ELIJAH EPISODES, SEPTEMBER 22

Elijah Harpole Schultz, my little 2 1/2 year-old grandson was here recently all the way from Naples, Florida.  He's the happy child in my book, Rosalie Serving Italian,shown on page 234.  Everyone who see this picture tells me how cute he is and that the picture makes them start laughing.  With his deep dark brown eyes, olive complexion, and black hair, he looks like he came right over from Rome, Italy. The first thing he usually asks me when he talks to me on the phone is "Grandma, can you come to my house and play"?  Of course I always think how I would love to, but short of jumping on the nearest plane, this can be difficult.  So when my daughter Dana informed me that she would be visiting, I really got excited about seeing Elijah. 

 

Most of you know that my first cookbook, Rosalie Serving Italian was released in late April of this year.  Since that time, my life has dramatically changed, Many of my weekends are filled with book signings; and during the weeks I have hosted Cooking Classes, had TV appearances, did Charity Benefit dinners, and a host of other book- related events.  Just keeping up with the newsletter, weekly recipes and blogs, and starting on my next book have practically engulfed me.  Maybe Elijah could spare me time to do some "book things" during his stay.

 

Meeting he and his mother at the airport, and feasting my eyes on this beautiful child, I started to think how little I wanted to work on the book and how much I wanted to "play".   After all, didn't the page in the book that Elijah represented say, " Live well, Love much, and Laugh often"?  Since the words came from my own doing, and I hoped others would oblige, perhaps I could work something out.  As soon as we got home, Elijah went straight to the spare bedroom where I keep the kid's toys, and drug them all out.  Dana and I were talking and laughing and catching up on past events, when Elijah came right in and said, "Okay, Grandma, now you can play with me".

 

And play we did!  There was 1 scheduled book signing that I was committed to, and it was that particular evening which was perfect for many of Dana's friends to come over and visit with Elijah.  So between other Grandma, relatives and friends, I found myself entertaining Elijah, or was it him entertaining me?  I did get some book things done, but mostly while he was sleeping.  I have always tried to include my children in my activities, and I certainly didn't want to change routine with my grandchildren.  The visit went great and having him in my home just reinforced my already strong feelings of how important family will always be.  My two 7-year old grandsons, Roman and Grant are scheduled to spend a particular week-end with me in October, and just the fact that they want to be with their Grandma, makes me very happy.

 

So people, in all of our business and demands, take time to be with those who are most important.  Wives, husbands, children, grandchildren, whoever is dear to us; cherish.  In all of my experiences as a nurse, I've never held the hand of a dying person who said they wished they would have invested in more stocks, or achieved more things in life, but rather most of them only want their family.  Setting goals and striving to keep them is important, but absolutely nothing can ever take the place of your family.

 

God Bless, and make some cream puffs (page 208),

Rosalie  e-mail me at rosalie@rosalieservingitalian.com  

 

 

 

PARKER'S TABLE, Se

Buon giorno, Good Day!

 

Just when I thought I've seen every kind of pasta shape there could possibly be, I discover this little Italian shop  at 8137 Maryland Avenue in Clayton, Missouri, called Parker's Table.  As I mentioned in my recent news letter, I was at Farmer's Market last Saturday in Clayton, and had a great time.  Especially with the "Blues Hog" barbecue man (read my recent newsletter for explanation). Anyway, while I was there a young man named John was talking to one of the vendors about an Italian recipe he had just tried.  Overhearing this conversation, I guess I rudely interrupted and said "Hey, I'm the author of the recently released Rosalie Serving Italian Cookbook, and this sounds very interesting to me.  John said " Oh, then you will love my store, it has some unusual pastas and other Italian specialties in it". "Oh really", I said, "and where is your store?'  "Right up the street; it's called Parker's Table". Just come on up after the Market closes; you'll see my 3-wheeler parked right out front".

 

Because of the St. Louis Art Fair, the Farmer's Market was closing at 10:30AM instead of the usual 12:00PM.  After eating all the barbecue I could stand (purchased from one of the vendors at the market), we were packing up to go home, when I remembered John's invitation.  My sister-in-law, Lee, was with me, and we both decided to venture up the street. 

 

One couldn't miss the store because right out in front is the cutest little 3-wheeler which looks like an Italian peddler's wagon.  It has 'Parker's Table' on it and was painted yellow. Right into the store are bushel baskets and boxes with the strangest looking pasta shapes I have ever seen.  There was a couscous-type pasta called Fregola Sarda from the province of Sardia. Next, I found a hard small 2-inch spaghetti called Trofie, from Liquria.  In the next box was a large long 4-inch tubular noodle called Strozzapreti.  Another one looked like a piece of squid. The noodle was dark gray and was called Calamarata Nero.  There were many others, all imported from various provinces of Italy.

 

The store also had many imports of oils, wines, sauces, cheeses, candies and other Italian novelties.  John quickly pulled out a Baked Lemon Riccotta cheese with crackers for sampling to greet us to his store.  He was a very kind young man; showing us all the specialties he was proud to be stocking. My sister-in -law, Lee, nicely obliged him by buying her share of the stock.  I never have to feel bad when she's with me; she buys enough for both of us( I rarely buy anything).  Anyway, after we saw everything, John wanted my book for consignment, and I readily accommodated him.

