23 Days to Christmas!

24 Days to Christmas!

I love Christmas and Christmas traditions! This is the 12th year I've done an advent calendar type countdown here on Rose City Reader. Every year, starting December 1, I post a picture of a Christmas themed vintage card. Every day until Christmas, I post a different picture.

WHAT'S THE STORY?

I started this advent tradition in 2008, the first year I started this blog, which seems a really long time ago, especially in blog years. I didn't have a particular reason to start it, or to keep it up. The blog is about books, not vintage cards, after all. But I enjoy it. I like decorating my house for Christmas and there aren't many ways to decorate a blog for Christmas. Posting a Christmas picture to count down the days until Christmas is the thing I like to do.

IS THERE A THEME?

Some years I have a theme in mind when I pick the cards, some years it is a slapdash affair. Sort of like Christmas in real life, right? One year, it was all older, more Victorian looking cards, for example, one year it was all Santa cards. This year I'm going with all Christmas cats and kittens. Why? Because I'm in a cat and kitten mood. Some fluffy feline comfort sounds nice during this hectic time of year.

If you're into tiny details, whatever the theme for the year, I try to remember to post a card with Santa in it on Christmas Eve and a nativity scene picture on Christmas day. I try to find Santa and nativity cards that go with the theme. This year I found several Santa with cat cards to choose from. But I couldn't find a nativity scene with a cat.

OTHER HOLIDAY BOOKISHNESS?

What bookish things do you do this time of year, on your blog or otherwise?

Besides this advent calendar, I don't do much holiday stuff here at Rose City Reader. No holiday gift guides or Christmas book read-a-longs. Now that I'm on Instagram, I post some holiday-ish book pictures, like this one of books with #festivetitles:

This is also the time of year to wrap up 2019 book challenges and plan for 2020 book challenges. That means I need to post the 2020 European Reading Challenge, which I will do soon. In the meantime, the 2019 European Reading Challenge doesn't finish until the end of January 2020, so there is still time to finish, post reviews on this page and wrap up posts on this page.

Book Beginning Thanksgiving: The Other Oregon by Thomas R. Cox

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAYS
THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON FRIDAYS FOR BOOK BEGINNING FUN!

MY BOOK BEGINNING

In 1863, as gold miners poured in to newly discovered digs around Canyon City in Oregon’s John Day country, Brigadier General Benjamin Alvord, in charge of the army’s District of Oregon, worried that major clashes with Paiute bands inhabiting the area would soon erupt.

The Other Oregon: People, Environment, and History East of the Cascades by Thomas R. Cox, new from OSU Press.

From the publisher's description:

With a staggering variety of landscapes, from high desert to alpine peaks, Oregon east of the Cascades encompasses seventeen counties and two time zones. Although this vast region defies generalization, its history is distinct from the rest of Oregon. The interrelationship between its people and the land has always been central, but that relationship has evolved and changed over time. Regional economies that were once largely exploitive and dedicated to commodity exports have slowly moved toward the husbanding of resources and to broader and deeper appreciations.

Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author’s name.

EARLY BIRDS & SLOWPOKES: This weekly post goes up Thursday evening for those who like to get their posts up and linked early on. But feel free to add a link all week.

SOCIAL MEDIA: If you are on Twitter, Instagram, or other social media, please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings. I try to follow all Book Beginnings participants on whatever interweb sites you are on, so please let me know if I have missed any and I will catch up. Please find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

YOUR BOOK BEGINNING




TIE IN: The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice is a natural tie in with this event and there is a lot of cross over, so many people combine the two. The idea is to post a teaser from page 56 of the book you are reading and share a link to your post. Find details and the Linky for your Friday 56 post on Freda’s Voice.

MY FRIDAY 56

Control of the land was not the only thing bedeviling Harney County's ranchers – newcomers in old-timers alike. Hard winters, especially that of 1889–1890, battered the open-range system.

