• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lynn's Kitchen Adventures
  • Home
  • About »
    • My Gluten Free Story
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • FAQs
  • Recipe Index
  • Gluten-Free Recipe »
    • Breakfasts
    • Breads
    • Dishes
    • Side Dish
    • Desserts
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About »
  • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Gluten-Free Recipe »
  • Subscribe
×

Main Section » Ask The Readers {Cookbook Collection}

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Ask The Readers {Cookbook Collection}

Dec 29, 2014

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Ask The Readers

Over the last few weeks I have been planning out the year and working on some things that I want to do here on my site.

One of the features that I have gone back and forth on is my Cooking Through My Collection series. I have posted on and off in this series for several years now, but last year I turned it into more of a weekly feature.

For this year I have been trying to decide what to do with the series. I love sharing my cookbook collection with you all. It is a really fun series to do. However, I have not been adding very many new cookbooks to my collection. One of my goals for the series was to use the cookbooks that I have and not buy more and it has worked. I have pulled cookbooks off the shelves that I have not used in a really long time.

I have noticed though that I am using my older cookbooks more and more. One reason is that I have already shared most of my favorite newer cookbooks that I own, but I have a lot of vintage type cookbooks that I have not shared yet.

And maybe they are not so much vintage, but ones that are 20+ years old. That is not really vintage, but it is certainly not new either. The recipes in these books are old fashioned type recipes. They tend to be recipes that use everyday ingredients and don’t require a lot of time or effort to cook.

cookbooks

Recipes like the ones from the hamburger cookbook in the picture above.

I have thought about changing up the series some by sharing more vintage and old fashioned type recipes from the books I am using, but at the same time I know that those recipes often don’t photograph well and are not Pinterest perfect.

The problem is that is what I tend to be cooking right now. I seem to be going back to more of the basics. The simple recipes using simple ingredients. That is my kitchen life right now. And it is far from Pinterest and magazine perfect.

Which leads me to why I am thinking about giving up the series. I am really not sure if anyone wants to see those kinds of recipes.

And all of that leads me to my Ask the Readers question for today. I decided to just ask you. I want to hear your thoughts.

Should I keep my Cooking Through My Collection series? Or are you all tired of the series? Should I take a break from it for awhile?

Or are you all feeling like I am right now? Do you want to focus more on the simple and basic things. If you are, should I change it up a little and share the recipes I am making from my older more simple cookbooks? 

 

« Everyday Adventures {Week 23}
The Books I Read In 2014 »

Filed Under: Main Section Tagged With: Cooking Through My Collection

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandy

    December 29, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    I’m all about simple and basic. If you decide to share those recipes, I would be delighted. Who really cares if they’re Pinterest worthy? Sometimes the things that taste the best, photograph the worst. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lynn

      December 29, 2014 at 10:53 pm

      I am glad to hear that others enjoy the simple and basic. I really want to get back to sharing more of those type of posts. And I totally agree some of the best food photographs the worst! I need to forget getting a good picture sometimes and just share what tastes good. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Heidi

    December 29, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    I agree. Simple and basic is where I’m at right now. Anything complicated is fun one in a while, but is impossible in a busy household. And honestly, I’m not really about all the pictures. I make many things that taste excellent but don’t look wonderful, and I know what you are talking about. Thanks for sharing what you do!

    Reply
    • Lynn

      December 29, 2014 at 10:52 pm

      Thanks! I really appreciate it and am glad to hear that others like the simple, basic, and keeping it real type posts and recipes.

      Reply
  3. Sheila

    December 29, 2014 at 5:44 pm

    One of the reason I absolute LOVE your blog and recipes is the fact that I can reproduce these at home without a special trip to the store! Please please please please share more of the basic stuff!

    Reply
    • Lynn

      December 29, 2014 at 10:51 pm

      Thanks! One of the things that I have been feeling the need for is more keeping it real basic type posts and recipes, so I am glad you enjoy those. I hope to share more of them over the next year.

