Eating From the Ground Up

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Thursday, October 22, 2015 by alana

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(photo by Christina Davis)
I like this word, launch, as if one party was something of a trampoline that sent me in one big flying leap into the world that is the craziness of a new book. I’m just trying to keep my dress from flying over my head.
Wheeeeeee!
I wanted talk a little bit about what I’m planning for events across the country in the next few weeks, and then to share a few photos of the party the other day at No. Six Depot (YES: the donut tower was REAL).  So if you’re hoping to make it out for an event, scroll down for some info about tickets, what I’m planning, and other details.

TONIGHT, October 22: I’m in Denver! We’re having a party at Hazel & Dewey.
6:00-6:30 I’ll be talking about the book and demonstrating how to make preserved lemons. If you want a seat for this part, call Jenna at 303-777-1500 to reserve your spot.
6:30-8 Party! There will be drinks, snacks, and lots of fun to be had. No rsvp required.
Sunday, October 25: I’m in Vancouver, BC at Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks.
11:00- 1:00 Sheryl MacCay will be interviewing me for North by Northwest. I’ll be demonstrating a few recipes, and signing books too. This is a free event, but call 604-688-6755 to reserve your spot.
Tuesday, October 27: I’m in Seattle for 2 events.

  1. 11:30-1:30 I’m at Hot Stove Society for a cooking class, lunch and signing. I’ll be making Butter Lettuce with Dates and Ricotta, Fall Vegetable Chicken Pot Pie, Beets and Leeks, and Baked Apples with Maple Ice Cream. The class is $60, and there are still a few spots left! Sign up is here.
  2. 6:30-8:00 I’m at Book Larder for a conversation and signing. I’m so excited that Tara Austen Weaver will be joining me there, and there will be treats, too. It’s a free event, but rsvp here to let them know you’re coming.

Thursday, October 29: I’m in Danville, CA at Rakestraw Books.
7:00 I’m teaching Mozzerella Cheese Class. Warm mozzarella feasting and signing to follow. This is free, but rsvp at 925-837-7337.
Friday, October 30: I’m in San Francisco at Book Passage in the Ferry Building in conversation with my hero and favorite cookbook author and all-around human, Mollie Katzen. (!)
Saturday, October 31 (2 events):

  1. 10:00am-12:00pm: San Jose- Potluck brunch at the home of the fabulous Cheryl Sternman Rule. Free! But rsvp here.
  2. 3:00-4:00 San Francisco- Omnivore Books I’ll be talking food fears and horror stories in honor of the holiday! Come with your scariest food story, and come meet me before trick-or-treating begins.

Sunday, November 1: Portland, OR I’ll be at Powell’s Books on Burnside for a talk and signing. My plan is to focus on food, weight and body image, and letting go of food fears. Come with thoughts and questions, or email me ahead of time if you have a questions you’d like me to ponder before the talk.
Tuesday, November 3, St. Paul, MN: I’ll be at Cooks of Crocus Hill for a class and signing.
5:30-6:00 Signing is free and open to the public
6:00-8:30 I’ll be teaching a cooking class including Preserved Lemons, Preserved Lemon Hummus, Blue Cheese Wedge, Fettuccini with Roasted Garlic and Preserved Lemon, and One-Dish Chocolate Cake. The class is $75- tx are here.
And that’s the tour! Let me know if you’re planning on coming out–I’m so excited to meet you.
And now, how about that cider donut tower?
IMG_6539(photo by Elizabeth Barbone)
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(This is Sascha, who did all the gorgeous hand lettering in the book.)
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See you soooooon! xo

Filed Under: The Writing Process, travels Tagged With: The Homemade Kitchen, travels

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Comments

  1. Rachel - De Ma Cuisine says

    Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 3:41 pm

    Happy touring! I’m hoping there might be a second leg of the tour at some point where you’ll come to Southern CA?!?

    • alanac says

      Friday, October 23, 2015 at 9:59 am

      Oh- I hope so! I’ll let you know for sure.

      • Rachel - De Ma Cuisine says

        Friday, October 23, 2015 at 3:02 pm

        Yay! Would so love to meet you!!

