Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Keeping Up Cookbook, Melissa Peck and a Give-A-Way

A while ago a friend of mine looked at the row of cookbooks in my kitchen with some surprise and exclaimed, “Do you really use all of those books?” I informed her that not only did I use those books, but also I had an entire bookcase in another room full of additional cookbooks and magazines that I felt too important to give away or discard. I just love a good cookbook that inspires me to make a wonderful dish where all the bugs are worked out for me. One such book is now 10 years old and was put out by the Make A Wish Foundation of Utah. I’ve used Favorites for salads, main dishes and desserts. It's the cookbook where the scone recipe comes from.

This year the book's author, Grace Ivory Rock introduced a new recipe book, and I fell in love with it before I even opened its pages. Why? Keeping Up Cookbook, the cover and inside flaps artwork are done by Melissa Peck a fresh, wonderful Utah artist whose work can be found in galleries across the United States from Park City, Utah to Greenwich, Connecticut. I’ve been in love with her work for several years, have a small painting of hers that I treasure and now I can have one of her sweet pictures sitting on my counter beaming back at me whenever I get the hankering to sit this delicious book up on my stand.

Melissa lives in my neighborhood and I’ve had the opportunity to get to know her and her darling family. I’ve learned much about life from Melissa as she cares for her daughters, paints beautiful and whimsical figures of women and children and is friends with seemingly the entire world. She says of herself

“I live in a beautiful world and if the viewer has the eyes to see my work as it is intended it can function as a window into my soul. Many of my paintings are a personal reflection of my process and me as I move forward from the understanding of a girl into the wisdom of a woman. “


click to enlarge

Cooking with her children is part of their regular routine. I asked if they had any favorites yet from the new book and two quickly came to the top: Sparkling Punch and Sherry Cake.

Melissa has offered to sign a copy of this new book Keeping Up Cookbook as a give-a-way to my readers. Take a minute to check Melissa's sight or tell me what your favorite cookbook is- or both for twice the chance for the signed copy of this cookbook.

24 comments:

  1. What a great book!
    I love Melissa's artwork, too. The women on her website all have this haunting Aeon Flux-ish look to them (yes, I just made up that adjective!). Lovely!

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  2. I love cookbooks too! I love the art on this one. I would love either the Keeping Up Cookbook or the Favorites. The sparkling punch would be a big hit with my kids.

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  3. Love the bright colors in her artwork, and THOSE EYES! An accomplished artist with her signature style.

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  4. Very tough to pick a favorite cookbook, but judging from the soiled binding and pages I'd have to pick a book that I have often used and was given when I got married: "Mormon Country Cooking" by Winnifred C. Jardine. :)

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  5. I forget what my favorite painting of Melissa's is called--but I think it's called "standing still" or something like that. the colors are grey and gold and there's a content lady standing with a few bees and her hair blowing in the wind. Oh, I want a signed copy! oh please oh please! My favorite cook book is called "the Cream of the Crop."

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  6. I just barely bought the Favorites cookbook and LOVE IT! I would love to have Keeping Up in my collection as well!

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  7. Thank you for helping to promote the Favorites cookbook, a book we have been selling in our office for the past decade. Unfortunately, we have no affiliation with the Keeping Up cookbook, and the proceeds from the sale of those books do not help to grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. However, if you would like to help make wishes come true by purchasing the Favorites cookbook you can do so by calling (801) 262-9474, or, better yet, just stop our offices and say hi! We're located at 771 East Winchester in Murray, just 7 blocks east of Fashion Place Mall. Thanks!

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  8. After the post from the Utah Make-A-Wish Foundation of Utah I must apologize for misleading my readers. I called them straight away and got the goods. As it turns out, the new book by Grace Ivory Rock is not a affiliated with with the foundation. It certainly doesn't take anything away from the beauty of Melissa's art or the recipes inside. If you wish to make a donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation however, it would need to come through another avenue.

