It is an awful pox, on a lovely summer’s evening like this, to be stuck indoors, knocked sideways by the lurgy and devoid of energy and appetite. Thankfully, I have some beautiful music, peppermint tea and a pile of reading material to hand. If I can’t eat good food, I can at least read about it.
I had been cooing over Penguin’s Great Food series for months before finally getting my hands on a couple of the wee gems a few weeks ago. They’re beautiful books, spanning four hundred years of food writing, with kitchen wall-worthy cover designs by Coralie Bickford-Smith.
So far, I have chuckled over Agnes Jekyll’s chapter on “Luncheon for a Motor Excursion in Winter”, gawped at Hannah Glasse’s descriptions of unbracing mallards, dismembering herons and allaying pheasants, and drooled dreamily over Alice Waters’ seasonal dinner menus. And now, thanks to the benevolent Fairy Hobmother, I’ve received another handful of books from the collection. I can’t wait to get stuck in.
Ever generous, the Fairy Hobmother is extending her bounteousness to you, dear readers. For the chance to win something from her bag of magic tricks, simply leave a comment below – winners will be chosen at random. Good luck!
June 30th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
That photo sums up my idea of happiness – a big stack of books and a pot of tea. Heaven!
June 30th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
The covers of those books are works of art in themselves. My mother just passed along her mother’s copy of a Maura Laverty from the early 60s and it has wonderful stories at the start of each chapter about the topic, neighbours, and the recipes. Huge pot of tea type reading!
July 1st, 2011 at 10:41 am
It sounds like you are making the very best of a bad lot there! And, I like your teapot.
July 1st, 2011 at 11:25 am
I’m collecting those books too! I love them. My favourite one so far is Elizabeth David – A Taste of the Sun. Mmmmm!
July 1st, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Pick me! Pick me!
July 3rd, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Fabulous! I’ve been eyeing those books up myself. Hope you feel better soon m’dear!
July 4th, 2011 at 7:36 am
[...] – don't forget to check out my previous post for a chance to win some goodies from the Fairy [...]
July 5th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Thanks for all the comments, lovelies! Hope some of you receive a sprinkling of fairy dust soon…
July 5th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Ohh that picture makes me want a nice cup of tea! I am having a terrible week..everything has gone wrong. The latest is my washing machine is down to one cycle that works, it even emptied water all over the floor yesterday. I have my eyes tightly closed while I make my wish & have my fingers crossed!! Please please make my week xxxx
July 11th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
That just looks lovely, a great way to spend a lurgy.
July 11th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
I’m still making my way through them, lurgy or no! Lovely bedtime reading (although some of the writing is pure hunger-inducing).
July 11th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
[...] Runcible Spoon curls up with comfort reading to help with a cold and has some Cheesy wedding [...]