February Food Forum

So, you froze and canned and "put away" the local bounty last summer. And now it's February and you're ready to eat it. Well, get going! Let's "spice up" our cellars with some fresh ideas for preparing and serving summer's  bounty in the winter season.

When: Friday, February 3, 7 pm
Where: Station Arts Centre, Rosthern

Enjoy coffee, tea and berry cobbler at the Tea Room. Meet some  of the local food producers who have been invited to show off their products. Prairie Feast will be available for sale.

Event sponsored by the Rosthern Wheatland Library and the Station Arts Centre. Everyone welcome!

Saskatchewan Environmental Society Library Series

It's the middle of winter, the days are frigid and the nights are long. So, what's for dinner? Eating off the local bounty can be a challenge outside the summer season, but not impossible. Let's share our ideas for eating locally all year round.

When: 7 pm, Wednesday, January 11

Where: Cliff Wright Library, 1625 McKercher Drive.

Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Environmental Society.

Canadian Culinary Book Awards

Prairie Feast  was shortlisted for the Canadian Culinary Book Awards -- in a special category for books about "food and beverages but not cookbooks." The awards ceremony was Monday night at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. It didn't win, but what great company to be in!

It was my first visit to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair -- and what a show! That's no bull. In fact, it's a lot of bull... and cows and horses and chickens...

Check out all of this year's culinary winners.

High Plains Book Awards

Road trip! We just returned from Billings, Montana, where Prairie Feast  was a finalist in the High Plains Book Awards. In fact, it was the only book in the history of the awards to be shortlisted in two categores at the same time (best first book and best non-fiction).

These awards recognize books that capture the essense of life on the great plains in the U.S. and Canada, from Texas to Saskatchewan. I'm so honoured (or is that honored)!

Book Reading in Weyburn

I'm heading to Weyburn for a book reading at the public library. I'm excited about this because there's a chapter in Prairie Feast about entering the bread baking contest at the Weyburn Wheat Festival. And no, I didn't win!

When: 7 pm, Thursday, Oct. 6
Where: Weyburn Public Library

My co-presenter is Dave Margoshes, winner of the 2010 Saskatchewan Poetry Award. The event is part of the Saskatchewan Book Awards' Salon Series of readings around the province. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. I look forward to meeting you!

"Mouth Watering"

"a natural storyteller whose writing is
literally mouth-watering."

- Dee Ann Redman

Billings Gazette

 

The first Word on the Street literary festival in Saskatoon was a ton of fun. The street in front of the main public library was full of people, booksellers and writerly organizations all dedicated to the literary life of the city. It was exciting to be there!

Thanks to everyone who came to my book reading and double thanks to those who took home a copy of Prairie Feast. Stay tuned for details of next year's event on the festival website.

Word on the Street

Word on the Street is Saskatoon's newest literary festival. And I'm thrilled to be a part of it! The festival runs next Sunday from 11 am - 5 pm, with thirty local authors on three stages. I'll be reading from Prairie Feast at 4 pm, right after Yann Martel.

When: Sunday, September 25
Where: On 23rd Street in front of the main library,
downtown Saskatoon
Cost: Free!

Please come out and hear your favourite authors (and maybe find some new favourites!). Visit the WOTS festival website.

"Cherish This Book"

"cherish this small book for its evocative portraits

of people, places and food."

- Judy Schultz

from her Top Ten Cookbooks for Reading

Festival of Words

I'm excited to be invited to Moose Jaw's Festival of Words - July 14-18. I'll be presenting my book Prairie Feast at several events:

Fri., July 15, 1:30-2:20 - Library Reading Room
Sat., July 16, 12:15-1:15 - Community picnic in Crescent Park
(see poster below)
Sat., July 16, 4:00-5:00 pm - Yara Community Gardens
Sun., July 17, 11:20-12:10 - Library South Room

I'm open to other opportunities, so if you'd like to get together, send me a note!