This is my first holiday season blogging! The idea of how to approach the holidays with Delicious Musings is almost overwhelming. Of course I can offer up my gift suggestions, but really what makes me an expert? I will eventually divulge my wish list and suggestions for stocking stuffers (those ideas are endless), but for now what I thought would be really fun is having some of the most talented, stylish, and interesting people I know offer up their wish lists. So for the next couple weeks we (me and whoever joins me on this fun virtual ride) can peak into the holiday mindsets of different creative personalities including a Maine schooner captain, pet (supply) shop owner, chocolate maker, vintner/beekeeper, furniture maker, perfume makers, cookbook shop owners, clothing designer, and children’s book illustrator. I feel like I am at the top of a snowy hill about to swoosh down very fast with the wind in my hair and a crisp chill in the air. So make sure the cocoa is on, I would like mine with a couple homemade marshmallows please, and let’s get going.
Bonnie Slotnick, the owner of one of the best out-of-print cookbook shops in the country world, is a treasure. Her friendly personality, curious sense about publishers and authors, and vast knowledge of food related subjects has me sitting in her shop nibbling on cookies (when she bakes) every time I visit New York City. It literally feels wrong to me not to visit her shop in Greenwich Village while I am in town, even if for a weekend. The small shop is essentially wall to wall, floor to ceiling bookcases overflowing with books and nostalgic recipe pamphlets from the first part of the 20th century. It feels like home.
Bonnie has graciously shared her wish list for this holiday season. Enjoy!!
In the “a girl can dream” (impossible dreams) category:
A cottage in the country (reachable without getting stuck in traffic)
A pony (hey, I’m only 5 ft 2, I’m at the moment my usual mount is a
Clydesdale)
More counter space for baking (I love my old drop-leaf enamel-topped table,
but there’s not enough of it)
More sleep (never enough!)
Neighbors who “get” recycling (so I don’t have to keep explaining it)
And in the “everybody can dream” category–I love “honoree” gifts that help
needy people (and animals). You can contribute to neighborhood projects,
such as your local soup kitchen or animal rescue, or a larger charitable
organization. They’ll send a confirmation to the honoree saying that a
contribution has been made in his or her name.
Some ideas:
The Heifer Project
The Seva Foundation
Doctors without Borders
City Harvest
Project Open Hand
These gifts take up no space in your house, you don’t have to dust them or
worry about exchanging or “re-gifting” them, and they DO GOOD.
Happy holidays!
Bonnie
