Dear Readers,

Hello! Hello! Obviously at this point in time my focus remains tightly on the publication of Plant Whatever Brings You Joy and the unfolding of its making its way into the world. This morning I sat with Antonia (just back from a summer in Costa Rica!) eating freshly baked scones, sipping tea and eyeing the many many boxes of books which are at this time housed quite literally very close to the area where we were sharing our breakfast. Yes, indeed. And I found myself saying to her, “I wonder where these books will go? What is each one’s destiny? What thoughts will they evoke and whose lives will they change?” Point of fact, I have mounted a map on my office wall and every book I can track, I do track on the map, by adding a sticky-backed rhinestone (yes! they make them!) to the new location. True story and such fun!!

(It’s very twinkley on this end!) 🙂

So far the books have made their way to about 20 states (including Hawaii!), and to Toronto and to Poland (Ewa in the Garden–review coming!) and the first is off to England to Liz’s Nutty Gnome today! Now I will have to mount a map of Europe as they fly like the seeds of the dandelion off to new shores. It’s happening. It’s exciting! I wish you could all come for tea and I’d show you the full range of all the reviews, and the first tv interview. The first radio interview is coming up Sept. 5th which is two full hours with callers! It reaches 37 states and half of Canada. And I have just submitted an article to Science of Mind, due out in their January issue. (I will keep you posted.) But as it’s not possible to share all the dynamics, I’m going to be true to my process and to my heart and yours, and share what I think you might enjoy. Towards that end I’m including here the links to an interview conducted by Tim Miejan who is in Minnesota, a dear man, editor of a publication called The Edge. It was just posted this morning! He divided the interview into two parts, so I’m giving you both links. I really did take great pleasure in reading these and I think you will, too. I particularly liked Part Two as we talked about some of the stories in the book (which he loved!) and we talked about The Scarf Project, which included so many of you.

Part One of Tim’s interview here.
Part Two of Tim’s interview here.

Enjoy, dearest readers!

Love and garden book blessings!
Kathryn xoxo

9/6 footnote: A special welcome to listeners of “Amplify” last night. If you are interested in knowing more about Plant Whatever Brings You Joy, simply visit www.estrellacatarina.com I hope you enjoyed the interview last night and I thank you for your visit!

Posted on September 1st, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: People at Work | 4 Comments »

Hello, dear readers! I don’t know what it’s like where you are but it’s mostly been in the 90’s here in Northern California. It doesn’t exactly beg for any heavy eating. No. It asks politely for a light meal and here’s where I turn at least once during each warm season to an old favorite recipe for cold beet soup! Add to this that it is super easy to make and you have even more reason to get some beets. From the lowly root vegetables above we are going to make a masterpiece meal. Really.

Wash your beets (organic, please) and place in a big pot of water. So.

I never cut up my beets before cooking hoping to ensure that the vitals stay where I want them–inside! So I boil until I can stick a fork in them. Note they might not all arrive at that point due to size variance, so I remove them as they are done. And while that is going on, I am preparing cucumbers and green onions.

Peel and chop the cucumber. And throw the onions in a Cuisinart, for who wants to bite down on a chunk of onion? And then you will have this. Fresh. Summer yummy.

Now my favorite part. Cutting the beets, which I love to do because they are so utterly beautiful.

The above were cut to this size so they would cool more quickly. Then I peel off the outer skin and place in a big bowl with my cucumbers and onions, preparing for the magic.

Ready? To this mixture you are simply going to add one quart of lowfat buttermilk and a 1 lb. container of sour cream. Season with a bit of salt to taste and a pinch or two of dill. And here’s the heavenly result:

Place in frig to chill. When they emerge you will have to stir once again and the color will deepen to an even more beautiful hue. Enjoy!!

Love and summer kitchen blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Posted on August 8th, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: People at Life | 14 Comments »