Why do I want to do this?

I'm a bit of a magpie when it comes to cookery books - well, books in general, but cookbooks in particular. I have a suspicion that I possess rather more than I need, and that some of those I possess are actually not very good. This is a way to weed out the dud ones.


How will I know I've done this?

I'll be sticking a sticker to the cover of the appropriate book each time I try a new recipe, so when they've all got three stickers, it'll be done.


I'll record this at stapsreads.

English Food - Jane Grigson
Cooking in a Bedsitter - Katharine Whitehorn
The Top One Hundred Pasta Sauces - Diane Seed
Grub on a Grant - Cas Clarke
French Country Cooking - Elizabeth David
Schwartz Herbs and Spices: Seasonal Hints and Menus
Microwave Cookery Book (uncredited - probably came with the microwave)
Cooking with the Choir - the choir of St Mary's, Guildford
Slow Cooking - Katie Bishop
Kenwood Food Processor Cooking
The Picnic - Jane Pettigrew (not strictly a cookery book, but does contain recipes)
Best of Greece
Best of Thailand
Best of Morocco
Best of China
Best of Spain
Best of India
Best of Ireland
Best of Japan
Best of Mexico
Best of Italy
Sweet Pies and Tarts - Linda Collister
Cooking for Blokes - Duncan Anderson and Marian Walls
200 Delicious Desserts - Sara Lewis
Flavouring with Herbs - Clare Gordon-Smith
Best-Kept Secrets of the Women's Institute: Breads & Bakes - Carrie O'Regan and Jill Brand
Best-Kept Secrets of the Women's Institute: Chocolate - Sîan Cook
Best-Kept Secrets of the Women's Institute: Home Cooking - Jill Brand and Carrie O'Regan
Best-Kept Secrets of the Women's Institute: Tarts - Liz Herbert
Cookies Galore - Jacqueline Bellefontaine
From Bath Chaps to Bara Brith: the taste of South-West Britain - Laura Mason and Catherine Brown
The River Cottage Cookbook - Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
More-With-Less Cookbook - Doris Longacre
The Bishops' Cookbook
Cakes - Janice Murfitt
The Students' Sausage Egg and Beans Cookbook - Jane Bamforth
Slow Cooking Just For Yourself - Catherine Atkinson
The Best of Polish Cooking - Karen West
Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook

Why do I want to do this?

As part of my last list, I planted a fantastic herb garden. It's got all sorts in it: chives, rosemary, sage, hyssop, chervil, sorrel, thyme, parsley, mint, lemon verbena, lemon balm, tarragon... I'd like to use it a bit more. Even when it's dark and raining.


How will I know I've done it?

When any herb in my garden is named, I'll be able to name two dishes I've cooked that include that herb.


I'll record this in posts in this journal. Might share some of the recipes, if they work well.

Visited Countries Map from TravelBlog


Why do I want to do this?

I like exploring new places.


How will I know I've done it?

I'll have spent a period of at least seven hours in a country in which I've never previously spent a significant length of time. (Changing trains in Bruxelles-Midi, or flying into Geneva airport to be driven to Annecy, in the French Alps, does not count as a significant length of time, so both Belgium and Switzerland are still open.)


I'll record this in a post in this journal.

What's this about? Why do I want to do it?

I moved to Woking a year ago, but I'm still commuting to church in Guildford, where I previously lived. That's not likely to change soon, as I'm in the choir and on the PCC at Guildford, but I'd also like to get more involved in my local community. In my experience, finding a local place of worship is a good way to start. The two denominations I have the closest links with are the Church of England and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Since I might not get on with either of the local groups in those denominations, I'll try one more.


How will I know when I've done it?

I'll have attended a service at St Mary of Bethany Church, a Meeting for Worship with Woking Friends and one other religious service in the Woking area.

This can't be combined with goal 1 (become a Mystery Worshipper and review three services) for the simple reason that, if I decided to attend one of these on even a semi-regular basis, I would feel very uncomfortable posting such a public review.


I'll record this in posts on this journal.

St Mary of Bethany