1. Family News
Miranda still needs rest and help at this early stage of her pregnancy so her Mum is now in Vancouver Island. Ellie flew back to Brisbane after a lovely three weeks with Jake’s family – and is back at her job in a busy hotel there.
Jake is working at new contracts as well as the annual “Stinking Fish Trail” – the summer promotion of artists and craftsmen and women in the area. It’s a valuable shop-window for them all, so we hope he will have many more orders for his beautiful work. His website is well worth a browse: www.jakejames.ca.. You can get to it through our links page.
If you are thinking of an autumn or winter break down here, or about visiting Cornwall next year, try Ellie’s beautiful home, Banjo Cottage. It’s right next to the Cook Book in the heart of St Just, sleeps 4, has a “secret” garden and is, according to all who stay there, wonderfully comfortable. Again, there is more information available through our links page.
2. At The Cook Book
We are some busy!
It is wonderful to see so many old friends back again, and to meet many more, even though there is never enough time to stop and chat properly at this time of year. Your response to The Cook Book makes running it a real pleasure.
One of the families we have met here has a daughter who is a gifted poet. When she was 8, she gave us a beautiful poem which we put on our menu in August 2006:
CORNISH SENSES
In Cornwall I hear..
The booming of the foamy waves,
The crying of the wheeling sea-gulls,
The shrieks of children having fun.
In Cornwall I smell..
The wild honey suckle as I brush past,
The salty air long before I spy the sea,
The dank overgrown wet ferns around the stream.
In Cornwall I see..
The sun glittering on the shingle beach,
The amethyst heather and buttery gorse on the moorland,
The slick dappled heads of the seals.
In Cornwall I feel..
The bullying wind against my face,
The shock of icy water lapping on my legs,
The smooth sun baked stones under my feet.
In Cornwall I taste..
Tangy sea salt dusting my lips,
The surprising burst of sweetness from wild bilberries,
The sweet musty saffron bread with rich juicy raisins.
©Briony Sayers 2006
We were delighted with the response of guests who read it, especially the person who asked for a copy so that she could have it read at her funeral! Briony was thrilled to hear that, and to see her work in print in public.
When they returned this year, Briony, now aged 11, presented another poem she has written. This will be on the menu throughout the rest of August:
SEA CHANGES
The ceaseless sea whips away
Days, minutes, seconds
Like a whispered breath,
Immortal but ever-changing.
An artist with her eagle eye
Cannot capture a truthful moment
Of one scene
Sliced out of the water,
Never laying, never staying.
Shimmering, splashing, moving, changing
The mirror shows a new reflection
Every time
Disappearing towards the horizon.
©Briony Sayers 2008
3. Peter Mooring retires
We were sad to say farewell to Peter and Val Mooring. They were regular guests at The Cook Book and have become goods friends.
Peter retired as our Methodist Minister at the end of July and they have moved up to their new home in the Lake District. One of many initiatives that Peter brought to St Just was Café Church, which moved from the Chapel hall to The Cook Book at Easter 2007, and took place monthly thereafter. It was a time for discussion, companionship and thought. Last Christmas he also celebrated Holy Communion in The Cook Book, with 41 people squeezed into the dining room. He told Philippa it was one of the most memorable occasions of his ministry.
4. In the yard
Philippa with some of the Cook Book crew at the end of a busy day
- Philippa, Daisy, Cathall, Emily & Jo
Watching the “photoshoot!”
Even the gutter flowers in her yard
In spite of some atrocious weather, Philippa’s garden flourishes in our yard. It is a real sun-trap and a great place for flowers, herbs and, of course, you!
5. Book Sales
Well – can we keep up? Books seem to be flying out!
A book-dealer from up-country told us we were selling books far too cheaply. However, we would far rather buy and sell them at fair and realistic prices than push up prices and see them sitting on the shelves for ages.
Our aim is to have an interesting and varied selection that our guests can afford – so far we seem to be able to achieve that. The selection also reflects, to a degree, our own interests as well as what seems to be popular with our guests.
As always at this time of year, it is difficult to keep up with the gaps in the shelves – the penalty for running a café as well; but, without the café we doubt if book sales would be flourishing. Many’s the time we have heard someone telling us, “that is the most expensive cup of coffee I’ve ever had!” as they stagger out beneath a pile of books…
6. Book Signing on Saturday 30 August
Local Poet John Gordon will be signing his new collection of verse, Violets Unfold In My Throat at the Cook Book on Saturday 30 August, between 10.00 am and 12.00 am. Designed and published by the Hypatia Trust, John’s book recently won Gorsedh Kernow’s prestigious Holyer An Gof award for adult poetry.
7. Recipe of the Month: COOK BOOK HUMMUS
Easy to make with a food processor or blender
Ingredients
2 tins of Chick Peas
Tahini
2 Lemons
Garlic
Ground Cumin
Olive Oil
Water
Salt
Black Pepper
Method
Rinse Chick peas & put in food processor
Add about 4 – 5 tablespoons of Olive Oil and about 2 – 3 tablespoons of water
Blend to a coarse consistency
Add 2½ dessertspoons of Tahini
Add juice & flesh of 2 freshly squeezed lemons
Crush & add 4 – 6 cloves of garlic
Add about 1 flat dessertspoon of ground cumin
Add freshly ground black pepper
Blend to a smooth, moist consistency, adding more water (and/or oil) if required
Taste and blend in a little salt if required
Serving suggestion
Delicious on hot buttered granary toast
