Finally – SAVORY SWEET LIFE in Stores!

I have heard it said that writing a cookbook is like being pregnant. You’ll eat tons of food, gain a minimal of 15 pounds, and find yourself consumed about the whole process from start to finish.  The last few months of waiting for the publication date is the equivalent of being in your last trimester – wishing the baby would come out into the world.  Well, last night my baby entered the world.

SAVORY SWEET LIFE: 100 Simply Delicious Recipes for Every Family Occasion hit store shelves nationwide and I felt relieved, excited, and anxious all at once.  Words cannot adequately express the personal journey this book has had me on.  However, when I flip through each page I see glimpses of my life intertwined between the writing, photography, and recipes.  Yes, this cookbook is definitely my child and a reflection of me.

Last night at my favorite local bookstore (Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, WA), only blocks away from my house, I had my first book signing.  Weeks ago I was concerned no one would show up, which is a common fear authors have.  However, after inviting friends via Facebook, not only did over 100 people show up but friends from different seasons of life showed up.  There were childhood buddies, an old high school friend, parents from my daughters’ school, Seattle area food writers, family, and friends from church, school, and the old neighborhood.  I loved having so many members of my friends and family there to celebrate the book launch.  Thank you all who came!!  And a special shout-out to my friend Darren LaMarr for his wonderful recap of this magical evening! What a wonderful and special way to celebrate the book release!  It was an incredible evening filled with hugs, wonderful conversations, great bites from the book, and  a sense of peace that my baby was going to be alright and find its place in the world. Phew!

If you live in Washington or Idaho, I would love to meet you at one of these signings:

June 10, 2012 | 2-4 pm
FRED MEYER
Maple Valley, WA

June 23, 2012 | 1-3 pm
COSTCO N. Seattle
Shoreline, WA

June 24, 2012 | 11 am
BOOK LARDER
Seattle, WA

June 25, 2012 | 6 pm
FOODPORTUNITY
Seattle, WA

June 30, 2012 | 2 pm
HASTINGS
Coeur D’Alene, ID

July 1, 2012 | 1-3 pm
COSTCO (East Sprague Avenue)
Spokane, WA

Lastly, several bloggers and media outlets have written reviews of the book and are currently giving away copies of SAVORY SWEET LIFE: 100 Simply Delicious Recipes for Every Family Occasion.

Here is a list of reviews and notable press mentions as of June 6, 2012:

Not Martha (June 6, 2012)

Herbivoracious (June 6, 2012)

The Pioneer Woman (June 5, 2012)

Seattle Weekly (June 4, 2012)

PBS FOOD – Best New Cookbooks June 2012

Here is a list of current reviews with giveaways:

Cooking Channel (June 6, 2012)

Espresso and Cream (June 6, 2012)

Life’s Ambrosia (June 5, 2012)

Two Peas and Their Pod (June 4, 2012)

Picket Fence Design (June 3, 2012)

Recipe Girl (May 31, 2012) *giveaway has concluded

Babble: Family Kitchen (May 24, 2012) * giveaway has concluded.

Thanks again everyone for a great launch week!

Love,

Alice