The Story Of My First Book

It was summer  2010. I was sitting in a gym class, watching my daughter with my friend Nancy. Nancy is one of those women who has achieved much success in her life. She is full of confidence and her ability to see clearly is indeed something to behold. She looked me square in the eyes that afternoon and with a lot of intensity  she said to me, ” Donna you have to write this book. It is important, that you share with others what comes so easily to you.”

It was a few months later I had another friend, Shelley who I met at one of my classes.  She again said the same thing to me, ” Girl you need to get this book done, don’t wait”.

You never know how others can impact your life but these two women changed mine. Their words showed up in my dreams and followed me around ringing over and over again in my head. The feeling was like a gentle hand on my back. Both of these women in their own right inspired me to be more through their own confidence. I was just someone who loved cultured food like I loved my children, but had no idea how to write or publish a book. But the truth was I was already teaching people everywhere I went, how to make these wonderful foods. I had been doing it for almost 10 years. It was their constant prodding and watching events unfold in my life that caused me to realize that I was being led. Don’t we all have things in our lives that we love and do on a daily basis that others find hard or complicated, but to us they come easily and effortlessly? These are  the gifts I see in others that I admire and respect and wish I could do as easily as they do.

My two friends; Nancy who became my editor for this book and designed the layout that I love so much. Shelley who did the beautiful graphics for my book without me ever asking for it. I had laid in bed one night wishing I had some graphics for my book. I did not know that this was Shelley’s profession and a few days later she sent me the little cultured food pots that you see in my book. She told me that she couldn’t sleep one night until she drew them out.

Shelley’s Sketches

  One other person who also has put her stamp in pictures upon this book, is my daughter Maci. She has for years taken constant pictures and spent hours upon hours editing. She is so good at capturing the heart and soul of a picture whether it is a person or food on a plate. Watching her take pictures of me and pictures of my food always amazed me.  When she had to take a picture of me for the book, I pitched a fit and was not a very good subject. I hate having my picture taken. She would just keep taking them until I would relax and then she would find the shot. She is not just my daughter she is my best friend.

This book is a combination of these woman at their best helping me and in turn helping you.
It is my firm belief that we are all in this together, helping one another find our way.

So to all of you who find cultured foods daunting and difficult. I hope I can clear the mucky waters and help you make these foods with ease and regularity. Then watch as they change you from the inside out. Yes, they are that life changing. I have lived it and watched many others do the same.

It is my heart felt desire that I can help you understand what does come easily to me. I do love these foods. They are like good friends who showed up to help me on my life’s journey.
My prayer is that they will help you too. ~ Donna