In the afternoon, after lunch (salad and 1/2 pastrami sandwich), I tidied and dusted the living room and the dining area. I put away the household supplies that were delivered, earlier, and updated my inventory.
Then, I went through my cookbook shelf to see if I could declutter it a bit further and pulled out a book that had belonged to my mother (published in 1959). But, it contained some old and, in my opinion, more authentic recipes for certain dishes from my childhood, including a recipe for love cake that calls for 25 eggs for 1 lb. semolina! In comparison, the recipe I've used, which I copied down from another cookbook my mother had, calls for 18 eggs for the same amount of semolina, and the later, revised version of that book, which my mother bought for me, calls for 10 eggs. The last time my daughter made the cake, she compromised and settled for 12 eggs. Halfway through reviewing the recipe book, I called friend R and we reminisced about our families making some of these dishes. Somehow, I couldn't bring myself to declutter that book, so, I put it back on the shelf! It isn't a very big book and there is room for it on the shelf.
I did declutter the broken tea cup that I had blogged about, here. I know I debated about gluing it together and repurposing it, but, I decided that I can't declutter if I repair and keep everything!
In the evening, I had my piano lesson. I didn't get any stickers, today, because I need to practice a lot more!
Dinner tonight was the last of the slices of roast beef I had cooked and frozen, made over with broccoli, carrots, and potatoes:
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| Beef "Stew" |
I was going to add onions and tomatoes to it, but, I forgot! Oops! I had an orange for dessert.
Afterwards, I washed the dishes, emailed a friend, and video chatted with my daughter.
Today, I am grateful for:
- What I was able to accomplish
- Old cookbooks
- Being able to reminisce with a friend
- Piano lessons
- The technology that enables us to do so many things online
Today's joyful activity was going through the old cookbook and reminiscing with my friend.
I have been doing abbreviated To Do lists since I hurt my toe, as walking and standing for any period of time has been painful. But, the toe is getting a little better, so I am going to make a list for tomorrow; some of these are from Tuesday's list, which I didn't do!
Wednesday's To Do List:
- Dust family room and my bedroom
- Water the garden, back
- Water the house plants
- Paperwork/filing
- Put away the pantry stock up items
How was your Tuesday? What have you planned for Wednesday?
I'm glad to hear that your poorly toe is improving.
ReplyDeleteYour mum's cookbook was one of those happy finds and it's lovely that you decided to keep it, and that your were able to reminisce with R. Shared memories are the best!
I was going out for an adventure today (Wednesday) but it's raining so I will find something to do at home instead, probably reading or watching a film. I hope you have a good day xx
Thank you, Eileen; it's going to be 2 weeks for tomorrow since I hurt the toe, and the swelling is finally starting to go down!
DeleteThat poor cookbook is in a bad shape as the fabric cover and the first few pages have sustained insect damage (probably silverfish). But, it is fun to read through the old recipes. :)
Hope you enjoy your rainy day; I know your garden is probably enjoying it.
I, too, have been reading recipes. From the 1950s. I was born in 1950 so it's interesting reading. I can get lost in recipe books! Your day sounded relaxed but productive.💖
ReplyDeleteOld cookbooks can be a fascinating window into the past! My days can be a bit too relaxed at times, but, maybe I am just lazy! :D
DeleteI still have a cookbook that was my grandmother's. I never use it, but I do look through it regularly, so it stays. My sister and I also are keeping a cookbook Mom used from the day they were married. I doubt I will ever use the recipes but I am keeping it just the same. I have seriously cut back my cookbook collection anyway!
ReplyDeleteThose are family heirlooms, aren't they? I have a book in which my mother wrote down various recipes that she had collected. I honestly don't know if she ever actually cooked any of them, but, I am keeping that book, too!
DeleteI just made a beef stew, too, Bless. After seeing your photos, I may add some broccoli to mine, like you did. I am doing laundry today, and working on one of my writing projects that will be due in New York soon. The garden also needs to be watered, so I will do that this evening.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are having a busy day, Stephenie. I hope you are not impacted by any of the fires.
DeleteI'm glad to hear that your toe is recovering.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you would keep that cookbook. I would, too. I have a couple of ancient booklets from a flour company, from my mother and mother-in-law's collection that I brought when they died. I also have my mother's little notebook with recipes handwritten or pasted in during WW2. The other "non-negotiable for decluttering" cookbook is a paperback written by the actress who runs the store in "The Archers" (which I never listened to). It is full of chitchat as if the recipes really are coming from her customers or her character's life. I just love it, it reminds me of the English countryside of my young days!
Thank you, Bushlady; it's taking its time, but, it is getting better.
DeleteSounds like you have some treasured cookbooks in your collection! I, too, have a notebook in which my mother copied down recipes (from the 1950s and early 60s). I like that concept of "non-negotiable for decluttering"! I think I need to adopt that - just accept that certain things will be kept, no matter what, and declutter from the rest! Might save me a lot of angst!
Cookbooks that belong to family are just the best, containing both recipes and memories. Now that we go to the internet to find so many recipes that is just one more thing that won't be handed down any longer, which is a bit sad.
ReplyDeleteYes, old family cookbooks aren't being passed along (or, if they are, not being kept that much), I think. My daughter gets most of her recipes online, but, she does call me to ask how I make certain Sri Lankan dishes and wants me to write down my recipes for various things like the chutneys I make all the time. :)
DeleteI'm glad you kept the cookbook and how nice that you & friend R were able to reminisce about family memories surrounding food.
ReplyDeleteIt's slow going with your toe - thank goodness it's slowly feeling better.
Thank you, Debra. The cookbook (which is actually a compilation of recipes submitted by people) contained a recipe submitted by someone with the same last name as friend R's maiden name. Which is why I called her in the first place - to ask her if that was perhaps a relative of hers (the name is not that common). She said it wasn't a relative, but, then, we got to talking about the recipes and all the things our families used to make and the work that went into them. My grandmother used to make a fruit cake at Christmas, which required candied peel. These days, we can go to a store and buy candied peel, but, back then, my grandmother would make her own. And the cakes used to be taken to the local bakery to be baked because most homes didn't have an oven. One of my aunts had a little tin oven that she used to place on top of her kerosene stove to bake her cakes and my mother was so proud when she bought herself an electric oven and stove. :)
DeleteYes, well, the toe is an ongoing saga...