Toke Talk

Welcome back, everyone! I hope that you all enjoyed the long holiday weekend. Happy Fourth of July!

Summer is in full swing, and I’m sitting on the deck of our summer beach rental as I type this. So needless to say, I don’t think this blog will be a long one.

I first want to tell all the amazing viewers my family and I have met over the last few weeks that you have been incredible. Everyone’s continued feedback and encouragement have been inspiring me to experiment further to create some delicious treats. It is such a joy to be able to make people happy with food.

So how does everyone like Christmas in July? I loved it. There’s something about this time of year. All at once it seems all things are possible. I think it may be all the preparations that get us to look at ourselves a bit more deeply.

Watching Jacqueline and her family make paper garlands was really sweet. That was a blast from the past. Her parents always seem to have to the right things to say. She is so lucky to have them.

Thank God for the Manzo women. It’s very clear who gets things done over there! Good girl, Lauren, crack that whip. I know that you may not have seen much of Greg yet, but who else loved Greg’s “Guido” voice? Is that what happens when you have too many sausage and pepper sangwiches? This trio really cracks me up.

Apparently nerves didn’t get the best of Melissa when the music producers came to visit. The girl can sing. I’m so glad that you all got a chance to really hear that this week. It’s just the beginning. You all knew it was coming, there’s no way Joey was going to be happy with Melissa singing in a studio for so many hours. The only logical thing is for him to build her a studio in the house. That was a no-brainer. Woman, what were you thinking? Your place is at home. Haha.

There’s nothing like a simple dish of pasta to bring you back to basics. I’m happy to see Teresa and Joe have their priorities in line and are on the right track to rebuilding their future. It all starts with a solid foundation and then the sky is the limit.

I think that my kids are still laughing after hearing me say the word toke. I guess they forget that I was a teenager once too. What the heck, mama still likes to have fun, you know? I’m referring of course to my vision for that incredible restaurant our realtor Jeff Vander Mollen took us to see. I thought it would be interesting to mix my husband’s Lebanese heritage into the restaurant by bringing in belly dancers and hookahs. Wasn’t that place beautiful? How easy it is to get caught up in a dream. However, we don’t live on Fantasy Island. For me, life is about balance. Although I wanted to jump right in, we have to remain realistic. Our family life would have to go through some big changes. I’m not sure that I’m ready for that to happen.

Boy, does my face tell all! If it seems I’m a little frustrated when Albert starts laughing at the suggestion of a restaurant…Well you’re right, I was, but not really with Albert. I knew he would think we were crazy. I was frustrated with Rich, because he’s the one that really wants a restaurant.

Going to see Albert at the Brownstone was a great idea. Rich and I value his opinion, and who better to give us advice about the restaurant business. Albert was completely honest with us while sharing his experiences over the years at the Brownstone. Albert put things into focus for us, and in the process he brought us back to planet earth. Thanks, Albert, we need to rethink this restaurant idea a bit more. Maybe there’s a way Rich and I can meet in the middle.

Like the song says, “It’s the happiest time of the year.” It is heartwarming to see that everyone is coming together, sharing and caring enough about one another to make things work. A time when all things are possible and dreams can come true.

It’s fantastic to see everyone warming up to one another and having fun. Although it’s the day christians celebrate Jesus’s birthday, I like to think that Christmas is a state of mind. Too bad we can’t keep this state of mind all year long. Well, I think we will have Christmas on the brain for the next few episodes at least. I will just have to be content with that.

See you all next week! I wonder who’s going to get coal in their stocking?

Lots of love,

xoxo Kathy