  2. Judith says

    Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    I thought of “Use your scraps” yesterday, after I had peeled about a dozen apples for a family favorite dessert. If I had chickens, they’d get the cores and peels as a treat, but I don’t them yet, so I remembered I could make apple cider vinegar from them. All it needed was water and some honey (method found on Pinterest.). It’s sitting on my counter making itself now!
    Enjoy your big, long party series! Don’t worry TOO much about the dress flying up, just enjoy it as much as you can (maybe wear leggings underneath??) LOL.

    • alanac says

      Friday, October 23, 2015 at 9:59 am

      Oh, so wonderful! I love this.
      And yes, definitely leggings. I’m doing my best, then letting go 🙂

  3. Erin says

    Monday, October 26, 2015 at 2:11 pm

    Any more details available about your event on vashon?

    • alanac says

      Monday, October 26, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      Hi Erin! So it looks like that has shifted a bit, and it won’t really be an event (just a visit 🙂 ). Do you think you might be able to get to the Book Larder event tomorrow instead?

      • Erin says

        Monday, October 26, 2015 at 8:18 pm

        nope, traffic in Seattle is way too difficult from my home to the Book Larder that time of day:) Enjoy the PNW!

        • alanac says

          Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 1:11 am

          So sorry it didn’t work out! And yes- Seattle traffic- I’ve been experiencing it and it is SERIOUS. So I totally get it. I’ll be back though- and hopefully the next time it will work!

  4. Emily says

    Monday, October 26, 2015 at 11:15 pm

    I am so excited to see you in Portland on Sunday. I’m bringing two girlfriends with me as we leave our families behind for the three hour trek from Roseburg. You are like a rockstar to me, and I mean that with sincerity. I envy your skills, but more importantly, I envy the time you have available to you to pursue this passion. I am a full time school teacher, wife, and mother of two active little ones (ages 6 and 5). My question is how can I realistically plan, prepare, and produce healthy, amazing meals for my family with all of my other responsibilities? I keep trying; some weeks I nail it. Some weeks I fail. I have the desire. I often lack the time, energy, and/or motivation. Help!

    • alanac says

      Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 1:27 am

      Oh Emily, this means so much to me! I’m excited to meet you on Sunday, and as for the question… man oh man- that’s mine too! We’ll talk about it then for sure. xo

      • Emily says

        Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 6:42 pm

        The rain. The flooding. Both have prevented my entourage from making it to Portland today. I am broken-hearted to miss you. I hope the Powell’s crowd is good to you. Please know that I am there in spirit; listening and learning. Perhaps I will have better luck when you tour for your third book 😉

        • alanac says

          Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 11:59 am

          And I missed you! But everyone at the Powell’s event got to hear your question, and we talked about it all as a group. I’ll try to get some of thoughts down soon- but thank you so much for the good question! And I’ll be out there again soon, I promise.

  5. Katy Davis says

    Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 1:47 am

    So disappointed that we’ll miss you in Portland on Sunday! We will have a houseful of children for our 6-year-old’s birthday party, so we won’t be able to make it into town. 🙁 Maybe for your next book!! I am loving The Homemade Kitchen –everything I’ve tried has been great so far. The dal with raita is a new favorite.

    • alanac says

      Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 1:09 am

      Oh- thank you, Katy! And I’m so sorry the timing doesn’t work. But happy birthday to your little one!

  6. Julie says

    Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 4:44 am

    Woo hoo! (What time in Portland? I have it noted as 4?)

    • Julie says

      Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 4:22 am

      And the website for Powell’s is down.

      • alanac says

        Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 11:59 am

        Yes! 4:00 on Sunday!

  7. Judith says

    Sunday, November 22, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    Came back to this post to let you know I recently got your book from Amazon and I so love it for the same reasons I loved the first one! Your life/family stories are what makes your cookbook come alive and makes the recipes sing out, “you can do this!” I have been carrying it back and forth from the bedroom to the kitchen to the doctor’s office where I waited for my husband during some minor surgery. I love the way your books are produced. They are jam packed with photos, recipes and stories. I even love the way the covers are laminated and sturdy, but the soft covers are so much easier to use than hard cover cookbooks. Another A+ for you!


