As I opened another new book from the library, of the twenty-five that somehow found their way home this Saturday, I read on the cover, "James Beard Award-winning author of A Geography of Oysters." And I laughed. I've almost stopped reading stories and almost exclusively read...recipes, or books about food culture.

This specific book is "Truffle Hound, on the trail of the world's most seductive scent, with dreamers, schemers, and some extraordinary dogs," by Rowan Jacobson. Seems promising, no? I'll let you know how it goes.

As Andrew and I reviewed 2021, I realized one of the most surprising things that happened to me was the love of cooking. I confirmed my love of food and good eating in 2020, when all my favourite experiences on our California road trip involved food. But after working in my first commercial kitchen, rubbing shoulders with certified and experienced foodies and cooks, I learned to make things that I loved. I gained confidence in the kitchen, and proceeded to request a higher quality chefs knife that I could actually sharped for my birthday. (Thanks, Momma Southard!) 

Working in this kitchen, combined with a heartfelt read of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan set me on my journey. Pollan illustrated by experience and masterful storytelling the side effects of food industrialization, and not only suggested better ways to live and eat, but introduced me to other pioneers in this field of "slow food." 

I stopped reading novels and books on the beauties of Christian living and dove headfirst into food and culture. I checked every book by Alice Waters out of the library. I read her memoir "Coming to My Senses" right after her daughter's memoir "Always Home." (This is truly excellent read, foodie or no.) Then I read "We are What We Eat, a Slow Food Manifesto," also by Alice Waters.

In December, I received a cookbook for Christmas, and a dutch oven (technically two, but one is still at Andrew's old address, and looks like we'll never see it.") I have checked so many cookbooks out of the library that I keep having to return them before I'm finished, after they've been automatically renewed the maximum three times.

In conlusion:

> always try to borrow a cookbook from the library before you buy it; you may not actually want to own it (twice this year I've found myself owning cookbooks I wish I didn't)

> cooking can be fun!!! cooking healthy can be really fun

> it turns out, lots of people are really passionate about food

> if you're looking for a cookbook recommendation, I have a dozen