For those who avoid the non-fiction

I love to learn new things. Learning crafty things, especially - particularly now, with the new crazes on handmade gifts and items and the amount of craft blogs everywhere. Crafting is cool now, and more than once have I made goals to start 'learning how to _____' - it will probably happen again for this New Years.

I am always looking at the latest craft books, and admiring the handmade quilts on pinterest or being envious of my friend who just recently made her first bar of soap (and not from other soap shavings, like you do in Tech at high school, but with all the fandangled techniques and the big cutty wire thing and lye).

However, though it pains me to admit it, I can't read a non-fiction how-to book to save my life.

Oh, I can read, of course. And I know what the words say. I know what all the words mean, separately, but put together in a string like that, it turns into a jumble of nonsense that makes my head hurt. I have to put the book down and am thus left without a clue how to make a handmade tea cosey.

 
Now, there are ways to get around this, of course. With an abundance of tutorials on almost anything on youtube, there is a video to help get you through whatever you so desire. I bound my very first book (which I made for a friends 21st gift. I was very proud) by watching a very lovely, slow and simple tutorial (this coptic stitch tutorial by Sea Lemon). But even then, sometimes, I just can't stand hearing someone tell me how to do something. I've listened to other tutorials before as well, and half of them just drove me crazy. 

Until I found a perfect little book that was just my speed.

That book was My first crochet book : 35 fun and easy crochet projects for children aged 7+.Using that book, along with my mothers careful instruction and company, I began to crochet. It was amazing - the pictures helped me to understand and it was in such simple language (not that dastardly jargon) that anyone would probably be able to follow the steps. My mind was blown, and before long I had a little bundle of crocheted-something that I was again, very proud of. It's wonky, and missing a few stitches, and overall a general failure as any kind of usable item, but it was my first step into a world of crafts I might actually be able to do.

Since then, some others I've come across include this baking cookbook, and these books about gardening, cooking, embroidery and sewing - so many things I've always wanted to try my hand at but always been put off by intimidating tutorials and books. 

When you have a short attention span like me, I guess it just pays sometimes to be more open-minded about where you get your information from... The important thing is to understand and learn - no matter how you do it or how simple or silly it feels. If one of your New Years Resolutions is to be more crafty or good with your hands, these could help - so get crackin' with these handy dandy kids books (which just happen to be, of course, suitable for actual children as well).

Digital Eats

I have been browsing through our digital library recently. There is SO MUCH in there. It's a bit like Alice's rabbit hole. My most recent discovery has been on the digital media site Overdrive Media.

On a whim, I began searching for some of the books that I have on hold and have been waiting for for some time.

AND THEY WERE THERE! In e-Book format, which normally I wouldn't use because I don't have an e-Reader (yet..Christmas is coming up...*hint hint*). But! The most wonderful thing is that I can read them on my computer (in my browser or in an e-Reader programme), or even on my phone!

This really works out wonderfully for me because the books I was looking at are vegan, gluten-free, and other allergen friendly recipe books! So I can set up my computer or phone in the kitchen with these books on them and start cooking and baking up a storm!

I am a huge fan of cooking and baking, especially experimenting with vegan and gluten-free recipes. I am so excited to have these readily available for me, rather than having to wait for months! Some of them I did have to put a hold on, but with the digital copy I was 1 out of 1 holds instead of 18 out of 25 or something! It's a pretty great deal.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Bread

Gluten-Free and Vegan Holidays

Vegan Pizza

Gluten-Free and Vegan Pie

Oh, I love a bit of cake.

Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake! High in calories? Low in calories? Cake. Oh, I love a bit of cake! (Little Britain reference. I'm not crazy).

This week the team at Auckland Libraries have received some delicious looking cookbooks featuring a few of my favourite things (namely cake). I thought you guys might be interested as cake is delicious and tastes like happiness.

One of my personal favourite cookbook writers Delia Smith has bought out this lovely new book called Delia's Cakes. It looks very British and amazing. I can't wait to make the cherry cake and then eat the whole thing, probably by myself.

From timeless classics like coffee and walnut sponge and old-fashioned cherry cake, to exciting new recipes such as iced hidden strawberry cup cakes and chunky marmalade muffins, Delia brings her touch of baking magic to your kitchen.

The Caker 
I really like the look of this one because Jordan Rondel has really tried to write a cookbook that isn't like very other one on the shelf; it sounds like her company has tried to do that too! Full of beautiful, colourful pictures and beautiful, colourful cakes this book is even a treat to look at. Plus she's a Kiwi so we've got to show her some love! Check out her website here.

Absolutely not your ordinary baking book: 50 outstanding and delicious recipes for cakes, cookies and cupcakes to bake at home, presented by the talented Jordan Rondel aka The Caker. The cakes are specialty treats not usually seen in cake shops. Some are gluten free, dairy free or vegan and Jordan uses as many organic ingredients as possible. The flavours are surprising combinations that will thrill your taste buds. From fig and raspberry cake, brown butter spice cake and earl grey tea cookies, to flourless black forest cupcakes, chai latte cake with condensed milk icing and black pepper, and peanut butter and jelly cake. Includes 15 gorgeous icings and toppings, and top baking tips from The Caker herself.

