. My closet floor looked like Wal-Mart the day after Black Friday. Or worse? I’ve never been in a Wal-Mart on Black Friday or the day after, but I’ve imagined it many times. Why does it pain me so much to put something back on a hanger after trying it on? I don’t know how Eric puts up with me; he’s such a tidy man and the fact that he shares this chaotic space with me must drive him up the wall. I wrote nice things about him in my book, so I hope that makes up for it?
So that’s where my head is at lately. I’m trying to keep it screwed on tightly, but some days it spins uncontrollably. Such is life. I’m just enjoying this adventure and so thankful for those of you who stop by each week. If it weren’t for your words of encouragement I don’t know if I would have the motivation to see this through. Big hugs!
I believe I have a giveaway winner to announce…
A big congrats to Kiana for winning the Trio of Cookbooks giveaway! Kiana wrote, “I’m reading Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss. Good eye opener book.” I will shoot you an email today to collect your mailing info. Thanks for everyone who entered! I now have a long list of books to check out this summer. Ye-haw.
Woohooo!!!! Doing a little victory dance for you. I realize there’s still a lot of work to do, but that’s got to feel pretty good getting past that huge hump. I can not wait for the book to come out. I’ll be the first one in line ;)
What a better way to celebrate your milestone birthday, but with the making of your book cookbook, congratulations !
Wow congratulations on finishing (mostly) your manuscript! It truly does sound like an exhausting process. I hope you have a BIG vacation planned for once you wrap up the cookbook.
Congrats on your work so far! That’s so exciting. I definitely hear you on the closet situation. We just moved so I have bags of stuff EVERYWHERE.
I am so looking forward to the cookbook!
HUGE congrats!!!!!!!! You are over the hump!!! Yes!! Sending hugs! xoxo
Congrats on submitting your manuscript! Sounds like a LOT of work – you will deserve a vacation or something when this is over! :)
Congrats! Can’t wait to see it, you deserve a few more drinks on a patio : )
Congratulations on submitting your manuscript!! I cannot wait for your cookbook to come out…How exciting! :)
“that’s about 2 recipes and shoots per day plus blog posts.” — I have been there. And it’s hard, hard, hard, hard.
When you said you’re done, I was like wow, that was fast!! And then, I read that you have a mere FIFTY recipes to shot. Omg. That’s an entire book right there. Whoa. I can relate and know the pressure of what it’s like. And when the chips are down, closet reorganization is wonderful :)
Seriously, congrats, Angela! Glad that the big giant is (kind of) off your back. And now you can just remake…50….recipes. My head is spinning for you! :)
I know you’ve been there! Too bad you couldn’t be here to help me eat all this food we’re going to have over the next month. :)
Your cookbook is going to be so great!! I CANNOT wait!
Congratulations! I used to work in publishing, so I know how arduous a process it can be sometimes. Looking forward to picking up your book when it comes out. :)
Congratulations on submitting your manuscript!! I can’t imagine how hard you must have worked but I know it is going to be fabulous when all is said and done. I can’t wait to see it! :)
Hi Beauty! That is so exciting. You are amazing in all that you are doing! We are “movers and shakers”… right! :)
Can’t wait to see it!!!
Thirty, flirty, and thriving! Turning 30 was amazing. I finally felt like I was no longer an idiot! LOL.
Keep taking your time, devote your full attention to your book, we will all be here waiting when you get back! I can’t wait for it to come out!
Congrats! Can’t wait for your book!
I am there with you…I have no idea how it happens but I come home and there are clothes all over the place! Who’s ransacking my bedroom while I’m gone?!
Yay! Very happy for you, but even more selfishly happy that I am that much closer to having your cookbook in my hands. Keep it up lady! Good luck in the final stretch.
Hooray and congratulations! The whole cookbook writing process sounds like a truly Herculean task, and it’s awesome that you’ve pushed yourself to do something so monumentally awesome yet terrifying. I can’t wait to buy it as soon as it comes out! (And that that point, I hope you’ll be able to take some much-needed R&R!) :)
I can completely relate to needing to clean/organize your physical space — and to the idea that it often matches your mental space. I’m a neat freak (ok, full disclosure: I’m totally OCD about it), but when I get really busy, my space starts looking like a war zone. Stacks of papers, receipts, general detrius…but as soon as I clean it up, I start feeling like I’m actually on task. :)
Congrats again on submitting the manuscript — it’s awesome to watch your journey and this project unfold, and I can’t wait to see the finished product!
I cannot wait for your book! Your food is so inspiring and creative and gorgeous!
Do you have a rough estimate of the publication release?
Thank you Wendy :) It’s planned for spring 2014 release right now :) No official month or day yet, but I will be sure to update when I know!
Congrats – you deserve it.
Dannii – Hungry Healthy Happy.