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Raising Happy Rabbits: Housing, Feeding, and Care Instructions for Your Rabbit's First Year
by Penny Ausley Brittany MayA practical and information-packed guide for purchasing and raising pet rabbits So, you’re thinking about buying or adopting a pet rabbit. Wonderful! Or maybe you’ve already brought a fuzzy bundle of joy home and you’re realizing you could use a little guidance. <P><P>Rabbits are adorable and soft and fun, but they also require a fair amount of work and knowledge to make sure they’re living a happy, healthy life. With the right approach, you will soon discover that your new pet rabbit can become your best pet ever. With time, attention, and patience, a deep bond can develop and you will be friends “furever.” <P><P>Raising Happy Rabbits will help you choose the right kind of rabbit for your home (if you haven’t already picked one), and answer your questions about housing, litter training, proper feeding, exercise, freedom, grooming, potential illnesses, playtime activities, what is normal/abnormal behavior, and much more. <P><P>Learn all about: Finding a vet Choosing an appropriate cage Pellets, hay, and fresh foods Growing herbs and lettuces for your bunny Toys to keep your rabbit engaged Illnesses to watch for And more! Make your first year with your bunny a fun and fulfilling experience that will bond you and your new rabbit for life.
Your Cabin in the Woods: A Compilation Of Cabin Plans And Philosophy For Discovering Life In The Great Out Doors (Classic Outdoors)
by Victor Aures Conrad E. MeineckeEver dream of escaping to a cozy cabin in the great outdoors? This unique bind-up of Conrad Meinecke's classic works helps make that a reality, while imparting a deeper appreciation of nature and of building something with your own two hands.For 70 years, readers have been enjoying Meinecke's odes to the simple life, Your Cabin in the Woods and Cabin Craft and Outdoor Living. For the first time, these books are combined into a deluxe two-color vintage package.In writing both practical and inspirational, Meinecke details how to turn your cabin dream into a reality, from choosing land to using tools to the basics of construction. He provides hand-drawn floor plans for a variety of cabins, from a simple two-room to a more complex long house. A number of sections focus on the best way to build fireplaces, both indoors and out. He also provides instructions for basic furniture, lighting, and other touches that make a cabin feel like home. Throughout are Meinecke's thoughts on ways to enjoy your new-found space, from hearty fireplace recipes to the types of wood for a perfect fire and the beauty found in birdsong.Practical as it may be, the book's enduring appeal owes in large part to its warmly engaging tone and firm belief in the restorative power of nature and the satisfaction of hard work. He writes, "Take full enjoyment in the building. Take time out to rest. Most city folks seem always to rush things through. Why? Lay off until tomorrow. Take an afternoon nap. Stop the clock for the weekend. Get off to an early start in the cool of tomorrow morning. You may be crowded in your work in town, but this should be your rest cure, your recreating."
North: How to Live Scandinavian (How To Live... Ser.)
by Brontë AurellA complete guide to Scandinavia filled with travel tips, cultural and historical facts, recipes, and inspirational photography from the Nordic nations.Why are Scandinavians constantly topping the happiness table? How do you get more Scandi-style in your life? Just how do you use lagom? Whether you want your apartment to look like it belongs in Copenhagen, to workout like a Norwegian or to make cinnamon buns like a Swede, this is the ultimate insider’s guide to the countries of the north.Full of inspiration and ideas, how-tos and recipes to help you experience the very best of Scandinavian design, philosophy, cookery, and culture, this honest behind-the-scenes look at the culture provides an invaluable insight into the wonderful and visually stunning world of Scandinavia. Like her viking ancestors before her, Brontë Aurell left Denmark to explore the world beyond home shores and in her travels has come to understand the fascination with her kinfolk, as well as seeing the idiosyncrasies of the Scandinavian lifestyle that locals take for granted.With a signature wit and a keen eye for detail, she takes you on a journey through fjords and mountains, farmlands, and cities to better understand these three nations and what makes each one so unique. So get outdoors, learn the life lesson that there’s no such thing as bad weather (only bad clothing), and you may discover your inner Scandi sooner than you think . . . From the How To Live . . . series of insightful guides to some of the most intriguing cultures and locations on the planet, other books available include How To Live Japanese, How To Live Korean, and How to Live Icelandic.
