Enjoying admiring books on new book shelves. Have new problem. Keep being tempted to buy more. Is addictive. Went in to charity shop to deposit size 12 clothes that no longer fit (need to take inspiration from overweight cat Hiro – has managed to lose 0.25kg in 2 weeks despite catching and eating the odd cheeky mouse – vet says he can stay on current diet plan for next month) 10 minutes later still standing there looking at second hand Rick Stein classics. Opportunties keep presenting themselves. Is not like I’m looking. Mary-Anne Boermans from Great British Bake Off fame will be selling big stash on her website – v.temping. If only I had more shelves.

Book 15 / Buying and Cooking Vegetables by Mary Norwak / Simple Mayonnaise

Is confirmation owner of books loved Sainsbury’s. Is mostly book about information on vegetables. With illustrations. Appreciate illustration of fennel. Wasn’t quite sure what fresh fennel looked like. Read that ‘a few years ago, it was only possible to buy vegetables in season… now thanks to improved methods of cultivation and skilled buying from home and overseas growers, Sainsbury’s are able to offer most vegetables throughout the year‘. That’s fine. Book was written in 1980. Think our attitudes have changed. V.much encouraged to buy fruit and veg in season now.

Not sure what to make. Has some recipes for all veggie dishes. Farmer neighbour pops round. Is going through cooking phase himself. Has made veggie crumble with artichokes. Try crumble. Is very tasty. Calls me next day. Asks if I’m ok. Say yes. Says artichokes gave his guests bad wind. Nice. Google this. Seems common. Decide not to make all veggie dish. Think I’ll try mayonnaise. Not made it before. Like it very much. Ate a bit too much at university. With chips. And cheese. Discover it’s very simple. Understand why it’s fattening. Huge amount of oil and and egg and other seasoning. Not that cheap to make either. Mix egg with seasoning. Doesn’t make paste as recipe described. Blends well though. Gradually add oil. Looking good. But yellow. Is mayonnaise meant to be yellow? Decide posh homemade mayonnaise must be. Put into new jar bought from supermarket. Take round to neighbour Dave’s house. He likes it. Says it tastes less acidic than shop bought stuff. Take this as compliment. Serve with chips made from sweet potato. Lovely. Not sure how long it will keep for. Mum says until it goes green.

Next book: Cooking with a Remoska (or not, v.worried, still don’t know anyone who can lend me one, can not fake remoska, can not pretend slow cooker is a remoska, book is not ‘cooking with a slow cooker’)