Then, and now.

Then:



Now:

Gambit SORT of Retrieving.

Mom's house.

One of the things I love most about the "information field" is the same things I love about being at mom's house - finding completely obscure books.


I love that mom has these books. She mostly buys mysteries or heavy heavy biographies these days, and leaves the buying obscure & ridiculous books to me, so I love finding things like this, she's had forever and I for some reason never noticed.

All in all, a good way to spend the week while housesitting!

We might not practice Santeria....

Tell the world, that I came home.

True Love

I'm currently in the small, small town where I went to university, and last weekend was the wedding of two friends from undergrad. I can't possibly tell you how amazing it's been being back with everyone. So, I'll show you.


Yeah. This is the life. And if you ask when boy and I are getting married? Here's your answer:

The Gypsy Princess

Summary: "Cinnamon is a gypsy girl who can read fortunes in a cystal ball, speak to the wind, and dance with a bear. But Cinnamon longs to be a princess."


Why I recommend it: In a quick follow-up to Something from Nothing, my Mom bought me this book because it's by the same author. I loved it. Even at the so mature 13, for months after reading this book, I didn't just dream of being a princess, but a Gypsy.  It reminds me to this day, to always remember to dream. 

Something from Nothing.

Summary: Throw it out! Cries Joseph''s mother. So Joseph runs to his grandfather with his favourite blanket. Grandpa can fix anything. From the tattered blanket, Grandpa makes a handsome jacket. With a few passes of his needle, a vest becomes a Sabbath tie. And snip! Snip! A ragged handkerchief turns into a brand-new button. But when the button is lost, what''s to be done? Even Grandpa can''t make something from nothing! Phoebe Gilman''s loving portrait of shekel life will endear Joseph and his family to readers young and old.


Why I recommend it: The Rabbi at the synagogue I went to to get Bat Mitzvah'd at gave this to each of us. Odd choice for a bunch of 13 year olds, maybe, but I still loved it. It reminded me that at the very least, I'll always have memories.

Gambit

FYI I'm now that annoying dog person.

Well, I can cook too.

I don't really blog about it (mostly because I can rarely get my act together enough to photograph when I cook, and who cares about me talking about food, unless there are pictures. Right? Right.). Here are 4 of my absolute favourite books

 Lucy was a friend of my mom for years, I've spent a few of the High Holidays with her and her family, it was at one of her Sedar's that the Jewish child's right-of-passage of drinking kosher wine, and thinking it's grape juice happened. Either way, Lucy is an amazing cook, and a lovely person. The recipes are simple, clear, and delicious - I'd recommend to anyone (And I do, to everyone)!

Arguably my favourite single recipe in any cookbook is in this book - Saute de Veau aux carottes la boutarde. Basically, carrots, veal and wine. Yes, please! I grew up refusing to eat veal (it's a long story that involves a pet baby calf) and a hatred of cooked carrots. This recipe changed that.  This is a brilliant book, and if you don't have it quite simply, you should. Every recipe is a winner, and it has some great stories and explanations to go alone with it!

 If you ever, ever, buy only one cookbook, this should be it. Granted, I may be a little biased because this cookbook is basically Ashkenazim comfort food that I grew up with. My chicken soup (which, is amazing) (no really, it is) is basically the recipe from this book. My borscht (which, also, is amazing) is basically the recipe from this book. Matzoh balls, brisket, chicken, every recipe is pure comfort, even if you aren't Jewish. It's what these foods should taste like, and has the details you need, like throwing a beat in SO FAST to give chicken soup broth the right colour. Buy it. PLEASE. It's out of print. I suggest ABEbooks. 

Mary's another of my mom's friends. She and my mom have been friends for... almost 40 years. ahem. wow. Anyways. Almost 40 years, and I grew up eating some amazing food she cooked. By day, she's a Librarian in the Toronto District School Board (See, Librarian, Chef, totally possible) who also runs cooking classes and spends a good few months every year in her house in Tuscany. It's traditional, wonderful Italian and Italian Canadian (there's a difference) food. 










So above are four great cookbooks, that I think everyone should have in their collection. They aren't fancy, but I promise, you'll love them!