It's time for the book promotion to begin! Rachaels 14th cookbook, Just in Time, was released yesterday. Rachael kicked off the book tour with an appearance on Good Morning America.

As part of her Just in Time book tour, Rachael made a personal appearance at an NYC Barnes and Noble, which Barnes and Noble has kindly posted here.

I have been trying hard to resist joining any new challenges. I have my work pretty much cut out for me for 2008. But when Michelle at 1morechapter.com announced her Pub'08 challenge to read at least 8 books published in 2008, I couldn't resist. Here is what I am planning to start with:

Could this be true? Man, writing this blog has turned me into such a skeptic. I defnitely don't believe any story about Rachael Ray's marriage, it took a lot to convince me she was throwing a SXSW party, and now I'm skeptical about this newest story. According to PopCrunch (via Slashfood), Rachael Ray is developing a cartoon. See - your reaction was skepticism too, right? Thanks, glad it's not just me. Here are the scant details:

Rachael is developing a cartoon, featuring herself as a young chief, for a January 2009 release throught Oprah’s Harpo Productions.

“It’s in the very early stages of production,” an insider says. “Rachael is working with illustrators, trying to get the right look for her character.”

Okay, I'm starting to miss cooking. Think I can get my act together to cook a meal this week? Maybe I should make that my goal this week (in addition to the usual one of not dropping the baby). This week's Roundup has a bunch of my favorite posts - recipe reviews. They are the whole reason I started the Roundup in the first place.

Here are some Rachael Ray posts from around the blogosphere this week. If you see a post that you think would be good for the Roundup, or you write one yourself, e-mail me so I can be sure to include it.

Guess who's going to Vegas again? That's right, it's me! I have tickets for "O" at the Bellagio, a massage appointment at a spa, and more restaurant picks than I have time for. We just wanted a little getaway and got an outstanding deal on room and airfare rates, so off we go. If there's some restaurant you know of that I have to go to when I'm there, let me know!

Here are some Rachael Ray posts from around the blogosphere this week. If you see a post that you think would be good for the Roundup, or you write one yourself, e-mail me so I can be sure to include it.

It’s an old question, but a good one . . . What were your favorite books this year?

A few weeks ago, I addressed the Great Garbage Bowl Debate, so when I ran across an article where yet another journalist decided to show us that Rachael's meals can't be made in 30 minutes, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the Great 30 Minute Debate.

The first stop on Rachael Ray's book tour for Just in Time appears to be a success. Rachael appeared at the Moorestown Mall to sign copies of her book and help kickoff the annual 6abc Holiday Food Drive.

I got a fun email this week from Tammy, who appeared on Rachael Ray's talk show last March with her dog, Spudgy. They were featured in a segment called "Famous YouTube Stars." Tammy said the experience was a great one, from the staff all the way to meeting Rachael.

According to Tammy: "Rachael is stunning in person and just as nice as she portrays on TV." She also said that being on Rachael's talk show was one "of the best experiences ever and she and her staff are the best!"

Here are some Rachael Ray posts from around the blogosphere this week. If you see a post that you think would be good for the Roundup, or you write one yourself, e-mail me so I can be sure to include it.

My reading time has been limited today. I have several chores that, despite my best efforts, seem to be left waiting for me on Sunday. I am always trying to multi-task though and so I did manage to listen to a bit more of The Poet by Michael Connelly. This is another one of the books on the list of Agatha/Anthony/Edgar Award winners and is therefore apart of my quest to read all the winners. I finished The Chatham School Affair on Friday which is also on the list. I didn't love it as some reviewers have but I did end up enjoying it after a rough start.

When she cooks on her daytime talk show or on 30 Minute Meals, Rachael often uses what she calls a Moppine. In my house, it was always a dishtowel, but I'm not Sicilian. They sell them for 9.99 each at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. According to the description, this is a 2-in-1 kitchen item, since it is both an oven mitt and kitchen towel. It has "heat resistant pockets for easy and safe handling of hot items. Simply hang it up to dry after using it on wet items." It's 100% cotton, measures 28" L x 18" W, and is machine washable.

Alright people, I'm definitely in Babywatch 2008 mode. I'm at 8.5 months now, which means baby could arrive at anytime [insert dramatic music here]. My cooking has reduced even more than it was last week, mostly because of running around trying to tie up loose ends. If I could just find a lamp I like for baby's room, I think I would be golden.... Enough about me, on to what's up with Rachael Ray!

Here are some Rachael Ray posts from around the blogosphere this week. If you see a post that you think would be good for the Roundup, or you write one yourself, e-mail me so I can be sure to include it.

Well, there's big news in Rachael Ray's world today. Rachael's Ray's magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, has itself a new Executive Editor. Silvana Nardone, who is the magazine's Editor, said: “Theresa shares our sense of humor and our fun, flirty attitude. We can’t wait to have her join the party at Every Day with Rachael Ray,” said Ms. Nardone.

Top o' the Heap(Best of the Best)
Silas Marner by George Eliot

It has been a pretty good reading week at my house. Because the weather has been bitterly cold, we have limited our activities to only those that are absolutely necessary.

I was able to finish and review two books for challenges. I read People of the Book and The Septembers of Shiraz. Hopefully, this puts me in a pretty good spot for my January reading goals.

Today, everyone was feeling under the weather so we decided to stay home from church so as not to share our bug. That means it should be a pretty good day for reading for me.

Rachael Ray's recipe for Ravioli Lasagna is a classic. It dates back to my favorite Rachael Ray cookbook, 30-Minute Meals 2.

Why all the Rachael Ray divorce rumors again? I've started to assume that every time this rumor resurfaces, it's just because some tabloid needs a little extra cash, and they know it will sell papers. People magazine says that Rachael has decided to rebut the rumors one more time.

People informs us that "During a taping of her talk show Monday, the normally bubbly cook said that constant reports about the state of her marriage to John Cusimano are starting to upset her, an observer tells PEOPLE."

Rachael Ray has been extolling the virtues of chicken stock in a box for as long as I have been watching her show. In the past, she has used the Kitchen Basics brand, which I use and love. It's actually the only stock they sell in my store, although you can find about 10 brands of chicken broth.

How was your Thanksgiving! Mine turned out pretty well, although I had a couple mishaps. We started with a Rachael Ray recpe for kids from her Open House Cookbook. It's just one can of Hormel No Bean Chili with 8 oz of cream cheese melted in. Soooo good and easy for a day when you have a gazillion other things to make.

I am so sad to admit that soup season is quickly dwindling away! February is usually pretty cold here in Northern California, but this year (after freezing cold weather and torrential downpours last month), it almost feels like Spring is just around the corner. So, I had to take advantage of what is left of Winter and to do so, I made Harvest Creamy Corn "Choup."

Ahhh, a topic close to my heart: Rachael Ray's Christmas cocktails. Ever since Every Day with Rachael Ray started being published, we have a whole new source of cocktail goodness. And these aren't your average cocktails, either.

I hope you have a wonderful Rachael Ray recipe filled Christmas tomorrow. Today, I'm baking (!) Cherry Breakfast Cake for Christmas Day and some Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake to take over to our Christmas Eve hosts. That will be the extent of my time in the kitchen, since we will be on the road, flitting between here and the Bay Area for our Christmas celebrations.

With Christmas rapidly approaching, you may be doing much more entertaining than usual. If you're like me, that means you might also need a bit more help than usual!