4th Annual Holiday Cookbook Extravaganza! What's new?

With all the warm weather we've been having it's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week!  I usually title this annual post the Thanksgiving Cookbook Extravanganza!, but really this whole season offers ample opportunities for pulling out the cookbooks so I decided to broaden the scope and change it to Holiday Cookbook Extravaganza!

So the focus this year is on new cookbooks.  There are just so many great new cookbooks coming out that I wanted to review a few of them for you.  I am the type of person that actually reads cookbooks, for entertainment as well as edification.  I have learned so much about cooking from reading recipes without actually making a particular recipe.  I find that many of the newer cookbooks focus more on vegetables and grains, with smaller helpings of a lovely protein, which is more in line with my way of eating now days. So let's get to it!

Small Victories by Julia Turshen  

I just checked this one out and I am love, love, loving it!  Ina Garten wrote the forward, if that tells you anything about the book.  The recipes are straightforward (not a lot of piddly steps), flexible (options given for whatever ingredients you may have on hand), and beautifully photographed.  Most of the recipes also focus on learning a new technique or a way to make something easier.  I'm not a from scratch baker, but I did make the Afternoon Cake (no creaming butter with sugar! Yay!) with stunning results.  I'm asking for this one for Christmas.

Cooking for Jeffrey by Ina Garten  

I really like Ina Garten's cooking aesthetic.  Lots of flavor, fresh ingredients, beautifully and simply prepared.  She's really all about pulling the best flavor out of the ingredients-so many time I have tried a recipe only to be disappointed by the amount of flavor I am getting, whether it's garlic or lemon or whatever.  If Ina makes a recipe called  roasted potatoes with lemon, you can be sure you will taste the lemon! And her husband Jeffrey is just adorable. There's a menu section called Jeffrey's all-time favorite dinners, and Jeffrey appears to like some really tasty dishes.  How great is that?

Scratch by Maria Rodale

You won't find any long lists of ingredients here.  Many of the recipes have only 4 or 5 ingredients.  For example, crispy roast chicken with gravy:  1 chicken.  Also water, flour, salt and pepper.  That's it.  The snack time chapter is especially inviting-3 ingredient guacamole, fried chickpeas, roasted pumpkin seeds.  These are simple, new and old classics that are not difficult or intimidating.  Beautiful photos, too.

The Vegetable Butcher by Cara Mangini

In my quest to eat more vegetables I turn to this book.  I like that the chapters are arranged alphabetically by vegetable (I am a librarian). Each chapter starts off with a description of different varieties of a particular vegetable.  It covers how to choose the best veggies, when they are in season, what flavors will complement.  Then it moves on to how to clean, prep, and store your veggies, with photos to guide you, and a couple of different ways to cook your chosen veg.  Each chapter finishes up with 2 or 3 recipes to get you started.  Not all the recipes are savory.  There is one for a parsnip-ginger cake with burnt buttercream frosting which I am anxious to try. I'm sure it involves creaming butter with sugar but I'm willing to five it a whirl with my hand mixer.

My final review is really for a class of cookbook, those focusing on Nordic cuisine.  These books are just what you would expect from Scandinavia-uniformly spare, clean, lovely photos not just of food but of the countryside.  Happy people eating healthy, beautiful food while sitting around in their IKEA kitchens using their littala dishes and their Maimekko linens on their annual month off of work. I suppose there are recipes too.

 

  These seven new books are just the tip of the    iceberg. Check out our HUGE selection of  cookbooks at the library.          Happy Holidays and bon apetit!

On the Road with Rand McNally

Just got home from Road Trip 3: the South.  We drove down Interstate 35 to the Texas Coast, and back up through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and then North to home.  We basically made a big circle, and Rand McNally came with us.

We have so many ways to plot our routes.  Many people let Google Maps plan their journey.  And I admit, Google Maps is really helpful for getting from Point A to Point B.  But if the point of your journey is the journey itself, you can't go wrong with a good old fashioned road map.

I have always had a fascination with maps.  My dad had a pre-World War II atlas that I liked to look at.  My older brothers had added pictures, like planes on bombing runs or boats in the ocean.  It was colorful and exotic.  Later on, I had a great fascination with Australia (thank you, Australians series by William Stuart Long and The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough) and I would immerse myself in the unusual names-Canowindra, Parramatta, Wollongong.

