Cookbooks and Leftovers

July 29th, 2010

Each small accomplishment while renovating a house with the help of an expert like the ones at Archute is a moment to be savored.  I have been making do with a makeshift workstation for the last two years.

My computer has been set up wherever I could find a spot and although it worked OK for me,  I now know what it is like to have my own space again. I’ve also searched for sites and saw https://bi-folding-doors.co.uk/ that can opt with my concerns to easily access physically and visually on the areas needed.

Add to that the joy of seeing all of my cookbooks and I am in heaven.  Actually this is not all of my cookbooks.  We went to our storage building early in the morning to avoid the heat and rescued as many of them as we could find.  Unfortunately over the years all of our boxes have become jumbled and there was no way we could fight our way to the back to find them all.  But my shelves are full and when we finally do get them all, I am going to have to do some serious editing.

As you can see from the above picture, we have work yet to do on the house.  There is no trim around the doors and no baseboards, but isn’t my kitchen alcove great?  I have been enjoying getting up very early in the morning, making a pot of coffee and sitting here with just my small lamp lit and catching up on all of your blogs and writing my own.

We lost our power last night right before it was time to start dinner.  A storm had rolled through and typical of our area,that meant that a tree would fall and disrupt electricity.  It happens all summer long.  Fortunately I have a gas oven and we warmed the leftover flank steak and some corn tortillas.  I made some chunky guacamole, opened a jar of roasted red peppers and dolloped sour cream on top of our tacos. It was a good supper.  Now I want to delve into my Authentic Mexican cookbook by Rick Bayless.  It is inspiring to see it again.

25 responses to “Cookbooks and Leftovers”

  1. Sage says:

    I relly enjoy reading you. Great meal you came up with. What would we do without our beloved cookbooks.
    Rita

  2. Karen says:

    I love your cozy spot. Actually I am envious! I roam the house for “work” space. I love our home but when we built 28 years ago never dreamed we could use an office here. I see some serious remodeling in our future.
    I don’t dare count the cookbooks that I have. Thank goodness they sell well at my booth in a local antiques mall. ‘Course I am very selective.
    Have a great day.
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

  3. racheld says:

    What a charming nook, and all yours!! And I DO love a nice soft lamp for lighting beside the computer—mine’s just a very slender floor model, topped with a big golden stained-glass umbrella-shaped shade from another old lamp.

    I SO enjoy seeing all your innovations and progress—and the recipes are wonderful!

  4. Haden News says:

    What a great spot you have! Great book shelf for your cookbooks…I did notice all of Ina’s on the bottom. I was able to see a preview of her new cookbook in Atlanta…make sure to leave a spot for her latest!

  5. Kasie says:

    looks like a nice comfy spot.
    a great cook can throw together something delish like this last minute when things don’t go like they should 🙂 looks yummy.

  6. marcia smith says:

    First of all – can’t believe you had left over flank steak – with my husband that never happens!!! Love your cook book nook!!! Keep on blogging- I have been very tardy in my postings- guests galore- I have used a number of your recipes this summer- Thanks so much!!! Enjoy!!!

  7. Big Dude says:

    It’s always nice to have a space that’s yours. Looking good.

  8. Kate says:

    I love your private spot. I love being surrounded by my books and having time just for me…to think…to plan…to daydream. I understand why you like your alcove.

  9. Love your space in the kitchen. It looks comfy and cozy and you have all of your cookbooks there for planning! I edited my collection a few years ago…I had a little over 100. Some I realized I bought because they were a bargain and made very few recipes from. My shelves were sagging! I love to read cookbooks. The more dialogue in them, the better. I hope you find the rest of your boxes soon!

    xoxo
    Jane

  10. Your nook looks great Penny! And so does your supper. We had a huge storm about 4PM yestday, but luckily we didn’t lose our power.
    Hugs,
    Penny
    p.s. did you get my email?

  11. Lyla says:

    I’m not an envious person–at least I wasn’t until now–but I’m green over your cozy cookbook nook. Thanks for sharing and for letting us slide in next to you for little while. Kudos to your clever David and kudos to clever you for marrying that cute Klett kid.

  12. I get up at 4 am most mornings (and 4:05 the other mornings). Me, a pot of coffee and my post de jour.

    Love your reveals of your place. I remember you did a Kitchen reveal last year, and your deck this year. It’s great you have the place you deserve… enjoy!

  13. Karen says:

    That’s a great space!

  14. I love your cozy nook. It exudes peace, and a warm tranquil austerity. I like it. Thank goodness you have those cookbooks also, in event of another blackout, you’ll have a back up for your computer.

  15. I love your nook. I would love to have a place like that to put my cookbooks for easy reach. Your dinner looks delicious!! Love & blessings from NC!

  16. I want to come visit you… if only to peruse all your cookbooks. It’s so beautiful and cozy looking. How lucky you are!

  17. Mary says:

    Your “office” looks wonderful. You’ve created a great space in which to work. It’s a shame you lost power just before dinner, but you seemed to have carried on. I hope the day treats you well. Blessings…Mary

  18. Pierce says:

    What a great post – I love all the photos, gorgeous kitchen 🙂 Very cozy. Oh, I love cookbooks…just roaming through them and getting hungry doing meal planning.

  19. Mary says:

    Penny, I’m so glad you like the bread. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  20. Karen says:

    It’s me again… I just copied that salad recipe.. the one with the bread in it. That just looks wonderful. Think I will make that tomorrow… after we put our son and his family on the plane back to Mexico. 🙁
    You and I have similar coloring in our kitchens. We just did a redo on ours last November. What a job, but the contractor had things time very well and it didn’t take that long. (I didn’t think that at the time though.)
    Thank you for your sweet comments on my blog. I love writing about my relatives. They truly were a colorful bunch!
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

  21. katiez says:

    I LOVE your spot – it looks just perfect! I have a semi-permanent spot for mine, under the stairs by the kitchen. And trim… takes so long to get the details, but it’s looking lovely. Your floor is gorgeous!

  22. Your own space…..how wonderful, trim or no trim. I only have a make-shift desk and long for more space.

    How fabulous to have all of your friends (meaning cookbooks) again.

    Your “without electricity” dinner looks fabulous. Trees falling sounds familiar. We keep a phone that doesn’t need electricity to call the outages in. Often we’re the only house affected, so it’s always smart to let them know.
    Sam

  23. Good luck on that cookbook “weeding”. I’ve tried and tried but just can’t seem to let go. And, that includes old issues of Gourmet, Food and Wine, etc. Looks like a delicious meal despite having no electricity.

    Best,
    Bonnie

  24. Rebecca says:

    We had the blueberries muffins this morning. I added a bit of cinnamon to the muffins as I did not want the added calories for the topping. And used rice milk as it was left over from a visit from a friend with food intolerances. These were great! I am in hopes that they will be just as great with regular milk.

    What a cute office space. Enjoy the reunion with your cookbooks. It must be like a visit from an old friend.

  25. Robin Sue says:

    Penny, that is a great spot! I love your floors, so pretty. It is a good thing to have a gas oven if you are losing power alot, that was great planning. Hope you are having a great summer! I am busy chasing and keeping my children busy and from dying of boredom!

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