Dec 9, 2012
Pretty, isn’t it? That’s the cover to The Unemployment Cookbook, First Edition. Only I didn’t know at the time it was First Edition. Now I’m taking pre-orders for the Second Edition, and it’s just as exciting!
I had no idea when I started my Kickstarter campaign to sell pre-orders and raise funds for publication, how entirely nerve-wracking and roller-coastery it would be. (Is roller-coastery a word? It is now!)
It’s so delightful to hear from people who tell me how excited they are for this Project. Easy, inexpensive menus. Full, hearty flavors.
And while I’m trying not to push this in front of people’s faces, the truth is, Word-of-Mouth advertising is what’s getting me funded. And so, if you’ll indulge me for this post, I’d like to market my Cookbook.
From the back cover:
Sometimes it’s hard to make ends meet. Food shouldn’t be a sacrifice. The Unemployment Cookbook is a collection of recipes for eating abundantly on a frugal income. As with any great recipe, it’s my desire that you and those you feed enjoy the flavors and versatility of the recipes in this cookbook. But more importantly, I hope it inspires you in the kitchen, at the table, and with your family. Happy eating!
The Unemployment Cookbook is my first publication. It’s my Project. My baby. And, because times are still tough, it’s my Go-To Guide in the kitchen.
With over 100 pages of family- and wallet-friendly recipes in the first, and even more in the Second Edition, this is a Project I believe in. I realize my promotional video may seem low-key to many. I did that on purpose. Why should a no-frills Cookbook be advertised with glitz and glam?
Not here. This Cookbook was written and designed with frugality in mind. Sure, someday I’d love to have other cookbooks. Full-page color photography. Delectable, hard-to-find ingredients. Exquisite, one-of-a-kind, never-before-tried-in-the-kitchen recipes.
And some day I will.
But right now, people need to feed their families. And they need to do it well and on a budget.
These recipes cost less than a pizza (unless you use the Slow Cooker Ratatouille for your own veggie-pizza topping!), offer fresh, healthy ingredients, and many of them give you the opportunity to change them to suit your family’s tastes.
Hungry for more information? Click on over to my Kickstarter Campaign and pre-order yours now.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jul 9, 2012
This week’s theme is in keeping with my aim to add new recipes to the blog.
I absolutely love being in the kitchen. I love creating new flavors and enhancing familiar recipes. It brings me such joy to find inexpensive, flavorful foods that feed my family and guests well.
This week’s theme also inspires me to remain joyful in all situations. As long as there is a roof over my head and food on the table, I’m doing well.
I often say, “Recipes are food for the soul.”
How do you feed your family?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Feb 5, 2012
It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?
Be honest.
You thought you’d seen the last of my food posts, didncha?
Puh-leeeze. Like that could happen! I wouldn’t forget something as important as food!
Today’s the Big Day. The day when the Commercials are (almost) more important than the Show (certainly some will be more controversial!). The day when some people will love the Half-Time Show while others loathe it.
Today is Football.
And while my favorite team won’t be playing this year [I’m a Cheesehead!], my favorite foods will be on the table.
To start things off, I admit I’m going the semi-homemade route. Since I knew I wouldn’t have time to prepare all the snackage that I wanted to enjoy, I bought two appetizers from Schwans: their breaded Mozarrella sticks and their Cheddar and bacon stuffed potato skins. I really enjoy the ease of Schwans’ foods; straight from freezer to oven. And super delicious tastes! So it was a no-brainer to let them “cater” part of the Big Meal.
To add my own touch, I’m making a hearty amount of my Slow Cooker Turkey Chili to eat by itself and to also use as a topping for my Crescent Dogs.
Throw in some chips, dips, and maybe a few sliced and diced raw veggies, and it’s a par-tay!
There will be brownie bites and cookies for dessert, and the typical beverage options of water, juice, coffee, tea, and maybe a soda pop or two.
Will you be at a Super Bowl party? What’s on your menu?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 31, 2011
Seriously. What is it about New Year’s that makes people overthrow habit and desire to turn a 180 and make dramatic changes to their lives? I’ve tried, but that darned word, habit, really gets in the way. I’m not one for total makeovers anyway.
