A New Year......A New FundRaising CookBook for the CMTA .......and Many New Challenges Ahead

Well my friends, it's been a long time since I've taken pen in hand (or should I say put fingers to the keyboard) and sat down to resume my work here.  I could go on and on apologizing for a million little things that kept us apart, but I won't bother you with the details. Suffice it to say, I've been incredibly busy, and a majority of that time has been spent working on behalf of a very worthy cause........the CMTA.  Yes there were the holidays, family obligations, a ton of snow and ice and other day to day things that just consume time like a voracious vacuum cleaner, but a great deal of my time has been spent preparing for our New England CMTA Support Group meetings and researching publishers, software, and a host of other things that go into writing a cookbook.  Yes, you heard it here first.........I'm writing a cookbook.  And this is not just any old cookbook either, but rather a cookbook that will be comprised of cherished, comforting recipes submitted by members of the CMTA and their friends, families and supporters.  It will also include several recipes and other features from supportive icons in the culinary world (I'm sworn to secrecy here.....so please don't ask me who) which will add a great deal excitement as well. Our unique publication will be a hardcover keepsake with glorious color photography and special feature sections. If all goes according to plan, it should be available for distribution and sale on November 1st, 2009. This cookbook will be one of our association's key fundraising vehicles for 2009, and we are optimistic that in this treacherous economy, a value added publication will fare much better as opposed to traditional fund raising endeavors. (i.e.........please give us your money and we'll send you a free pen so you can keep on giving!) 

Now, I know several of you here have written wonderful, highly successful cookbooks, and I'd be thrilled if you'd care to share any of your trade secrets with me, in exchange for a batch of brownies, a bottle of scotch or a trip to Disney.  (Only kidding about Disney. This is a non-profit medical association.) Seriously, while I am absolutely blessed to have a cookbook authority in my corner, she is not on the payroll (neither am I) and I can't take advantage of her gracious time, since she has a full time paying job.  However, if any of you know of anyone who has CMT, or if you are having a charitable moment and would like to offer some sound advice, I'm all ears. At the very least, I can manage the brownies and the scotch. I might even throw in a scratch ticket if I'm feeling overwhelmed with generosity...lol

The name of our book and the table of contents are being finalized as I type this.  Once I get the all clear from the copyright department, (one volunteer person who knows all about that stuff) I'll let you know more. In the meantime, it's great to be back and I look forward to sharing all kinds of new and exciting recipes with you as this book develops and slowly takes shape.  A very belated Happy New Year to all of you.  "Doc"