The author assembles a month-by-month compendium of culinary suggestions, recipes, and household tips written in a conversational, mildly humorous voice. Targeted as a supplement to standard cookbooks, it presumes basic kitchen skills and offers practical instructions for preparing and serving everyday meats, sauces, side dishes and preserves; examples include home-made sausages, broiled pork chops with piquant sauce, apple croquettes, roasted loin and ham with accompanying reductions and flavored gravies. Interspersed with brief domestic commentary and serving ideas, the collection emphasizes seasoning, economy, and simple techniques to refresh routine menus.