So I’ve discovered the trick to keeping New Year’s Resolutions is to make ones that I know I can achieve. I’m not saying, count to 10 each day when I know I can already count to 100. But I’m not throwing in things like open a bakery or take a trip to Italy… not yet, anyway.
Here’s what I’ve come up with so far, for the year 2012:
1. Read. Every day. The Bookshelf is a great new addition to my blog that will keep me on track with the books on my scheduled reading list, as well as more books I want.
2. Write. Every day. Stephen J. Cannell told me to. Often. And since he had a writing career longer than I’ve been alive, I’d say he knew what he was talking about.
3. Cook. Not just cook at home, but really really cook. Find new recipes and not be afraid to test them. Create new recipes and not be afraid to share them. Go out to eat at least once a month, find a great meal, and compliment the Chef. Get that cookbook published (any day now, so exciting)!
4. Schedule. Being “unemployed” only means I don’t get paid at a day job. It does not mean I have nothing to do all day. In fact, I’m finding more and more things that keep me legitimately busy (see Items 1, 2, and 3 above for starters). But sometimes I can get overwhelmed or, more typically, distracted. I recently got the Dayrunner page refills for my datebook. Today I’m going to plot out some What-and-When’s. Things like writing, a day trip to Disneyland, having family over for lunch.
5. Make time. Spend more quality time with my daughter. Not just be in the same room with her, but actually interact with her. Turn off the cell phones, play a game, learn those new recipes, even work together to clean the house. Together-time. Because her immediate presence leads to some great conversations that I miss out on when she’s in the other room or watching TV.
6. Exercise. Every day. Even if it’s just a short walk or a 15 minute workout on the Wii. Do what I can to stay active, and push myself a little each day. Park farther into parking lots and walk the distance. Carry more grocery bags. Get out of my chair more often. Stop being lazy or using my daughter as a go-fer. Just move!
7. Finish. Finish a few projects that really have needed my attention for several years. Finish the writing course through Institute of Children’s Literature. Rewrite a screenplay I started five years ago that really needs a rewrite before I embarrass myself by sharing it with others again. Finish the tiny To-Do’s around my house like finally paint that one-inch patch in the Narnia room. Set up a trellis for my Boston Ivy to happily climb.
8. Keep it clean. Clean every inch of my house and keep it clean. Dust when it needs dusting and don’t be afraid of the wetmop. Use bleach when necessary. Open windows even in winter (with five indoor cats, that’s somewhat of a necessity). Do more yard work. Plant more flowers and herbs. Cultivate growth.
9. Open doors. Enter more writing contests. Enter doors to new experiences and opportunities. Enter worlds of writing, of cooking, of family. Enter life without being timid.
Well, that seems to cover just about everything I can think of. At least for now.
What are your New Year’s Resolutions?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 8, 2011
I’ve been around the Blogging World for a while now. I’ve met some great new blog-friends (Andrea, Jenn, Ariel, to name just a few). And through my tours of other blogs, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. I pay attention to what attracts me and what doesn’t.
And I’ve come to a better appreciation of my blog. It’s not odd at all to think of it like a child or a job or both. This Blog is my Baby; growing, finding its way in the world. Making mistakes, gaining strength.
And every so often, realizing what we’ve already subconsciously known.
My Blog can be broken down to what I call the Four F’s: Faith, Family, Food, and Fun. And those are the four main factors I look for on other blogs. Granted, under each category are sub-categories: How God works in our lives, familial anecdotes, recipes, writings, party planning, daily life…
So you can see how even fine-tuning my Blog to the Four F’s isn’t really as simple as that.
But I’m grateful that I have the flowchart. So in the coming weeks, I’m going to fine tune the presentation. My blog will be easier to navigate (I hope!), and easier to look at.
Now this is where you come in: I’m looking for feedback. What do you want to see? What can I do without? What are your ideas, suggestions, thoughts on my Blog, and how can I make it better for you? Visually? Readability? Blog post ideas? Categories? I recently made some changes. Do you like them? Is it easier or harder now to leave comments?
I look forward to hearing from you. Let’s get ready to start 2012 with a Better Blog. Whadya say? Wanna help? I hope so.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Pretty, isn’t it? That’s the cover to The Unemployment Cookbook, First Edition. Only I didn’t know at the time it was First Edition. Now I’m taking pre-orders for the Second Edition, and it’s just as exciting!
