I enjoy making lunch after devotional on Sundays. There’s something slow and happy to my afternoons, home after a few hours with beloved friends in shared prayer. I’m filled with quiet peace; my world set aright by my cup of coffee, hugs, how-are-you’s, and the sound of several languages swirling around me.

Today I made another run at this Mexican Frittata recipe for the cookbook.

Frittatas are like curries or stir fries in that you’ve got to have everything ready to go before you start or something could go wrong fast. So I let the cast iron pot and oven preheat while I diced the broccoli and the cabbage, turning my Norah Jones channel on Pandora into perfect Sunday afternoon background music.

I murmured along with songs I know inside out as I pulled dry roasted spices off the shelf, whisked eggs, and added everything, one by one, into the pot. Once the edges had just barely set, I slid it in the oven and cleaned up.

A few minutes later I had this gorgeous little pie of egg and veggies. I love meals that feel like magic, this one even included a black cauldron!

I’ve spent the rest of the afternoon curled up writing with Zelda on my lap. Days like this are what I live for.

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My cookbook is nearing the actual product stage. This feels like a miracle, but after a year and a half of cooking I should have something to show for it. I am currently putting the final touches on the 75 recipes I’m definitely going to use and playing around with a few more to get closer to 100.

I have a few chapters of writing to finish: about allergies, intolerances, and other reasons for dietary restrictions; how to start over – rebuilding your kitchen safely – what you can keep, what has to go & what has to come first; how to cook safely in your kitchen for someone else who has restrictions (it can usually be done with proper prep & creativity); and finally some notes on flavors and how to replace flavor profiles with new or different items.

My plan is to have all of this in some sort of final draft format near the end of March. Then run a Kickstart style setup over April & May. My hope is to get ebooks out by July and physical copies in folks hands by Fall – plenty of time for holiday gifting. Ya’ll are gonna love the perk offerings I’m brewing up for you.

I’m not getting excited yet, I’m too schooled in delayed gratification, but it feels almost real when I look at the pile of cards that represent all the recipes and the order they will go in. I think I’ll believe it when I have chapters in hand to edit with a red pen.

But for now I have a very forlorn Zelda holding a toy and give me the play-with-me eyes. I gotta go.

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