      Reply
  4. Elizabeth

    December 29, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    I enjoy your cooking through your collection posts. The only recipes I cook these days are quick and simple using basic ingredients like chicken, pasta, rice, and vegetables. I don’t have time to do anything fancier right now, but I can easily feel guilty or inadequate for not providing my family with “better” meals when I compare my cooking to Pinterest-perfect websites. I enjoy your website because you remind me that many normal people cook normal, simple meals much of the time. So thank you for that reminder, whether or not you continue on with your blog series.

    Reply
    • Lynn

      December 29, 2014 at 10:50 pm

      Thank you. I am glad you enjoy my site. I have really been feeling the need to get back to the simple and more keeping it real type posts, so I am glad to hear that you enjoy those. I am not sure I will give up this series altogether. I might end up mixing it up with some posts like I have been doing and some from the older vintage type cookbooks with simple recipes. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

      Reply
  5. Shirlene

    December 29, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    I enjoy each post you share. Basic, easy, not picture perfect is what we all need in our lives 🙂 Keeping it real is what I like to see. Looking forward to what ever it is that you choose to share. I have some “vintage” cookbooks as well and need to get them out for use not just to sit on the shelf.

    Reply
    • Lynn

      December 29, 2014 at 10:47 pm

      Thanks! I am glad you enjoy my recipes and posts. None of our lives or food is picture perfect, so I am glad you enjoy the keeping it real kind of posts.

      Reply
  6. Katie

    December 29, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    I would LOVE it if you shared the recipes from your older cookbooks!! Please do!! Older cookbooks are my favorites, I enjoy the basic, simple recipes. I am weary of Pinterest and how it has made everyone feel the need to have everything perfect and beautiful, most often that is just not the case for real life. I enjoy your blog and recipes so much. Thank you for blogging and sharing with us 🙂

    Reply
  7. Deena Caunt

    December 30, 2014 at 8:08 am

    I am a huge fan of old cookbooks, I have three, double wide, floor to ceiling book cases of them. Please do enjoy your interest in them too. Who knows, maybe you have books I don’t!

    Reply
  8. Debbie the NY Baker

    December 30, 2014 at 8:40 am

    I echo what other folk have said: basic recipes from vintage cookbooks are what I’d enjoy reading. Life is complicated enough – baking/cooking should be a pleasure, not a source of pressure! To create wholesome and delicious food for family and friends and neighbors is a blessing, both in the preparation and the eating. Best wishes to all for a healthy, peaceful, and Happy New Year from snowy Upstate New York!

    Reply
  9. Amelia

    December 30, 2014 at 8:48 am

    I add my voice to those before. Simple and easy are my favorite kind of recipes. I love getting new ideas from your blog. Thank you for sharing with us!

    Reply
  10. RC

    December 30, 2014 at 9:11 am

    The folks and kids I cook for love simple and basic. Please share those types of recipes. I enjoy your site and always read your recipes I receive via email. Thanks for what you do.

    Reply
  11. Judy B

    December 30, 2014 at 9:14 am

    I’ve not read the other comments before posting so forgive me if I am echoing what others are saying but I love the “vintage” type recipes. My favorite cookbooks are from my early married life (almost 47 years) and also some inherited from my Mother and Mother in law, from the 30’s and 40’s. The current cookbooks seem to center on beautiful photography and slick paper along with ingredients that I have no interest in acquiring. The older tried and true recipes seem to always be the most popular with most folks. So this is a vote for the basics…thank you for what you do.

    Reply
  12. janet I.

    December 30, 2014 at 9:25 am

    I, too, agree with the others. Simple and basic work best for our family. I have acquired a LOT of cookbooks lately, and like Judy B. says, they use “ingredients that I have no interest in acquiring”. Please keep your “vintage” recipes! My vote is also for the basics. I really enjoy your emails and have tried your recipes. Thank you!