List: Cookbook Library

Heading into the holidays always puts me in the mood to cook more elaborately, which has me poking around in my cookbook library this week. Of course, just when this mood to cook fancy dishes strikes, time evaporates.

I have a moderate-sized cookbook library, mostly kept on open shelves we had built in the kitchen for the purpose, with overflow in a cupboard. And I like to cook. For a while, I was making a halfhearted effort at making one recipe from each cookbook. Then I started my own law firm about six years ago and that project got set aside.

I still make dinner most nights, but I make things I know how to cook. Some things I make are specific dishes I learned to make from these books, but I don’t need to look at the recipe anymore. Most things I make are based on cooking techniques and skills I learned from my cookbooks, or my mother, or trial and error.

My cookbooks are now there for consultation -- for when I need inspiration or a detail like how long to boil a crab (I can NEVER remember that one). And I need a cookbook when I bake anything other than a fruit pie. But I don’t use them very often.

There is little rhyme or reason to my cookbook collection. There are old standbys, like The Joy of Cooking; splashy coffee table "food porn"; kitschy, often politically incorrect, vintage favorites; ethnic and regional books reflecting a series of passing fancies; and quite a few "ladies' auxiliary" type cookbooks from Junior Leagues, civic organizations, and the like, just because they comfort me.

Here is a list of the cookbooks on my shelves. Titles in red link to posts about that book. This is a work in progress, because I know there are cookbooks missing from this list. 

The ABC of Canapes by Edna Beilenson

All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking by Molly Stevens

Amber Waves, published by the Omaha Junior League

American Cookery by James Beard (notes and recipe here)

The American Everyday Cookbook by Agnes Murphy

America's Best Lost Recipes: 121 Kitchen-Tested Heirloom Recipes Too Good to Forget, from the Editors of Cook's Country Magazine

The Amish Cook at Home: Simple Pleasures of Food, Family, and Faith by Lovina Eicher (reviewed here)

Appetizers, published by Bon Appetit Magazine

The Ark: Cuisine of the Pacific Northwest by Jimella Lucas

The Art of Grilling: A Menu Cookbook by Kelly McCune

Baking with Julia by Dorie Greenspan

Barbecuing the Weber Covered Way by Carol D. Brent

Bayerisch Kochen by Brigitta Stuber (from my Bavarian cousins)

Beard on Birds by James Beard

The Best of Martha Stewart Living: Weddings by Martha Stewart

The Best of Scanfest: An Authentic Treasury of Scandinavian Recipes and Proverbs by Cheryl Long

Betty Crocker's Cooking Calendar (A Year Round Guide to Meal Planning with Recipes and Menus)

Betty Crocker's Cooky Book

Betty Crocker's Hostess Cookbook

The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook by Beverly Lewis

The Cafe Brenda Cookbook: Seafood and Vegetarian Cuisine by Brenda Langton (notes and recipe here)

Cafe des Artistes : A Pictoral Guide to the Famed Restaurant and Its Cuisine by Fred Ferretti

The Cake Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum

Cape Collection, published by the Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod

Casserole Treasury by Lousene Rousseau Brunner

Caviar, Truffles, and Foie Gras: Recipes for Divine Indulgence by Katherine Alford

The Chafing Dish Cookbook by John and Marie Roberson

Charleston Receipts, published by the Charleston Junior League

The Cheese Plate by Max Mccalman

Chez Panisse Menu Cookbook by Alice L. Waters

Chopsticks, Cleaver and Wok by Jennie Low

The Christmas Cookie Book by Judy Knipe

Classic Crafts and Recipes: Christmas with Martha Stewart Living by Martha Stewart

Classic Crafts and Recipes Inspired by the Songs of Christmas by Martha Stewart

Classic Home Desserts: A Treasury of Heirloom and Contemporary Recipes from Around the World by Richard Sax

