The snow is falling here in Chicago, as promised by the weatherman. It’s the first significant amount of the season, and actually very late. We usually have a lot more by this time. Whenever the snow begins, all I want to do is stay in the kitchen and cook all day and warm up the house, which is exactly what I am going to do. I’m going to steam up all the windows and just go from one recipe to another. But I wanted to share an article with you first, from Russ Parsons of the LA Times. A man after my own heart.
It seems Mr. Parson’s home is swamped with cookbooks. He divides his books into three groups: the cookbooks used every day for research; the ones used for deep research only looked at every once in a while; and the ones almost never used at all, the latter being the one he treasures most – in other words – the ones we buy for love. It’s because they all tell a story. I would love to hear the stories of his cookbooks. But like I said, right now all I want to do is cook and bake. Here is the link to Mr. Parson’s article. If you are a cookbook lover, it will make you smile. Of course you are a cookbook lover, or you wouldn’t read my blog. I am anxious to head for the kitchen now, bright and early, with the glow of the snow starting to shine through the windows. I love winter.
While I am cooking, I will try to figure out how I can meet Mr. Parson and his cookbooks and see how he arranges his collection, or at least see a photo. My Culinary Cellar is going to be going through a make-over very soon and I will be posting lots of photos on the progression. I love seeing what other people do with their massive cookbook collections. What I do know for sure is that they are all very much loved. Every single one.
Time to cook.
Loved the article. If you figure out how to meet Mr. Parson, can I tag along?
I hope you get to meet Mr. Parson’s. He would be lucky to know you as you have such a love of your books. I feel so lucky to have been a guest in your home to see first hand how much-loved your collection is.
Lisa, I want you to come back and see the new Culinary Cellar when it’s done! Do you know you were the one of the first people to see my card catalogue right after I got it from the library? Now I wish I had two!
MsZin – of course you can come along! 🙂
I couldn’t resist searching for card catalogs on Ebay. They really are unique and lovely pieces, not to mention functional. Could be a great utensil drawer 🙂
Lisa- after reading your comment, I looked on eBay for the old library catalogs like mine, and one I found only had 12 drawers and was over $300! Mine has 80 drawers and was free! The library was more than happy to get rid of the giant, heavy piece, and I was only too happy to take it; in fact, I kick myself now that I didn’t take two. We had to disassemble it to get it down the basement stairs. It still remains my favorite item in my culinary cellar. And you are right – it is great for utensils, cookie cutters, and miscellaneous fun kitchen stuff.