Well hello there…=)

Wow, funny how times flies!!  I cannot believe that June is more than half-way over.  I have been busy (story of my life – I shouldn’t even bother saying it anymore, LOL!), but things are progressing smoothly.  One of the most exciting things is that I’m writing a cookbook.  The hardest thing is finding/getting it published.  Well I HAVE A PUBLISHING DEAL!!  Yep, went out there, pitched my heart out, and I have a publishing house now who is willing to give me shot.  Things happen fast, I’m discovering.  More on that later on though.

I’ve shifted gears, actually.  I’ve made some really big decisions re: opening a full service restaurant vs. a smaller venture, but still close to my heart – my wine and tapas bar!  I’m thinking, to get these feet wet, and to get this whole thing off the ground as quick as I can, perhaps I should start out slightly on a smaller scale, and work my way up.  I have in no way abandoned my initial goal, but after speaking with several knowledgeable people, and checking the odds, lol, I do believe that t his is the wisest choice I have made to date, and I’m happy with where things are going.  But more on that to come as well, but for now, what I need to really clever bar names, maybe incorporating my name…or not.  Just something that is catchy, and because I live in a beach community, something that fits in greatly with my locale!

I’ll be in Santa Barbara this weekend, taking part in a Food and Wine Festival.  I’ll also be meeting up with 2 very prominent chefs who own restaurants in SB, who were willing to give me some pointers and tips as I continue on this amazing journey.  I’ll have (hopefully) lots of fun pics, and as promised, tomorrow I will be adding some pictures of some people I met while in Chicago, and the recipes from the Oprah Winfrey Show, so stay tuned!!

A-