“The perfect tranquility of life,
which is nowhere to be found but in retreat, a faithful friend, and a good library” ~ Aphra Behn
Harry – May 2017
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It's inevitable
Two energetic puppies recovering from elbow surgery. You're mission for (at least) six weeks? Keep them calm. No afternoon daycare to burn off some energy. Instead, all eyes are on you
You'd been doing pretty well. The calming medicine you begged from vet had been working its magic. Between a few short walks around the block and a pile of bones from the meat locker, the days had been humming along
That is, until this particular afternoon
The weather had been absolutely beautiful last week. So we'd been enjoying longer walks at the park, afternoon car rides with the windows rolled down (they're becoming local celebrities), farmer's market mornings, and afternoons splashing in the backyard kiddy pool.
Somewhere between cutting strawberries and asking them to “please .. slow .. down” I'd completely missed that this week was the week that something was to be finished, to be sent off, to be signed, sealed, delivered, Amen. Between their spit-out-the-medicine trick (them), and a longer than usual night (me)
the scales had been tipped
— — —
So I hopped on my bike and went for a ride through campus
A place so full of life just the week before was nearly deserted. The students scattered for the summer. Before long, I found myself chaining my bike outside a familiar retreat
My love affair with the library began twenty-five(!) years ago when I was a young mom, as well as a student. A season when there was little money for a sitter, so my study sessions were timed to coincide with my son's nap. Every afternoon I loaded the stroller with a baby, action figures, snacks, a diaper bag, and Calculus books. By the time we made it to campus .. he was sound to sleep
How many hours did we spend together in the second-floor cubby .. in the southwest corner overlooking Atanasoff Hall?
Today, when the walls at home feel like they're closing in; when I'm in need of quiet. When I'm craving the comfort of a structure. When I want to feel like I'm part of something bigger than myself. When I'm missing my son, I'll wander the floors, in search of a quiet corner to hide out in.
Today though was a little different. Instead, it was the inspiration that I craved. After a couple of hours lost in the shelves of cookbooks
I emerged a brand new woman.
Wobbling home on my bike, a backpack and arms loaded with a bigger-than-I-should-have stack of cookbooks. The combination of freshly mowed grass, flowering trees, and sunshine made the ride felt extra special
Not that I need any more cookbooks stacked on the kitchen counter. It's just that I couldn't help myself. These fun cookbooks feel like works of art, and everyone needs a little kitchen inspiration every now and again
What have you been cooking from this Spring?
39 Comments
Look at all those awesome cookbooks. I am always on the lookout for new ones because I find looking at a recipe out of a book is much easier for me to follow than one online.
I have a bit of a cookbook problem. I have so many of them that I don’t have room to put them anywhere. And yet I still keep finding more…..
I love finding new cookbooks and I have quite a collection! My go-to cookbook is one I put together and had published for our church family. It’s full of good, southern recipes that I use over and over.
I can never pass up a good cookbook. Just look at my book shelves. I am one of those people that read cookbooks like a regular book.
I am always on the lookout for different cookbooks to help expans my cooking skills! These look great, and they could really help me along in my quest to make my family try new things!
I definitely love getting ideas from the cookbook. It looks like there’s a few good ones out there that I need to explore. I love your puppies too. They are gorgeous.
That is a whole lot of cookbooks here. Never been a fan of reading them as I don’t like cooking, my partner does all that for me 😀 😀 Give me a micorwave and I know what to do 🙂
I have a few of those, but I really want to get Kale and Caramel and On Veg! Thanks for sharing.
I love flicking through cookbooks, even if the recipe might not totally be for me, often the pictures are just inspiring to try something new. We have an overflowing recipe book cupboard that really needs clearing out before we consider buying more, but these ones do look tempting because they’re so colourful!
I could really use a few new cookbooks. I am getting tired of a lot of the same meals I prepare, so new cookbooks would be great!
