From the library of Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

I'm not exactly sure what book this is, but it has lovely patterned and tattered boards.

Such a friendly ghost

While my mind is on everything wintery, here are a few of Casper's 50s comic books. Casper the Friendly Ghost was created in the 30's and appeared in his first animated short in 1945 (see below). He was a nonconformist ghost who didn't like scaring people, but preferred to befriend them, and his adventures mostly consisted of winning over initially frightened people and animal friends. He was featured in a popular comic book series during the 1950s and 60s and also appeared in several TV series.

Casper the Friendly Ghost #8 File Copy (Harvey, 1953) via Heritage Auctions — Casper the Friendly Ghost #8 File Copy (Harvey, 1953) via Heritage Auctions

**Casper the Friendly Ghost (1958 3rd Series Harvey) vi eBay**

Caspar's first film appearance in "The Friendly Ghost" 1945. Casper rebels against his life of scaring people, and embarks on a lonely quest to find friendship.

P. G. Wodehouse firsts

P. G. Wodehouse. Fish Preferred. Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1929. First edition.

P. G. Wodehouse. Uncle Fred in the Springtime. Doubleday, 1939. First American edition.

P. G. Wodehouse. French Leave. Simon and Schuster, 1959. First American edition

+Heritage Auctions

Grilled Salmon Burger with Mustard Aioli Slaw

This is one of my quick lunches. It uses these Trader Joe's products: Premium Salmon Burger, Arugula, Mustard Aoli, red onion, Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes (sliced), japanese cucumbers (sliced thin on the diagonal), pickle relish. Non-trader items: Orowheat Double Fiber English Muffin, red cabbage slaw + black Sesame seeds.

To make the slaw, place handful of arugula in a bowl, add cabbage slaw and a few red onions. Clip into small pieces using kitchen scissors. Spoon in one scoop of Mustard aioli and one of sweet pickle relish. Sprinkle in black sesame seeds & mix. Salmon is grilled in cast iron grill pan (sprinkle with sea salt, fresh rainbow pepper & red pepper flakes)after defrosting on auto setting in the microwave. I grill the muffins face down in the same pan which is sprayed with olive oil, then finish off in toaster. Assemble and enjoy.

Cor van Velsen

Cornelius van Velsen (Dutch 1921-1910) designed 170 posters as well as LP covers and illustrated children's books. During WW2, he forged identity cards for the resistance.