Eating From the Ground Up

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from me to you

Tuesday, October 6, 2015 by alana

Book day
October 6, October 6, October 6. Here we are. Hello October 6!
I’ve been holding this day for so long, and now it’s just a good average Tuesday. I’m home with a sick kid, and tonight Joey and I are going to see The Martian to celebrate. That’s what I requested. Because really, it is a big day.
Today, The Homemade Kitchen hits shelves. Maybe it’s showing up in your mailbox, or maybe it’s appeared on the shelf at your library. However it makes it to you, I hope it finds a good comfortable place in your kitchen. Whatever kind of cook you are, I hope it meets you where you are and helps you get to where you want to be.
If you’re cooking or reading or even just paging through the book and you want to share, I’d love to hear about it. Tag any images with #thehomemadekitchen and I’ll see them right away, or feel free to get in touch through FB or my email.
And the events! They start this weekend, and I’ll be updating the list regularly. There’s a pretty complete list up there in the “classes and events” in the nav bar, but I wanted to post the first few here where they’re really easy to find.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, Friday, October 9, 7:00: Preserved Lemon Demonstration and Book Signing, Healthy Living Market, Free! But sign up here
STOCKBRIDGE, MA, Saturday, October 10, 3:00: Book Signing, Berkshire Botanical Gardens Harvest Festival.
TROY, NY, Sunday, October 11, 1:00: From Scratch Club, Food Writing Class, 1:00, sign up here, Food swap and book signing, 3:00 sign up here
NEW YORK, NY, Tuesday, October 13, 7:00: “What we talk about when we talk about food” panel with Katie Workman, Shauna Ahern, and Jenny Rosenstrach, 92nd St. Y, New York Tx are here
GREAT BARRINGTON, MA, October 17, 2:00: signing, Berkshire Fermentation Festival, Great Barrington Fair Grounds.
WEST STOCKBRIDGE, MA October 18, 3:30, Book Launch Party, Six Depot Cafe.
Thank you, friends. Whether you’re just popping in here for the first time or you’ve been reading for years, I’m so happy you’re here.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: The Homemade Kitchen

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Comments

  1. Rachael says

    Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    Ok I know I already emailed about the utter excitement of receiving my new book on the porch steps earlier today… But I was searching for a new apple pie recipe to take care of some of the one million apples that we were handed this season and stopped here on my quest. So I thought I would quickly add that I already have a big bowl of rye bread dough rising on the counter and we have the same Kamiks 🙂 (Also, I’ll definitely be making apple chips)
    Tanks again for another wonderful book!!

  2. Jennifer says

    Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    I could not wait to get home on open my copy of your new book today…I just started paging through it and already see so many wonderful things to make! It is a beautiful book. Congratulations-you should be so proud!

  3. Jacquie says

    Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at 11:50 am

    What a book!THoughtful and warm:)
    You know the feeling when someone asked you when your going to have another baby when you just had one?Well let’s just say I hope you have triplets when it comes to this writing cookbooks thing.You are getting sooo good at this,Reread pages to not get to the end.You totally kicked ass.

    • alanac says

      Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      🙂

  4. Sharon says

    Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    I picked up the package containing the book off my porch on my way into the house after coming home from work yesterday and read it cover to cover as soon as I had a chance last night until (yawns today but worth it) late in the evening. Awesome job! It’s wonderful! A beautiful book with recipes that look great and good information for any new cook to try as well. I loved your personal stories with the recipes in your last book and am glad they had some continuation in this one. I’m armed with a list of ingredients for several recipes to purchase on my way home tonight and looking forward to sesame noodles for dinner!

    • alanac says

      Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      Oh yay! Thank you so much for painting this picture. I love seeing it.

  5. Lisa M. says

    Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 9:30 am

    I have it! I have it!!!!! Love it! I was at home, sick in bed when it arrived. All I could do was open the box and look at the cover but it made me smile! I am feeling better now and am ready to dive into it. Thank you for creating a companion to Homemade Pantry. And I like the longer hair–very pretty!
    You need to extend your book tour to Roanoke VA!
    Congrats on the book. When’s the next one coming out??? haha

    • alanac says

      Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 11:24 am

      Oh yay! I hope it provided some good sick time comfort, and I’m glad you’re feeling better! And yes, Virginia- noted! I love it down there. (Also, shhhh, 2018 🙂 )

      • Lisa M. says

        Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 8:46 am

        I knew it!!! Is it too early to pre-order?? haha

  6. Rachel says

    Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 10:58 pm

    Eagerly awaiting my copy, which should be arriving any minute now! And, if I may say, you look so lovely (those curls! that smile! that glow!) That book looks wonderful on you ☺️ Hoping to attend one of your events out here on the West Coast. Congratulations!

    • alanac says

      Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 11:22 am

      I hope it made it out there? And I’d love to meet you at one of the west coast events!

