You

First of all: Beannacht la fheile Padraig. My wonderfully Irish editor just told me how to say it in Gaelic and I wanted you to be the first to know. I love it.

Second of all: Many of you have emailed me saying that you’ve been trying the cured salmon recipe I posted last week, which thrills me. You’ve been experimenting with different salts and different fish which is great. Because that’s what food is all about in my mind–fun and enjoyment and a little experimentation.

Third of all: I’m roaming the streets of L.A. this week for a blitz of meetings and you know the best part about it? The emails I get from you guys. It makes anywhere I go feel like home. Thank you thank you. It warms the cockles of my heart. Which you need sometimes when you’re in foreign lands.

Fourth of all: The official title of my book is: “Food Heroes: Tales of 16 artisans preserving tradition.” As you know there was some debate. Needless to say I’m a happy gal. Barnes & Noble weighed in very heavily in favor of that title, they really loved it. And now I love them. I’m buying all my books there from now on. Thank you Barnes & Noble for flexing your big strong womanly muscles.

Fifth of all: (Do you like my list style?) I felt my first earthquake two nights ago. I thought I was dreaming. Slept like a baby right through it and thought I was on a roller coaster ride.

And last but not least: I’m going to post the winners of the contest tonight! There are so many fantastic ones and it’s going to be a hard decision, let me tell ya.

Beannacht la fheile Padraig! (Happy St. Patrick’s Day!)