Pardon me, I have to insert a quick kvell. Just had the nicest 3-way. On the phone, you guys, on the phone. My editor and agent called to let me know The Winter Lodge made it for a third week on the New York Times list and has even climbed several notches. Plus while we were on the phone, my agent (in Manhattan) spied a naked man out her window. Life is good.
I want to go to Istria.
Also Puerto Escondido and someplace in the Bohemian forest where there are castles. And Nantucket. I’m afraid my literary agent will divorce me if I don’t get to Nantucket one of these days. Decisions, decisions.
But here’s the thing. I live in the best place on earth. It’s easy to settle into a comfy inertia and not go anywhere.
Then I remind myself of what happens when you travel–the things you see and the things that happen to you, the surprises you can’t plan for and the experiences you’ll never forget–when you step out into the world. So okay. I’m up for it.
How do you choose where you want to travel?
So until I plan that trip to Istria, here’s a recipe for a cake from the region:
Okrugli Vrsak
Yield: 1 cake
1 1/2 c butter
1 lb confectioner’s sugar
6 eggs
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond flavor
1 lemon peel, grated
4 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
a handful of dried fruits and nuts
Cream butter and sugar; add eggs, one at a time. Add all the flavorings and salt. Add flour and baking powder. Mix only long enough to make it creamy. Add the dried fruits and nuts. Bake in greased and floured tube pan or loaf pan for 1 hour and 15-25 minutes, or until done, at 325 F.
Source: Mary Aziz
“Our Favorite Recipes” St. Anthony Croatian Catholic Church
Typed for you by Karen Mintzias
0 Responses
I travel every week on business so my ideal vacation is to stay home (sounds dull I know). But since I live in the Pacific Northwest, I consider it the best place in the world to be, too. If I do get away for a long weekend, you just can’t beat the San Juan Islands. One of these days I’m going to get myself over to Italy, though. I would love to explore Tuscany and the whole coastal region there.
Lisa, it doesn’t sound dull but lovely. Home is where you relax, putter around, make soup, watch golf tournaments on TV and read any delicious book you want. I read somewhere that in a poll, when women were asked what their #1 wish was, it was for more time for themselves.
I completely agree about the San Juans. They feel like a different world. Same goes for Victoria, BC. It has such a continental flavor.
Go to Italy. It’s one of the must-sees for us all. The Amalfi Coast is incredible. Next time I head over there, I want to see Cinqueterra (sp?), which is legendary yet hard to spell.
Hey I used to live just outside of Roche Harbor. My family still has a house there. That is my second fav place. Right now I live in the epitome of inertia …Hawaii. It is almost impossible to dislodge me.
Each time I think about traveling I ask myself why?
Oooh, Pat, Roche is lovely. Isn’t the “Practical Magic” house from the movie is located near there (supposed to be Maine)?
Why travel from Hawaii? hmmm
http://www.ski-zermatt.com/mattnet/pics/april2000/pages/A%20skier%20on%20White%20Hare.htm
Congrats on the NYT list, Susan! Major kudos to you!!
And the fact that you bring up a 3-way and a naked man all in the same paragraph doesn’t have any of us questioning how exciting the life of a writer can really be. 🙂