The Classic Italian Cookbook by Marcella Hazan

Classics From a French Kitchen, by Eliane Amé-Leroy Carley

Classic Spanish Cooking: Recipes for Mastering the Spanish Kitchen by Elisabeth Luard (reviewed here)

A Collection of Traditional Amana Recipes: Family-Size Recipes of the Foods Prepared and Served in the Amana Villages, published by the Ladies Auxiliary

Connecticut a La Carte by Melinda M. Vance

Consider the Oyster by M. F. K. Fisher

A Cook's Tour of San Francisco: the Best Restaurants and Their Recipes by Doris Muscatine

The Cooking of Germany, published by Time Life Books

Cooking with a Foreign Accent, published by Sunset Magazine

Cooking With Caprial: American Bistro Fare by Caprial Pence (reviewed here)

Cooking with Wine and High Spirits: a Lighthearted Approach to the Art of Gourmet Cooking by Rebecca Caruba

A Cordiall Water: A Garland of Odd and Old Receipts to Assuage the Ills of Man and Beast by M. F. K. Fisher

Crafts and Keepsakes for the Holidays: Christmas With Martha Stewart Living by Martha Stewart

Creme De Colorado Cookbook, published by the Junior League of Denver (discussed here)

Cucina Rustica by Viana LA Place

Desserts: Our Favorite Recipes for Every Season and Every Occasion: The Best of Martha Stewart Living by Martha Stewart

Easter Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family by Jill O'Connor

English Bread & Yeast Cookery by Elizabeth David

The Escoffier Cookbook and Guide to the Fine Art of Cookery for Connoisseurs, Chefs, Epicures by Auguste Escoffier

The Esquire Cook-Book, published by the Editors of Esquire

The Esquire Party Book by Scotty and Ronnie Welch

Esquire's Handbook for Hosts, published by the Editors of Esquire (1949 edition)

Esquire's Handbook for Hosts: A Time-Honored Guide to the Perfect Party, published by the Editors of Esquire (1999 edition)

Fabulous Foods, published by the Assistance League

Favorite Greek Recipes, published by the Daughters of Penelope

Favorite Recipes from Great Midwest Cooks, published by Midwest Lving

Finger Food by Elsa Petersen-Schepelern

Fishes and Dishes: Seafood Recipes and Salty Stories from Alaska's Commercial Fisherwomen by Kiyo Marsh, Tomi Marsh, and Laura Cooper (review and notes here)

Flavor It Greek by Maria Boyer

Fog City Delights, published by the Letterman Auxiliary (notes and recipe here)

The French Laundry Cookbook by Thomas Keller

A Fresh Taste of Italy: 250 Authentic Recipes, Undiscovered Dishes, and New Flavors for Every Day by Michele Scicolone

From Julia Child's Kitchen by Julia Child

The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas by Jeff Smith

The German Cookbook: A Complete Guide to Mastering Authentic German Cooking by Mimi Sheraton

Gifts from the Herb Garden by Chris Mead

Glorious American Food by Christopher Idone


Good things: The Best of Martha Stewart Living by Martha Stewart

The Gourmet Prescription for Low-Carb Cooking by Deborah Friedson Chud

Great Beginnings and Happy Endings: Hors D'Oeuvres and Desserts for Standing Ovations by Renny Darling

Great Parties: Recipes, Menus, and Ideas for Perfect Gatherings by Martha Stewart

Greek Island Cookery by Rena Smith and Linda Salaman

The Greens Cookbook: Extraordinary Vegetarian Cuisine from the Celebrated Restaurant by Deborah Madison (discussed here)

Grill Cookbook by James McNair

Hawaiian and Pacific Foods by Katherine Bazore

Hors D'Oeuvre and Canapes by James Beard

The How to Keep Him (After You've Caught Him) Cookbook by Jinx Kragen and Judy Perry

Italian Casserole Cooking by Angela Catanzaro

The Italian Country Table: Home Cooking from Italy's Farmhouse Kitchens by Lynne Rossetto Kasper

