Cookbook clearing

Self-deception took a hard blow this morning: I finally began clearing out my cookbooks.

While I have long acknowledged that I can't follow a recipe, over the years I have still clung to a an odd assortment of cookbooks I don't use. Spiral-bound books from churches and women's groups (featuring dishes that would clog your arteries at just a glance). Special publications featuring brand name ingredients from companies like Uncle Ben's. And novelty books for cooking with cordials and other ingredients that I don't keep on hand.

It's not that I couldn't learn to cook if I wanted to. It's that cooking is not a priority in my life right now. I want to use that time for other interests.

By finally owning up to that choice, I'm ready to let go of the cookbooks that only served to take up space; a small collection that was probably accumulated more out of guilt than culinary ambition.

Wish me luck! I still haven't boxed the lovely bound book of Bed & Breakfast recipes, a must-have for the woman who could scorch water!