SAN RAFAEL, CA -- The manuscript lovingly penned in 1980 by a mother for her 19-year daughter departing for a year of study in Italy never had a chance to collect dust. Lucille Campilongo's handwritten survival guide has never been far from her daughter Gina's reach.
So imagine Lucille Campilongo's shock and surprise when it was presented to her on Mother's Day in 2008 as a published book entitled "Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook."
"My daughter and son-in-law surprised me with a published version of a notebook I had written years ago for my daughter when she went to Italy for her junior year of college," said Campilongo. "I was astounded that she was still using it, let alone having it published. My daughter Gina felt it was beneficial for anyone starting out on their own and having to fend for themselves."
Now, after nearly thirty years the San Rafael homemaker's beloved and well-worn household handbook, featuring over 30 authentic Italian recipes, has been published and is available at bookstores and online for anyone - young or old - embarking on a new life of domestic independence.
Starting Sept. 2 through Oct. 31, Vasco Restaurant at 106 Throckmorton Avenue in Mill Valley, will feature Campilongo's recipes on its dinner menu. Recipes from the book will be featured each week as a special menu selection.
On Friday, Sept. 19, Lucille Campilongo will be at Vasco Restaurant from 7 to 9 p.m. to personally sign copies of her book.
Known affectionately as "Lucia" by family and close friends, she penned the original 85-page manuscript in two weeks and presented it to daughter Gina at her going-away party.
"It had a lot helpful information, but I presented it to her as sort of a joke, too," said Campilongo. "I remember that everyone at the party laughed when she read the title aloud."
Before the time when communications and information had leaped into the technological age, Campilongo's documentation of her many years as an enterprising and proficient homemaker and accomplished family cook was equally about giving her peace of mind, as it was to guide daughter Gina in everything from cleaning house to recreating easy, authentic Italian recipes.
"Being a typically concerned mother, whose daughter was leaving home for the first time, I decided to write some helpful hints and simple recipes that would not only benefit her, but also help calm my apprehensions," said Campilongo.
"We've had it for twenty-eight years and are still using it in our kitchen, as we try to recall the various ingredients of particular dishes," said Gina Campilongo-Friedman of San Rafael, today a wife and mother with her own daughter away at college and a son in high school.
"Last year, when it was time for our own daughter to leave for college, we realized that we were unable to pass down Lucia's wisdom without giving up our beloved handwritten book," said Campilongo-Friedman.
"We thought about making copies of the original manuscript, but not everyone could read Lucia's handwriting and it was so worn from constant use - we decided it was best to preserve it the right way."
While recording the manuscript into the family computer, there was an epiphany.
"It occurred to us that if we were going to published it for our own children, why not publish it for everyone else who would need a practical helping hand setting up and maintaining a home and kitchen," said Campilongo-Friedman. "We realized that there are all types of people who might not have the skills to manage their own home or apartment."
Campilongo-Friedman and her family realized Lucia's guide was a helpful, non-intimidating book that could provide helpful household reference and delicious recipes for the novice cook.
"It was clearly time to publish it for the benefit of our children and anyone else needing practical tips, a helping hand in the kitchen and some basics for getting themselves started on their own," said Campilongo-Friedman.
Written in her words, "Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook" transports Lucille Campilongo's voice and warm sense of humor to anyone needing or wishing they had a little motherly advice.
An ideal reference source for people in transition or for efficient tips on mastering household tasks, "Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook" is one item in the home that will never need dusting. Not to mention those authentic family recipes.
Meet Lucille Campilongo and taste her traditional Italian dishes
IF YOU GO:
What: Book signing with author Lucille Campilongo "Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook."
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 2008
Where: Vasco Restaurant, 106 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley
Phone: 415-381-3343
Website: http://luciassurvivalguide.googlepages.com
For reservations or more information about Lucille Campilongo's menu items featured at Vasco Restaurant from Sept. 2 to Oct. 31, 2008, call 415-381-3343.
"Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook," published by iUniverse, is available for sale Barnes and Noble in Corte Madera and through most online booksellers, including Amazon.com
$12.95 paperback / $22.95 hardbound
Lucille Campilongo was born in San Francisco and is a seasoned homemaker. Lucille and her husband, Victor, have three children.
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