Jacques Pepin Celebrates by Jacques Pepin

Jake's Seafood Cookbook, published by McCormick & Schmick's

Theory & Practice of Good Cooking by James Beard

Japanese Country Cookbook by Russ Rudzinski

Jean Anderson Cooks: Her Kitchen Reference & Recipe Collection by Jean Anderson

Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer

The Joy of Eating: A Simply Delicious Cookbook by Renny Darling

Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home by Julia Child

Key to Greek Cooking by Barbara L. Christou

La Cucina Siciliana di Gangivecchio by Wanda Tornabene

License to Grill: Achieve Greatness At The Grill With 200 Sizzling Recipes by Christopher Schlesinger (notes and recipe here)

Lost Recipes: Meals to Share with Friends and Family by Marion Cunningham

Louisiana Kitchen by Paul Prudhomme

Louisiana Tastes: Exciting Flavors from the State that Cooks by Paul Prudhomme

Malcolm Hillier's Christmas by Malcolm Hillier

Marcella's Italian Kitchen by Marcella Hazan

The Martha Stewart Cookbook: Collected Recipes for Every Day by Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart's Christmas: Entertaining, Decorating and Giving by Martha Stewart

The Martha Stewart Living Christmas Cookbook: A Collection of Favorite Holiday Recipes by Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook by Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart's Pies and Tarts by Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart's Quick Cook by Martha Stewart

Master Recipes by Stephen Schmidt

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1 by Julia Child

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 2 by Julia Child

Metropolitan Cook Book, published by the Editors of the Metropolitan Life Company

Mexico's Feasts of Life by Patricia Quintana

More Remarkable Recipes by Antoinette Kuzmanich Hatfield

Naples at Table: Cooking in Campania by Arthur Schwartz

The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso

New Casserole Cookery by Marian Tracy

The New Complete Book of Cookery by Anne E. Marshall

New Fish Cookery by James Beard

The New Making of a Cook: The Art, Techniques, and Science of Good Cooking by Madeline Kamman

The New York Times Cook Book by Craig Claiborne

New York Times Heritage Cookbook by Jean Hewitt

Pacific Flavors: Oriental Recipes for a Contemporary Kitchen by Hugh Carpenter

Papas' Art of Traditional Greek Cooking by George and Chrisoula Papas

Parties and Projects for the Holidays by Martha Stewart

Party Receipts from the Charleston Junior League: Hors d'Oeuvres, Savories, Sweets by Linda Glick Conway

Paso Robles Main Street Family Cookbook, edited by Russ Restine

Pasta Classica: the Art of Italian Pasta Cooking by Julia Della Croce

Pasta Cook Book, published by Sunset Magazine

Patio Daddy-O: '50S Recipes With a Modern Twist by Gideon Bosker

Patricia Wells at Home in Provence: Recipes Inspired by Her Farmhouse in France by Patricia Wells

Paul Bocuse in Your Kitchen by Paul Bocuse

Picnics: Over 40 Recipes for Dining in the Great Outdoors, from Mercedes Benz, edited by Heidi Cusick

Popular Greek Recipes, published by the Ladies of the Philoptochos Society

Pork, Sausage and Ham Cookbook, published by Better Homes and Gardens 

The Prudhomme Family Cookbook: Old-Time Louisiana Recipes by the Eleven Prudhomme Brothers and Sisters and Chef Paul Prudhomme

Real Cooking, by George! by George Jacobs

Remarkable Recipes: From the Recipe File of Mrs. Mark O. Hatfield by Antoinette
Kuzmanich Hatfield

Rick Bayless's Mexican Kitchen: Capturing the Vibrant flavors of a World-Class Cuisine by Rick Bayless

