spring fever

The calendar rolling to March 1st feels so powerful. It means we’ve weathered another winter. The tulip leaves creeping up through the soil signal spring is on its way. Hope seems to replenish the nearly empty well deep within in my heart.

Days get longer, and the air gets warmer. Of course, just when it feels safe to to cloak myself in a lighter coat, Mother Nature reminds me who is really in control. Still, March brings the power of a Phoenix rising from the ashes buried beneath a heavy snowfall. This particular March also brings a lot of good news. The book—my cookbook, comes out in 24 days. Soon it will no longer be just mine. It will belong to all of you who let it grace your home.

This March also signals the start up of my work with Food Network again. Actually, I ushered that in at the end of February but I’ve been so busy, I didn’t have time to share that news. Here is a glimpse at what I’ve been up to on the FN Dish Blog. There’s even a video to go with my post for making your own dried herbs.

I’ll keep you all posted about book signings, etc. The plan right now is NYC (of course!), Chicago, San Francisco, North Carolina, and Canada. The events will be spread out over the month of April because I need to juggle childcare while I’m away, plus Isabella has state testing smack in the middle of the month. My priority is to be here at home during that time so she feels calm and well rested.

I hope you’re all doing well, and finding peace and happiness in life’s little moments. As always, they are the ones that matter most.

Homemade Dried Basil from Jennifer Perillo on Vimeo.

14 Comments

  • Maria in NJ

    I am so happy for you…

    did you take that picture last week…the purple sky reminds me of a picture I took of the sky last week, I took the picture at sunrise but after the sun came up there was a purple haze over the sky, it was just awesome…

    those dang state tests for kids, are they really necessary? anywho, I am so proud of you and am excited for you too…m

  • Tracey

    Good Morning Jennie,
    Good for you. You are pursuing your rainbow.
    Wishing more rainbows, more smiles and more beauty for your to discover,
    Tracey A

  • Denise @ Jennie's Kitchen

    I’m so excited about your book I could burst! Any signings in South Florida at some point? My oldest daughter turns 14 tomorrow!! 14!!! Wow…I’m in awe of it all. We are throwing her a big teen girl party tonight, and she will totally be in her element.

    Her requests: tiki torches, cotton candy machine, messy Twister, egg toss, water balloons, hula hoops, chocolate fountain….

    I’ve been in the throes of teen angst all week with the yesses and nos coming in for rsvps on the evite site. I’m thrilled to say we have 14 yesses. 😉

    Have a wonderful weekend, Jennie!

  • Denise

    I have never thought to dry basil – I end up smashing it into a pesto of some sort when we are nearing the end. Then I either use it in soup or freeze. I like this idea, and it is simple. Thank you!

    Cannot wait to continue reading about how your March is shaping up …. 🙂

  • Sue Epstein

    Jennie, Mazal tov on your cookbook! Re: leftover basil – when I bring fresh basil home from the store I keep it in a glass of water on my kitchen windowsill. Within a day or two it will start to grow roots. I pick what I need from the bunch and so long as you keep water in the glass you can have a couple of months worth of fresh basil from one store-bought bunch. Remembering to keep water in the glass on your windowsill is easier than remembering to water plants elsewhere in the house or outside!

  • Jennifer Perillo

    For some reason, the glass on the counter only works for me when I’m in Cape Cod and the plant gets lots of sunshine. Here in Brooklyn, I’ve had no luck with that method. Go figure!
    -Jennie

  • Cheryl Arkison

    Canada!?!? Can’t wait to hear about that. I actually have to be in the TO area and Northern Ontario at the end of April. I might have better luck of you being there and not Calgary. But we would totally welcome you here. Some good folks in town.

    (If it’s any consolation about March we had a wicked blizzard today.)

  • Miranda

    Congratulations in advance on the book’s debut! So excited to see it. Maybe add Atlanta to your list? We’d love to welcome you here, but of course understand you can’t be everywhere 🙂