Dear Readers,
My head is spinning from combing through my website (a redesign is under way). That is the perfect time to take a break and write to you!
How did that happen? I asked! Ask and you shall receive is one of the simple rules of life. And, as it turns out, of book publicity. Of course it doesn't always work but if you don't ask, it for sure won't work.
In case you're ever trying to promote a book, don't be shy to ask organizations if they'll host you for an event, publications if they are interested in an article, and podcasts to interview you. In this case I reviewed Family Tree Magazine's list of the 101 Best Genealogy Websites and contacted the podcasts that had featured authors. Lisa Louise Cooke of Genealogy Gems responded with a request for my book. I promptly sent
it, and pretty soon thereafter she invited me.
The interview sent me down memory lane once again, reminiscing about all the trips to my grandparents' hometown Liberec in the Czech Republic, which always included "visiting" this house that used to be theirs.
Lisa interviewed me on the phone last Friday. Of course I was nervous just before. I asked myself, yet again, why I do this kind of thing to myself? It's always anxiety-inducing to step out of your comfort zone. But then we had the loveliest conversation. As usual, there had been no reason to doubt myself.
The Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast is for subscribers only, so I can't share the whole episode here, but you can listen to a clip on my newest blog post:
Lisa has allowed me to share her show notes with you (click to download).
In case you're interested in subscribing, Lisa is also generously offering a 30% discount for my readers. Here's the link to subscribe, and please use the discount code ANNETTEGENDLER.
Our indigenous prickly pear cacti in bloom, June 2013
Other than that, country life continues. We have made tentative plans (because everything is tentative these days!) to return to Chicago, at least for some time, mid-August. Two of our kids are still slated to return to their universities by the
end of August. Thus some maintenance stuff like dental appointments have to be tended to. The youngest unfortunately found out yesterday that George Washington University won't be holding classes on campus this fall. Right now my husband and I seem more frustrated by that than he is, but of course we'll make the best of another five months of the not-empty nest.
My new grass clippers at work to free the prickly pear cacti from weeds.
"Gardening" adventures continue as well. I used my brand-new grass clippers this morning to free our wild prickly pear cacti from the weeds that had grown around them. Boy did that make me feel like a kid again! Granted, clipping the grass around my mother's flower beds was usually my sister's job while I mowed the lawn. However, I do
remember the feel of squeezing those clippers and holding whatever I'm shearing in the other hand.
By the way, activities such as these, when you feel like you're slipping back into the past, are another great entry point for writing a memoir. I could write about the gardening chores my siblings and I had, even dig up a few accompanying
photos, and hey presto, I'd have captured another bit of my growing-up years.
Isn't this wayside wildflower (Queen Anne's Lace, not quite open) gorgeous?
I am learning more and more about the local flora, such as the name of this beautiful wildflower. It struck me as resembling lace before I knew its name. Queen Anne's Lace is also called wild carrot, and I foresee my older son digging up a few soon to see what they taste like.
Speaking of, his latest foraging expedition resulted in a big bowl full of bramble berries. Tasted fresh they are rather sour, so I used them to make the berry cobbler below. It is so delicious and easy to make!
3 cups dark berries (I used blackberry brambles)
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. cornstarch
2 tbsp. sweet white wine
1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Put above ingredients in a pot, mix well and warm on low heat until the mixture becomes slightly gooey. In my case, the dark brambles turned a deep red. Taste mixture to make sure it is slightly tart. Let cool.
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
4 tbsp. butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350F. Mix above ingredients in a small bowl, using a dough hook or fork. Keep going until you get a crumbly mixture and small balls are forming. If that doesn't happen, add a bit more melted butter until it does.
Pour the berry mixture into a small (about 8") buttered casserole pan. Sprinkle the crumble mixture on top and bake for about 30 minutes. For the last two minutes, turn on your broiler to slightly brown the top. Be careful, however, not to brown it too much!
The cobbler is delicious served slightly warm with cold sour cream or whipped cream.
With this summery recipe I shall wrap up for today. The dog days of summer are at their height and so I hope you're keeping cool and making the best of these challenging times.
Be well and feel free to write back! I love hearing how you all are doing.
Greetings,
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