Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Holiday - General    7. Home Furnishing    8. Thanksgiving cookery    9. Cooking / General   

Reviews (6)

Mom loved this one....
My mother for the past 3 years or so, has been putting on these elaborate Sunday dinners after church.She pulls out all the stops and leaves no detail undone.The perfect dinnerware, themes, etc..And let me tell you, the food is out of this world.She's a southern woman and can she ever cook!
Great Dinners for Beginners
By Bill Marsano. Well! Not so many years ago the "futurists" whose job it is to see what the next few years will bring boldly predicted that Americans would soon eat fully half of their meals outside the home. I laughed; I scoffed; I failed to see the light. Here it is 20 years or so later and the futurists were right. We breakfast at McDonald's and IHOP; we lunch there too; and we eat dinner at "family restaurants" like Sizzler, Outback, Ponderosa and the Olive Garden. Of course when I say 'we' I don't include me, and that's not because I'm a snob who thinks the Rusty Scupper, Mario's Pasta Garden and the like are beneath him (although I wouldn't eat at any of them on a bet). It's just that I just don't like restaurants in general, even the tony and expensive ones. I like to eat at home with friends and family, and I wish more people did. They'd eat better and save a bundle besides. Wonderful & Inspirational Book
This is a wonderful cookbook in addition to being an inspiration for all families and cooks. My favorite hobby is cooking for my family and friends, and Sunday dinners have long been a tradition going back to my own Grandmother's table when I was a child. It was over her table that I got to know her and my grandfather and share time and fellowship with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Without those times together I wonder if we would be as close as we are today.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - Home Life    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Dinners and dining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Regional & Ethnic - General    7. Religion    8. Cooking / Entertaining    9. GENERAL INTEREST / GENERAL TOPIC/ COOKBOOK   

Reviews (1)

Great Candy!!
I was a begginer in candy making. This book has very clear instructions and all the typical candies. Pictures help you see what you're aiming for!! Great fun!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baking - Confectionery    2. Candy    3. Confectionery    4. Cookery    5. Cooking    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Courses & Dishes - Confectionery    8. General    9. Holiday - General    10. Holiday cookery    11. Methods - Baking   

Reviews (2)

Interesting Read
This book has lot of informative history of tobacco and tobacco smoking.The stories incouded were not only interesting but also full of intrigue.It includes a description of different pipes and their uses.I very much enjoyed learning about the humble beginnings of the Dunhill family.It does make a wonderful coffee table book.VERY WELL PLEASED!!

More of a reference guide to pipes throughout history...
While this book is filled with fascinating drawings of strange and unusual pipes from around the world, it is certainly not one of those "just sit down and read it from cover to cover type books." Think more of an "a to z" dictionary of pipes. As a novice pipe smoker, I was hoping for something more informative on the actual mechanics of pipe smoking. I would highly recommend The Perfect Pipe by Jeffers or, if you can find a copy, Weber's guide to pipes and pipe smoking. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Reference - General    6. Tobacco pipes    7. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (3)

Great little Christmas book
After Martha Stewart went to prison, I guessed that perhaps the price of her books would go down due to lack of demand for them.
Martha the great
If the cookie crumbles, Martha will make pie crust crumbs out of it, just as she is doing in prison (COUGH).Her recipes are wonderful, her holiday spirit contagious...what can you say about a woman who bakes with Elmo and Miss Piggy for her Christmas specials?
This book MUST be in your cookbook collection!
I have read this newly-published cookbook from cover to cover today and I LOVE IT!It's not surprising Martha Stewart could put together a collection of recipes representing the Christmas holiday.Some cookbooks only focus on Christmas cookies or only Thanksgiving, but this cookbook highlights sophisticated recipes from drinks (I hadn't seen a Ramos Gin Fizz in a cookbook ever!) to entrees and of course, desserts.Sure, there are only so many things you can do with cranberries, chestnuts, hazelnuts, and pumpkins, but these are not tired, redone recipes just so she could publish yet another cookbook.This book is polished, much like the format of her h'ors d'oeuvres book.Beautiful photographs, great recipes.Anyone who loves cooking during the Christmas holidays, and not just bake cookies, will definitely love this cookbook! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas cooking    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Food Science    6. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    7. Holiday - General    8. Cooking / Holiday   