Designology: How to Find Your PlaceType & Align Your Life with Design
by Dr. Sally AugustinA simple guide to creating spaces at home and work that align with your personality type and support your goals—with the help of science. Discover a new paradigm: Are you an adventurer or a visionary? A maverick or a maven? Designology makes design personal through environmental and design psychologist Sally Augustin&’s 8 personality &“Placetypes&” that characterize the different ways we can relate to the space around us.Personalize everything: What color should you paint your child&’s bedroom? How do shapes and patterns influence how you think in a space? How do room dimensions influence you psychologically? Designology answers all these questions and more with practical how-to advice and real-world examples sure to help make your house a happier place to be.Move forward with your design projects: Bust through the design paralysis that affects so many by applying verified science-based insights. Designology will help you regain control of your design-related efforts with suggestions customized to your personality and space-related needs.Find out what really matters: Designology teaches you how smells, textures, and other factors in your home influence your happiness. It shows you how your personality and ideal design styles are really related. Readers will learn about:· How to sound-scape a place whether they need to concentrate or think creatively· How to use scents in their home to help their family feel healthier· What to read into their spouse&’s desktop landscape· How to use paint to make their living room feel more comfortable· And much more!Take on your intimidating design tasks with confidence using this practical, personalizable how-to guide.
Designs and Patterns from Historic Ornament (Dover Pictorial Archive)
by W. And AudsleyThis well-known book was prepared a century ago by two British architects, and its reputation has grown steadily since. The Audsleys' rendering of designs from a wide variety of sources are national traditions, and their excellent sense of space and proportion and their straightforward interpretations of these ornaments have made this collection among the most valuable of its kind.The 60 plates contain over 250 large-scale line drawings, mostly executed by the authors. The designs and patterns shown are derived from architectural decorative motifs, textile designs, patterns from ceramics, etc. A brief text specifies sources for many of the designs, and captions identify national origin and often the original color schemes.The illustrations include ancient Egyptian patterns from painted tomb ceilings, borders from Greek vases, Celtic designs, Japanese ornaments, Moorish decorations, eleventh-century Italian textile designs, and architectural elements from the cathedral of Notre-Dame and other buildings.This partial list of contents gives an idea of the many styles of design reproduced in the book, and the applications to which the designs can be put. Commercial artists, architects, crafters, designers, scene designers, and others will find these pages a rich source of decorative designs.
Victorian Patterns and Designs in Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive)
by G. A. AudsleyThe last and one of the most important of the great chromolithographic collections of the Victorian era, this magnificent volume first appeared in 1892. Spans a wide spectrum of ornamental styles: Greek moldings and pilaster designs; medieval roof ornamentation, "masonry" patterns; Renaissance coffer and panel ornamentation; Japanese fret bands; and more.
Living with Color: Inspiration and How-Tos to Brighten Up Your Home
by Rebecca AtwoodDiscover inspiration from the most colorful homes in America with this vibrant lookbook and style manual that brings the magic of color into your home—from the author of Living with Pattern Personalizing your color palette may be one of the most important decisions you make in your home. The right combination of hues can set the mood and transform any room from ordinary to magical. Textile designer Rebecca Atwood invites you to take a color journey in this stunning yet practical guide. In Living with Color, you’ll tour beautifully designed homes to see some of the most interesting uses of the rainbow and to gather inspiration for your own spaces. You’ll train your eye to notice how color lives all around you, from the pink light bouncing off a building you see every day to the exact blue of the ocean on your last getaway. You can even learn how to express yourself through your own custom palette with Rebecca’s accessible, illustrated overview of color theory. As you embark on your color hunt and begin to trust your own instincts, Living with Color will embolden you to breathe life into every part of your home.
