Cookin' By The Book

As promised, I finished the cover to the family cookbook that I plan to gift to my future sister-in-law at her wedding shower (Erika, on the off chance you're reading this... STOP NOW. TURN OFF THE COMPUTER). Sorry about that.

Anyway, I got the idea for the cover, and the entire book, really from Alicia's book Stitched In Time, which is, of course, totally awesome. I used a tea towel for the cover and some vintage fabrics for the inside lining as well as the flaps. I opted to not do the tie (which I know I would find annoying if it were my own book) or the embroidered pictures, because I think they would have been too cutesy for the bride's taste.


I've already talked about the innards of the books, but I'll revisit: I collected recipes from many of the women in our family, raided my mom's cookbooks (which included some old Grandma-style faves) and added some recipes from my own collection. Then I typed them all into this so-so recipe book software I bought (and I had to do it at my parents, because apparently, the ladies who make recipe book software are not fans of the Mac). I printed out a copy for myself as well (without the fancy cover), and I've already used it plenty of times. In fact, tonight we had a delicious salmon dish, courtesy of my Aunt Shelley. Thanks, Shelley.


So yes, much hard work yields a really great shower present. I truly hope the bride loves it and uses it often. For my brothers' sake at least -- there are some pretty fantastic recipes within these pages, if I do say so myself.