As a small child my family took a few camping trips-the Black Hills, Glacier National Park, the Badlands.  But with 5 kids in 1 car, the prospect of a longer trip was probably unappealing to my parents.

My sister moved across the country to California when I was 12.  By this time only my brother and I remained at home, and the idea of a longer car trip was not so daunting.  I remember my dad pulling out the Rand McNally map in the evenings, plotting our route.  He planned it so we could drive through some of the most scenic country.  He and my 16 year old brother took turns driving during the day, and we would stop in some small town by 4:00 to look for a place for the night.  We would drive through town, looking at likely mom-and-pop motels (never a hotel).  Mom and Dad would get out of the car to inquire within, and pretty soon we would see them come out with the proprietor, key in hand, to check out the room.  If it didn't meet with Mom's standards, on to the next one.  This could eat up an hour of the day.

But back to Rand McNally.  The map came with us on the road then, and it still comes with me now. I love the fact that with a road map I can see the whole of a state spread out before me.  And Rand McNally does an awesome job of showing anything and everything along the route. If it weren't for Rand McNally,  how would I have found Music Man Square in Mason City, Iowa? Or the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Oklahoma?  Or the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama?

Ave Maria Grotto

Tallgrass Prairie

Don't get me wrong.  I do use technology.  Not only do I have my road map spread out on the car floor at my feet, but I also have my phone in hand and the GPS screen open on the dash. And I guess the technology has taken some of the romance out of the road trip.  I could choose to stop at any promising looking motel/hotel, or to walk into a random restaurant, but at the end of the day I like knowing that my accomodations are clean and comfortable and that I will have a good meal.  So I guess it's a trade-off, romance for familiarity and comfort.  Like so many things.

We're planning our next road trip for the Spring-California.  It's never to early to pull out the map and start plotting! Planning your own road trip? Love maps?  Check out the display in the library.  Happy trails!

Librarian Mary Will Now Take Your Questions

As you can probably imagine, Librarian Mary gets asked lots of questions at the library.  That's great, librarians love to answer questions!  It is our raison d'etre, besides our love of books and orderliness. Today I thought we could address a few of the most common ones.

"Librarian Mary, I have some family photos that I would like to scan to my computer.  Can you help me with this?"

Yes! The library now has a scanner.  There's no charge to scan any number of documents to your external storage.  If you need a thumb drive to scan your documents to, Librarian Mary has one that you may borrow until you upload your scans to the computer. Just ask at the Circulation Desk.

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"Librarian Mary, I have an important legal document that I need to have notarized.  Can you do that for me?"

Librarian Mary does not provide notary services. The City Clerk's office at the Court House (1316 N 14th St, Suite #200)  provides a notary service free of charge.  You could also ask at your bank, as many of them provide this service to their customers.

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"Librarian Mary, I am working on a cross stitch pattern, but it is so tiny!  I have tried a magnifying glass, but it's hard to cross stitch and hold it at the same time.  Can you help me?"

Yes!  The library has a copier that can enlarge your original pattern.  If you have lots of pages, use the document feeder to make life easier.  If you need instruction, just ask at the Circulation Desk. Librarian Mary is happy to help.  Copies are 15 cents per page.

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"Librarian Mary, what tax form do you think I need?  I have 2 children and I worked 2 jobs, and one was in Minnesota but I live in Wisconsin.  And what does it mean here where it says 'Tax Exempt Interest'?"

Unfortunately, Librarian Mary is not allowed, by law, to give you any tax advice-even if I personally know the answer.  I can steer you toward books and websites on the subject, but I can't tell you what forms you need or how to fill them out. I can, however, print any tax forms for you at 15 cents a page, but you must know which forms you need.

This really goes for any other advice you may need-medical, gardening, pet questions, how to answer the questions on a job application.  Librarian Mary will help you find the resources that you need to answer these types of questions, but I can't personally give you advice.

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"Librarian Mary, I am a globe trotting traveler and I don't like to lug all these books around on the plane, and if I put them in my luggage I'm over the weight limit!  What should I do?"

