Several weeks ago I jumped into the deep end of the pool: I started a podcast. After many years of guest appearances on other’s podcasts, not to mention two lovely runs on both The Secrets of Harry Potter and Catholic Weekend, both hosted at SQPN (check out their line-up of neat shows exploring the culture), I developed my own podcast, Badass Saints and Exceptional Women.
After the publication of my first book, My Badass Saints, people have asked me for more stories of amazing saints. More than a few asked why I didn’t include So-and-So, their favorite saint, or some new exciting saint. Well, the short answer is that I ran out of pages in the book. But never fear! In this podcast, I follow the same format of the book, giving you new badass saints and some amazingly exceptional women. My favorite part of this project is that I can respond to your suggestions!
I hope you give it a listen and follow for more content. And don’t forget to leave a review at iTunes!
perfect for an afternoon in a cozy spot – Negroni optional
Stanley Tucci’s engaging demeanor in the documentary series, Searching for Italy, captivates me. I enjoy his performances in many films, but the documentary series reveals a charming and personable side of him. Also, his love of food is contagious. It was a no brainer that I would connect with his memoir, Taste: My Life through Food.
evolution of a fan
In recent years, I’m drawn more and more to reading memoirs and biographies. These days, I find the actual human condition far more compelling than the fictional human condition. And I am astonished to note that I am reading foodie memoirs. Ruth Reichl was my introduction into this fascinating world, and I followed her book, Save Me the Plums with a rather extensive biography of Julia Child.
Of course, I watched the film Julie & Julia. Tucci’s performance captivates the audience. In a roundabout way, I have become a fan of all things Stanley Tucci.
I confess to watching the viral video of Tucci’s Negroni recipe on loop, going so far as to replicate the recipe. I even went on a mad (unsuccessful) search for the right coupe glasses in which to serve it. It’s a different spin on the cocktail (I prefer the original recipe), but I was so charmed by his presentation that I had that fangirl moment of wanting to be friends with him and have him make me a cocktail.
setting the table for relationship
Reading Taste feels a lot like sitting around Tucci’s table enjoying after-dinner conversation for hours. This memoir captures the intimacy of sharing a meal with someone, and the loving work and effort that goes into preparing meals regardless of their complexity.
Tucci shares his memories as well as family recipes. At its core, Taste celebrates relationship. Relationship with food, certainly, but how food encourages, develops, fosters, and embraces relationship with others.
highly recommend for some light reading to mix up your usual reading
I’m so proud to be a part of this beautiful collection of prayers for Catholic mothers. This full color hardback book is filled with all kinds of prayers from traditional to original prayers — all set up thematically. It’s a beautiful book to keep by your bed or in that quiet place where you meditate and pray.
I think this will be a cherished, go-to collection for mothers of all ages and in all seasons of our lives.
