FINISHED

Today is one of completion. The New Orleans Classic Desserts book has arrived from Korea and distribution will begin. That is followed by a tour of signings during the next couple of months. Whew. At the same time the contract for the next book in the series arrived, New Orleans Classic Seafood. We will all enjoy that, I'm certain, more tastings and more testing. Right now we're all in the first blush of enthusiasm but that certainly will turn into simply getting it done.

I've been swamped getting the tent done for the Vatican exhibit and now after that plus three chandeliers for them, I will do no more special events. Just before that we scrambled to get the Ritz-Carlton work done for their reopening. Enough. I'm physically and mentally beat up.

Next big push is the art show in Houston with the glass artist I've been working - it is a one man/woman show so now we barely have time to get the art done. I'll need to get my energy into design work next week. In tandem with the art show I'll be doing two signings in Houston, one at the River Oaks Book Store and one at the Woodlands Barnes and Noble since the show is out there.

The new book is due in August so in addition to another book I'm doing, we'll be on a bump and grind through to the next holiday season.

I think, with the basic satisfaction of having a book in my hand, that I enjoyed doing the photography most of all. That was a new discipline and while I'm still learning, and I guess I always will be, it is a pleasure.

We're working on the house now, getting that back together after the storm, and the new tech room we finished out (the old junk room where the wine cellar is) most of the gear is out of the library and in there, in order and really nice environment. Not so much fun and certainly more expensive is new roof, painting and the patios.

I am counting on having it all done for this coming Thanksgiving, so make your plans now. We have not had a family celebration since Michele and Sule's wedding so it will be time for us all to get together and toast the family.