Living with Pattern: Color, Texture, and Print at Home
by Rebecca AtwoodIf you focus on pattern, from texture and color to furniture and textiles, everything else will fall into place. Pattern is the strongest element in any room. In Living with Pattern, Rebecca Atwood demystifies how to use that element, a design concept that often confounds and confuses, demonstrating how to seamlessly mix and layer prints throughout a house. She covers pattern usage you probably already have, such as on your duvet cover or in the living room rug, and she also reveals the unexpected places you might not have thought to add it: bathroom tiles, an arrangement of book spines in a reading nook, or windowpane gridding in your entryway. In this stunning book, beautiful photography showcases distinct uses of pattern in homes all over the country to inspire you to realize that an injection of pattern can enliven any space, helping to make it uniquely yours.
Before the Garden on Holly Street: Valentine's Day
by Megan AttleyGet a taste of the coming series about how 'family' can come from the most unlikely of places from debut talent, Megan Attley. It's Valentine's Day and Abby is ready to celebrate with her long-term partner, Gavin - the music is on, the wine is breathing and Abby is wearing some (uncharacteristically) sexy underwear. There's only one problem - Gavin isn't home yet. But Abby has a very good idea where he is . . . Find out where the journeys in The Garden on Holly Street started in this free prequel to the series, before the heartwarming Part One: Spring Seedlings comes out in March.
The Garden on Holly Street: The uplifting and heartwarming romantic comedy full of hope, sunshine and community
by Megan Attley'It's a beautiful story of love blossoming in the most unexpected places.' Phillipa Ashley, bestselling author of A Perfect Cornish SummerSometimes you have to dig a little deeper to get the life you want . . . Abby Hamilton's world has turned upside down in a matter of months - it seems that change is definitely in the air. But moving into Willow Court might just be the fresh start and happy distraction she needed.Meeting her intriguing new neighbours helps push Abby out of her comfort zone. Then she finds an overgrown patch of garden in desperate need of love and time - something Abby has in spades! Throwing herself into bringing the garden back to life, Abby discovers that new beginnings can come from the most surprising places... An uplifting, feel-good novel, perfect for fans of Holly Hepburn, Heidi Swain and Isabelle Broom.Readers and authors love 'The Garden on Holly Street''An inspirational and touching read' Heidi Swain, bestselling author of 'Poppy's Recipe for Life''I sat up until 4AM reading this book I just couldn't put it down' Amazon Reviewer'The Garden on Holly Street by Megan Attley is a wonderful, heartwarming read about friendship and community, overcoming loneliness and finding happiness in unexpected places. It's so uplifting!' Cressida McLaughlin'The Garden on Holly Street is a stunning and sweet novel I beg you to read. It is the definition of the perfect comfort read, with friends waiting for you between the pages.' Chocolate 'n' Waffles'A heart-warming story about a community coming together. I loved the residents of Holly Street!' Catherine Miller'I was hooked all the way to the end it was a lovely read' Amazon Reviewer'A truly scrumptious, 5* read! This is such a sweet, endearing, and ultimately uplifting story.' Lucy Coleman
The Garden on Holly Street: The complete heartwarming summer story, perfect for your next holiday read
