Dear Friends and Followers,
Gourmet Girl Gail here writing from Santa Barbara, after having been evacuated for ten days due to the Thomas Fire. Where I went and who I spent time with in those ten days was comforting in so many ways (I’m extremely thankful!), but it seems more than fitting as we herald in another New Year to thank the 8000+ firefighters who helped protect and save our communities here in Southern California during the fires. We are deeply grateful for all that you do and wish you a healthful, prosperous, and safe New Year! There simply aren’t enough words to describe your commitment and heroism in such dire circumstances.
I also think it’s important to look back as well as forward when a New Year arrives. So here’s a little trivia! Did you know that 2018 will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I? It will also mark the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This is important, I think, because hopefully it stirs a sense of duty and commitment among us to take action during these challenging times in our present history. May 2018 be a year of positive change: personally, spiritually, and communally. Dare I say, politically? Yes!
Okay, enough of the soap box! Wherever you are on New Year’s Eve, we wish you the very best. I’ll be heading up to my happy place in Big Sur. Who can resist with temps predicted to be in the 70s. Denise will be attending to her new life in the Loire Valley, and Lindsey will soon, we hope, be on the movie set of an award-winning film as art director!
To be sure, I’ll be looking at the stars peeking out amidst the redwoods and visualizing a great year ahead for everyone! By the way, if you have our Gourmet Girls Go Camping Cookbook at hand and are looking for a easy appetizer or two to serve to your guests over the holiday, we suggest the Scallops Ceviche with Avocado and the Mushrooms Duxelles Crostini. Both pair well with champagne!
Happy New Year to all! We look forward to continuing our journeys with you in 2018.
Cheers!
Gail, Denise and Linsdey
#gourmetgirlsonfire