Happy Spring !!

Spring has really sprung early this year.. and in honor of this I am getting my Easy Easter Dinner tips ready to share with you on Fox 19 , April 2, 2012 at 8:15 and Fox 46 on April 3 at 8:45 a.m.
I will also be out and about April 7 from 1-4 pm at PICTURE THIS, 26 Broadway in Lebanon, OH for a fundraiser for Bridge Riding for the Disabled. This great organization assists many youngsters and adults work toward more independent lives through horseback riding.
We will be giving away $500. in CINCINNATI AND SOUP prints for each $50 + donation.
This is to help raise $1000.00 for BRD in ONE afternoon. We will also sample Ruth Lyons commercial candy, have a raffle , book signing and meet a volunteer from BRD who can give you more details.
And a tip for now is that you should check your garden- the asparagus is coming up- way early this year !
(My friend Catherine even had enough to eat this past week !) If you are looking at the supermarket you will also find fresh asparagus "in season". Watch to feel how "woody" or large they are. This is one veggie where slender is usually more tender. White Asparagus is also in the stores now . They will always be larger and thicker- a trait of the white asparagus. Be sure to chop off the woody ends before serving. Photo: Butterfly at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus

Spring and the new prints are coming !!!

Just had to post again- with another visit to FOX 19 in the offing I wanted to give you all a "heads up" that I will be with Sheila and Rob on March 13 at 8:15 a.m.
This will be a great chance to pick up on a low calorie version of my Italian Market Soup good also for those of you who are observing Lent too.
Also thought you would like to see Sheila's new suit. Love the color!
The NEW CINCINNATI AND SOUP ART PRINTS go on sale next week. IF you can make it we will be having the "official" opening at The Little Red Gift Shop in Montgomery on March 15 from 4-8 p.m. This will feature a booksigning, the prints , shopping discounts and of course snacks and wine. Betty and Kelly who own the shop are really great gals and we DO want to keep the small shops open in these less than stellar economic times so DO plan to come out and join the fun ! We will have more on all the places you can buy the prints and an image next post !

Cincinnati and Soup Becomes a Real Part of Cincinnati History

This past month I was delighted to present to the Cincinnati Historical Library and Archives copies of CINCINNATI AND SOUP and CINCINNATI AND SOUP : A SECOND HELPING.
This is a great opportunity to have the books preserved for posterity and be available in the future to historical researchers who are working on Cincinnati driven historical projects. The Library and Archives are located at the Cincinnati Museum Center in the Union Terminal. ( If the name isn't familiar to you it is the newer name of the Cincinnati Historical Society!)
Photo: Cheri presenting the Cincinnati and Soup books to Scott Gampfer, Director of the Cincinnati Historical Library and Archives

FOX 19 : Feb 8. Girl's Night Out: Feb 9, 2012

We have a FOX19 watch coming up on Feb 8 at 8:15- I will be doing a presentation on Valentine Treats ! YUM. Some great ideas for Valentines Day parties and romantic evenings at home. Recipes will be online. Thinking about Valentines Day we are thinking "strawberries" ( photo) and "cherries" for that vibrant red color and the
healthy flavors. Plan to use strawberries in some of your meal plans the coming week or on Valentines Day.
Ideas: Start the day off: Strawberries topping a canned fruit cocktail cup.
Strawberries with Bananas topped with vanilla yogurt and the top sprinkled with
granola
Strawberries with Strawberry syrup on heart shaped pancakes, waffles or heart shaped french toast.




Also this week :

Had enough of gray days ? rain ? Well to remedy all of this my friends over at The Little Red Gift Shop in Montgomery have picked a great evening- Feb. 9 from 4- 8 pm
to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE !! This will be fun - valentines, chocolate, discounts,
shopping and a free raffle.. also they are planning wine and snacks.. plus I will be there for a CINCINNATI AND SOUP book signing of both books and the first sneak preview of our new CINCINNATI AND SOUP print sets !
This is one of Cincinnati's finest suburban gift shops with gifts for everyone and for the home. By everyone,this includes; men, babies, and pets too. They carry unique and reasonable jewelry which we all need... to perk us up.. and great home items. This will be a fun evening so come on by- You know you NEED a little retail therapy. Hope to see you there !

January Update-

Thought I would check in with you all and wish you the best for a wonderful New Year.
I had the opportunity to be a speaker at the Forest Park Branch Library on January 21sliding off to Forest Park on the ice and back. I will be coming back to the library to repeat the program later on this year in more "clement" weather I hope.
Currently there is big excitment going on over here at MacGuffin as we are going to release the two cover images from the books enlarged as "limited edition" prints of Historic Cincinnati. This is in process now and we are really excited about this as many people have told us that they would love to have these to hang in their kitchens. Also be sure to set the DVR's or tune in to FOX 19 AM Cincinnati, Feb. 8 at 8:15 for my Valentines Day recipes and menu ideas.
Photo: Me and Erin Beckloff ( our cover artist) with the two Cincinnati and Soup books which will have the covers adapted into prints. This was taken at Books by the Banks, OCt. 2011.

Dayton's News Source :: Good Morning - Local Cookbook Author makes Black Forest Express Cake

Dayton's News Source :: Good Morning - Local Cookbook Author makes Black Forest Express Cake

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IS UPON US !!

If it hasn't happened yet and the "holiday bug" hasn't bit you -- WAKE UP== Christmas, Hannukah AND Kwanza are all this month !!
So get moving !!!!
" CINCINNATI AND SOUP" and "A SECOND HELPING" are both nearby to answer your gift giving issues of "What to get?" and you DO NOT have to figure out a size or a color either..
Where to Buy in CINCINNATI-- so along with the reindeer sweater you DO want to pack C&S ??
Pick it up at : Joseph Beth Booksellers,
Little Red Gift Shop, Remington Rd in Montgomery.
Museum Center Shops ( Union Terminal), Nature's Niche Shops Hamilton Co. Parks, Taft Museum, Cincinnati Art Museum, Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Museum.
In Dayton: All the Dorothy Lane Markets, Katie's Hallmarks ( check for which books
each Katie's Store is different. Some only have "A Second Helping")
Also online: vintagecincinnati.etsy.com or Amazon.com
Need it signed ?
Little Red Gift Shop Dec. 8 4-8 pm ( Montgomery Christmas Walk Event)
Cincinnati Art Museum Gift Shop : Dec. 10 12-3 pm (Author signing event)
New recipes online: Check FOX 19: Dec. 7, 2011- HOliday Entertaining for New England Clam Dip and Bonnie Lou's Shrimp Spread
Fox 45: Black Forest Express Cake and Holiday Dessert ideas.
Have a wonderful holiday season - no matter which days you celebrate !
Photo: Cheri in the Little Red Gift Shop with Cincinnati and Soup