Haiti, Wine Country, Chefs and Total Losers

Back at the keyboard.. there is so much life-crap to deal with, I think we tend to forget about ourselves, and what makes us happy. So here I am again, typing away.. trying like hell to figure out what exactly- does- makes me happy. Interesting word happy.. because I know one thing that does not make me happy, a happy meal. How is it that words like happy, organic and natural get so misused? Well, that's another blog post now, isn't it!

Staying on track, I stopped blogging about Haiti, because I fell into a pitiful slump. You know the one.. Oh poor me, my life is so hard, and nobody will help me slump. All the while batting our eyes like thumper's cute little bunny crush.

It goes a little something like this:

Bitchen Brain storming sessions
Total moments of elation while planning
Dreaming
Visualizing Wycliff at our dinners
Scoring hella cool venues
Cooking with amazing chefs
Drinking estate wines...

Then we put our plans into action... and SLAM. Doors were shut, partners vanished, chefs not available; a LOT of general non interest; and don't you just know it.. it didn't happen as easy or fabulously as we pictured.

HA! Big FAT Ha!

I was expecting rose petals, champagne and fairy dust damn it. Come on.. we are doing a friggen good thing here, where the hell did everyone go? I'll tell you where they all went- to the land of pass the ball. Oh no, don't hold it and run with it.. pass it.. fast!

Then I realized just how wrong I was. Why am I doing this, who am I doing this for and exactly what are MY intentions. Or should I say, who's intentions do I really have at heart. Hmm.. that one will stop you faster then a roach faced with Raid.

So, we are two months out, our kick off dinner for 150 guests at South Coast Winery, is this Saturday evening, and only 30 bloody tickets have sold. TALK ABOUT having the wind taken out of your sail. But just maybe that needed to happen, for me to get a grip, and pull my head out of you know where.

I admit I panicked, blamed others, and drove myself into a stressful fit over how to fix it or solve the lack of ticket sales issue. My daughter (gigi who is 7) was quick to reminded me to take deep breaths, and to just turn it around (which is a way bitchen move my girl and I do when things are not going great.. we hug and spin in circles until we laugh, then we pronounce a new day). I took her 'aged' wisdom to heart, and stood back to take a look at what was happening, and how all the players were participating. It was clear, we were doing it for ourselves, not the kids. Worse yet, we allowed the blame game to happen, pointing fingers, leaving snotty messages and shooting off pissy emails to one another.

So in a moment of clarity, I pulled the plug and brought us all to a halt. We started this small grass roots effort.. because of children in need- not just Haiti, but for children world wide. From our backyard to Equatorial Guinea. Yet our big ass ego's got in the way of what started as a beautiful gesture of kindness for others.

It was simple, we either forge together as a team, and move ahead with grace, passion and integrity, or we say goodnight Alice. We collectively made the decision to move forward, regardless of ticket sales. I for one, feel that the handful of guests that will be around the table Saturday, will be there for one reason- to give to others that need it more then anyone of us. Yes, they get to dig into some serious grub, and drink sensational wines.. but they signed up because they new what the evening was to entail. Giving.

My personal goal and mission is to raise awareness and $ through artisan dinners over the next.. who knows how long.. and screw dates and calenders anyway.. the goal is to gather people around the table and engage them. Serving local wholesome slow food, paired with locally made wines, craft beers and small coffee roasters. Because small local purveyors do it better and with more passion then most. Then, just then.. we have the conversations of this table! These meals, these artists, bring people together, and through the convivial bread breaking moments, we can, as a community, as neighbors.. create awareness and effect change!

Sometimes its good to fail, so you can get back up and do it right.

Be blessed in your journeys.. and EAT good food, lest we forget this is a food blog.

Ms. Delyte

Hands For Haiti Now.. month one down..

Working away with Regina Marston (Marketing Queen), Rose Watson (all around event babe) and Mindy Smith (good friend and event guru) on Hands For Haiti Now.
Planning is going great.. We are brainstorming details for the event/dinner, which kicks off in just a month at South Coast Winery in Temecula's wine country. Most the girls have left.. as its getting late, and of course Rose and I are gluttons for punishment, and have 2 other events under our thumbs that need attention. So we're hammering away, when little Miss G. Rose (my 7 year old daughter- who I think is sound asleep) comes striding up to the table in her little pink Briar Rose princess nightie. I'm ready to read her the riot act, because shes out of bed, when she calmly hands we her note pad and asks me to read. It is a letter she has penned for the head of her school. It goes a little something like this (and as its my brother in laws birthday today.. I dedicate this to him.. Uncle Jared Charney.. Happy Birthday!

Gabriells Letter to the Head of School

Mrs. Mannon,
I want permission to do art at lunch. I mean like kids from our school will come to the office (where I will be) and give me a picture of what they want me to draw for .25 cents.
Every Wednesday at lunch, in the office, I will be available.
This is because I want to raise money for Haiti and other places in need. No children should have to sleep on dirt floors, or have no roofs.

A student at hillcrest, which is me, Gigi Charney-Di Bernardo

p.s.
If you agree, I will either write a note to (her teacher) Mrs. Sablan or you can talk to her. Please come to my class and give me a talk or a note to let me know its okay.

Again, Gigi
(second grader-hillcrest academy)

OK.. I think that about says it all for us adults!

Signing out for the evening, and saluting all of our kids, who do the greatest things ever- they simple speak the truth, call things the way they see them, and take the most natural step in the world.. to lend a hand and help others!

Hope to see many of you at one of our 12 dinners over the course of this year.. more info coming later this week!

L. Delyte
A cook, an educator, and a very proud momma!