December 4, 2013
It’s been a wild ride but I didn’t want you to think that I’d forgotten you. Indeed, all I have been doing is thinking about you, my readers (at least I hope you’re reading me!) and where you are waiting to be found. While you were sleeping (or hiding, as the case may be), I was launching my memoir Compromise Cake: Lessons Learned From My Mother’s Recipe Box (in case you haven’t heard.) I did readings at Diesel in the Brentwood Country Mart (just between us, that mart is actually in Santa Monica)–where it was standing room only and all copies of the book sold out! Then it was onto Vroman’s in Pasadena (which is actually in Pasadena), where it was another welcoming crowd, gifting me not only with their presence, but in the case of author pal Janet Fitch, a sack of persimmons from her backyard tree (I’m planning to make a few into THAT pudding for Christmas). In between it all there was the Dream Come True Launch Party at author pal Susan Sherman’s house where my dream come true was having Cupcake, the pony, standing by ready to deliver books at a moment’s notice (he would have delivered me, too, but I’m over his 70 pound weight limit. Next launch party we are ordering the wagon AND Cupcake and really getting around!)
My post reading schedule included a day at Universal Studios to tape a segment on Hallmark’s Home & Family Show with hosts Cristina Ferrare and Mark Steines. It was a tremendous experience, everyone made me feel right at home. After the show a crew member came up with tears in his eyes to shake my hand, thank me for doing the segment, and tell me how my story was his own. He’d been the youngest of four children in a divorced family left in the custody of a depressed, unhappy mother, where the kids took care of mom while raising themselves. I have met a number of others who’ve expressed much the same to me regarding my book and their own childhood experiences. It is gratifying to know that I’ve struck a chord in so many. Here’s the link to the segment: Nancy Spiller on Hallmark’s Home & Family
While that aired on the Hallmark Channel (it is a great show, by the way, I learned all kinds of things from it, including one weird trick to save your Thanksgiving–but more on that later), I raced up the 5 (thrilling weather adding interest to what can often be a tedious drive) to San Francisco, where I read at Books, Inc., in the San Francisco Marina, on Thursday, November 21. It was a great turnout of friendly faces, preceded by some terrific pizza with friends and followed by another round of excellent Italian eats with more friends, all on Chestnut Street. Used an Uber Car to get there and back–highly recommend, and mark your calendar for the next International Cat Day so you can order, at least in San Francisco, an Uber Kitty Car (I will explain that along with the one weird Thanksgiving trick, but have a lot of ground to cover right now and need to do a few other things several hours ago!–Cupcake–where R U?)
Where was I? Oh, yes, so after San Francisco, it was hustle my bustle down to San Jose for a reading and recipe share at Hicklebee’s Books. A Great Book Store–shopped a ton for the Grand Twins (please don’t tell them), read to a lovely, receptive group who brought their own recipes and stories to share. Met Alexander, age 11, fifth grade, who has been baking since he was four. This kid may soon rule the world (at least of baking) and let me tell you why–he gets out two hours early from the middle school he lives near and some days he goes home, bakes a batch of muffins, and then sells them to the older kids on their way home. Me, I made the cream puffs when I was in first grade, but ate them all. That Was My Big Mistake. Other reason to keep an eye on Alexander, his mom has signed him up for Junior Master Chef, second season, hope he makes the grade and gets on–really a terrific kid and impressive former journalist mom. Did not meet dad, but hear he’s a physicist. Do not doubt it. Really, Alexander is going to soon be running our world…at least I hope so.
Which brings me around to this, and before that happens (Alexander running world), head on over to my Facebook Author’s Page, won’t you please, and bring along your own recipe (photos of the lovely aged cards, or other evidence of the directions from which you work) and the story (200 words max) that tell why it means something to you. The top three tales will each win a signed copy of my book, Compromise Cake (signed by me. Cupcake is recovering from a case of carpal tunnel). You’ve got until December 20 to post, so saddle up your pony and get going!
Seriously.
