Dear Diary

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Dear Diary,

I just had my first book signing today. Boy was I nervous! But I was also so excited, too.

This afternoon, after Mass, I drove out to a quaint little shop, tucked away in Mentor, Ohio, called The Olive and The Grape. Candice Berthold, a fellow member of Les Dames d'Escoffier with me, owns it. She was gracious enough to invite me to participate in her "Fall Tasting Day" event, which is held every year.

Candice Berthold (left) and me (right)

The event started at 1:00. I got there right on the dot. People were already waiting in the parking lot! That's a pretty good sign, I thought to myself.

Then the doors opened. I was led to a room where the cooking demos were going to take place. I was given my own table. My own stack of books. And my own pen, ready to do some signing.

Oh, I almost forgot. I also had a bowl of Tuscan White Bean Dip next to me for people to sample. One of the chefs in my book -- Randal Johnson of Molinari's -- kindly volunteered to make this appetizer, which was one of his recipes in my book. His place is in Mentor, too. Not far from Candice's place.

People started arriving. Then "she" appeared. "She" was the first woman to buy my book -- actually, "she" bought two! And she was so enthusiastic about having me sign her copies that she made me feel like a million bucks. (Thank you, thank you, thank you whoever you are!)

Then another nice man came along with his friend (they each bought one). Then another woman. Then another. And another. Boy, was this fun! People were being so nice and so kind and so eager about the book that I began to think all the work I put into it was truly worth it.

Joe (my husband) also stopped by. As did several very dear friends, God bless them. It was almost like a mini party, and I was having the time of my life.

After three hours, the event died down, and I went home. It was truly a feel-good day. I'm happy. And now I'm going to sleep.

Thanks for listening, dear Diary.

Until next time,