I don't know what it is, maybe it's
the diet, maybe it's just because I am feeling all happy and content and loved, but I am really, really into cooking at the moment. I have been buying all kinds of cookbooks, I just can't stop, if I find a book with some lovely-looking food, a bit of vintage china, some cute photography, I am hooked! You can't get me away from that cash register! Here are three particular favourites that I have bought just this week and have been happily cooking from ...
Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights: Mmmm, comfort food, here we come. But look, it is reasonably healthy too, and certainly good for your soul, yay! And with lovely names like Tawny Granola and Teddy's Lettuce Soup!
Life Is Sweet: I have long been a huge fan and admirer of Hope & Greenwood's Confectionery Emporium in London. Miss Hope and Mr Greenwood make simply the best sweets, in the most delightful packaging. They are also rather charming people. At last they have put some of their secret recipes into a pretty book. Such marvellous delicacies as Rose and Violet Creams, Pulled Butter Toffee, Proper Peanut Brittle, Rhubarb & Custard Crumble Cups, Fluffy Vanilla Marshmallows and Cherry Chapel Hat pegs can be easily made with these splendid recipes.
The Thrifty Kitchen: I picked up this Aussie cookbook in a shop and was hooked. Written by Suzanne and Kate Gibbs (who come from a seriously famous foodie family), it is a warm and lovely guide to cooking beautiful meals in a thrifty and environmentally-conscious way. I have previously bought a lot of books on this topic, ranging from practical 'composting and chooks' books to student recipe books and 'how to use leftovers' books, but this is the first one that has really appealed to me as a foodie mum. It has yummy, family-oriented recipes, a focus on seasonality, and great photos.
I'm off to cook something right now!
Yesterday evening I went to a seminar about design and retailing with my friend Sonia from Bob Boutique. There were some good speakers with a lot of experience gained at Myer, Westfield etc., and some interesting points were made about the way that retail is changing. There was however a lot of talk about how large retailers can capitalise on the popularity of 'ground up' or 'forest floor' retail such as farmer's markets and handmade markets, which seems sad somehow. 
I would have liked to hear a presentation from a small shop owner like Sonia, who has been running her Bendigo store for five years already, and has a better understanding of retail than anyone I know. I often wonder why I bother doing what I do, but Sonia is proof that if you love it, you can get your business through those first 3 or 4 years of pure graft to a place where it is thriving. Here are some of the latest pics from Sonia's inspiring store, especially check out Bob's new wrapping paper (used as wallpaper), and lab specimin softies. 
Excuse the poor quality of the photos, we had quite a few glasses of wine by the time we returned to the store and it was hot and late!
Talking of hot, today has been a lovely, balmy day in Daylesford. We were inside in a meeting all day with a very creative pair who are helping us to make over our website, but we did escape for lunch at Cliffy's and a post-work Pimms at A Perfect Drop. Vive le weekend!!
