A Visit to Dancing Rabbit Press in Philadelphia, MS

Quail Ridge Press has just released a new book, Chief, on Chief Phillip Martin, whose fascinating book tells his life story and of the 28 years he was Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. His book signing in Philadelphia, MS last month had people lined up all around the store and out the door!



The Dancing Rabbit Press Gallery bookstore was filled to capacity. Chief Martin is pictured here with his wife, Indian Princess Bonnie Kate Bell.


Here I am with Harold Keys, who wrote the foreward to Chief Martin's autobiography.

A nice article in The Compass Magazine

We were recently visited in our offices by Rainey Scott of The Compass Magazine, which publishes editions in Brandon and Flowood, MS. We are one of the sponsors of a recipe contest they are running monthly during 2009.

One of the prizes that winners recieve is a complete set of our Recipe Hall of Fame Cookbooks.

Rainey spent an hour interviewing Barbara and myself about our 'Cookbook Ladies' story and then took a few photos of the food we had prepared from our 500 Fast and Fabulous 5-Ingredient Recipes Cookbook. We knew about the article he was writing. What we didn't know is that WE were on the cover of the July/August edition.

What a nice surprise. Thank you Rainey! If you'd like to take a look at the whole article, just click here.

L to R: Gwen McKee, Rainey Scott, Barbara Moseley

By the way, if you live in our area, look for The Brandon Compass or The Flowood Compass at many of the nicer restaurants and business around town. Click here to see their website.

~ Gwen

Shooting photos in my kitchen at home

As we speak, Barbara and I are working on a new cookbook we're calling Fast and Fabulous Soups, Salads, and Sandwiches which will be the cookbook to follow up Fast and Fabulous Party Foods and Appetizers in our newest series. It will also be our first one to have a color-photo section.

So last week I flew my QVC food stylist, Bobbi Cappelli, down here to Mississippi to lend her talents and expertise. We set up shop in my own house in Brandon.

What fun! After all, the book is made up of recipes from real people -- so why not take the photos in a real home kitchen?

We shopped and cooked and arranged and photographed for the three days she was here. There was hardly any counter space left in my kitchen with all the fixin' goin' on!

Photographer Greg Campbell (above left) and our production designer Cyndi Clark (below right) arranged the shots while Bobbi (above right) styled the food, and Barbara and I were the su-chefs and gophers.

Believe me, there was a whole lotta work and coordination going on in my kitchen. The best part was sitting down to eat the props!

The book will be introduced by QVC sometime in early fall. I'll put a picture of the cover on here as soon as I get it.

~Gwen

A middle-of-the-night feast

Did any of you night owls out there happen to catch us on QVC yesterday?Marie Louise Kier appeared as the guest host to promote our book 500 Fast & Fabulous 5-Star 5-Ingredient Recipes for a segment of Kitchen Ideas...at 3 am EST! They showed so many of our favorite dishes from the book, including Oriental Chicken Wings, (page 173).

~Gwen

On QVC with Patti LaBelle

In May of 2003, I was privileged to be on the same QVC show with Patti LaBelle. We became instant friends! She had a cookbook that addressed her diebetic condition, and mine, of course, was anything but.

In her private green room after the show (with her bodyguard and assistant), we had a lovely visit and talked a lot about our cookbooks and recipes, exchanging books, autographs, and samplings from our tables.

What a neat lady! She was so upbeat and happy and just downright fun to be around. I treasure that time.

~Gwen

Save the Date: QVC on June 12th!

I just got word that I'm scheduled to return to do another show for QVC on Friday, June 12th.
I'll be part of the "Kitchen Ideas" show that will run live at 7:00 pm Eastern/ 6:00 pm Central.

We'll be featuring the 500 Fast & Fabulous Five-Ingredient Recipes cookbook, where every single recipe only requires 5 simple ingredients.

Hope you can tune in and join us. Better yet, if you're already enjoying the book, why not plan to phone in and we'll talk live!

~Gwen

Fun in Florence!

Here's a picture of Barbara, me and Mama Jean Harrison, Barbara's mother,

who claims me as her adopted daughter! She is almost 92, still plays golf, and is remarkable!

When Barbara and I were asked to speak at the Florence Baptist Church on May 12th for Ladies Night Out, I had no idea it was such a big occasion! About 250 people attended the banquet and were seated around some 14 decorated tables, each one carrying out a specific theme.

The hostess who "chaired" a table, had gifts for all who sat there. There were games and door prizes and so many lovely ladies having a really good time around a delicious, beautifully prepared and served dinner.

Barbara and I told them about our working together,our travels and experiences on the road, our QVC world, and that it's never to late to follow your star...we didn't start out till we were almost 40!

We had them laughing with us at our adventures that sometimes went awry. It was a lovely evening.

~ Gwen

Speaking at Ladies Night Out

Barbara and I are excited about our upcoming speaking engagement tomorrow night. We're appearing at the Ladies Night Out Banquet starting at 6:30 p.m. May 12th at First Baptist Church of Florence, MS. If any of you are close enough to join us, the event includes dinner, music and....us.....for one small $10 ticket price. You can call (601) 845-7578 for ticket information, child care arrangements or directions. We'd love to see you there!

Looking back with Paula Deen

These photos were taken on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, when we were once again on the same show as Paula Deen (In the Kitchen). We had a chance to visit and pal around a bit. I took photos of her with people who asked me to (I always have my camera with me... and emailed their pictures to them).

Barbara and I met Paula probably 10 years ago when we came to QVC for Cookbook Corners. I remember her preparing her food herself and getting so stressed trying to get it all done before air time. I had just given up doing it myself and recommended to her that she go with a stylist. Talented Bobbi Cappelli did mine, and soon after did Paula's as well. We both were grateful for not having the stress of all the preparation it takes to have everything ready for a live show. (A Thanksgiving dinner is much easier by comparison!)

Paula is just as down to earth as she appears on her shows, always laughing through those blue, blue eyes, and fun to be around. I ask how she is coping with so much going on, and she replies that she is enjoying it and has people who plan everything out for her. She got where she is by working very hard through some tough times. I admire her very much. You go, girl!

~ Gwen

Great Crockpot recipe for roast

Here's a super quick and easy way to make a roast that is juicy and delicious.



This is from page 139 of "Fast and Fabulous 5-Ingredient Recipies". I think slow cookers are a great way to save time but still come home to a meal ready to eat!