Compiled the cookbook for the first time today

This has been one long day, and like the mailman, my work is not done and still I go on, steadily, resolutely, doggedly through the night, for neither rain, nor sleet nor snow at night, neither dogs nor cats nor errant children, neither sore fingers, tired backs, strained eyes, blurring vision, rumbling stomach or lazy spirits will prevent me from reaching my appointed goals for today!  Actually, in spite of the above melodrama, it has been a pretty productive day.  I transcribe the last of the outstanding recipes that were remaining to complete so I know have a complete catalogue of recipes I want to include in the cookbook.  I then assembled all the recipes for the first time into one compilation.  It is one incredibly satisfying feeling to finally see them all together in one place, nestled side by side.  I have a tremendous amount of editing to do now, arranging them in the right orders to complement one another, arranging them by theme and occasion, editing for spelling and grammar and generally seeing if they fit together to create a cohesive whole, a whole package of like-minded tastes and dishes.  But today the first milestone has been passed. There is for the first time something resembling a book!  Woo hooo

Last night I spoke with Todd and he is more than happy to help lay out the book in InDesign and distill the PDFs for the printer which is big load off my mind.  I will still worry right up until we have the PDFs done but he is really good layout and design and so I have every confidence in him.  I can hardly believe I am at the point that I can actually start thinking about layout.  Tomorrow and all next week I have to complete the reflections I am going to include in the cookbook for each recipe and finish the editing but if I can keep up this pace, we just might make our deadline!  Oh sure I still have to get my copyright and ISBN number, upload and create my accounts at the publisher and then of course check the proofs, launch the website, figure out advertising, sales, commercials, oh so much work left, but the first and most important step is becoming a reality.  There is actually going to be a cookbook!  It feels almost surreal to me; I haven’t really had time yet to let this amazing fact sink in.  Time enough for that later.  I am going to take a break from work and go prepare a bit of dinner for my guy and me.  Poor guy, he has been at our new house all day working without me, painting crown moulding and priming walls in the bedrooms for painting.  I feel bad leaving him to do it; I will have to think of some way to thank him.  Maybe a free copy of my cookbook!  Off to prepare some food and then back later tonight for more work.