Ohh we are having a new kitchen put in at the moment and I am so looking forward to using it – I shall have to check out son of these cookbooks.
what I love about cookbooks are pictures! I’d buy them only for the food visual story telling! Not so good at reading and following recipes 🙁
You can never have enough cookbooks when you enjoy cooking. I think it’s lovely that you have a source for cookbooks in case you’re feeling a little more adventurous with your cooking.
I can only imagine what it was like, having to study while taking care of a new born. You’re amazing. I think cookbooks are heaven sent they inspire me to try different recipes and get creative in the kitchen.
Your poor puppies and their elbows, that doesn’t sound fun x
I haven’t bought a cookbook in a long time. I usually cook from scratch, sometimes my dishes still have to earn a name. Sometimes I come up with a dish and my children ask, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” and I have to invent a name for the dish. Haha. Oh well, if I were to choose, I like the salad cookbook. That would be really nice to read.
These look like really cool cookbooks. I love cookbooks, so I have a lot, but I always have room for a few more.
I have a few fave cookbooks, but I’m always happy to add more to my collection. This sounds like some great options for sure.
I love cookery books too, nothing beats seeing a recipe in print.
I own two cook books and one is in chinese {dont ask} but you’ve inspired me to check out our local library for some lovely recipe books
It is amazing how much you are able to achieve even under compromising situations. I love the smell and feel of new cookbooks although it has been a while since I have purchased one x
Hope the puppies have recovered well. Don’t know how you managed to have time to go to the library and pick out some cook books. Books look great. Did you find any good recipes?
So many options to choose from! These look like such great options but I really want to try the “Good Clean Food” one. Great post!
Your puppies are so cute. Well i love cooking. And for any special occasions when i have to think of something delicious and different, the first thing i look at is cookbooks. And the collection here has something for everyone.
Whenever I get into a bookstore, I turn towards the shelves that have cookbooks on display. I think if I were to choose from your list, I would be interested in Kale and Caramel.
I kind of feel as though cook books are dying out now with the rise of apps like Pinterest, as I use this to store all my recipes and find new ones. It’s a shame, I do enjoy flicking through a cookbook.
All those cookbooks are awesome, and I understand your need to buy more and more. I have a collection of dictionaries.
Is it weird that I am salivating on the books about greens and salads? What can I say, I am green baby through and through!
Renewing your cooking self by having new recipes books sounds like a good idea. Spring is always great to refresh and learn to skills!
I hope your dogs heal quickly! I have been cooking from Pinterest. I use pinterest a lot to find ideas. It is like an online cookbook…lol. I think I need to invest in the Dinner cookbook. I love finding new recipes and finding new cookbooks.
I like your current book haul! I also love the library and have recently been picking up both cookery and baking books. I am currently perusing through Nigella Lawsons Simply Nigella and am loving it! I haven’t made anything from it yet, but will get to once I pick a favourite!
This is indeed a great array of different foods and cookbooks . We all need that time for ourselves no matter where it may be for us. Thanks for sharing your experiences and the cookbooks.
I love looking through cookbooks for inspiration. These ones look great I love the vibrant colours. I can easily spend hours looking through cookbooks too.
Oh I would buy these simply for their design!! They’re all so beautiful! I’m starting to love cooking, and want to learn more, so I would love to get some nice cookbooks. I feel like if I got pretty ones, it would inspire me to use them haha!
They all look amazing! I think I am going to buy a few of these books, cooking is the one thing I am getting better at little by little, but love it and I can’t wait to try new and interesting recipes.
Of course your dogs are local celebrities, they’re gorgeous. I need to get some more cookbooks and start using them, I’m such a freestyle chef haha
The dog is gorgeous. I hope the surgery recovery goes well. I have a new cook book i got for christmas and it’s the hairy bikers one and i love it. I need to use it more.
i haven’t cooked much in these few months and i really want to change that, these are great recommendations!
I have been a big fan of some of these books growing up. and some new to discover. Thanks for the recomendations