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Erika Plummer Photography
Erika Plummer Photography
11/19/2021

Marti's Music Kitchen Publishes a Cookbook

By MARTI MENDENHALL // Marti’s Music Kitchen Podcast Season 1 cookbook drops Sunday, November 21 with a publication event.

I’m a creative. (Wha?) Hard to believe, right? I get that from my parents, Mr. Art Teacher and Mrs. Music Teacher. My Mom’s even a painter now. Continuing to evolve and and create at 85! I can’t say that I’m a painter, but I went through my scrapbooking years, making each page like a work of art. I create music and sing, too. Not to mention creating in the kitchen. So I think that qualifies me as a creator of sorts.

I’m also a lover of people. Don’t get me wrong, I still need downtime. But I thrive on interesting conversations. The best part about sharing any table is the conversation. OK - and the food - and maybe a little wine, too.

That’s why I started my food and creative people podcast in the first place. It fulfilled my deep, creative desire for new experiences. Food and creativity are the common thread and that runs through the fabric of my life. I think you could say the podcast is a reflection of me, of my passion for people and great conversation and of my appetite for that wonderful experience of walking into a kitchen with the smells of deliciousness sinking into me, becoming like some seductive siren song.

The Marti’s Music Kitchen Podcast Season 1 cookbook comes out this coming Sunday. After almost two-years in development, I finally got to hold the prototype in my hands just a couple of weeks ago. It was lighter than I expected. I thought, “how could a 52 page book with so much in it be so light?”

But then I opened it up and magic happened. It was as if music streamed up from the pages and the memories brought back so much JOY. I couldn’t believe it! Here it was - FINALLY! This piece of my past, brought to life in the present.

Each page is colorful! Some of the photos just jump off the page. I love the interactive links about each person, the videos and I can even scan the QR code (or click on the link) to listen to the podcast and re-live the experience all over again. I had no idea my editor, Joni DeRouchie, would take my ideas and express them so perfectly on paper.

I’ve probably read through the book twenty times since then. (Yep. There have been several revisions.) I think I’ve fallen in love with this cookbook! Maybe writing cookbooks is my thing? I’m so incredibly grateful to have those experiences and to be able to share them with you.

I’m also bursting with pride that selling the book can help other people. I was thinking about the cookbook being released so close to Thanksgiving, and I wanted to partner with an organization that would help other people in a food-related way. That goes with a cookbook, right? I knew Birch Community Services from my work with the Shriners organization. They help people in economic distress by giving them access to food and offering financial education to help them budget and get out of debt for good. My heart GLOWS knowing that we’re now partners in helping others. It is a virtual big hug for those people I love so much.

I woke up this morning with a song on my mind. It was the two hymns that my extended family used to sing at every big gathering. We would stand around my grandmother’s table in Hood River, Oregon, and the notes would ring in that kitchen. We are a musical family. So the hymns would start out in unison, then burst into harmony by the second measure. We always sang two, back to back, and I think I have a recording of all of us, twenty or so, singing in unique, wonderful harmony together.

That’s what this cookbook is like. All these pieces, photos, links, video and podcast conversations.... All ingredients that come together in perfect harmony. You open the cover of the cookbook and it sings to you!

At the online release party on Sunday, my goal is to give you a glimpse just how fun this cookbook is. We’ll hear the stories of some of the thousands of people Birch Community Services has helped in such a positive way. We’ll have a ton of fun with performances and interviews of some of the Season 1 guests, including LaRhonda Steel, The Colin Trio, Arietta Ward and John Dover!

This cookbook?  A dream-realized, and I am smiling. Hope you will be, too.

Release Party and Fundraiser

Marti’s Music Kitchen Podcast Season 1 Cookbook

Fundraiser for Birch Community Services

Sunday, November 21st, 1:30-2:45 PM online at http://MartiMendenhall.com

#MartiMednenhall #MartisMusicKit #OnlineReleaseParty #GreatCookbook #Creativity

 

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