Book News and Spicy Foods
One good thing that came out of the quarantine world for me: I can cook now. Granted, anyone can cook, and I was a fine cook before 2020, but being FORCED to eat your own cooking every day is vastly different than CHOOSING to eat your own cooking. I got so sick of my food--and sometimes, company--that it was time for a drastic change.
So, I started trying new recipes for things I never, ever would have even thought I'd enjoy before. And I started switching up the personalities I was talking to (purely for book narratives, of course), but that's probably something for another blog. I got into cooking spicier foods, foods inspired by North African recipes and blogs, foods that started to open a new world of ideas for me.
And now, cooking for myself is my very favorite thing. I'll make something new and tantalizing every Monday and, by the time the leftovers have crossed that Friday finish-line, it's time to move on to a new region of the world. There are so many delicious recipes and flavor combinations to try, it's exciting to cook now.
Back on track. So, Monday evenings--thanks to the newfound exploration through the cooking world--are some of my favorites. I'll pour a new cocktail (my mixology skills have also vastly improved, so that’s a little dangerous), put a Nina Simone or Billie Holiday vinyl on the record player, and start whirling about the kitchen. Last night I tried some fajitas with canned chipotle in adobo sauce and green chilis, together with my homemade mango salsa and some spicy/sweet tortilla chips, and WOW. The world was so bright and flavorful, it would be impossible NOT to be happy.
As such, my writing that evening was equally popping. I broke through several walls that have been tripping me up in book 3 and for the first time in the while, had FUN while writing. I know, that's a lot to ask. But, I can't wait to get back to it tonight. And eat those leftovers.
Anyway, the news portion of this rambling pontification is this: I will be having a book signing August 20th at Northern Grounds in Ely, MN from 6-8. And, even more exciting, I will be joined by friend and fellow author, Molly Ovenden. If you don't know Molly yet and you live in the Ely area, please be sure to stop by and say hi. She is a delightful human. And we will both have books for sale, while surrounded by cocktails, wine, beer, coffee and teas. Really, what more could anyone ask for?
I hope to see you all there!
Cheers,
Kristen