    Reply
  13. Kathy

    December 30, 2014 at 9:31 am

    The comments I’ve read on here are just what I suspected…everyone wants simple and basic! I think Pintrest is great, and I go there regularly, but I also think it’s made a lot of people think their meals/clothes/decor/lives aren’t perfect like everyone else’s is. Newsflash: not everyone IS perfect! A lot of things are staged for Pintrest pictures, and many times it takes LOTS of time to get things just right (I’m not saying it’s a bad thing) for the ‘pintrest post’. My point is that while there are lots of people out there that love fancy meals and complicated ingredients..and there’s nothing wrong with that…there are PLENTY of us who love simple, basic meals that use what we have and what we know. Your site has great recipes that can be made easily and quickly without a lot of hassle. That’s why people keep coming back! If they want fancy and complicated, they can head over to Pintrest and search for it 🙂

    Reply
  14. s

    December 30, 2014 at 9:36 am

    I like sites with real food my whole family will eat and enjoy with easily found and not super expensive ingredients so I would love for you to share those recipes. I don’t use my older tried and true cookbooks as often as I should do you will inspire me to do so!

    Reply
  15. Kathy

    December 30, 2014 at 9:38 am

    Simple and basic sound perfect! Much prefer those things made with real food that I can make for my family. Perfect pictures aren’t necessary – as long as it is tasty!

    Reply
    • Lynn

      December 30, 2014 at 10:10 am

      Thanks! I think everyone pretty much agrees. I am glad to know that others still want the basic and simple recipes.

      Reply
  16. stefanie

    December 30, 2014 at 9:40 am

    I love the old-style stuff too – agree it is not always “pretty” but I miss real food. I would love the posts of that stuff so I vote yes! Thanks for all you do.

    Reply
    • Lynn

      December 30, 2014 at 10:05 am

      Well pretty much everyone agrees that they would love the older simple type recipes. I am so glad others feel the same way I do about going back to simple and basic.

      Reply
  17. Amy V.

    December 30, 2014 at 9:51 am

    Some of my favorite recipes come from my older cookbooks. I would be lost without a hometown collection that has THE perfect broccoli casserole recipe, not likely to be found easily anywhere else. LOL However, I’ve done some adjustments to make those comfort foods into healthier foods at home. So, my thoughts for you would be to perhaps experiment with those tried-and-true-down-home favorites, the same way you come up with GF recipes. Seriously, I don’t care a lot – your choice — I just love your blog. <3

    Reply
    • Lynn

      December 30, 2014 at 10:04 am

      Thanks. I agree some of those older community type cookbooks are the best! And yes often need some adjusting. If I change the series up to more vintage older type cookbooks I will definitely share some of the changes I make to make them more modern. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

      Reply
  18. Mamie

    December 30, 2014 at 10:04 am

    Yes, keep up the series! I personally *prefer* more old-fashioned recipes that use simpler ingredients. One of the things I love about your site is that you are about REAL food for REAL families, NOT Pinterest-picture-perfect recipes that are unrealistic. Keep up what you’re doing – as a loyal reader for many years, I love what you share!

    Reply
    • Lynn

      December 30, 2014 at 10:13 am

      Thank you. I am so glad that so many readers like the keeping it real basic type recipes. I feel like I have gotten away from some of that and am looking forward to getting back to it. Life is not about pinterest perfect and we all need that reminder once in awhile! Thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts!

      Reply
  19. Harriet

    December 30, 2014 at 10:12 am

    I love the series, but you do what you are inspired to do. It’s your blog. We are just blessed enough to get to enjoy it.

    Reply
  20. Andrea

    December 30, 2014 at 10:21 am

    I love the series. Back to basics is where it is at! Who cares if it is not “pinterest” friendly, some of us don’t follow pinterest on a regular basis, actually I prefer the actual website because I don’t always have time for both.

    Reply
  21. Sue

    December 30, 2014 at 10:54 am

    I’m adding my vote for continuing your series. Simple and basic, with or without a great photo is what helps me put great food on the table for my family and friends. Thanks for your blog!

    Reply
  22. Wendy

    December 30, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    I for one love the series and am trying to do more cooking from my existing books as well!

    Reply
  23. Sonya J.

