Happy Monday, friends! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. It's nice to finally feel like Spring is coming to NYC, slowly but surely. The skies are blue today, the temperatures are in the mid-60's, and I think I might go for a jog later. Makes me happy to be alive again, after such a looooong, dreary winter!

I'm going to take a break from traditional programming (a.k.a. Monday Musings) because I have so many things to tell/ask you guys!! Sorry for the bullet-points, but it's the easiest way to share it all...

*In case you missed my Friday newsletter, I have exciting news: books are officially available for pre-sale! You can order them now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble for just under $19!! (Seriously, such a steal.) Though they won't be shipped until the beginning of August, you can go ahead and reserve a copy now. Thanks for your patience – I know several of you have been waiting since December to order a copy!

*If you didn't even know that I have a newsletter – I just launched one! Every Friday morning, I'll email you dinner party ideas for the weekend, recipe links, and some fun weekend reading. Just enter your email in the little box on the right hand side of the blog, where it says Cookbook Diaries! (I know...it's confusing that it says Cookbook Diaries, but that will be switched out soon. We're working on a blog redesign, so bear with us!)

*I recently had the honor of being interviewed on Status GO, an amazing new podcast series. I love the founders' mission statement: "We believe in waking up with a sense of purpose. Everyday. We believe that hard work can convert dreams into reality. We believe that life is too short to settle. Purpose and fulfillment are perfectly achievable, if you are willing to put in the work. This podcast serves to share creative entrepreneur's stories of hard work. It is as simple and as complicated as that." (Click here to listen to the podcast!)

*I was so blown away by the enthusiastic response to last week's post about community-building. It really makes me happy to know that creating authentic community is something you value, and to hear everyone's amazing comments. Truly, one of my favorite things about being a blogger is engaging in meaningful conversation with you guys – thanks for making my job so fun!! I'm doing my best to respond to all the emails and FB messages I got – thanks SO much for writing, and hopefully I'll get caught up today.

*The drawing for a free copy of Bowl + Spoon will take place this Thursday, so feel free to enter if you haven't already! All you have to do is comment on this post AND share it on social media. I'll announce the winner in my newsletter this Friday.

*Have you cooked any Yellow Table recipes lately? If you do, post a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #theyellowtable so I can see! It truly brings the biggest smile to my face to see you make my recipes. I have to brag on one of my blog readers: Allison Parker and her friends made a spring menu from my cookbook for their Cookbook Club this weekend! They made Spicy Rosemary-Maple Cocktail Nuts for appetizer, followed by Roasted Chicken with Lemons & Shallots and Spring Pea Risotto, and for dessert, a Gluten-Free Almond Cake with Wildflower Honey. Great job ladies - everything looked beautiful!

*Finally, I would love to get your opinion on something. I'm planning some fun workshops (and dinner parties!) around the country to coincide with the re-release of my book in August, and I'd LOVE to know what sort of workshop would you want to attend. Comment below with your favorite topic(s) from the following list: How to Host a Stress-Free Dinner Party, Food-Styling 101, Seasonal Farmers' Market-Inspired Cooking Classes, How to Self-Publish a Cookbook, or Food Blogging 101.

*And most importantly, if I hosted an event – either a workshop or a pop-up dinner or a book-signing – in your city, would you come?! (I hope so!!) If you'd like me to do an event in your city and know of an ideal space, please email me at [email protected] or comment below!

See you Wednesday!

xo, Anna

P.S. My friend Phoebe (of Feed Me Phoebe) was nominated for a Saveur 2015 Best Blogger Award! Vote for her in the Best Special Interest Blog category if you have a sec (and check out all the other awesome blogs and categories!) - voting ends April 30.

(Photo by Eric Ryan Anderson)