Reviews (5)

definitely not the best book on ikebana
The problem with this book is that most of the shownarrangements are plainly not beautiful. They don't look balanced as real ikebana should look, containers don't seem suitable for flowers, color combinations are not always harmonious, and in many cases it is not clear why this is called ikebana at all. There are some pieces of useful information such as diagrams, tools, and tips, but I don't think it reasonable to buy the book for those 10 pages (like I did). Decent how to, but lacks explanation of why
I got this book to go with Origami Flowers by Hiromi Hayashi.Reiko Takenaka does a good job explaining how to make an arrangement that looks like the pictures, with step by step instructions and clear diagrams.Some of the containers seem to clash with the flowers, and some of the special occasions arrangements are lost in translation for someone not intimately familiar with Japanese culture like me.My only real criticism, however, is that the book does not really explain any principles about why and how and what looks good - it's more a menu to find an arrangement that looks nice in the picture and repeat it.

great book for those who need English explanation of basics
This is a clearly written, well thought out explanation of the basics of Ikebana. The photographs demonstrating the combinations of materials, and their height relative to each other, are great as examples for beginners. Many ikebana teachers don't speak English well, so this book is useful for a cross reference for something you were taught in class. One problem - there are many schools of ikebana so the book has to be quite generic in its explanations, which is not necessarily how your particular school may approach a certain principle. But again, as a study supplement to a class, it works well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Dried Flowers    3. Flower arrangement, Japanese    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Japanese Gardens - General    7. Flower arranging    8. Japan   

Editorial Review

Michele Scicolone wrote Read more

Reviews (1)

I was delighted with these authentic Italian recipes but....
This is one of the better Italian cookbooks I have come acrossRead more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, Italian    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Holiday - General    6. Holiday cookery    7. Holiday cooking    8. Italian cooking    9. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    10. Cooking / Italian   

Reviews (5)

Cooking for Company is the BEST
"I have two small sons, I work (more than) full time and so does my
SENSATIONAL!!!
After hearing the charming Nicole Aloni on NPR I immediately purchased this cookbook book.(I even was late to an appointment because I didn't want to leave the car until the interview was finished). I became especially intrigued with her5 criteria for including any recipe in her book (such as "delicious and easy yet look like they took all day", and "traditional enough to appeal to your grandmother's palate, yet sophisticated enough to impress your new fashion designer daughter-in-law"). Can't wait for the holiday party season now!
This book is so much more than a collection of wonderful new recipes (Hot Scampi Dip, Coconut Crab Dip, Pork Tenderloin w/ Fig Sauce, just to name a few)...the author offers wine recommendations for almost every item, as well as explicit instructions on how far in advance an item can be prepped.Can entertaining get any easier than this?? The roasting charts cover virtually every cut of meat and every vegetable imaginable, making the book a veritable gold mine of information.And the section at the end entitled "Year Round Entertaining Menus", well, all I can say is that Nicole seems to have written this section for all of the cooking enthusiasts who never feel entirely confident that their party menu reflects an adequate balance of tastes, textures, and flavors.With this book in hand, I'm ready to entertain year-round! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Reference    7. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General   

Editorial Review

The mysteries of cream of tartar revealed! How to make maximum use of blackening bananas! The hidden meaning of folding in dry ingredients until just blended! Perfect pie crusts for perfect fools! It's all here in Read more

Reviews (34)

Fail-safe recipes and in-depth explanations
I love this book!For two reasons - first, everything in it is always good.Usually the best I've ever eaten, too - I don't even bother with other molasses cookie recipes any more, for instance.
Good book could use some more pictures
Tried the Pizza recipe from this book so far and it came out good. Could use more pictures for the recipes.bbb

Step Up to Perfection
I baked my first cake when I was nine years old, with the help of my Dad who was a pastry chef in the Navy.That's when I became a closet pastry chef! I want to open my own bakery, but I need to hone this craft, trying to get my baking to be as close to my Dad's perfect pastries as I can and this book, "Baking Illustrated" has helped me take a huge step up to being close to perfect!I love it; the recipes are good and the explanations and tips are even better.I wish there were more pictures of each finished item, but the pictures and illustrations are really helpful also.I've had the book for one month and I've baked something from each section so far and have already planned my fall baking and my Thanksgiving and Christmas baking from this book.If you want to learn to bake and if you want to impress your family, friends and coworkers, then please, buy this book and make sure that you have some people ready to indulge in these goodies! I'll send out ads when I open my bakery shop! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baking    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Desserts    5. Entertaining - General    6. Holiday - General    7. Methods - Baking    8. Methods - General    9. Reference    10. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft   

Reviews (10)

Fantastic
This is a great book on ribbon flowers.The author explains how to make the flowers so it is easy to follow and you have a flower like hers when you finish.I highly recommend this book.

book + practice = nice ribbon flowers
I've had this book for about 4 weeks and have tried making a couple types of roses and, just last night, tried making a pansy.The directions are easy to follow and, after some practice, the reader is able to make some nice looking flowers.The particular projects in the book don't appeal to me, but I could see that they would be of interest to those who like the frills and complexity of Victorian-inspired objects.The author does provide a variety of ideas for using ribbon flowers that the reader can adjust to her or his taste.