You need ebooks!  Download all your books and magazines to your tablet or phone and lighten your load. All you need is an Overdrive account and an internet connection.  Instructions can be found at superiorlibrary.org.   If you need more help, set up an appointment with Librarian Kyle at 715-394-8863.

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"Librarian Mary, I am very busy today.  I have a package for my friend who is coming to the library tomorrow afternoon.  Can I leave it with you until then? And can I put this personal letter in your out-going mail?"

Sorry, I can't help you with this one.  Librarian Mary cannot be responsible for any personal items you leave at the library.  Maybe you need a personal assistant?  Or some help organizing your day?  I can steer you in the direction of resources for this.

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"Librarian Mary, the computer wants the password to my email.  What is it?"

This question is surprisingly common.  So many people have their email set up on their phones without need of a password.  When they need to log on from a computer, they can't remember what the password is. Sorry, Librarian Mary can't help with this. In fact, Librarian Mary is embarrassed to admit that she also has this problem.

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"Librarian Mary, school has only been out 2 weeks and my children are already bored.  Help!

Our Children's Room can help with this.  Storytime, Summer Reading Program, Read to a Dog, free movies, Lego Club Mondays, crafts, games, computers-we have something for all ages and interests. Librarian Kelly, Librarian Nancy, and Librarian Kayleen are ready to help.


This is just a sampling. If you have more questions, or just want to find out what's going on, visit our website at superiorlibrary.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter(@librarysuperior).  Or do the old fashioned thing- pick up the phone and give us a call at 715-394-8860.  We'll do our best to answer YOUR questions.

 

Shop Class

"Honey, park on the other side of the garage tonight, please.  I'm setting up the Shop early this year."  My husband sent me the text message on a warm February afternoon, and I was happy to comply.  The garage becoming the Shop is a sure sign of Spring.

I really enjoy the Shop.  The garage door open, the smell of sawdust, the sounds of the tools, the sight of a new project taking shape, a handsome man working.  I will often take my cup of coffee out there and just sit and watch and soak in the atmosphere.  Sometimes I might help out with the circular saw or in the finishing process.  It's a very Zen place to be, both physically and mentally.

If you are looking for a reason to spend some time in your Shop this Spring, I suggest building a Little Free Library.  Never heard of a Little Free Library?  The movement started in Wisconsin in 2009, and by 2015 the number of registered Little Free Libraries around the world topped 22,000.  You build the house for the books, put it in your yard, fill it with books, and people borrow them, and leave their own.  It's a great way to re-purpose, build community, and share a passion for reading and books.

 Plans for Little Free Libraries can be found for free online at LittleFreeLibrary.org.  But what if you're not so handy and still want to get in on the action?  There are lots of ideas for re-purposed Little Free Libraries.  Pinterest has a lot of ideas to spark your imagination.  How about an old suitcase (best for sheltered areas)? Or an old mini-fridge?  Metal bread boxes, mail boxes, tool boxes-basically anything weatherproof will work.

What to put in your library?  Fill it with your own books that you no longer read.  Some folks choose a theme, like children's books.  And you will find that as people take a book they will leave another in it's place.  If you need some "seed" for your library, the Superior Public Library always has books for sale in the Friends of the Library corner.  And the annual Friends of the Superior Public Library Book Sale is coming up April 29 from 9 am to 7 pm, and April 30 from 10 am to 2 pm. You can pick up more items than your Little Free Library will hold and help the Library out at the same time.

If you need a refresher in Shop class, the library has all the info you need.  Check out our display at the back desk. I know it just snowed, but Spring starts officially next week.  Really, it does.  Enjoy an early project in the Shop, and then watch what happens.  If you build it, they will come.


Some locations in Superior: 76th St. and Ogden Ave.
                                              59th St. and Cumming Ave.
                                              57th St. and Ogden Ave.
                                              21st St. and Ogden Ave.

Find more locations in the Twin Ports at LittleFreeLibrary.org

Babs and Chip in: "Blind Date of Doom!"

"Chip, Valentine's Day is next week."

