January 2021
WHEW! What a year!! 2020 proved to challenge, tax, and fray at all of us. It will take a good amount of patience, time, and kindness toward each other as we recover. I spent most of December addressing family needs and preparing for a very different holiday season. Carving out time and attention to writing Book 2 of the Becoming America’s Stories series and sharing musings had been difficult. I shared fantastic reviews for Daily Bread and Becoming America’s Food Stories and reminisced about my home town, Sayville. Here are the links to December’s Stories Served Around The Table Blog Postings.
Smorgasbord Children’s Cafe and Bookstore Christmas Book Fair
Becoming America’s Food Stories-A Review
Presently, I am on Hilton Head Island until the end of February (and maybe a few weeks into March). My daughter and her family (that includes the grandkids) live here. My husband and I are renting a condo apartment nearby them and a block away from the ocean-my kind of heaven. I hope to get in a lot of beach walks, bike rides, cookie bakes, silly games, and writing done.
As I write this update, Sunday sauce is cooking in the crockpot, and drawers and cabinets look pretty well organized. I can immerse myself into stories and allow the kids and beach to interrupt me later on today.
2021 is looking hopeful. I hope all is as well as can be in your world and that you, too, are making plans to create a healthy and beautiful year with yourself and those you love (and like).
Attention Teachers, Librarians, PTO Arts Chairpersons
I am offering virtual and (limited) live Meet-the-Author and Writers’ Workshops for upper elementary and middle school students. You can browse my classes here. I am also registered in the BOCES Arts in Education program (type MARTIN in the author search) and with Kids Out and About.
Big thank yous go out to Eclectic Ali for keeping the Weekend Coffee Share up and running.
Be well, my friends.
Be safe.
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Daily Bread is set in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, 1911. The story follows nine-year-old Lily, an American-born child of Sicilian immigrants, who wants to prove she is not a little kid. To be a big kid in the crowded tenement neighborhoods, she must tackle bigotry, bullies, disasters, dotty bakers, and learn to cross the street by herself.
Hope you are hungry. Becoming America’s Food Stories recalls the tales that have been told around my family’s dinner table. The histories explain the motivations over bowls of macaroni, antics play out while slurping soup, and laughter echoes throughout the dining room. Pull up a seat. There’s always room.
“If you don’t cook with love, you have to get out of the kitchen.” Florence Messina
Stories Served 
Wishing you a healthy and happy 2021 ahead. Enjoy Hilton Head Island!
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Same to you, friend. All the best for a great 2021.
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That sounds lovely to spend some time near kids and grandkids, in a beautiful area. Enjoy and best of luck with all your projects.
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I will
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Happy New Year, Antoinette. Enjoy your time by the ocean. I am jealous!
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Happy New Year, Antoinette! Your stay in Hilton Head close to family and near the ocean sounds ideal. All the best for a fantastic 2021.
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Thank you, Natalie. Looking forward to coffee sharing with you.
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Hope you enjoy your time by the ocean and near your daughter’s family. Hope your 2021 is good year.
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Thank you, Natalie. Looking forward to coffee sharing with you.
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Happy New Year, Antoinette ! Enjoy the time with your family. And get lots of writing done 🙂
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Thank you, Moumita. All the best to you.
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