I believe in Santa, again

The Christmas I was five, I determined it was time to meet Santa. The true Santa -- not his department store representative -- in the flesh. On Christmas Eve I lay still while the house around me fell quiet. It was not long after my elders had retired that I heard a rustling in the sitting room. I tiptoed down the hall, hiding behind the piano, ready to leap into the arms of our jolly intruder. And there she was, my mother, filling the stockings on the fireplace, placing the presents under the tree, finally relaxing with the milk and cookies we had left for Santa. Surprisingly, I was not devastated. Actually, I became rather smug with this knowledge that I was sure none of my peers were privy to. I felt I had no choice but to become pragmatic, putting fantasy in its place, and move forward into the real world.

Recently, I was having my hair styled. My hairdresser is most probably the only man who has his way with me, however on this occasion I balk at his suggestions. He wants to see me RED. He observes my demeanour lifeless -- my appearance both drab and invisible. “This is a gift!” says he, “today only.” While cutting my hair, it takes me about 15 minutes of deep consideration to digest both his words and desire to lift my mood. When he tells me I have only a few more minutes to take him up on his offer, I open my heart to this very kind gesture and accept his gift. While my head is slathered with a smelly paste, I take the opportunity to remember how many gifts I have been blessed with and that the spirit of Santa can be with us everyday, if we acknowledge our own ability to give and receive.

Here's to a well-RED year: Read, Eat, Drink!

Barbara-jo
November 2009

Discounted Treasures

Books to Cooks has introduced a new section to our bookshelves: Discounted Treasures. Here you will find books that we have marked down by 50%. As we will be adding new titles to the section regularly, be sure to visit it often to find some unique and wonderful books. This week's addition includes some rare professional books in Spanish.

Tin Fish Food Bank Drive

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society provides food for up to 9,000 people every week through 16 distribution centres in Vancouver, New Westminster, Burnaby and the North Shore. Approximately 41% of recipients are children. The Food Bank also offers food support to agencies that feed 16,000 people each week. With the upcoming busy holiday season, The Food Bank is in need of extra support.

In the spirit of nourishing the community, Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks is pleased to launch our Tin Fish Food Bank Drive. Throughout the month of November, we will donate $5 from the sale of every copy of Tin Fish Gourmet ($13.95) by our very own Barbara-jo McIntosh. For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can triple its buying power. This means that the $5 donated from each book sale will buy $15 worth of food.

Tin Fish Gourmet makes a wonderful holiday gift so pick up copies for friends and in return, give to the Food Bank.

You are also welcome to drop off donations of non-perishable food items at Books to Cooks. The Food Bank is pleased to accept a variety of foods, but is in particular need for protein items such as fish, meat and peanut butter.