Keep your eyes on your own fries.
- At January 4, 2010
- By Molly Chester
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12
Photo of John on our Honeymoon in Mendocino, CA.
When I was little, like 4, and sitting round the dinner table tattling on my older brother’s lack of eating something-or-other, my mom and dad used to respond by telling me to “keep your eyes on your own fries.” Funny, cause we didn’t eat a lot of french fries growing up. But, it worked.
It’s 2010 blog buddies. And Happy New Year to you. I feel a good year ahead. Each New Year’s has a slightly different vibe to it, and for me, the first day of 2010 felt very similar to a day in the life of 2009. Unexpectedly similar. Kind of like the difference between turning 22 and 23. I’m sure the New Year’s Day feeling varied for each of us, but I took my feeling of status quo as a good thing. As you know, I am in the middle of getting several different projects off the ground: the Farm to Table TV series, a cookbook for the Farm to Table series and Roots n’ Sprouts, A Mother-Daughter Cookbook with my mom. And I’m not doing anything without room to enjoy life. I consider that to be a personal necessity, much like air, water and grass-fed butter.
Photo from the set of Farm to Table. My mom (sous-chef) is in the background.
So, it’s an intentionally dense plate, and I assume that’s the reason 2010 feels so familiar. There’s not much empty space for it to be different.
That said, I do see a few fuzzy goals on the horizon. For example, I want to secure underwriters for Farm to Table and get Season 1 into production by summer. I want to get a publishing deal together for the Farm to Table cookbook. And, I want to make some firm headway on Roots n’ Sprouts, namely finalizing all recipes and articles. Gearing it up for less stressful publishing discussions once Farm to Table paves the way.
On a personal front, John and I are currently considering a dog. It’s a rescue that John came upon while working on a TV project. John has a hidden talent of picking out really great animals. I haven’t met him yet, but I have seen pictures, and the meeting is coming soon. I am really not into doing things that aren’t meant to be. But, do you ever feel totally ready for things like dogs? I’ve been praying for every door to open if we are supposed to take and love this animal. If not, please slam the doors shut God. I’ve got a hand on the pulse of my gut, just waiting for the quiet nudge, one way or the other.
So as you can see, my plate is a bit full to pile additional resolutions on top, which makes it all too convenient for me to drift my hungry eyes over to anyone else’s mouth-wateringly delicious looking french fries. Therefore to try “none of my business” on for size, I’ve created a new year’s resolution suggestion for you. How ’bout that.
You see, over the past couple of years, we have gotten to know each other through our mutual love & admiration of food. And from my perspective, our passion is a direct result of the hard work that our land’s farmers put into creating something worth loving. So as I continue on my Farm to Table path, working to carve out a Rock Star image for the people that provide me with unending inspiration, here is what I wish for your 2010.
During the next 365 days, I wish for you to find and visit your local Farmers’ Market. Even just once. If that is something that you already do on a regular basis, pick a favorite farmer from one of those markets and stop by to visit his or her farm.
This tangible experience will change your food perspective in an incredibly powerful way. And if you try this, please let me know. I’d love to hear.
And with my eyes quickly darting back to my own plate of fries (sprinkled with sea salt & pepper and a little fermented ketchup on the side), I have an announcement to make…
A couple blogs back, I mentioned that I was going to give a Christmas gift of Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon to one reader who emailed me about their journey to discovering the connection between “what you eat & how you feel.” The letters that came to my Inbox blew me away. Moving, strong and powerful. I didn’t feel choosing one story over another to be appropriate this time, and instead I performed a random drawing in a hat as shown in the video below…
Happy 2010 to each of you. I feel blessed to have readers like you, and I look forward to spending the next year getting nourished and staying healthy… together.
xo – Organic Spark
ikeafreak
Hi Molly! I'm going to take on your New Year's resolution challenge and visit the Towson Farmer's Market this spring/summer. At least once. :)
Lots of love,
Heather D.
My Farmhouse Kitchen
Hi Molly…and Happy New Year…..
LOVE the farmers market too…will do a post soon about my favorite one here on the Central Coast at the Park in Templeton, Ca under a grove of oaks…
I am pulling for the doggy adoption…..I hope you can rescue him. I love my dog so much,we rescued him on January 4, 1996 in Santa Barbara from a man who couldn't keep him….and he has filled every day of our lives with nothing but joy and happiness..
I'll stay in touch to see if you get him…..
Fondly,
Kary and Buddy
Megan
Your confetti celebration made me laugh out loud! Hooray for Kelly Little! Now she and I can compare recipes too. If I ever start cooking again. :)
xxoo
Megan
Fayinagirl (means Free One)
Wow, you really do have a full plate. Love the phrase "keep your eyes on your own fries" Think I'll use that with my teens. ;-)
I'm anxiously awaiting the opening of the farmer's markets here, but they don't open until May. =( (Very short growing season in this part of CO.)
Charity Dasenbrock
Hi, I just discovered your blog today and look forward to exploring it. Up here in Santa Cruz, we have many year round wonderful farmers' markets. I go almost every week!
feel free to check me out ,too.
Charity
http://forlifepersonalchef.com
Anonymous
Love the video's. Keep them coming. And we're planning on at least 1 meal a week being derived from all local food sources!
Sook
Happy New Year!
madness rivera
OH Molly, that face and those ice-blue eyes are to-die! Lupe & Carmen would love a cousin. Let me know what happens.
Love ya – look forward to 2010 and doing the Billy Preston dance at least once with you this year.
Molly Chester
Heather – Right on! That's awesome! Let me know how it goes.
Kary – Happy New Year to you! I can't wait to hear about the market under the grove, and I will keep you guys updated on the dog report! It was good to hear how wonderful your experience has been.
Megan – Love you. xo
Fayinagirl – We will be at the Boulder Film Festival in Feb. Husband's film Rock Prophecies will be playing there. Are you near Boulder?
Charity – Great blog and great name. Keep up the great work. Thanks for sharing!
Sook – Happy New Year to YOU!
Madness – Yes… dance we must.
Sarah the bear
Hey Schreck! I love your cookbook contest. What a great idea! And I recommend the Hollywood Farmers Market on Sundays for anyone who's looking, but go early!
Good luck with all your endeavors in the New Year. The show sounds really cool.
xoxo Sarah Schreck
The Domestic Diva
Good luck with all of your exciting projects!! I know you're going to be a huge success. Here's to 2010!
Let's get together (with the boys) soon! Maybe dinner at our place?
Also, let me know if you get the pooch. Getting my puppy was a lot of work, but the best thing I've ever done.
xo
Jen
The Little Family
Wow! I don't think I've ever had so much fun watching a name pulled from a hat before.. and then to hear it was MINE!! :)
I can't tell you how excited I am to be the newest owner of your most favorite cook book ever!!
thank you, Molly
xoxo
~Kelly