    December 30, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    Keeping it simple and basic is my vote! I am not a fan of Pintrest. It always makes me feel like what I do isn’t good enough. I will happily take a not-so-perfect picture on something I can make and we will eat over a pretty picture any day! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  24. linda greer

    December 30, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    keep it going. the oldies really are the goodies.

    Reply
  25. Stephanie

    December 30, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    Simple recipes with basic ingredients are what I crave and want to cook. Taste matters most!

    Reply
  26. Karin Goodman

    December 31, 2014 at 12:37 am

    I love simple and basic. Life is busy, but we all love home cooked good food.
    I would also love to see more GF crock pot recipes.

    Reply
  27. Twyla St Louis

    December 31, 2014 at 1:40 am

    Yes I like the older, simpler recipes and even if they don’t photograph well I love to hear that they taste good. It is so frustrating to spend a lot of time on a recipe to have it taste terrible not to mention the waste of money on ingredients and time in the kitchen.

    Reply
  28. Erika

    December 31, 2014 at 8:42 am

    Hi Lynn,
    I like what you are doing with the recipes now, and will like the change to more vintage if you do that. I love seeing how people cook and bake on Pinterest, that stuff catches my eye! But when it comes time for making dinner for my family, simple ingredients, time and yummy rule the day in that order. Thanks for the work you do to bring so many home cooks great recipes that they want to use!! 🙂

    Reply
  29. Cheryl Brown

    December 31, 2014 at 11:35 am

    Please keep it and keep up with the simple and classic recipes.

    Reply
  30. Mindi

    January 1, 2015 at 2:34 am

    I agree, simple recipes from scratch are great! I stay away from Pinterest (for many of the reasons already mentioned above), so any new recipes I find are from blogs mostly. I always enjoy your blog and really appreciate all the GF recipes too. Happy New Year!

    Reply
  31. Kathie Bass

    January 1, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    I absolutely love the older recipes with less exotic ingredients, made with seasonings you normally have on hand. The less ingredients the better. I also would like to see some Pressure Cooker recipes. Since the newer models came out several years ago, that don’t require standing at the stove to keep them from exploding ( smile), I have personally been using mine often. You can even cook from frozen in them if you forget to take something out of the freezer ahead of time. Love your blog Lynn and hope you will keep going through those older cookbooks!

    Reply
  32. Jane

    January 7, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    As I have only recently found you, please keep your Cooking Through My Collection series going. I’ve been enjoying them.

    Reply
    • Lynn

      January 7, 2015 at 5:25 pm

      I am so glad you are enjoying them. I do plan to keep them up.

      Reply
  33. Sarah T

    August 22, 2015 at 11:40 am

    Hi. I just found your site. Please keep doing the older recipes! They’re the best!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Lynn

Lynn's Kitchen AdventuresI love to cook and bake, and my family loves to eat. Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures is all about sharing my love of cooking, recipes, tips, and ideas of how I combine this cooking passion with a busy life. [Read More]

GF Kitchen Adventures Gluten Free Recipes, Tips, and More

Free Gluten Free Desserts ebook

Gluten Free Recipes

Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Bundt Cake

Gluten Free Menu Plan

Peanut Butter Sheet Cake on a white plate

Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

Gluten Free Pizza Recipe

Gluten Free Menu Plan

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Gluten Free Menu Plan

Cheesy Pinto Beans Rice Bowl in white bowl

Cheesy Pinto Beans

Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal in white bowl with milk

Gluten Free Menu Plan

Cooking Challenge

waffles on white plate and a striped napkin

Martha Stewart’s Waffle Recipe

Blueberry Crisp on white plate with pan in background

Martha Stewart’s Blueberry Crisp

banana cupcakes with frosting on cooling rack

Banana Cupcakes with Honey Frosting

oatmeal muffins on white cloth and black counter

Martha Stewart’s Oatmeal Muffins

pancakes cooking on a griddle with batter and cookbook in background

Martha Stewart’s Buttermilk Pancakes

A Year of Martha Stewart Cooking

Favorite Martha Stewart Recipes

Footer

↑ back to top

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

© 2008–2021 Lynn's Kitchen Adventures.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure