Making Connections…

“Making connections through the art, heart, and soul of cooking”…

While “where everything is seasoned with love” has been my original tagline from the beginning of my TMK endeavor and is anchored in my devotion to it, the bit about making connections speaks directly to my heart and soul. That’s truly my MO. It’s who I am. It’s what I do…

I met a very nice man recently in the lobby of a professional office. When he asked a lighthearted question of a staff member regarding something with which I had considerable experience, I chimed in, not inappropriately. The next thing I knew, by way of a casual introduction, a couple of the staff members were telling the man some very kind things about my cooking and my forthcoming cookbook, and away we went.

The gentleman and I immediately struck up a conversation and connected on several levels…how we’d both grown up in the northeast, had lived in the same city for a time, our love of Italian food and cooking (I quickly learned that he’s Italian, to which I quipped that I had my honorary IA card, having grown up in an area with so many Italian friends and neighbors), and a few other commonalities. It was such a heartwarming interaction, and he had such a delightful sense of humor.

Before the man and his wife left the office, I offered him my TMK calling card, prefacing it as I always do by saying, “I sell nothing,” and suggested he visit my website and enjoy my musings on my Trixie’s Tidbits blog.

I offered him my hand to shake as a friendly gesture, and wasn’t the least bit surprised or offended when he opened his arms to offer me a big, warm, friendly hug. As we embraced, I embraced the connection, patted him on the back, and found myself saying, “Paisan!” He immediately responded, “Paisana!”

In less than five minutes, I not only made another soul-filling connection, but felt like I’d made a friend in passing. I hope he’ll read this and hear my gratitude.

As I’ve leaned further and deeper into this project, this book, this passion, I’ve found it fits and feels more and more like an old, favorite, comfortable pair of jeans. And the process of sharing my passion, well, at least for now, in the form of conversing and food sharing, fills my tank like nothing else ever has. I am connecting with more and more people over something seemingly as simple as the mutual enjoyment and appreciation of food!

I finally figured out what I wanna do when I grow up. And I couldn’t possibly be happier about it. The book? I’m not looking for a monetary ROI. The connections I’m making are the return on my investment.

All of that said, I’m thrilled to share that photo shoots commence January 6th! My cookbook…my passion, my vision, my life’s work…is coming to fruition. While still a work in progress, we’re full speed ahead. Stay tuned…it’s gonna be a big, wild ride!