I have projects. I have so many projects I can’t even start on any of them. I get too tired just thinking about them. But I made a list and came up with my top three: do a photographic inventory of all of my jewelry and artwork and write up descriptions so my kids know what I’ve got, read all of my journals, highlight what I want to keep, type it into my computer, then burn all of my journals (except maybe one or two or three of the really good ones), and make a cookbook. My 11 year old suggested going with the longest, most difficult project first (the journal project), but I landed on the cookbook project, as I’m already done inputting most of the recipes (okay, my best friend Melissa inputted all of the recipes, but I’m writing all of the stories, finding the quotes and photos, and putting it all together). I didn’t know if I’d have the interest in doing this, not knowing either if I just wanted to photocopy and spiral bind 20 copies at Kinko’s, or if I wanted to at least have the layout done professionally (Sheyna - are you busy?), and then spiral bind them at Kinko’s. I’m a perfectionist, so I’m sure I’ll have it professionally done, even if I only sell 100. I’m kooky that way.
Once I made the decision to do the cookbook, I could almost FEEL my mind whirring up into action. I can’t sleep at night anymore, the ideas thundering like a wild herd of mustangs on the mesa. I found the cover picture (the crazy one of me at age 9, horrible bang cut, force feeding my chocolate ice cream cone to my ragged doll). The working title? “EAT THIS!!!” I’ve got some classic pics to use, as well as recipes and stories from Grandma Ekberg, Granny Meyer, Dad, my sisters, kids, and friends. I haven’t been this excited since I worked on Dad’s memoirs. I love how my brain feels when it’s creating something out of nothing. I love the pre-feeling of accomplishment and happiness that all of my best recipes are in one place, and that my kids will have all of the wonderful stories that go along with the recipes, and our lives together. I have almost 200 recipes right now, but want to make sure I just use the best of the best, our all-time favorite, tried and true recipes, so I’ll have to keep cutting, I’m sure. Excited? Heck yes. Writing and publishing are in my blood, in my core, and I love the way I kind of get to do my autobiography without it REALLY being an autobiography. The crazy life stories? I think I’ll save those for another book… right now it’s all about the goopy rolls and Christmas cookies, yes it is!