Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s time to start with some Christmas decorations. How cute is this? It was one of the many treasures I found while in California a couple weeks ago. Every wine bottle needs a Santa suit, right?
I also found some cookbooks, as I always do while traveling. Some were found at a thrift shop near my mom’s house, along with a couple little plaques. I looked all over the store to see if there were others besides the “apple pie” and “lemonade,” but couldn’t find any more. I thought they would be fun to display on my cookbook shelves.
As you can see, I found some good ones. I have been wanting the Sonoma Palette book for ages! It’s from the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and consists completely of appetizer recipes. Since it is from the wine country, each recipe has a wine pairing suggestion, along with a photo of the work of art that inspired the recipe. If you don’t like the recipe, you can frame the art!
I’m looking forward to using the Bon Appetit Christmas and the macaron books for some holiday cooking and baking. I have also been wanting to read Hometown Appetites, the story about one of my favorite food writers, Clementine Paddleford. If you enjoy reading about our culinary history and regional cooking, this is a must. Clementine was probably America’s first traveling food writer and had a fascinating life.
First on my list to start cooking, even before Christmas cookies, is the Canal House Cooking, Volume 7. Having just visited Italy less than two months ago, I have become obsessed with Italian recipes. I bought a handmade gnocchi board in Tuscany and can’t wait to make the gnocchi verdi, along with trying my hand at homemade ricotta.
My daughter Kristina and I are going on a cruise this coming weekend, so come back soon and read about our adventure. When I return home, it will be time to start on the Christmas baking. If you have a favorite holiday recipe, feel free to share it!
Wow, that is indeed a good haul of cookbooks! I’m so impressed by your knack for hunting down the best.
I got my hands on my signed copy of Cooking Across America signed by Mr & Mrs. Clayton!
Love the stories, including yours! What a foodie, Mr. Clayton was and what a well-lived life.
My own latest haul of books includes Hazel’s Candies, Pure Chocolate by Fran Bigelow, Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery, Ruth Kendrick’s Candymaking, signed copies of Maida Heatter’s Cakes and Great Desserts, Gaston Lenotre’s Best of Desserts and Ice Creams & Candies, and Tish Boyle’s Diner Desserts. I am now waiting for Rose Levy Beranbaum’s new book.
Cookbook collecting is so addictive. I should email you a photo of my collection one of these days – not as impressive as yours yet!
Happy Cookbooks & Christmas…from one collector to another!
Judy
Hi Judy! I’m so glad you found Bernard’s “Cooking Across America.” Not only great recipes, but fun reading about cooks around the country. You have found some wonderful books yourself! And, yes, it is very addictive, isn’t it?
I’ll add my name to the chorus of addicted collectors!
Debbie, I’m often amazed at how our book choices intersect. I recently found a new copy of “Hometown Appetites” through an Amazon third-party seller for only $3.99. I’m anxiously awaiting its arrival. My other great find was “The Merchant of Sonoma,” a biography of Chuck Williams.
MsZin- when my cellar is finally completed, and you come to see it (as you must!), we will probably be amazed that we have most of the same books. By the way, Bill and I were just in the cellar a few minutes ago planning the next stage of shelves!