Good, but not great.
I have to say I was very interested in this book, but it was not exactly what I wanted. I have yet to find a ribbonwork book that is set up as clearly as possible and is really designed for a beginner. The Artful Ribbon, by Candace Kling is a treasure for those seeking old fashioned ribbonwork and is still the best reference I have found. Overall, if you are looking for how to make very realistic Roses (esp. Tea Roses) you will be absolutely thrilled with Helen Gibbs's book. Also, if you are looking for a book to teach you how to make flowers that look as realistic as possible, this is for you. Bear in mind that you are only taught how to make the flowers in the book (Pansies, violets, sweet peas, poppies, canterbury bells, bluebells, hollyhocks, fuchias, chrysanthemums, delphiniums, carnations, peonies, and gardenias). Actually, the gardenias alone may be worth the price of the book! Spectacular! You will also be taught to make only specific sizes and flowers are mostly done on stems, which makes them hard to use as embellishments on clothing. The projects in the book are not as appealing to me as playing on my own. I am still seeking the definitive book on using silk bias ribbon and, while Helen uses it when she's on the Carol Duvall show, she doesn't have many examples in this book. This is a crying shame, since I have a bunch I bought from The Store on the Corner in San Diego.I've also seen Helen's last two books and they seem to contain basically the same material.Another book to check would be A Passion for Ribbonry by Camela Nitschke. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Ribbon flowers    6. Ribbon work    7. Textile Arts    8. Textile Arts - General    9. Handicrafts    10. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (7)

Not that helpful
I hope there are better books out there, because after reading this one, I'm still struggling to put together a classy shower.Many of the ideas seemed silly, and most of the games would make me run as fast as I could away from the shower.

A Waste of Money!
I bought this book with the intention of using it to help plan made my head hurt
wow-too much information!! this book is a little too thorough in my opinion. it made me feel like i needed an army to help me throw a party. lots of info-but nothing too out of the ordinary if you ask me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Entertaining - Party Planning    3. General    4. Parenting - Motherhood    5. Reference    6. Showers (Parties)    7. Parties    8. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Reviews (9)

Great tips!
Great tips in this book and quite a fun read!Some of the recipes were a little too involved for me, but still something to try when you are not rushed for time.A ton of ideas for working on things ahead of time so the day of the party will be stress free, but most involved freezing the food on cookie sheets until the party.I have a side-by-side fridge and cannot fit a cookie sheet.Such a shame because some of their ideas were quite appetizing!

I love this book!!
I have been awaiting entertainment help like this forever!The tips shared by the Purcell Sisters are priceless - modern, easy, and fun!Just reading the book makes me want to throw a party.
Saw this book in Us Weekly's Buzz-o-meter this week . . .
Saw this book in Us Weekly's Buzz-o-meter this week . . . and in the latest Budget Living magazine. Loved the tips that make it easy to throw a party without losing your mind to stress. And the recipes are totally make-able and delicious. The down-to-earth tone is fun, too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cocktail parties    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - Party Planning    6. General    7. Cooking / General    8. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (4)

Ultimate book on creating beautiful wreaths for your home
This is a wonderful book!It has been in my collection for several years now and I have used it a countless number of times for inspiration and as a valuable reference guide in creating my own floral designs. Wreaths pictured are very unattractive.
I was very disappointed in the wreaths that the author was going to help me make, because as many as there were (a lot) I found them overloaded withdecorations, unbalanced and nothing I would make to give or sell. The stepby step "recipes" for each wreath did have some helpful tips forthe novice.

