Apron Strings - A New Chapter in our Lives

A home with four children running around the place, an always unpredictable number for dinner and an ever growing outdoor family can be a pretty busy place to spend ones day. However it's important to have hobbies. For some that may be swimming, walking or having coffee with friends. For me I love to write my blog posts and spend time snapping food pics. It's a fantastic hobby that gives me a fabulous outlet from my busy hub. I must tell you, if you haven't realised from previous posts, that I am a dreamer but I genuinely believe that most dreams can be achievable. About four years ago, while I was escorting Jack to his Saturday classes at CTYI, I always had a few hours to spare. I wasn't anyway Internet savy so there was no distraction from Twitter or Facebook and it was also prior to my blogging days. With time on my hands I decided to try and pen a children's novel. I must say that this was one of my least outrageous ideas, of the past ten years and it wasn't going to cost me anything more than my time. After I had each chapter written I would read it to the children. They found this all very exciting and I in turn found myself imagining that someday this would be on the shelves of a book store and my children would read it to their children. I liked to dream! I became quite unwell while pregnant with Millie and could barely perform everyday tasks, never mind write a book, so this was left to one side.


When I started the blog I was giving cookery classes, from my kitchen, so this was a wonderful way to bring together my love of writing with my passion for food. I started to write for the Westmeath Independent and Easy Parenting also blogging events were now becoming a regular occurrence.  I was busy, but the dream of finishing my book or starting a new one was always lurking at the back of my mind. Then out of the blue, earlier this year, I received an e-mail from Eoin Purcell, the commissioning editor at New Island, querying if I had possibly thought about writing a cookbook. To say that I was over excited was an understatement. We met the following week and I've been stuck into writing the book ever since. It's a book that is mostly recipe based but is supported by everything that is part of my everyday life.
The name of my book will be Apron Strings. A name that Diarmuid, my husband, came up with and I instantly fell in love with it. Even though the past few months have been extremely busy for me, and the rest of the family, I've thoroughly enjoying all the writing and the photography{above being one of those photos}, so I sincerely hope that you will all enjoy reading it too. I'm at a very exciting stage as I almost have the manuscript complete, but I still have a bunch of photos left to take. Thank you to all of you who read the blog and to my blogging friends, you give me such great support. This is truly a dream come true for me.
Apron Strings will be on the shelves of book stores {and the boot of my car}, from April 2013.

28 Comments:

Kristin said...

Absolutely delighted for you! And I love, love, love the name. It couldn't be more perfect. And if that one photo is anything to go by, the book is going to be a stunner. Congrats! x

Cuisine Genie said...

Wow! Go Nessa! Can't wait to get a copy of Apron Strings (brill name)

Fiona Dillon said...

So delighted for you Nessa! I can't wait to add it to my cookbook collection. Best wishes xxx

Magda said...

Congratulations Nessa. So happy for you. :)

www.perksofbeingafoodie.com said...

That's fantastic, congrats!!! Can't wait to see the final product :)

Amee said...

Love the name Nessa, Well done you!

Anonymous said...

Well done Nessa love the name too . Rosemarie

Gripley said...

Whoop whoop Nessa. Iv been watching this space for you to do just that " Apron Strings" not surprised in the least. I don't know how you juggle your busy life and still do all the things you enjoy too. Can't wait to buy "Apron Strings " .. Keep us well posted :)

SINEAD F said...

Wow! Congratulations Nessa, can't wait to see it in print, how exciting.

Anonymous said...

That's brilliant Nessa, congrats! I think that will be added to my book collection😊

Sue/the view from great island said...

That is incredible! I'm so excited for you, you must be over the moon. I can imagine how busy you'll be, but in such a good way. Love the book title, can't wait for it to come out!

Adrienne said...

Nessa, I'm thrilled to hear your news. I absolutely love the name and I know you will do a fantastic job on the book. I'm already really looking forward to seeing it. Adrienne x

cb said...

Huge congrats, fair play to you, lots of hard work no doubt. Looking fwd to seeing it.

WiseMóna said...

Sooooo excited for you my dear. And I know you are in good hands with Eoin. See you Saturday to celebrate x

Fiona's Japanese Cooking said...

Congratulations Nessa. I love your blog so can't wait for your book. See you Saturday to celebrate :0)

Fiona's Japanese Cooking said...

Congratulations Nessa. I love your blog so can't wait for your book. See you Saturday to celebrate :0)

Dee Sewell said...

Yeah Nessa, how exciting! Looking forward to hearing/reading more :)))

Margaret said...

Well done Nessa! Saturday night will definitely be a celebratory occasion! See you then.

Nessa Robins said...

I'm blown away by all of your beautiful comments. Each one has made me very happy. Thanks a million! :)

Nicola/Simply Homemade said...

Congratulations Nessa, I'm absolutely thrilled for you and I LOVE the name, Apron Strings, it's just perfect.
I cannot wait to see your book among my favourites.
Nicola x

veru said...

Congratulations!! It will be a pleasure have your book in my house!!! :D

Anonymous said...

Well Done, Nessa! I wish you the best of luck with every stage of your book. If anyone can add such a huge challenge to a multi-tasking life and pull it off with panache, it will be you.
Go n-éirí an bóthar leat.
Catherine

French foodie in Dublin said...

Well done Nessa, very happy for you.

Vicky said...

Nessa, that's fantastic news and a great dream come true. Can't wait to read the book. xx

Carolanne said...

Such wonderful news Nessa. I'm delighted for you completely in love with the name! I can't wait to see it in print x

Unknown said...

That's fab news Nessa I LOVE the name. Can't wait to add it to my collection!!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

I am beyond thrilled for you. This is so exciting. I can't wait to buy a copy. I hope I can get one over here in the US. Congratulations!!

Nessa Robins said...

Thank you so, so much! There is a lot of love for the title - I'm thrilled!
Hopefully it will be available in the US :)Thanks a million!