San Francisco Encore, published by the Junior League San Francisco

San Francisco Firehouse Favorites by Georgia Sackett

Sauces: Classical and Contemporary Sauce Making by James Peterson

Sausalito: Cooking with a View, published by the Sausalito Woman's Club

Seasoned America by Paul Prudhomme

The Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso (notes and recipe here; review here)

Simply Simpatico: The Home of Authentic Southwestern Cuisine, published by the Junior League of Albuquerque

The Slow Mediterranean Kitchen: Recipes for the Passionate Cook by Paula Wolfert

Southern Accent, published by the Charleston Junior League

Special Occasions by John Hadamuscin

The Splendid Table: Recipes from Emilia-Romagna, the Heartland of Northern Italian Food by Lynne Rossetto Kasper

Star-Spangled Cooking, published by Chateau Ste. Michelle

Stews, Bogs and Burgoos: Recipes from the Great American Stewpot by James Villas

The Stinking Rose Cookbook: The Layman's Guide to Garlic Eating, Drinking, and Stinking by Jerry Dal Bozzo

The Sunset Cook Book; Food With a Gourmet Touch, published by Sunset Magazine

The Tapas Cookbook: Seventy Delicious Recipes to Capture the Flavours of Spain by Adrian Lissen

Tapas: The Little Dishes of Spain by Penelope Casas

A Taste of Oregon, published by the Eugene Junior League (discussed here)

The Top One Hundred Pasta Sauces by Diane Seed

Trader Vic's Book of Mexican Cooking by Victor Jules Bergeron

A Tuscan in the Kitchen: Recipes and Tales from My Home by Pino Luongo

Veneto: Authentic Recipes from Venice and the Italian Northeast by Julia della Croce

What's for Dinner? Dinner Menus with Some Very Special Recipes by Maryana Vollstedt

Wildwood: Cooking from the Source in the Pacific Northwest by Cory Schreiber

Williams Sonoma Complete Entertaining Cookbook by Joyce Esersky Goldstein

With a Jug of Wine by Morrison Wood (discussed here)

With Bold Knife and Fork by M. F. K. Fisher

With Love from Darling's Kitchen: Treasured Recipes for Family and Friends by Renny Darling

The Wok: A Chinese Cookbook by Gary Lee

World in Bite-Size by Paul Gayler

OTHER COOKBOOK LISTS

(If you would like your cookbook list included here, please leave a comment with a link to the post and I will add it.)

Mailbox Thanksgiving Monday: Two New Books

Holiday festivities are in full swing at my house, with family in town and pie baking begun. I almost forgot to post about the books that came into my house last week.



The English Country House by James Peill, with Foreword by Julian Fellowes and photos by James Fennell. I've had my eye on this and Hubby got it for me for an anniversary present.

From the book description:

Stately, grand, and a testament to the generations who have cared for them, the 10 English country houses featured in this volume are architecturally distinctive and filled with evocative family memorabilia, from commissioned portraits to monogrammed heirloom dinner services to the bells that once summoned the downstairs staff. Like the fictional Downton Abbey, these real homes are still in the hands of descendants of the original owners.

The Other Oregon: People, Environment, and History East of the Cascades by Thomas R. Cox, new from OSU Press. Eastern Oregon is geographically and historically different than the soggy stretch of Oregon from Portland, down I-5 to California. This new book explores the culture and history of this "Other Oregon" and its relevance to the larger world.

From the back cover:

Written in clear and engaging prose and informed by extensive research, The Other Oregon is a multidisciplinary work that ranges widely through a diverse and often underappreciated land, drawing on the fields of environmental history, cultural and physical geography, and natural resource management to tell a comprehensive and compelling story.

Thanks for joining me for Mailbox Monday, a weekly "show & tell" blog event where participants share the books they acquired the week before. Visit the Mailbox Monday website to find links to all the participants' posts and read more about Books that Caught our Eye.

Mailbox Monday is graciously hosted by Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, and Martha of Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE CELEBRATING THIS WEEK! GOBBLE! GOBBLE!