Hellooo! I'm still here, folks, just on the other side of the screen, in fact. But the thing is, I've been hiding. Shhhh.
You see, I'm in the home stretch, delivering my book in February (which apparently is four weeks from now? Stupid, silly, good-for-nothing calendar) and as a result I've been gripped with the craziest case of panic and terror and when that happens, I don't know what in the sam hell to write about besides feeling crazy and panicked. And that does not make for particularly gripping reading. So I've hiding from my clipped recipes and - gulp - from you, too. I'm sorry. It's true. It's been for the best, really, but still. I'm sorry.
But it's December 31st and tomorrow it will be 2012 and I couldn't let the year change without a little wave and a hello!, even if my hair is matted and my eyebrows are unkempt and none of my clothes fit and I have a slightly wild-eyed look about me. (Newsflash to aspiring writers everywhere: Writing is bad for your appearance. And your general well-being!)
2011 has been such a good year, what with our wedding and our honeymoon and all manner of other wonderful things. Also, we ate so well:
Roasted-carrot and lentil soup.
But what dawned on me the other day is that even with all that wonderfulness making 2011 a year I'll never forget, 2012 is going to be even better. I mean, holy cats, people. It's going to be nuts. And that makes me feel pretty darn lucky.
I hope you all have a fantastic New Year's celebration, with plenty of dry, fizzy, cold Champagne. Here's to a wonderful 2012 for all of us.
Luisa, hang in there - the end result will be well worth the stress...in the meantime, Gute Rutsch!!
Posted by: Amy | December 31, 2011 at 07:16 AM
The happiest of New Years to you both. May 2012 be the best year yet!
Posted by: Victoria | December 31, 2011 at 08:45 AM
Happy New Year, Luisa! I look forward to buying your book in 2012. And I don't know HOW I missed your bagel recipe the first time around, but I am ridiculously excited to try it.
Posted by: Dawn | December 31, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Happy
New
Year!
Posted by: merle | December 31, 2011 at 08:55 AM
just remember how excited we all are to read that manuscript in the end. :) happy new year!
Posted by: brooklynite | December 31, 2011 at 09:01 AM
Happy new year, Luisa! I feel certain 2012 is going to bring all sorts of wonderful things. :-)
Posted by: Dervla | December 31, 2011 at 09:11 AM
Like countless others, I can't wait to read your book. Your writing is absolutely gorgeous, and I'm willing to bet it's no different in your manuscript. Sending you all of my thoughts for getting through this last stretch as easily as possible...
Posted by: charlotte au chocolat | December 31, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Thanks for all the inspiring writing you shared with us in 2011!
Looking forward to more....happy new year!
Posted by: coconut and quinoa | December 31, 2011 at 12:05 PM
Happy New Year Luisa! and thanks for sharing your 2011 with us.
Posted by: Charlotte | December 31, 2011 at 02:36 PM
a very happy new year to you and yours, luisa!
Posted by: kristina - no penny for them & mostly berlin | December 31, 2011 at 06:20 PM
Happy New Year babe! Here's to a grrreeeaatt 2012!
*clink*
Posted by: Suzy | December 31, 2011 at 07:31 PM
Luisa, wishing you and your loved ones all the best for 2012! When you feel the way you describe, the best antidote may actually be to write to us all, even if it's only a few words. We love you !
Posted by: Margit van Schaick | December 31, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Happy New Year, Luisa! Thanks for bringing your good taste to 2011. Can't wait for your book :) All the best in the new year!
Posted by: Julia of Randomly Yours, Julia | December 31, 2011 at 08:35 PM
That pink salad stayed in my memory for a long time after i made it last year. Thanks for reminding me it's almost blood orange time again...
Posted by: Vicki | December 31, 2011 at 11:20 PM
I am cheering you on from San Francisco! And feeling you on the eyebrows, eesh. I need some quality time with a magnifying mirror and a pair of tweezers, myself. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Shauna from Piece of Cake | January 1, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Happy New Year! I've really enjoyed reading your adventures and look forward to hearing more in 2012. All the best with the book!!!
Posted by: Anna | January 1, 2012 at 06:45 PM
Happy new year, Luisa :)))
(and if it's any consolation, my hair is matted, too, my eyebrows are unkempt and messy, it's 1:20 pm and I'm still in my pjs and I'm not even writing a book!)
Posted by: Céleste | January 2, 2012 at 07:18 AM
Happy new year! As a freelance writer by trade, I can sympathize with you. Writing, with deadlines in particular, is NOT good for appearances. But on the plus side, it doesn't require an appearance at the office, so it's all good. :)
Posted by: Gourmet Mama | January 2, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Happy New Year, Luisa!
Posted by: Monica | January 2, 2012 at 01:27 PM
You're right where you're supposed to be. Who can count the number of great literary works that were inspired by this very same panic and terror? Go forth! I know you can do it - and I know YOU know you can do it. Oh, and in the meantime, happy New Year!
Posted by: Clara | January 2, 2012 at 05:26 PM
Einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr, Luisa! Just imagine, this year you'll slide into being a published author with your very own book -- I'm so excited for you!
(I'm also very comforted to hear that I am not alone in the appearance degradation while writing. But really: what kind of hair, make up and lovely clothes should we have while sitting all alone at our desks? Save it all for the book jacket!)
Posted by: Stephanie | January 2, 2012 at 11:12 PM
Wow, book to be released in Feb? 2012 is definitely going to be exciting!
Posted by: Rhonda | January 3, 2012 at 12:24 AM
I think you should have included cauliflower soup in there as well....
Posted by: vicki | January 3, 2012 at 04:00 AM
A very happy 2012 to you both Luisa!
Posted by: Gemma | January 3, 2012 at 07:11 AM
Happy New Year-AND coincidentally I've been planning all week to make your bagels this coming Sunday! SOO excited.
I am making smoked fish rillettes to go with.
Anticipating the joy to come!
Posted by: lechow | January 3, 2012 at 09:32 AM
Exciting things ahead for sure! Happy 2012!!
Posted by: kickpleat | January 4, 2012 at 02:45 AM
Congrats on the book, and Happy New Year!
Posted by: otehlia cassidy | January 4, 2012 at 08:14 AM
Happy New Year, Wednesday Chef! Have been reading your blog for more than a year--and so enjoy your writing. And your recipes---but it's your writing that is the main attraction. Confident that your book is going to be great and I will surely purchase it.
Posted by: Evy | January 4, 2012 at 05:45 PM
Hang on in there... I'm experiencing the same kind of performance anxiety right now, 40 pages left with a deadline of only 8 days away. (Academic work, that is...) Let's remember that it isn't about h o w we fill these pages (because the result is going to be fabulous anyway, at least in your case...) but about giving a damn... and doing it - they'll (meaning we as your doting and, of course, purchasing the result, followers)love it anyway!
Posted by: tine | January 5, 2012 at 06:01 PM
Happy New Year! I wish you much success in the final leg of your book - can't wait to get my hands on a copy :)
Posted by: Stay-At-Home-Chef | January 5, 2012 at 08:23 PM
Happy New Year Luisa! I love your New Year champagne and shellfish picture. All the best.
Posted by: Louisa | January 5, 2012 at 08:46 PM