by Megan Attley'An inspirational and touching read' Heidi Swain, bestselling author of 'Poppy's Recipe for Life'Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper to get the life you want . . . Abby Hamilton's world has turned upside down in a matter of months - it seems that change is definitely in the air. But moving into Willow Court might just be the fresh start and happy distraction she needed.Meeting her intriguing new neighbours helps push Abby out of her comfort zone. Then she finds an overgrown patch of garden in desperate need of love and time - something Abby has in spades! Throwing herself into bringing the garden back to life, Abby discovers that new beginnings can come from the most surprising places... An uplifting, feel-good novel, perfect for fans of Holly Hepburn, Heidi Swain and Isabelle Broom.Readers and authors love 'The Garden on Holly Street''It's a beautiful story of love blossoming in the most unexpected places.' Phillipa Ashley, bestselling author of 'A Perfect Cornish Summer''I sat up until 4AM reading this book I just couldn't put it down' Amazon Reviewer'The Garden on Holly Street by Megan Attley is a wonderful, heartwarming read about friendship and community, overcoming loneliness and finding happiness in unexpected places. It's so uplifting!' Cressida McLaughlin'A heart-warming story about a community coming together. I loved the residents of Holly Street!' Catherine Miller'I was hooked all the way to the end it was a lovely read' Amazon Reviewer'A truly scrumptious, 5* read! This is such a sweet, endearing, and ultimately uplifting story.' Lucy Coleman
The Garden on Holly Street Part One: Spring Seedlings
by Megan AttleyPart One of the new feel-good series about finding your soulmates and your place in the world for fans of Cathy Bramley, Holly Hepburn, Heidi Swain and Kirsty Greenwood. Meet the neighbours of Willow Court . . .Newly single Abby has just moved in after finding an explicit message on her boyfriend's phone that was definitely not from her. Then, when she thought things couldn't possibly get any worse, she loses her job. Having been in a relationship for so many of her thirty-six years, she feels utterly helpless and in need of something - but she has no idea what that could be. Seven-year-old Ernie spends much of his day playing Zombies in the communal gardens. It's more a demolition site than a flowerbed, but he loves it out there. It helps him forget that his mum isn't around and that his dad is away so much with work. Lucky for them both, Ernie and Abby are about to become good friends. But only after they have run-ins with Arthur. The old man likes his quiet and is a stickler for routine. He's been that way since his treasured wife, Julia, died a year ago. Although Arthur isn't aware of it, he's slowly pulled away from life and everything he ever loved about it - what's the point, anyway, without Julia by his side? And that eyesore of a garden reminds him every day of losing her . . .All three are lonely, all three are lost. But with a little nurturing, can they find their way back to happiness?
The Garden on Holly Street Part One: Spring Seedlings
by Megan AttleyPart One of the new feel-good series about finding your soulmates and your place in the world for fans of Cathy Bramley, Holly Hepburn, Heidi Swain and Kirsty Greenwood. Meet the neighbours of Willow Court . . .Newly single Abby has just moved in after finding an explicit message on her boyfriend's phone that was definitely not from her. Then, when she thought things couldn't possibly get any worse, she loses her job. Having been in a relationship for so many of her thirty-six years, she feels utterly helpless and in need of something - but she has no idea what that could be. Seven-year-old Ernie spends much of his day playing Zombies in the communal gardens. It's more a demolition site than a flowerbed, but he loves it out there. It helps him forget that his mum isn't around and that his dad is away so much with work. Lucky for them both, Ernie and Abby are about to become good friends. But only after they have run-ins with Arthur. The old man likes his quiet and is a stickler for routine. He's been that way since his treasured wife, Julia, died a year ago. Although Arthur isn't aware of it, he's slowly pulled away from life and everything he ever loved about it - what's the point, anyway, without Julia by his side? And that eyesore of a garden reminds him every day of losing her . . .All three are lonely, all three are lost. But with a little nurturing, can they find their way back to happiness?