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  9. I actually think that "Favorites" is my favorite cook book! I use it all of the time and was so happy when someone gave it to me as a wedding gift.

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  10. Grace Ivory Peck's cookbook with Melissa Peck's artwork must be a treasure! I visited Melissa's blog and her images are hauntingly beautiful.

    My all time favorite cookbook is Stop and Smell the Rosemary by the Houston Junior League for it's beautiful images and wonderful recipes.

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  11. I see someone previously mentioned Cream of the Crop which happens to be the favorite cookbook at our house! I love the clean lines and fresh colors in Melissa's art.

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  12. A beautiful book I don't have??? Omgoodness I feel so strange not having this beautiful book!!! I went over to Melissa's site and I can't wait to show my daughter. She wants to be an artist when she grows up and will be so excited to see this.

    Laura

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  13. oh I like the BE RO cookbook a British classic cookbook, use it all the time for baking oh I love her art work how cool. And you hubby is lucky you cook healthy food to take care of him LOL Rebecca

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  14. I of course have the Favorites cookbook since I worked at MAW for a few years. I didn't know they had a new cookbook, so I'd love the chance to have it.

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  15. what a sweet post :) i love her artwork! motherhood is always a joy to see through another set of eyes, as well as your own. this looks like a lovely book my friend.

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  16. Your cookbook collection is amazing and what is even more amazing is your use of them and the variety of things you make! I get caught in a routine using Joy of Cooking all the time!-which is great!-but I should be a little more adventurous and branch out a bit more! Maybe I should start with this one!

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  17. It sounds like a wonderful book. I love the beautiful art work. My favourite cook book is the Ottolenghi cookbook, but I am always looking for great new ones like this to add to my collection--much to hubby's annoyance.
    Have a great weekend.
    *kisses* HH

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  18. I have been married 2 years. My collection is slim, but I am working on it.
    I like cooking out of Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book- 14th addition :) Don't get me wrong, I love specialized cookbooks, i.e. Homemade Christmas or The Complete Book of Japanese Cooking, but BHG's book is all-around reliable!
    Drawn to anything quirky, Melissa's work definitely catches my eye! I adore the proportions of the faces to bodies, the people to the background, and the color contrasts. Way to be unique and expressive!

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  19. I have tons of cookbooks too and keep adding to my collection. I've been married forty years and learned to cook from several books, each remain as my favorites. Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, The New York Times Cookbook and With a Jug of Wine by Morrison Wood. Some of my favorites now include Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa. I like her philosophy of cooking ahead for a dinner party.

    I continue to crave new cookbooks and Melissa's looks gorgeous. It's so wonderful to be talented in art as well as cooking. Sounds like a real jewel of a book.
    Sam

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  20. I love her art and have seen it in Park City before! I love the idea of having art on the cover of a cookbook. I think cooking is an art form, especially when shared with others!

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  21. What a fun giveaway! I would love to win this cookbook and I need to stop by Make a Wish and pick up the Favorites one. I'd have to say that I really love a Pinch of Salt Lake. It has some yummy recipes. And Melissa's artwork is awesome. You are the best, Cristie. There is nothing in this world you can't tackle!

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  22. No doubt. Favorites is my favorite cookbook and has been for several years. When I need a recipe idea, AFTER I look at your blog (or call you on the phone!), I open the Favorites book. If the new book is as good as the old one, I definitely need it!

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  23. My all time favorite cookbook is called "Country Cooking" from the Murtaugh, Idaho area. It is a compilation of recipes (probably a ward or stake project) and was given to me for my wedding. I don't know any of the cooks personally, but we have used it so much that we "trust" recipes based on who submitted them. I have laminated it twice and it is still falling apart.

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  24. As a cookbook addict I completely relate to how you can have shelf upon shelf of cookbooks! One of my favourites is Dorie Greenspan's "In My French Cooking"...every recipe I've tried has been fantastic and the photography is stunning.

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