What is it all about?

These lovely old books are full of recipes, receipts for making this and that - eau de cologne, tooth powder, furniture polish and so on, knitting patterns (written in full) menus, words of consolation...   They are a source of information and delight.

At first I really struggled to read some of the writing, but constant and repeated application has meant that now it has become much easier.   I still struggle with some words, but generally I can read what has been written.

Each book is, of course, different.   One is bound in what I assume to be calf skin, another in stout leather (old bull, perhaps!) with yet a third one in parchment.   The remainder are inexpensive notebooks which are somewhat the worse for wear after approximately 150/200  years of use.

They are mostly well thumbed, several have splotches and splashes, they have lived a life, several lives.   Now it is my turn to glean what I can from them until they pass to the next custodian.

Just as the books are bound differently, so I feel I am gaining a little more insight into the different kind of lives these women may have led.   A Lady of a large house, the cook to a big house, a country parsonage cook, and so forth.

Initially it was a little strange to attempt recipes without much instruction, no staged and beautiful picture of how the finished dish should look, but now I find it is actually quite enjoyable in pretty much the same way that I enjoy cooking with our wood-fired range.   It is a peaceful experience.

I'll be posting the occasional dish/cake/bread or biscuit recipe.   Nothing special, that is not what I am about and anyway, I don't really enjoy cooking or baking that much.

I will also pass on some of the hints and tips which are jotted down, the methods of cleaning this, or that.

In short, I intend to have fun with this blog.   You are welcome to read it but please do ask if you want to copy any of the photographs or text.