English Kitchen

"I'm here, luv"

British accent. 

You could tell on the phone she was spunky. 

I wish on anyone the beautiful drive between Collegedale, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia. 

I had driven to Atlanta to pick up a stranger. We'd spoken a couple times on the phone but never met. And I wasn't sure what she looked like, really. 

I'd seen a headshot a couple weeks earlier, but now I'm standing in the airport amid a massive throng of people and I'm not sure how we're going to find each other. 

That's where cell phones come in. "I'm here, luv," she says, "at baggage claim for flight 56." 

Across the sea of people I recognized her immediately. She's unmistakable. There's a God-light shining around this woman. It was like I already knew her. An hour later we'd prayed and cried and eaten at Arby's, and I had decided this one's a for-sure keeper. 

She's a fantastic actress. Played Caroline Calloway in  Handwritten Pictures'  "Marbles With Thoreau."  Nothing short of brilliant.  

Over the last 6 months, she and her husband have hosted wonderful dinners that certainly betray them for the foodies that they are. I'm so entertained by the word 'foodie.'

Is that 'Foody' if you're American and 'Foodie' if you're British? 

Today I tried some of her Orange Marmalicious Pancake Syrup; ended up getting two bottles, cause I have to share this with somebody, but you better believe they're not getting mine.  So then I tried the Sundried Tomato Pesto and I had to have some of that, too. Tried the Cranberry Compote,  and you guessed it, had to... 

If you listen closely, you can hear your vanilla ice cream begging for some of this compote. 

I knew she was a bright shining human, a loving wife and mother, such a talented actress, and an amazing dinner chef. But seriously, I really didn't expect how good her English Kitchen line would be. And I hope that's not an insult, Josie. I knew it would be good, even amazing. I didn't know I'd be raving about it hours later!

SUN-DRIED TOMATO FESTO PESTO

A spicy tapenade, perfect for hors d'oeuvres

4oz - $7.50

PORT & CRANBERRY COMPOTE

"Tastes like Christmas!" Great for meats, cheeses--and ice cream!

4oz. - $7.50

ORANGE MARMALICIOUS PANCAKE SYRUP

If you love maple syrup, wait until you taste this! Orange/lemon/ginger.

8oz. - $7.50

ENGLISH HOLIDAY CHUTNEY

Date/Cranberry/Pineapple. Last year's instant bestseller. 

8oz. - $7.50

GIFT BASKETS (Any combination of four) available for a $7.00 additional charge.

Perfect gifts for yourself or someone you love. To order, email josiecoleman@gmail.com 

A single phrase to describe my friend Josie Gammell-Coleman: Actress Brilliant Foodie

Ask me a question

I met him on February 26, 2000. It's not that often I remember the date I first met someone.

8 years ago, he booked me for my first concert 

ever.      

Did I tell him that? No!

He calls me up, 

"Hi I'm Marcel Schwantes and I heard your music from a friend and I'd like to book you to come and perform at a venue called The Young and the Restless.  Are you available?"

"Sure, Marcel, what date would you like?..."

Cause, you know, I'm trying to make it apparent that any one of the next 364 days might be already committed elsewhere. Next Tuesday? No, can't do that. I'm planning to walk around the block that day.  Third wednesday of the month 4 months from now? Sorry, full. Day after that? Full too. All weekend, full. What?... 

"February 26? Sure, I think I can do that." 

So I get off the phone and call my sister Truth and my boys 

Quinton and Mike and I'm like, 

"Help, I'm doing a concert!"

It's not the last time he's gotten me in over my head. My first interview. My first record deal. I was just a tagalong to Marcel's speaking engagement at a university business class, next thing you know we're making a record. 

A few months ago I was sharing with him that I've been thinking of pursuing a master's degree in Counseling because I really want to be able to help people move toward their goals in life. True to form, he asks a question, 

"Have you heard of Life Coaching?"

"Yeah, that motivational mumbo-jumbo, what about it?"

"Well, I'm studying for my certificate and I think it's the sort of thing you might want to check into. In fact, I think you're well suited for it. It's about helping people move toward their goals in life. You'd be great at it. "

Hmmmm, interesting, that's what Suzanne said a couple months earlier. 

"Sure, I'll check it out. Send me a link..."

I'm on track to complete the Life Coaching certificate early 2009. I have to tell  you I am so excited about this new learning curve. Thank you, my brother. 

Along my journey into purpose, there are at least 5 pivotal points where I remember his friendship shaping the course of my path. Some people just have a way of bringing sychronicity with them into your life. He's out of town with his wife this weekend, so I feel this is a perfectly good time to talk about him behind his back. 

A single phrase to describe my friend Marcel Schwantes: Angel Blogger Right-Time-Question Coach