I've read some wonderful homesteading books this winter, filling me with ideas and inspiration. Even in the busy months of spring, I like to have a few books going at all times. Here are a few homesteading book reviews to keep you inspired this spring! How to Embrace an Off-Grid Lifestyle by Tammy Trayer I've long awaited Tammy's book as she and I were writing books about creating our off the grid homesteads around the same time. I was so curious to see how her experience differed from ours. I was not disappointed! Imagine sitting around a cozy dining room table, drinking a cup of tea, and hearing tale after entertaining tale of creating an off the grid homestead. That's what … [Read more...]
Homesteading Book Reviews
As the daylight hours grow longer, it's rare that I climb in bed until well after 11pm. Still, I try to prepare for sleep by reading and have a giant stack of in-progress books above my bed. Although I'm a sucker for a good novel, I can't read them before bed because I get drawn in to the story and won't put the book down! So homesteading and non-fiction books are my favorite way to unwind. Here are a few homesteading books and eBooks that I've been enjoying recently. Patio Raptors Meredith Skyer writes the blog ImaginAcres and heads the awesome site Backyard Chicken Project. She knows her chickens, shares amazing content, and takes incredible photos. Meredith has combined these talents … [Read more...]
Spring Homestead Reading List
Spring is a tough time to get a lot of reading and book learning done, with all of the hands-on homesteading action that's taking place. Still, I like to pick out a few books, read a few pages each night, and boost my homestead knowledge and inspiration. This winter/early spring I read a few great books that I wanted to share. The Nourishing Homestead by Ben Hewitt One day this winter, I opened our mailbox to find a copy of The Nourishing Homestead, sent by the awesome team at Chelsea Green. I honestly think I squealed in delight. I have really enjoyed some of Ben Hewitt’s other books, such as The Town that Food Saved, and knew that he was a real-deal homesteader. After reading The … [Read more...]
The Sugarmaker’s Companion :: Book Review
When we began making black walnut syrup last winter, we wished for a go-to guide to help us with the process. We knew from talking with local friends that black walnut sap was drinkable and very tasty; surely if we boiled it down we’d come up with an edible product! After a season’s worth of tapping and boiling down sap, we discovered that black walnut syrup is DELICIOUS. And, we discovered a book that I wish we had when we first began - The Sugarmaker’s Companion: An Integrated Approach to Producing Syrup from Maple, Birch, and Walnut Trees, by Michael Farrell. Chelsea Green, one of my favorite publishers, sent me a copy to review, and I began reading from cover to cover. What makes … [Read more...]
Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist :: Book Review
Maybe you've heard about Permaculture, but you're not really sure what it is. Or perhaps the words Edible Landscaping make you drool, but you don't know how to start creating one. The book Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist by Michael Judd is a user-friendly, project packed introduction to these topics that will leave you inspired to create your own edible backyard! Chapters focus on subjects including: Herb Spiral, The Ultimate Raised Bed Fungi!! Growing Specialty Mushrooms Hugelkultur, Mounds of Fertility Earthen Ovens My own family has been creating Permaculture systems here on our homestead. For instance, we've begun to experiment with building swales and … [Read more...]
The Resilient Farm and Homestead Book Review
Every once in a while, I read a book so inspiring that it sets in motion a process of visioning, planning, and action. The Resilient Farm and Homestead by Ben Falk is such a book, one that has me re-imaging extraordinary possibilities for our homestead on a hill. Imagine a homestead and research farm set on a hillside in Central Vermont. Now picture lush gardens, food and fuel forests, and innovative projects such as small-scale rice paddies, compost hot water heating systems, mushroom cultivation, and perennial food crop and grazing integration. Author Ben Falk's homestead, Whole Systems Research Farm is such a place, and he takes what he has learned from years of experience on his land, … [Read more...]
Summer Homestead Reading List
When the summer heat gets to be too intense, or when I'm on vacation, I love nothing more than to sit with a good book. Some days I get sucked into a good novel, but most of the time, I'm expanding my homesteading knowledge with a book about gardening, building, caring for animals, or anything else homestead-related. I've asked some of my homestead blogger friends to join me in sharing their favorite homesteading books, for all of our summer reading enjoyment! * * * * * The Foxfire Books by Eliot Wigginton Recommended by Susan of Learning and Yearning "I've always loved The Foxfire Books which were written by high school students in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a class … [Read more...]
Peaceful Parenting Resources
As the mama of two young children, I spend a lot of time reading, talking, and thinking about parenting. I'm always so excited to read a book or a blog that guides me towards new ways of parenting peacefully and unconditionally. I would love to share a short list of some of my favorite parenting resources. Websites and Blogs: Aha! Parenting - Dr. Laura Markham's website is packed with resources and information on how to peacefully parent babies to teens. She also has a twice-weekly coaching email. The Daily Groove - Scott Noelle's parenting e-newsletter. The Parenting Passageway - Homeschooling and peaceful parenting, with a Waldorf-inspired, developmentally appropriate … [Read more...]