The Garden on Holly Street Part Two: Budding Begins
by Megan AttleySometimes you have to dig a little deeper to get the life you want . . . Part Two of the feel-good series The Garden on Holly Street. After deciding to tend to the garden on Holly Street, Abby has had some shocking news from her ex. Just when she felt like she was settling into Willow Court, he comes along and pushes her backwards again. Being with Gav is so awfully familiar, something she's dreaded and craved in equal measure. As he asks her for help, she faces a decision - should she sew seedlings for her past? Or for her future?Meanwhile, Ernie is left to babysit himself with his dad away again. Sometimes he quite likes it because he can make the flat a playground. But a playground is only so much fun when you're by yourself. He doesn't really think about what would happen if something went wrong - until something does go very wrong.Disturbed from his peace and quiet again, Arthur goes to tell the boy to keep the noise down. But as he hears a whimpering coming from inside the flat, he begins to worry - what's happened to Ernie? And how can Arthur help him? As their lives intersect, what will the residents of Willow Court choose to be for each other? And will the sudden appearance of a handsome gardener be just the distraction Abby needs?Fans of Cathy Bramley, Holly Hepburn, Heidi Swain and Kirsty Greenwood will love The Garden on Holly Street.
The Garden on Holly Street Part Two: Budding Begins
by Megan AttleySometimes you have to dig a little deeper to get the life you want . . . Part Two of the feel-good series The Garden on Holly Street. After deciding to tend to the garden on Holly Street, Abby has had some shocking news from her ex. Just when she felt like she was settling into Willow Court, he comes along and pushes her backwards again. Being with Gav is so awfully familiar, something she's dreaded and craved in equal measure. As he asks her for help, she faces a decision - should she sew seedlings for her past? Or for her future?Meanwhile, Ernie is left to babysit himself with his dad away again. Sometimes he quite likes it because he can make the flat a playground. But a playground is only so much fun when you're by yourself. He doesn't really think about what would happen if something went wrong - until something does go very wrong.Disturbed from his peace and quiet again, Arthur goes to tell the boy to keep the noise down. But as he hears a whimpering coming from inside the flat, he begins to worry - what's happened to Ernie? And how can Arthur help him? As their lives intersect, what will the residents of Willow Court choose to be for each other? And will the sudden appearance of a handsome gardener be just the distraction Abby needs?Fans of Cathy Bramley, Holly Hepburn, Heidi Swain and Kirsty Greenwood will love The Garden on Holly Street.
The Ecological Farm: A Minimalist No-Till, No-Spray, Selective-Weeding, Grow-Your-Own-Fertilizer System for Organic Agriculture
by Helen AtthoweThe breakthrough resource for fruit and vegetable growers at every scale who want to go ‘beyond organic’ and build higher soil quality and fertility using fewer inputs through a unique ecosystem-balancing approach “Atthowe’s book takes ecological farming to the next level. It is packed with useful, field-tested, innovative techniques for farming more gently without sacrificing productivity. . . This is the future of farming. I highly recommend this book.”—Ben Hartman, author of The Lean Farm The Ecological Farm is the go-to guide for ecological growing, with a unique focus on reduced tillage, minimizing farm and garden inputs, and pest control. Reflecting the wisdom that farmer, consultant, and educator Helen Atthowe and her late husband, Carl Rosato, gained during decades of farming experience, this book guides readers on how to reduce or eliminate the use of outside inputs of fertilizer or pesticides—even those that are commonly used on certified organic orchards and market gardens. In clear language and with color photographs, charts, and graphs throughout, the book emphasizes the importance of managing the details of an entire growing system over the full life of the enterprise. Based on advances in scientific research in ecological food production, farmers, homesteaders, permaculturists, and gardeners alike will learn methods to: design a farm system that maintains a growing root in the soil year-round to feed the microbial community instead of just crops. strengthen the “immune system” of a farm or garden supply crop needs using only on-farm inputs such as cover crops and living mulch maximize the presence of beneficial insects and microbes that support healthy crop development minimize ecological impact in dealing with insect pest and disease problems The Ecological Farm also features a crop-by-crop guide to growing more than 25 of the most popular and profitable vegetables and fruits, including specific management advice for dealing with pests and diseases. The Ecological Farm makes complex, sometimes messy, ecological concepts and practices understandable to all growers, and makes healthy farming—in which nature is invited to participate—possible. "[This book] will guide all of us as we learn to farm in harmony with an ecosystem and to become obedient to the whole rather than being distracted by the urge to tinker with the parts.” —Wes Jackson, cofounder and president emeritus, The Land Institute
Local Style in English Architecture: An Enquiry Into Its Origin and Development (Routledge Revivals)
by Thomas AtkinsonOriginally published in 1947, this book examines the regional styles of architecture which developed inside England itself, particularly during the later medieval period. It discusses the causes and locations of these regional variations. In explaining the cause for the geographical variations in stye, the author investigates the various factors responsible for bringing them about, such as geology, race, religion, foreign influence, transport and fashion. As churches have survived the passage of time better than many secular buildings, the emphasis is on church architecture (although not exclusively). The book contains over 120 photographs and the book is an original and important inquiry into the origin and development of local styles in English architecture.
