“Otis, you can practice first and impress me with your skills later. With love, Elle xoxo”

I do not personally know Otis or Elle. This cookbook was given to me by a dear friend who received it from someone else. It’s a passed down treasure that has been in my possession since 2008. It is one of my absolute favorite Summer reads! Yes, I read cookbooks like they are novels. My children eat mostly beige things so…cookbooks are my fiction. I dream of cooking a 3 course meal filled with every color of the rainbow. In my fantasy they will gobble it up and say “thank you” afterwards with delight.

Until that day, I will simply read about these meals and dream. 

More importantly. Every Summer I’m wondering about Otis & Elle!!!! What happened? 

I’m guessing Otis did not impress Elle. Otherwise I don’t think I would have this gem in my possession. 

But, why? 
Did he refuse the obvious invitation? 
Did he mistakenly choose to make the Chicken Cacciatore on pg. 200 not realizing Elle was a vegetarian? 
Maybe Elle was cold and couldn’t warm up to the Upside-Down Peach Shortcake on pg. 426?

Oh well—some things are better left unknown. I’ll keep dreamily wondering about Otis and Elle forever. This inscription makes me grateful for cookbooks and Summer.