cooking magazine

one of my bday presents this year was a subscription to cook's illustrated.  i'm not exactly sure why they call it "illustrated,"though.  true, the graphics are illustrations not photos, but there are few! 

it's not so much new recipe ideas as actual info about cooking - differences between mushrooms and how to use them, basics of making a stew, where certain types of potatoes are found, etc.  all in all - a good read! 

thanks, sis!