August 2017 Newsletter from Elizabeth Minchilli
august 2017 newsletter
Just a very quick note this month to say hi, since I'm absent from the blog until September. In case you missed it, I'm signing off the blog for the rest of the summer since I'm busy working on two projects that are taking up most of my time. Here's the update:
Yesterday I handed in the manuscript for my book, Eating My Way Through Italy!!! As many of you know, I've been working on this baby for the last year. While I loved researching/photographing/writing it, it's also a tremendously great feeling to send it off to my editor. So yay!!! And please have several drinks on by behalf to help celebrate. Book making is a very long process, and it's not quite over yet. My editor at St. Martins's Press will now go over it, and hand it back to me for any corrections/rewrites. At the same time they will begin working on the design and cover. As soon as I have anything to show you, rest assured I'll be sharing. I think it's due out sometime in early 2018, but as soon as I have a firm date, you'll be the first to hear it. IT'S ALL VERY EXCITING!!!
So yesterday afternoon I took an entire 6 hours off to celebrate. I sat by the pool, had a few cocktails, watched silly TV.
And this morning it's back to work since I've got another book that's due in November. The Italian Dinner Party Handbook which I'm writing (and photographing) for Rizzoli. Most of the research and photos are done, so this month is all about recipe testing. There'll be writing too, of course, but I'm very excited to spend time perfecting all the great recipes I've collected over the last year.
what's new
I'm currently writing this from our home in Umbria. Even though we always spend all of August here, and I'm happy to be here, it's far from my favorite time of year. While I love picking zucchini and tomatoes from the vegetable garden, I don't particularly love the heat. This week it's supposed to go up to 108!!! Eeks!! I much prefer the spring and May may be my favorite month. Everything is bright green, wildflowers are everywhere and waking up to birdsong is indescribable.
Would you like to join me next year in Umbria? I've got a few spots left on our Week in Umbria Tour. Just let me know (send me an email) and I'm happy to send you details.
If you have your heart set on Rome, but didn't get a space on our Week in March with Melissa Clark, I still have a few spots open for our Week in Rome in November 2018. I know it's a long way off, but….they tend to fill up fast. If you'd like to hear more, just write me.
While I'm loving being out in Umbria, in the meantime Sophie is in Rome, giving a few last day tours before closing up shop for August. She'll be back, as will I, in Rome in September.
what I'm reading
If you are coming to Rome in August, here is an updated list of what will be open this month.
And if you are in Rome in August? You can use this list to stay cool.
Have you ever wondered how those over head food videos of recipes that pop up on Facebook are made?
A beautiful list of off the beaten track Italian towns to add to your list of places to visit.
Taking matchy-matchy to new extremes.
A very cute article about Trastevere.
Just in case you missed it, I was on NPR talking about coffee.
and finally....
I could leave you with some summer recipes, but really, all I've been eating the last few weeks is tomatoes and mozzarella on constant rotation. Wishing you the same too, where ever you are.
x,Elizabeth
