So this morning it is totally socked in with fog around my house; the school alarm just went off across the street which sent me running out the door in my pj’s with the code to turn it off (someone beat me to it). Pausing to see what all the commotion is down the street–lots of kids in costume–I remember that it is Halloween and hence the eve of November and El Dia de los Meuertos, and thus into winter we go, which means it’s almost Christmas or Chanukkah or Winter Solstice, what have you, and then into a new year and all over again. Whew! I’m already exhausted just saying that.

But I’m jumping ahead of myself. Someone just called and asked what I was doing tonight, and when I told them I was going to a party they said, “So, what’s your costume?” Hmm, hadn’t thought of that and do I have to? Ugh, just can’t go there right now. I have much more important things to do like make 60 jars of apple butter (thats a lot of peeling, folks) for the Pisoni-Nepenthe Family wine dinner I’m cooking next week at the first annual Big Sur Wine Festival (think 3 roast suckling pigs and you can see where my brain has been) and so much more that has me scrambling.

So I shout thank god for a publicist in this here book world I’ve landed. Although we shared a laugh via e-mail the other day over who was tending who, Tammie is an absolute gem. How she manages all the details of multiple author events and answers all my endless queries is beyond me. Even so, there is plenty of work for me to do too. I’m not complaining–actually enjoying the ride so to speak, or rather-gearing up for what is already proving to be quite the experience.

And here’s today’s punch-line before I make my way back into the kitchen and that box of apples from the Pisoni ranch sitting on the floor. Next Saturday, November 7, I’ll be at Sweet Elena’s Bakery and Arts Cafe in Sand City in the Monterey area. Elena is my step-mother. A French native, she lived at Nepenthe for 6  years, was intimately connected to my grandmother’s inner circle and shared countless Sunday night dinners with her and her friends. She’s also an excellent cook, was the pastry chef at Ventana for 14 years–where I apprenticed one summer–and took me to Europe for 4 months at the frisky age of 17.

At the cafe there will be a book signing from 4-6, followed by a dinner in memory of those Nepenthe years and inspired by recipes from “Lolly’s Kitchen,” a chapter in my book.  Please come if you are in the area; it should be a fun night, cozy and familial and close to home. To make a reservation for dinner call 831-393-2063. But if you forget, don’t let that stop you from popping in at the last minute and finding your place at the table; there will be plenty of food and friendship to go around.

On November 12 I start my San Francisco debut at Omnivore Books, a wonderful hole in the wall bookstore all about food–my kind of heaven, in fact and sure to be yours once you find it. So come on by if you are in the neighborhood. Additionally, I’ve been booked on the ever popular Gene Burns show Dining Around, December 5 at noon. Set your dial and stay tuned. Check out my EVENTS page for more listings and dates, and be sure to spread the word.

And just in, a delicious review of my book by Mary Stewart Anthony on her blog Song of a Flower Child. Mary lived in Big Sur in the 60s and early 70s and is working on a book about her life.