Plant Craft: 30 Projects that Add Natural Style to Your Home
by Caitlin AtkinsonDiscover the simple beauty of adding natural style to a space! Not everyone has a garden—but with only a handful of materials and a little bit of time, everyone can bring the beauty of nature into their home. Plant Craft features projects inspired by the natural world and made out of live plants, cut flowers, foraged branches, and more. You’ll learn how to create a colorful floral mural, an elegant table centerpiece, a serene underwater sculpture, a whimsical mobile, and more. The step-by-step instructions are clear, easy to follow, and fully illustrated with color photographs, and the projects vary in difficulty. Given the right care, they all have the potential to grace a home for a long time.
Get Your Pitchfork On!
by Kristy AthensFor hard-working office workers Kristy Athens and husband Michael, farming was a romantic dream. After purchasing farm land in Oregon's beautiful Columbia Gorge, Athens and hubby were surprised to learn that the realities of farming were challenging and unexpected. Get Your Pitchfork On! provides the hard-learned nuts-and-bolts of rural living from city folk who were initially out of their depth. Practical and often hilarious, Get Your Pitchfork On! reads like a twenty-first century Egg and I. Get Your Pitchfork On! gives urban professionals the practical tools they need to realize their dream, with basics of home, farm, and hearth. It also enters territory that other books avoid--straightforward advice about the social aspects of country living, from health care to schools to small-town politics. Kristy Athens doesn't shy away from controversial subjects, such as having guns and hiring undocumented migrant workers. An important difference between Get Your Pitchfork On! and other farm/country books is that the author's initial country experiment failed. Ravaged by the elements, the economy, and the social structure of their rural area, Athens and husband sold their farm and retreated to Portland, Oregon, in 2009. This gave Athens the freedom to write honestly about her extraordinary experience. Having learned from mistakes, both Kristy and her husband are currently saving up to buy another farm, and this time to live a practical dream rather than an uninformed nightmare. Kristy Athens' nonfiction and short stories have been published in a number of magazines, newspapers, and literary journals, most recently High Desert Journal, Barely South Review, and the anthology Mamas and Papas. In 2010, she was a writer-in-residence for the Eastern Oregon Writer-in-Residence program and Soapstone. This is her first book.