"I know it's Valentine's Day, Babs.  In fact, I was just thinking about how we met.  Remember, Felicia and Rock set us up on a blind date. Boy, that was one for the books, wasn't it?"

"I'll say.  Wow, I haven't thought about that in ages.  Felicia invited me up from the Dells to help them decipher some ancient hieroglyphs they had found in a local cave."

"I remember it like it was yesterday.  I was living in the Yukon at the time, prospecting for gold...."

Chip swirled his pan of water.  The shallow river water swirled around his feet. His eyes scanned the lay of the land, looking for whoever had shot at him from the bushes yesterday.  Rumors about his stash of gold were a local legend  and there were those in town who would stop at nothing to get it. The horizon was clear.  He swirled the water around his pan, and picked out many bright nuggets.  At this rate, he would be set for the next 3 years or so of roaming the globe in search of adventures.  He packed his gear up, stowed it in the small shed he had built from sod and river rocks, set the booby trap, and started home. Felicia and Rock were throwing a party to celebrate the deciphering of some ancient hieroglyphs they had found in a local cave and they wanted him to meet the woman who had helped to finally break the code.

"Her name is Babs, and I think she's just your type.Felicia met her in a continuing ed course they took in college, How to Keep Multiple Cats Happy in Your One Room Apartment.  Extremely intelligent, pretty in a bookish sort of way.  She can speak Mandarin Chinese as well as Polish and makes a mean martini.  She rode her Honda PCX 150 up here from the Dells."

"Isn't that a scooter?"

"Yes, but it's an awesome piece of machinery."

 Rock greeted him as he came into the backyard.  It was deserted except for Felicia and another woman.

"Am I early?  Where is everybody? I thought you said to be here at 7:00."

"Everybody?  Umm, no, I guess it's just the four of us tonight."  He glanced at what was in Chip's hands. "Flowers and candy?  Really?"

"What?  What woman doesn't like flowers and candy?"

"Whatever you say.  Come on, I'll introduce you to Babs."

Chip was smitten. She was wearing a black evening gown and and carried a crossbow as an accessory. She was declaiming in some foreign language and seemed to be either reciting poetry or making a speech. She stopped short as they walked up, and stared at Chip.

 "Now, now ladies.  No more medieval Polish.  English, please. Babs, here's the guy I was telling you about.  Chip, meet Babs.  Babs, Chip."

"Hello", said Chip, handing her the flowers and candy.  She looked rather confused.  Were these gifts meant for her?  Surely they were for the hostess.  Who was this tall, dark and handsome stranger?

"Rock and I are heading out to the lecture on ancient Esquimaux written languages.  Why don't you two take a canoe ride? There's a great little restaurant about 3 clicks down the river, Salmon Sam's.  Just watch out for the class VI rapids, they can be a little dicey this time of year. Have fun!" And with that they made a beeline to their ancient Land Rover.

Babs turned to look up at Chip.  "Well, we might as well make the best of it.  I'm always up for a little adventure."

"My kind of gal.  Let us proceed on."

She gave him a quick look and smiled.  "I like Lewis and Clark too."

The first part of the trip was uneventful as they floated down the river.  The long Yukon twilight cast dappled shadows and an elk grazed on the shore. Then suddenly shots rang out.  The canoe was struck and took on water fast.  "They're after my gold!", Chip shouted. "Gold?", shouted Babs.  "Yeah, I have enough to keep me going for the next few years."

"You do?!" Babs quickly swung her crossbow around and with true aim, she sent a bolt into the bushes. The sniper was taken care of.  But the damage had been done.  The canoe was taking water on rapidly and would soon sink. "We have to swim it!" she shouted, and jumped into the rapids. Chip followed suit.  They swirled down the river, dodging rocks and getting turned around and disoriented.  When they came out the other side, they were holding hands.

"I guess this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship", Babs said, and smiled at Chip.

Babs and Chip ended up happily ever after.  You too can have a great blind date. Live dangerously and check out a book from our blind date with a book display during the month of February.  And be sure to bring that date to the Love Your Local Artist event on Friday Feb. 12 from 5:30-8:00. Meet local artists as you sample wine and refreshments, listen to music, and bid on items in the silent auction.