Saturday, October 23, 2021

Knickers and spinach

Does anyone else save their favourite knickers for days when they know they're going out? Even if it's only to the shops. I think it's the 'in case I get run over' mentality.

Anyway, as you know, after our holiday, I took a week 'off'. It was lovely and the world didn't collapse around my ears. Now, however, life is as crazy as ever. And actually, I think I prefer it this way.

I am less likely to slump and wallow when I'm too busy to stop.

As well as planning to write fiction every day in November I've picked up the memoir I'm ghost-writing. It's more or less finished; mostly needs the subject to check it for factual inaccuracies. And possibly libel. And tying him down is hard work.

I suppose I should think about a pre-Christmas book-selling push too. Not to mention Christmas shopping. Need to plan ahead to get presents out to Italy. 

Oh, yes, that's what I was going to write about. I knew I came here for a reason. Pam has a post on her blog to celebrate National Cookbook Month. (Yes, seriously.) It's also spinach month as well as caramel, popcorn popping, and many others. 

A few years ago - or it might have been in first lockdown enthusiasm for jobs I've always meant to do but never got round to - I sorted out my cookbook shelves. Got rid of the ones I never used, and sorted the rest into miscellaneous and author order. This is more or less the result.

Most of these will have at least one favourite recipe. And this is probably the most-used cookbook.
I bought it early in married life - so it's probably forty years old - and contains lots of favourite recipes. The months are all out of order and the index is missing anyway.

Oh, I've just read that the author, Katie Stewart, died in 2013. Her obituary in the Guardian said she was 'mentor to a generation who first learned their kitchen skills in the late 1960s and 70s.' That would be me then. 

Now I shall do my bit for National Spinach Month by making lamb and spinach curry. 

P.S. On our family whatsapp page my kitchen cleaning is being dissed. (Is that the right word?) I would like to point out that no-one has ever died directly as a result of eating my food. On the contrary I put it the jury that my lack of attention to kitchen cleanliness has provided my children with the best start in life: a highly developed immune system.

P.P.S. Lest you think my kitchen is totally disgusting, it's not. I keep surfaces clean. 



9 comments:

pam nash said...

Nice bunch of cookbooks you have there. I also had to go through my book CASE full since I knew I wouldn't have room for all when I moved. I hated doing that!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

It's always important to avoid libel! That's a good writing tip.

Boud said...

I have few cookbooks but a huge three ring binder of hand copied and Xeroxed recipes from many books. Otherwise I'd have a groaning bookcase of them.

Cop Car said...

Most of the cookbooks on your shelves look well used. (BTW: I recall your previous posting about culling your cookbooks.)

Most of my cookbooks cannot be pitched since my culling of 10-15 years ago. They are all handed down by family, written & published by family, or gifted by family. One of my favorites is a community cookbook put out by a small town in 1943 - published just in time to contain recipes from the four elder generations of my family. I appreciate those recipes because they don't get fancy with their directions.

For instance, after listing ingredients on the first 3 1/2 lines of the recipe for Pecan Pie, a family friend wrote, "When well mixed add pecan meats and turn into a pie plate lined with unbaked pastry. Bake in a moderate oven until firm." for a total of 1.5" of type on the page.

Kathy G said...

I culled most of my cookbooks when we moved. Now if I need a recipe I just search the internet for one.

Polly said...

Yes I wear my best knickers when I'm going out! Every time I look at my cookery books I think "I must cull some of these" but I never get round to it. My daughters have an excellent immune system too!

Janie Junebug said...

I have certain knickers I like to wear for important occasions as well as some for leaving the house in an ordinary way and others that are definitely around-the-house knickers. Now you know.

Love,
Janie

Liz Hinds said...

Pam, I do have a couple of others that are on another bookshelf - just in case!

I think so, Debra.

Boud, yes, I also have a box folder full of torn out and written out recipes.

What a lovely reason for keeping cookbooks, CopCar.

I do use the internet a lot too, Kathy.

Glad you brought your daughters up well, Polly!

Totally, Janie! You could be describing my drawer.

Tams said...

Oooh Lamb and Spinach curry,, my fav