A Nation of Farmers
by Sharon Astyk Aaron Newton"Astyk and Newton have written an important book with an unusual message: We need millions of new farmers...as soon as possible. You could not find two more reasonable, intelligent, sincere, and passionate people to talk to about food. And the book has very much the feeling of a conversation - with someone smart who cares about you. It is also intellectually complex, creative and nuanced. The authors are big thinkers and have taken a good lick at the central human issues of our time." Peter Bane "This definitive guide can provide inspiration to gardeners and those concerned about the environment. It offers practical solutions to all the food-related problems brought on by industrialized agriculture and the globalization of food. Very carefully researched and well written, this documents what is wrong and what we can do about it." Connie Krochmal - Bellaonline "This outstanding and well-written compendium of insights and recommendations, of fervent idealism and practical solutions, is highly recommended."--Library Journal Once we could fill our grocery carts with cheap and plentiful food, but not anymore. Cheap food has gone the way of cheap oil. Climate change is already reducing crop yields worldwide. The cost of flying in food from far away and shipping it across the country in refrigerated trucks is rapidly becoming unviable. Cars and cows increasingly devour grain harvests, sending prices skyrocketing. More Americans than ever before require food stamps and food pantries just to get by, and a worldwide food crisis is unfolding, overseas and in our kitchens. We can keep hunger from stalking our families, but doing so will require a fundamental shift in our approach to field and table. A Nation of Farmers examines the limits and dangers of the globalized food system and shows how returning to the basics is our best hope. The book includes in-depth guidelines for: Creating resilient local food systems Growing, cooking, and eating sustainably and naturally Becoming part of the solution to the food crisis The book argues that we need to make self-provisioning, once the most ordinary of human activities, central to our lives. The results will be better food, better health, better security, and freedom from corporations that don't have our interests at heart. This is critical reading for anyone who eats and cares about high-quality food. Sharon Astyk farms in New York, and is the author of Depletion and Abundance. Aaron Newton is a sustainable systems land planner in North Carolina, and is the founding editor of Groovy Green.
Depletion and Abundance
by Sharon AstykWhy are so few peak oil authors women? There's been much debate about this, and no one has yet arrived at a definitive answer. But whatever the reason, Sharon Astyk has established herself as a true rarity within the peak oil community by virtue of being a woman who has chosen to write about peak oil. The perspective she offers is thus both uncommon and vital.In Depletion and Abundance, she shows how rewarding life on her New Home Front could be, immeasureably improving our health, nutrition, sense of community and overall well-being. Chief among its benefits would be all the extra time that we'd have. She points out that people in medieval times worked far fewer hours than Americans do today, and that most people in modern-day peasant societies also work less hard than we do.This, along with Astyk's unique perspective as a woman, a mother and a peak oil activist, makes Depleiton and Abundance well worth a read. The ring of authenticity to her writing will hook you - while its relaxed style, ineffable humor, personal anecdotes and comforting touch will soothe your melancholy peaknik soul like a warm hand on the shoulder.Reviewed by Frank Kaminski, Energy BulletinSharon's introduction is pricelss in its succinct, dead-on analysis of collapse, and is reason enough to buy and send this book to everyone you know who is partially or completely clueless about where we're headed. "When I realized that everything was going to change, I was at first afraid. Because I thought, if my government or public policy or other choices weren't going to fix everything, what could I possibly do? What hope was there, if I had to take care of myself, if my community had to take care of itself?But when I began looking for solutions that could be applied on the level of ordinary human lives, that involved changes in perspectives and pulling together, the reclamation of abandoned ideas and the restoration of strong communitites, I began to feel hopeful, even excited. Because I realized that when large institutions cease to be powerful, sometimes that means that people start being powerful again."Depletion and Abundance is not a feel-good book, but it is intensely human, compassionate, supportive, pracitcal, alarming, enlivening, and astonishingly accurate.Reviewed by Carolyn Baker, Carolynbaker.netClimate change, peak oil, and economic instability aren't just future social problems-they jeopardize our homes and families right now.Our once-abundant food supply is being threatened by toxic chemical agriculture, rising food prices and crop shortages brought on by climate change. Funding for education and health care is strained to the limit, and safe and affordable housing is disappearing.Depletion and Abundance explains how we are living beyond our means with or without a peak oil/climate change crisis and that, either way, we must learn to place our families and local communities at the center of our thinking once again. The author presents strategies to create stronger homes, better health and a richer family life and to:*live comfortably with an uncertain energy supply *prepare children for a hotter, lower energy, less secure world *survive and thrive in an economy in crisis, and *maintain a kitchen garden to supply basic food needs.Most importantly, readers will discover that depletion can lead to abundance, and the anxiety of these uncertain times can be turned into a gift of hope and action.An unusual family perspective on the topic, this book will appeal to all those interested in securing a future for their children and grandchildren.