Last but not least is girl who I had never heard of until today but the cake on the cover of her book Stacie Bakes caught my attention. Apparently Stacie Stewart was on Masterfchef and now she's a judge on a show that involves Simon Cowell. Okay, so I don't know much about her but her book looks scrumptious!

Since reaching the finals in Masterchef in 2010, Stacie Stewart has launched her Beehive Bakery to critical acclaim. Her bakes and cakes have proved enormously popular at festivals and events around the country- and now she has been named judge in the sweet baking category on Simon Cowell's new show, Food.glorious.Food, to be aired in 9 hour-long parts on prime time ITV1. This book includes all of Stacie's most well-loved recipes, from Beehive bars to Cheesecake brownies. She gives a modern twist on traditional bakes, so there's a lemon meringue pie cake, a coconut baked Alaska and a ginger parkin. There are gluten-free recipes too, including Old school bakewell tart and an orange and almond cake. You will find tarts, cakes, biscuits, bars, puddings, breads, sweets and savoury pies. There's something to suit every occasion, with chapters ranging from Hello summer and Mother's Day & vintage tea to The homemade valentine and New year, new you and new baking rules. 

I can do every single thing that a person in a relationship can

'I don't need anyone. Because I can do every single thing that a person in a relationship can. Everything. Even zip up my own dress. You know, there are some things that are actually harder to do with two people. Such as... monologues.' - Liz Lemon*

If you're like me and you're too busy being awesome to be in a relationship or you're also like me and you think that "Valentine's Day is a sham created by card companies to reinforce and exploit gender stereotypes" (another Liz Lemon classic) then here are some things that you can do to survive Valentine's day without killing anyone:

1. Eat Your Feelings: This one depends on how lazy you are but you can either buy or cook a whole bunch of really yummy food that is really bad for you and than eat it all. I personally like to watch the Gene Wilder version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory while eating chocolate. 

Kiwi Favourites: New Zealand's Most Popular Recipes is a good one if you feeling like baking all of the food before you scoff it. I really like the Ginger Crunch and Lolly Cake recipes.

2. Treat Yo' Self: Go buy things. Clothes, shoes, more food, manicures, pedicures, other cliché things women spend money on. Whatever tickles your fancy; buy it. Or if you're saving the pennies then treat yo' self at home! Put some cucumbers on those tired eyes, avocado on your face, make yourself a cocktail and lie out in the sun. 

Bobbi Brown pretty powerful : beauty stories to inspire confidence This book is great because not only does it give you tips and instructions on how to do your make up but also on skin care and self confidence.

Lauren Conrad Beauty Okay, so I know that this is the girl from the Hills but her books 'Style' and 'Beauty'  are actually really good. Loads of tips on hair, make up, skin care, nails, fitness and food.

3. Have more fun by yourself than your friends with their lame partners.
Make stuff! We have hundreds of arts and crafts books at the library so just go crazy and make a whole bunch of stuff and then keep it for yourself! Go to a museum, an art gallery, an ice skating rink, the zoo! Think of something you've always wanted to do and just do it. Make sure you take a camera and some food that's bad for you!

4. All the single Ladies (Gal-entine's Day)
Better yet. Do all of the above with your other cynical single friends. (Not that you need anybody; you're an independent woman who don't need no man. Cynicism is just generally more fun as a group activity.) Then dance around to this song:

Good luck out there comrades and a happy Anna Howard Shaw day to us all!

*30 Rock Ep 413 'Anna Howard Shaw Day'

Baking bliss

There's something special about baking. It's a bit like alchemy - making something out of nothing. The individual elements aren't much on their own, but if you mix them together just right you get something pretty special. I could easily spend a whole day baking, the only problem being that I want to eat it all when I'm done. I love to bake for other people, but since I can't bake for you I'm going to share some of my favourite baking books with you, so maybe you can do a bit of magic yourself.

Miette - The cakes in here are beautiful, but the best part of this book is the European Buttercream recipe. It's not too sweet, and the texture is light and smooth and silky. About half of it is butter though, so like everything it's best in moderation. I made a batch of it last night and flavoured half of the batch raspberry and half with coffee. You can store it in the fridge or freeze it, which is great because it makes a lot and you probably won't use it all at once. It's the perfect icing for something a bit special. Honestly, I could go on about this icing all day. I used the raspberry stuff on a batch of white chocolate cupcakes, which got rave reviews around the office. The cupcakes themselves came from 500 cupcakes, a new discovery but so far I'm impressed.

A treasury of New Zealand baking - I'm slowly but surely working my through all of the recipes in this book. It's wonderful to find such a high quality baking book that comes from New Zealand, so I know that a) I can get all of the ingredients, and b) the measurements and temperatures are metric. And I love the pictures.

The bread bible - A recipe for just about every bread you could ever think of, including a good number of bread-maker versions for the time-poor baker. This has my go-to recipe for pizza dough, and a beautiful orange cinnamon-swirl bread. I don't even mind that it doesn't have any pictures (usually a prerequisite for any recipe book for me), because it all works so well. It is American, but there's a handy little conversion chart in the back for people (like me) who can't think in farenheit.

Cakes & bakes from my mother's kitchen - This is another pretty one, and I wish I'd had time to try more of the recipes from it. The Key lime pie in here is devastatingly good.

Happy baking! If you know of any other great recipe books I'm always on the look-out, so please share them in the comments.