 

On the way home I thought, St. Louis definitely has a flair for Italian food.  Just when I think I've seen all the imports from Italy to be seen, another unique store like Parker's Table pops up.  John also brings in special people. One he told me about is Juillo Parente, who is from 5 generations in Tuscany, Italy. Not only the unique store, but celebrities as well. Put this one on your tourists list.

 

Going to "The Hill" soon?  Don't forget to stop into DiGregorio's on September 22.  I will be signing books starting at 10AM and they will be featuring a recipe right out of my cookbook called Baked Artichoke Casserole with Shrimp and Crabmeat.  It should be a lot of fun. So, take care and God Bless.

 

Rosalie Fiorino Harpole,

 

 

  

 

 

"CAPPUCCINO" SPOTLIGHT- Septembr 5, 2007

Buon giorno!

 

Sorry I've been so late in blogging you guys. This cookbook 'thing' can be time-consuming, to say the least.  Especially the book signings, not that I'm complaining, because I dearly love it.  Everyone of them has been wonderful and unique, which brings to mind my first Barns & Nobel experience.  My dear friend, Debbie Horn, who is the Community Relations Manager for the Barnes & Nobel in Fenton, Missouri, did a wonderful display the day of the signing.  She had me over in the cookbook area in a cozy little lounge complete with browsing table, chairs and a huge cookbook display behind me.  It was all so visitor-friendly and there were ladies waiting for me the minute I arrived.  Since we did the signing the day after I was on the Show Me St. Louis cooking demonstration, I was not surprised.  However, there was just one problem.

 

Since this was a Saturday, and our weekend to visit our sons and their families, (we try to go to Terre Haute, Indiana, every other week-end), we had our little ShihTzu puppy with us, intending to leave for Indiana after the signing.  "Cappuccino", a little over a year old, actually looks like a cup of cappuccino.  He is light and dark brown (the coffee) with white around his neck( the whipped cream).  His ears are darker brown with black tips( The cinnamon, and mayby some espresso thrown in).  If you actually want to see him, he's in my cookbook, Rosalie Serving Italian, 'on page 230.

 

In any event, after settling into my assigned area, my husband Bill, who was carrying all my stuff in, tells me, "I have go out and see about our puppy, "Capps".  Debbie heard this and said,  "Oh, you guys have a puppy?".  "Yes", my husband says, "He's our little ShihTzu, 'Cappuccino'.  "Well just bring him in, we are dog-friendly you know".  Wow, this is great, I thought, Bill won't have to worry about the dog all day, and since "Capps' is usually very well behaved, I didn't anticipate any problems.  He'll just stay under the table with his leash tied to the table leg, and no one will know the difference.  So, in a few short minutes, enters "Cappuccino".  The few ladies that had gathered to talk to me about my book were smitten and said, "Oh, look at the adorable dog! ...Please, can we pet him and hold him"?  Something told me right then, this was not a good idea.  I was here to sell and sign books, right?  WRONG!   What?... is this about a cookbook or a dog?

 

About two hours later, after the Barnes & Nobel staff came by, plus friends, visitors, and "Dog Lovers", a very unusual thing happened.  One of the young girls who worked in the coffee shop area said she wanted a book.  "Of course, I said, and as I reached for a book ready to sign, she stopped me.  "I do have a request though", eyes pleading,  "Can Cappuccino sign my book"?  As I stood starring, trying to figure what to say, Debbie stepped right up and said "Of course, I think we have an ink pad that will work just fine".  Now, this had to one for the record; my puppy, with his little paw print in one of my books!  Do I look like I want to share the glory?  Nevertheless, here comes Debbie.  "Now young lady, just open that book and tell me where you want the autograph".  She then picks Capps up, promptly presses his right paw repeatedly in the ink, then onto the front page, and the "paw print" is done. (All the while the dog is cocking his head from side to side, as he does when he "thinks".)  There you have it folks....the prettiest "paw print" ever.  "Oh, thank you, thank you', the girl says, and gives the dog a big hug.  I thought, please God, don't let her start crying,  I  didn't think I could take a 'Sanjaya" episode right now.  (If you didn't get that, ask someone about American Idol on your lunch break).

 

It took Debbie a few minutes to get the ink off Capps's paw, and by the look in his eye, he must have thought, 'strange people, these humans'.  Maybe I was just dreaming, but it did appear he was strutting out the store.  "Don't let this go to your head", I said, "especially if you want to be in the next cookbook".  All in fun, the day ended with a lot of laughter, hugs, and "please come back again, and don't forget Cappuccino".

 

The thought?  Never think too highly of yourself, or that your indispensable; someone right around the corner is there to take your place.  God may even let it be a dog!  So, click on my upcoming events,  and come to one of my book signings. You never know what you may see, ha ha.

 

Arriverderci, and Goodbye

Love, Rosalie...and Keep Serving Italian.