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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:

This pink salad.

A kamut pound cake.

Homemade bagels.

Roasted-carrot and lentil soup.

I learned to love mayonnaise.

And the best banana cake.

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.

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31 responses to “2012”

  1. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Luisa, hang in there – the end result will be well worth the stress…in the meantime, Gute Rutsch!!

    Like

  2. Victoria Avatar

    The happiest of New Years to you both. May 2012 be the best year yet!

    Like

  3. Dawn Avatar

    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.

    Like

  4. merle Avatar
    merle

    Happy
    New
    Year!

    Like

  5. brooklynite Avatar

    just remember how excited we all are to read that manuscript in the end. 🙂 happy new year!

    Like

  6. Dervla Avatar
    Dervla

    Happy new year, Luisa! I feel certain 2012 is going to bring all sorts of wonderful things. 🙂

    Like

  7. charlotte au chocolat Avatar

    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…

    Like

  8. coconut and quinoa Avatar

    Thanks for all the inspiring writing you shared with us in 2011!
    Looking forward to more….happy new year!

    Like

  9. Charlotte Avatar

    Happy New Year Luisa! and thanks for sharing your 2011 with us.

    Like

  10. kristina - no penny for them & mostly berlin Avatar

    a very happy new year to you and yours, luisa!

    Like

  11. Suzy Avatar

    Happy New Year babe! Here’s to a grrreeeaatt 2012!
    clink

    Like

  12. Margit van Schaick Avatar
    Margit van Schaick

    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 !

    Like

  13. Julia of Randomly Yours, Julia Avatar

    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!

    Like

  14. Vicki Avatar
    Vicki

    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…

    Like

  15. Shauna from Piece of Cake Avatar

    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!

    Like

  16. Anna Avatar

    Happy New Year! I’ve really enjoyed reading your adventures and look forward to hearing more in 2012. All the best with the book!!!

    Like

  17. Céleste Avatar
    Céleste

    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!)

    Like

  18. Gourmet Mama Avatar

    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. 🙂

    Like

  19. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    Happy New Year, Luisa!

    Like

  20. Clara Avatar

    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!

    Like

  21. Stephanie Avatar

    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!)

    Like

  22. Rhonda Avatar

    Wow, book to be released in Feb? 2012 is definitely going to be exciting!

    Like

  23. vicki Avatar
    vicki

    I think you should have included cauliflower soup in there as well….

    Like

  24. Gemma Avatar

    A very happy 2012 to you both Luisa!

    Like

  25. lechow Avatar

    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!

    Like

  26. kickpleat Avatar

    Exciting things ahead for sure! Happy 2012!!

    Like

  27. otehlia cassidy Avatar

    Congrats on the book, and Happy New Year!

    Like

  28. Evy Avatar
    Evy

    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.

    Like

  29. tine Avatar
    tine

    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!

    Like

  30. Stay-At-Home-Chef Avatar

    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 🙂

    Like

  31. Louisa Avatar

    Happy New Year Luisa! I love your New Year champagne and shellfish picture. All the best.

    Like

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