      • Rachel says

        Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 7:16 pm

        It did, it did! It arrived today (a Sunday!) and I have already sat down to devour it, really, I can’t help myself. My kiddos are ooohing and aaahhhing over it too…my 7 year old daughter loves the pictures, especially of your lovely daughters. This is only the second cookbook that’s ever brought a tear to my eye…your first book is the other. Really, it’s so full of warmth and love. Thanks so much and congratulations again!

  7. Theresa M. says

    Friday, October 9, 2015 at 7:41 am

    It arrived right on time and I have been stealing a few minutes here and there over the last few busy days to flip through the pages and read bits and pieces and drool over the photos. I keep stopping on the butternut squash and bacon pasta page! I just love reading YOUR words! It makes the book so personal. It’s warm and friendly and just so REAL. You are not some stuffy chef in a sterile environment; you are a wife and mom and daughter and sister and neighbor and just like the rest of us and that comes through in your writing and food. Thanks for holding our hands and guiding us and letting us know it’s ok to go about food in our own way. Congrats on the new book!

    • alanac says

      Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 11:21 am

      Thank you, Theresa!

  8. Cristina says

    Friday, October 9, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    My young daughter and I squealed with delight when the book arrived on the 6th. I’ve loved every page! You have put into words what I couldn’t and expressed how I feel about food and how I want to live with food in my life. No other book as done this for me. The Homemade Pantry and now The Homemade Kitchen will be in my heart and especially my kitchen forever! Thank You!

    • alanac says

      Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 11:21 am

      Oh Cristina- this means so much to me. Thank you for including me in your kitchen (and your heart!) I feel very lucky to be there. xo

  9. Cheryl says

    Friday, October 9, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    So very exciting! xoxoxoxo

  10. April Bullock says

    Friday, October 9, 2015 at 9:04 pm

    The book arrived, I read it cover to cover, getting ready to make cheese! Thank you for the inspiration and for encouraging a lifelong cook to be a beginner.

    • alanac says

      Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 11:20 am

      Yes!!! Happy cheesemaking!

  11. Cindy Rosenbaum says

    Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 8:37 pm

    The book is so beautiful, so you, so all of you! I’m so happy to have you, Joey and the girls in my kitchen all the time! And can you believe that I’ve never dried herbs????? Well, today I did, thanks to you! Much more to come. See you at the launch!

    • alanac says

      Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 11:19 am

      Hooray! So excited to see you at the launch. xo

  12. Kendra says

    Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 9:35 pm

    I received your book in the mail – birthday present from my one of my greatest friends who knows me well. Made the muffins today (put apple, walnuts, and shredded coconut in them). They were AMAZING! Love the book, been cozying up to it nightly. We would love for you to come down to Richmond, VA – great food scene down here, amazing farms, and awesome coffee – and plenty of displaced New Englanders (I was born and raised in Narragansett, RI).
    Congratulations! And many thanks.

  13. Chris says

    Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 11:09 pm

    Your book is gorgeous. I found your book and then I found your website. I love your book and I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.
    Your “living finishes” really spoke to me of the need to pay attention to the people in our families and prioritize making it work, and adding a little kindness and understanding to keep the relationships well oiled.
    bless you, I hope your book is a raving success.

  14. Julie says

    Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 3:01 am

    It arrived. Right on time. Since then, I’ve been inspired, on so many levels.
    Even wrote an entire post about it.

    • alanac says

      Monday, October 19, 2015 at 11:21 am

      Thank you, Julie- it’s so beautiful! It means so much to me know the book is inspiring you.
      DO you think you’ll make it up to Powell’s for the Portland event? I’d love to meet you really truly.

      • Julie says

        Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 1:01 am

        Planning on it!

  15. Susan says

    Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at 9:36 am

    Thank you Alana, for once again making me feel like I could tackle ANYTHING in the kitchen! Yours are the only cookbooks I have read cover to cover.

    • alanac says

      Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 2:31 pm

      Oh, thank you, Susan. This means so much to me <3. And am I right in remembering you're near Denver? Are you going to be able to make it to the event tonight? I'd love to meet you!

      • Susan says

        Friday, October 23, 2015 at 2:10 pm

        I wish I could have, but also, no :{ Maybe some other time when you are here…

  16. BobbyMartin says

    Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 5:11 am

    Thanks for beautiful “The Homemade Kitchen” book 😉

    • alanac says

      Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 8:17 am

      Thank you! I’m so happy you’re enjoying it!


Welcome!

I’m Alana, and I write about food, family and the wonderful chaos that ensues when the two combine. If you’re new to the site, here are a few good places to start, or learn more about me on my about page.

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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 ✨
Instagram post 2335726864949371764_13442450 Goodies en route to @north_plain_farm today for pickup! Word about town is that LOTS of moolah was raised for BRIDGE in this little #bakersagainstracism bake sale. Thanks to North Plain Farm and @raisinporpoise for the organizing, to everyone who bought and bid, and most of all to BRIDGE for the essential work they do. (Want to learn more about BRIDGE? Head to the link in my profile.)
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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