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The Homemade Pantry, The Homemade Kitchen, Eating From The Ground Up 🍳

Instagram post 2337331591407595410_13442450 Sending off my taxes today with intention and prayer that they will be used to support programs for the most vulnerable, and that my little contribution will join with others to help move us towards the country I know we can be. #taxmagic ✨
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Instagram post 2332756427273440195_13442450 So technically you’re not supposed to send food when trying to find an agent, but I did it it. 10 years ago, my granola helped seal that deal, and he insisted I send it to publishers when we were selling The Homemade Pantry (another general publishing no no) That Landed-a woman-with-no-platform-a-book deal Granola is up for grabs in this amazing bake sale, as well as goodies by some of my very favorite bakers (@madeinghent , @raisinporpoise , and @thedooryard to name a few). Oh and maybe my favorite item in there are the magical @susanspungen ginger chocolate cookies I mentioned a few weeks back, made by Sadie herself. All of this is to support the work of @multiculturalbridge , and the order form is up in my bio. Get to it! #bakersagainstracism
Instagram post 2330317921708403058_13442450 My friend @afgoldfarb has been part of a team of people working on this vital project. The link to learn more and help out is in my profile.
Instagram post 2330131706816229761_13442450 I’ll be baking up a storm for this! Local bakers- there’s still room for more! Let @north_plain_farm know that you want IN.
Instagram post 2324845496300301430_13442450 To those who ask here? In Great Barrington? YES. In Great Barrington.
Instagram post 2324091364266290851_13442450 I know there are so many resources out there right now, but I want to share one that’s been really helpful for me in the last several months. There are many seasons of this podcast, but I recommend Season 2 on Whiteness as well is Season 4 on Democracy. #sceneonradio
Instagram post 2322615811734696638_13442450 Black lives matter.
Instagram post 2319329508599466327_13442450 I did not bake these cookies, as I am no longer the cookie baker in this house. But this is the second time that  Sadie has made @susanspungen ‘s Triple-Ginger Chocolate Chunk Cookies (and also the second time I’ve talked about a recipe Sadie has made from the #openkitchencookbook), and I think these might actually be the best cookies I have ever had. I’m often looking for the perfect ginger cookie and this is it, and I’d also choose it over a chocolate chip cookie (or let’s be honest-any other kind of cookie) any day.
Instagram post 2316311882260313364_13442450 No matter how many rulers and pizza cutters and other magical tools I use, it seems that the straight line will always elude me.
Instagram post 2314127252740427104_13442450 Living it up. 💥
Instagram post 2312088043104000827_13442450 Every day my neighbor’s yard gets prettier.
Instagram post 2311325683330503572_13442450 @paulaperlis sent us @susanspungen ‘s new book and of course the first recipe Sadie picked is marked with the *project* heading. She’s been cooking all afternoon and the house smells like ✨✨✨ (With gorgeous images by @gentlandhyers ❤️)
Instagram post 2311141543964321092_13442450 When I took on a day job a few years ago, I found that the first thing to go was all the homemade stuff I’d been making and writing about over the years. I’m still going out to work most days, but I’m finding now with a full and captive house and more downtime in general that those things I love to make are back. For me, it’s granola, yogurt, bread. Hello, old friends!
Instagram post 2308503311808232748_13442450 All the things in the house pasta: roasted cauliflower, a few sad leaves of kale, one jar of fancy tuna saved for a special occasion (how about Wednesday?), Rosemary, homemade breadcrumbs from the freezer fried in butter, crispy sage leaves, pasta water, salt, so much pepper. Success!
Instagram post 2307412630968777107_13442450 @artbywoodgy made this beautiful thing for me for Mother’s Day. All the veggies are on Velcro so I can plan to my hearts delight.
Instagram post 2306345003953662730_13442450 Happy Mother’s Day to my brave and beautiful mom, who birthed two different humans in such different times in her life. With me she was so young, and she figured it all out just as she was learning how to be an adult. This picture was taken nineteen years later, when she was pregnant again and I was almost an adult myself. Thanks for keeping at it, Mom, and for always showing up with love. ❤️
Instagram post 2304888771283579843_13442450 What we do for cake.
Instagram post 2302665269449083186_13442450 It’s a magnolia year for sure.
Instagram post 2295808104927071821_13442450 A long time ago, Joey talked about his crush on this particular alien-like flower with a good friend of ours. Months later, little bulbs arrived in the mail. We put them in the ground last fall, and now they are everywhere. If that isn’t some kind of magic, I don’t know what is. ✨ (🙏🏻 to @wildflowers1 for the cool vase, too.)
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