This book is creative and colorful.
How To Do Wreaths gives you good ideas.And the easy to follow step by step instructions are very helpful.Also included are the tools needed to get yourself atarted.Overall a very useful book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Dried Flowers    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Seasonal    5. Wreathmaking    6. Wreaths    7. Floral crafts   

Reviews (4)

Mouthwatering fun
Finally a great cookbook with beautiful, vivid pictures of a finished product. i love many cookbooks but the one thing I am usually diappointed with is no photos. I want to see the end so I have an idea where I am going while cooking. This books provides great ideas and gives you fabulous pictures. This is a wonderful addition to anyone who loves comfort or southern food. My favorite section is the Autumn/harvest section simply perfect pumpkin recipes to die for.

review of Get Togethers with Gooseberry Patch
I love this cookbook.I have purchased many Gooseberry Patch cookbooks through the years. I like the pictures in this one, although sometimes due to their placement, it is a little difficult to find the recipe that matches the picture. I like this cookbook because it contains so very many of my favorites and those I like to serve to family and friends. I am not a gourmet cook, just like to prepare delicious, low-fat meals. This cookbook has so many favorites together in ONE cookbook. I don't have to take a lot of time rounding up recipes. It makes preparing my grocery list easier.

Beautiful pictures & wonderful recipes
I am very rarely surprised by a cookbook, but I was this time.I am ordering it as a Christmas gift for all my family members that cook. The recipes are just one step up from easy and the pictures make your mouth water. This is the kind of cookbook that I will not put on the shelf. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, American    2. Cooking    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Friendship    5. General    6. Cooking / Entertaining   

Subjects:  1. Cookery, American    2. Cooking    3. Entertaining    4. Menus    5. Reference    6. Cooking / Entertaining    7. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Features

• Box set

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Holiday - General    5. Methods - General   

Reviews (2)

Excellent jazz coordination cookbook
I recently received this book and I've been working on it for more than a week. It's somehow surprising that this book is not widely known in the drumming community (at least here in Italy).
Excellent!
An easy to follow progression of fundamentals leading to solos, this is a great book for staring your jazz studies.It does follow the one primary basic ride sound, but by the end I would think one would be able to improvise fairly well around that pattern. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Entertaining - General    3. Music    4. Music/Songbooks    5. Musical Instruments - Percussion   

Reviews (7)

Fantastic - the best of the fondue cookbooks
I am an avid chef, and I LOVE fondue.I researched LOTS of fondue cookbooks, and this one has fantastic recipes.I think the reason I particularly love it is because we like to make fondue in a more healthful style (i.e., not cooking meat in boiling oil) and this book has an entire chapter just on fantastic broth recipes.In the end, if you cook shrimp, lamb, and flank steak in chicken broth, red wine, mushrooms, and garlic, you have yourself a very healthy meal!You'll love this book...it also gives GREAT fondue cooking tips in the whole first section.

Excellent Choice
If you are looking for well written, easy to follow recipe book on Fondues this is it.
Good Food
I am pleased with the above recipe book, every kind you can imagine and tasty.I want to try each one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Sauces & Dressings    4. Entertaining - General    5. General    6. Methods - Special Appliances    7. Cookery dishes & courses    8. Cooking / General    9. Fondue    10. Gadget cookery   

Reviews (2)

An amazing little book.
I saw this guy on the Today Show and he was very captivating and creative.His book is the same way, with pretty cool ideas on how to make gatherings unique using "green" products.It makes a great gift, too.

Great gift!
I just received this book today and was so impressed by its presentation and great ideas.The size of the book is somewhere between a paperback book and a coffee table book so it's perfect to carry with you as well as a great little gift to give.I'm planning on buying more so I can give them out as housewarming gifts.The ideas are fresh and innovative and keeping in mind with being eco friendly.Highly recommend getting it!And will wait to get the follow up book, Simply Green Giving. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Decorating    6. Entertaining - General    7. Entertaining - Party Planning    8. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    9. Environmental aspects    10. Handicraft    11. Home Management    12. Nature Crafts    13. Parties    14. Crafts & Hobbies / General    15. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (6)

Flowers as Art by Artist Nico De Swert
For sheer beauty this book of floral designs is one of the finest on the market.Published by Harry N Abrams in that publishing house's usual flair for quality of paper and color reproduction, LIVING WITH FLOWERS is a stunning volume that not only allows the viewer to see creative floral sculptures but also reveals resources not usually accompanying volumes such as this.
Truly gorgeous.
Along with Madderlake's "Flowers Rediscovered", this is one of my favourite book of floral art.The photography is gorgeous and many of the designs are eminently do-able.I wish the vase suppliers were acknowledged individually...........I'm desparate to find the multi-opening vase on page 14.

A MASTERPIECE
I was truly amazed when I first saw this book,
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Subjects:  1. European    2. Flower Arranging    3. Flower arrangement    4. Flowers - General    5. Gardening    6. Gardening / Horticulture    7. Gardening/Plants    8. Floral crafts    9. Gardening / Flowers / General