Independence Days: A Guide to Sustainable Food Storage & Preservation (Mother Earth News Books for Wiser Living)
by Sharon AstykHard times aren't just coming, they are here already. The recent economic collapse has seen millions of North Americans move from the middle class to being poor, and from poor to hungry. At the same time, the idea of eating locally is shifting from being a fringe activity for those who can afford it to an essential element of getting by. But aside from the locavores and slow foodies, who really knows how to eat outside of the supermarket and out of season? And who knows how to eat a diet based on easily stored and home preserved foods? Independence Days tackles both the nuts and bolts of food preservation, as well as the host of broader issues tied to the creation of local diets. It includes: How to buy in bulk and store food on the cheap Techniques, from canning to dehydrating Tools--what you need and what you don't In addition, it focuses on how to live on a pantry diet year-round, how to preserve food on a community scale, and how to reduce reliance on industrial agriculture by creating vibrant local economies. Better food, plentiful food, at a lower cost and with less energy expended: Independence Days is for all who want to build a sustainable food system and keep eating--even in hard times. Sharon Astyk is a former academic who farms in upstate New York with her family. She is the author of Depletion and Abundance, the co-author of A Nation of Farmers, and she blogs at www.sharonastyk.com.
Making Home: Adapting Our Homes and Our Lives to Settle in Place (Mother Earth News Books for Wiser Living)
by Sharon AstykOther books tell us how to live the good life-but you might have to win the lottery to do it. Making Home is about improving life with the real people around us and the resources we already have. While encouraging us to be more resilient in the face of hard times, author Sharon Astyk also points out the beauty, grace, and elegance that result, because getting the most out of everything we use is a way of transforming our lives into something much more fulfilling.Written from the perspective of a family who has already made this transition, Making Home shows readers how to turn the challenge of living with less into settling for more-more happiness, more security, and more peace of mind. Learn simple but effective strategies to:*Save money on everything from heating and cooling to refrigeration, laundry, water, sanitation, cooking, and cleaning*Create a stronger, more resilient family*Preserve more for future generationsWe must make fundamental changes to our way of life in the face of ongoing economic crisis and energy depletion. Making Home takes the fear out of this prospect, and invites us to embrace a simpler, more abundant reality.Sharon Astyk is a writer, teacher, blogger, and farmer whose family uses eighty percent less energy and resources than the average American household. She is a member of the board of directors of ASPO-USA, founder of the Riot 4 Austerity, and the author of three previous books, including Depletion and Abundance and Independence Days.
Old Buildings, New Ideas: A Selective Architectural History of Additions, Adaptations, Reuse and Design Invention
by Françoise Astorg BollackSome architectural transformations are modest, some are revolutionary. Shining a light on the hidden side of the accepted narrative of the history of architecture, this book explores works which transform existing buildings to build a way forward, through adaptations, additions and visual shifts. Examining 30 buildings across Europe, North America and South America, spanning from the early Middle Ages to the end of the 20th century, it demonstrates the creative possibilities of working with existing buildings. The book reveals how formal inventions can shape architecture and our environment over time in a built world constantly in a state of becoming. As we face a climate emergency, it taps into our deep cultural knowledge about the inventive use and re-use of buildings. Generously illustrated with architectural plans and over 300 colour images, it provides an alternative to the dominant view which sees conservation and preservation of historic buildings as a 20th century creation.
The Cleaning Encyclopedia: America’s # Cleaning Expert
by Don AslettThe ultimate guide to the art of cleaning, this reference is packed with professional secrets for getting maximum results through minimum results through minimum effort. Discover how to save time, money, and elbow grease on every cleaning problem, as well as how to prevent housework with surprising tricks of the trade. From aluminum siding to zoom lenses, this alphabetical index covers every job, big and small.