When Thanksgiving includes lasagna
When Thanksgiving includes lasagna
I hope you had a healthy and peaceful Thanksgiving.
The Toll family Thanksgiving tradition started in Philadelphia at my paternal grandparents’ house before I was born. My mother took it over around 1955. When Mom died in 1999, my three sisters and I followed suit. This year was especially wonderful because in addition to adored family and friends, there were lots of new and newish baby cousins.
Our Thanksgivings tend to be between 35 and 50 people, and for years I’ve made a second turkey to supplement my younger sister’s. But last week I broke with tradition and instead made two kinds of lasagna—pesto and tomato-based. Since making turkey stresses me out, this culinary change felt like something between teenaged rebellion and total liberation. It turned out the family was happy with turkey and lasagna. Phew, a life changer for me.
I have a 3 virtual THREE MUSES events next week. It would be so great if you could join me. They’re all free, you just need to register:
Rachel Kapelke-Dale, Paris-based author of THE BALLERINAS, and I will be in conversation with Sarah Diligenti at the Alliance Française at 2 PM Eastern on Saturday December 3. VIRTUAL: Register here.
On Wednesday December 7 at 6:30 PM Eastern, I am speaking at the Historical Novel Society of New York with authors Eve Karlin and Stephanie Cowell. Event is in person (Willa Cather Room at the Jefferson Market Library, 425 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10011) AND virtual. Register here.
At 8 PM Eastern on Thursday December 8, I will be speaking with author Devi Lasker VIRTUALLY at Malvern Books. Register here.
I am excited to share my new essay at Zibby Magazine Ballet Dreams: From the Stage to the Page, about my surreal relationship with THREE MUSES’s main character, Katya Symanova. I now know that the symbiotic (parasitic?) relationship between author and protagonist is a Real Thing.
And if you’re interested in NPR Books “best of list” check it out here. The books below are my specific recommendations.
Only good things to you and yours.
Love, Martha
I just read your Zibby Magazine article, I loved it. I had no idea you had written a book until the event yesterday and after listening to you talk about it, I found it through Libby and it was available to borrow. I can't wait to read it.
Thank you. I hope you really enjoy it.