Sometimes the nice parts of life come out of nowhere. I had that kind of weekend. After a Saturday morning of running errands most of the day, I came home to find an email that made me smile. It seems a book publisher I know had a friend who was selling some cookbooks, and take a guess who he suggested he call. When I found out some of the books were from a fifty year collection, you know I was more than a little excited. After speaking with one of the family members, we set up a time for Sunday afternoon. I drove forty minutes in the rain, and pulled up into a lovely area not far from Lake Michigan with canopy trees in a quiet and charming neighborhood. It already had a good feeling. I was greeted by a woman who said the cookbooks were her dad’s, who loved to cook and entertain. We entered the garage where the cookbooks were displayed on three shelves, and my eyes starting scanning the titles. Julia, Paul Bocuse, original Fanny Farmer, the old checkered Better Homes and Gardens, and an original Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook. She proudly showed me a photo in the Betty Crocker book that her photographer father had taken. Wouldn’t it be something to have your photograph featured in such an iconic cookbook?
These were my first selections.
The orange one that you can’t read is from one of my favorite long-ago food writers, Clementine Paddleford. I know more than one of my readers who will love that I have a Brennan’s from the restaurant in New Orleans. And I couldn’t pass up a Chicago book with recipes from many of the restaurants that are no longer open.
The old recipes in the front were stuck in some of the books. There is a recipe for a jalapeno-cranberry relish that sounds delicious. Some are barely legible or are have parts of the recipes torn away, but I love the look of them, and know they were used by someone who loved to cook. As I was sitting browsing through the books, it was obvious how much the books were used over the past fifty years. The first thing I do with old books is find the pages that are spattered with food, dog-eared, or with notes written on the margins. I found just that with some of the books. I always feel so honored and responsible to carry on the love of cookbooks. I told the family that their books were in good hands and I would always treasure them. I can’t wait to sit down and start making some of the dishes.
Another good part of the day was also unexpected. There was a local florist that I had been meaning to visit since last summer. When I was recovering from major surgery, my wonderful friend, Lisa, ordered flowers from a small shop nearby, Donna’s Custom Flowers. Actually, not flowers, but herbs, and also an herb cookbook to go with it. How many florists will take the time to find a cookbook to go with a delivery? It would be one with a big heart, for sure. I needed to find a florist to order something for an upcoming birthday and decided there was nowhere else I would rather go than to Donna’s. When I walked up to the door, my heart sunk when the sign said they closed early on the weekends for the wedding season. I went back to the car, then realized I had forgotten to see when they opened again, and went back to the door to find the information. Imagine my surprise when someone opened the door. I asked the woman if she was Donna, and she said yes. I told her about my friend Lisa who called her from Connecticut to order the herbs last year and she remembered right away. Donna let me come in and order the flowers I needed. We chatted for quite a while, and then she said she had something for me. In her display case of beautiful flowers, she pulled out the most breath-taking rose I had ever seen. She proceeded to peel down the petals to reveal even more beauty.
I couldn’t believe they were the same flower! The one in the back is before the rose is peeled away from the center. Donna told me the story of how it got its name – the Oprah Rose. It seems that Oprah Winfrey had a party at one of our hometown’s great restaurants and Donna was hired to make the centerpieces. It featured this beautiful rose along with pale green hydrangea’s and some ivy. Donna decided to name the rose variety, Oprah. Donna gave me both roses to take home, along with a hug.
The kindness of strangers will never cease to amaze me. One person trusted a total stranger with their beloved cookbooks, and a florist with a big heart gave a stranger a beautiful rose. Life is good.
What a wonderful weekend you had, despite the rain. Don’t you just love it when those unexpected things happen! The roses are beautiful, and the cookbook collection is a real treasure. I see a couple of titles I’ve been searching for. I’m definitely happy you have the Brennan’s cookbook. I hope you enjoy it. Can’t wait to read more about your finds.
Madonna, which ones did you see that you have been searching for? I have already found two recipes I want to try in the Brennan book. I wish you could have been there, too!
The Dione Lucas book has been on my search list for quite a while. You know how I am about all things French, especially French food.
You must have been like a kid in a candy store looking through those old cookbooks. Donna is the best; those roses are beautiful. Sounds like the perfect day!
Lisa, I was definitely like a kid in a candy store. I have been looking at the books on and off all day at the kitchen table, right in front of my beautiful roses. They smell wonderful. Someday when you come to visit, we will go see Donna!
Who would have thought there’d be a better story than the one about the cookbooks? But the one about the roses brought both a tear and a smile … 🙂 And, of course, I was thrilled to see you had the Brennan’s cookbook in your pile!!!
Mary, isn’t Brennan’s one of the best? I love New Orleans cookbooks. So good to hear from you!
Beautiful stories, Debbie – while you gained so much from their kindness, I am positive they came away with gratitude for having met you!
Thank you, Janice. You always have such a beautiful way with words, and one of the kindest people I have ever met.
Great story and wonderful finds, Debbie! From one collector to another, I’m so jealous 🙂 …and happy for you too!
You’re like my cookbook collecting idol.
What a wonderful gesture!! I often wonder what we’ll do with my mother’s cookbook collection when she is gone. Of course, my sister and my nieces will keep lots of them, but she has collected well over 500 cookbooks in the course of 50-60 years! Lots of treasures…..
Yes, Susan, lots of treasures! How nice your mom has so many to pass down to her family.