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.
So happy for you!! Its so inspiring to see you tackle and accomplish your goal!
:) Looking forward to reading it.
I am super excited for you!!!! And also I just tried that smoothie. Wow. Wow wow wow.
Congratulations! I’m definitely buying your book as soon as it comes out!
I can’t wait for your cookbook. I never buy cookbooks anymore because I move and travel all over the world- so bookmarking blog posts is much easier to take with me than books. However, I have been hooked on your blog since I found it a few years ago. I have really been missing your regular posts, as they were often inspiration for my shopping list each week. I can’t wait to see all the things you’ve come up with– I have sent many people to your blog over the past few years, and so I also have a list of people who will be getting your cookbook when it comes out.
Wahoooooo! Major congrats Ange! I know how long this has taken you and how hard you’ve worked, and I’m so proud of you for getting through it all. I know it will all be worth it for you in the end, and that the book will be huge. Amen to spring finally being here. Smoothie season is in full swing for me as well, and I’m thoroughly enjoying not having to drink them from under a fleece blanket!
Congrats on the cookbook! So exciting!
Let’s have a joint birthday celebration (I’m fairly certain that we share the same birthday!) although I’m not turning 3-0. I hope that’s ok ;) haha
Congrats! I can only imagine how much work and creativity that must have been. Looking forward to buying the book and even more so to having you back blogging on a regular basis
we’ve definitely missed you, angela, but i’m so looking forward to the product of your labor/absence!
Congrats on submitting your manuscript! That has to be an awesome feeling. Now if only I could borrow some of your organizing motivation to tackle our “hobby room” turned “junk room” (I’d rather just shut the door and pretend it isn’t there).
So happy to hear it is going so well for you and your cook book. Well done! Dreams are becoming reality. Nothing beats that feeling! Have to admit that it is the same for me. My house totally reflect my way of feeling ;)
Super excited for you! I’m going to read the book that Kiana was reading when she entered your contest. It looks very interesting.
Do you ever use a juicer or do you always use a VitaMix for your drinks?
Angela,
I am so proud of you! I cannot wait to purchase your book (i’ve been waiting for that sweet and sour sauce recipe!) Also, Happy Birthday soon! I hope you have a beautiful weekend!
Congratulations Angela! What a wonderful accomplishment to celebrate turning 30 with! I an hardly wait to get my hands on your cookbook. I have a friend who celebrates her birthday for an entire month. go for it!
Congratulations on finishing your book, Angela. That’s a great accomplishment. You can count me as a buyer once it publishes because your site has been an important one for me. I had been a now-and-then reader until about 7 months ago when my dearest childhood friend was diagnosed with cancer. (We have been friends longer than you’ve been alive! How is that possible when we look so fantastic?! :) ) When her treatment began, she told me she’d like to go “all-in” and change her diet because, hey, it couldn’t hurt, right? I knew your recipes were the perfect entry point because, like her, you truly love food, Since November I’ve fed her so many of your recipes, combing your archives and getting current inspiration from your blog posts. I am so grateful for this resource. When someone you love is sick, food takes on a whole new meaning — it’s a comfort, sometimes more to my friend’s family than to her when she wasn’t feeling much like eating, it’s one small thing I could do when I felt helpless, , and some days the researching, shopping, chopping and preparing are just a necessary distraction. It is such a relief that I can be completely confident that the food I am making is healthy and healthful.
I don’t mean to be a buzzkill on your celebration! Things are going well for my friend, though the road ahead is long and promises to be bumpy at times. I just wanted to let you know that when you have deadline pressures, and when the rain in Ontario just will not stop, when you have mysterious angry rashes (!) and when your when team can’t get it together (said the Blackhawks fan)…even on those days, your reach is farther and more powerful than you may know.
Thank you, Angela. I truly appreciate your work.
Hi Carla,
Thank you for your beautiful comment! Truly, it brought tears to my eyes! I’m so sorry for the delay in getting back to you – I have had a crazy week and wanted to wait until I had the time to reply properly. :) I’m so sorry to hear about your friend, but I am glad to hear that she is progressing well. She is so lucky to have you taking such great care of her. I’m so thrilled to hear that my recipes have provided even a bit of comfort during this tough time. Please keep me posted on how she is doing! I will keep her in my thoughts. xo
Congrats on submitting your manuscript! I absolutely can not wait to get my hands on your cookbook ( :
My big 3-0 is in July, so I definitely understand what you’re going through, haha! Wanted to let you know that I made three different fruit/nut butters for a friend’s birthday present–and she LOVED them. Thanks for the inspiration and always fabulous recipes. Can’t wait for the cookbook.
I’m excited for your cookbook!! You are doing AWESOME!!! Enjoy the journey! :)
Here is an idea for your 30th birthdaty…on my birthdays that end with a zero I have my picture professionally taken on that day. I started at age 40 and plan to continue as long as I have a zero birthday. My youngest daughter had her picture taken on her 10th birthday and she is going to continue the tradition. When my 40th birthday picture was taken I had just found out I was pregnant with my youngest daughter, that makes the picture extra special for us.
Big congratulations – what a big step. Can you imagine what it was like to send manuscripts off that you typed up on a traditional typewriter???