I FINALLY got The Backyard Homestead from the library! I have been on the waiting list for weeks! I can't wait to hunker down and read it cover to cover. I already know I'm going to love it. And I have a pretty good idea that this is going to be one that goes on the "must buy" list. But, just to make sure, I wanted to borrow it from the library first. The back cover says, "From a quarter acre, you can harvest: 1400 eggs, 50 pounds of wheat, 60 pounds of fruit, 2000 pounds of vegetables, 280 pounds of pork and 75 pounds of nuts." Wow. It also says: "Learn how to: milk a goat * make dandelion wine * tap a maple tree * make fresh mozzarella * mill grains for flour ..." I don't drink...but the thought of growing grapes and making wine...or brewing ones own beer sounds really fun to me. Maybe I can make some sort of non-alcoholic beverage? I'll have to read up on that! I can hardly wait to dig into this book! From this information alone I just know that this book needs to be in my reference library.
I also came across The River Cottage Family Cookbook by chance. I had seen it over at Jen's blog, Under the BIG Blue Sky. She really raved about it and piqued my curiosity. So when I saw it on the shelf in the cookbook section I snatched it up! I can't wait to read about how "to prepare delicious, wholesome food" and learn about "making butter, curing bacon and building a kitchen garden". How great does all of that sound? Now, I feel that I need to clarify something. We, more than likely, will NOT raise a pig on our little piece of the pie. So, more than likely, I will NOT need to know how to cure bacon. At least not while we're living here on our city lot. Maybe someday when we have our dream property in the country. But not now...not here. Now, you notice I said "more than likely". I am not ruling anything out completely. Because to be honest, I never thought we'd have chickens for crying out loud. So...never say never. I just know that my husband drew the line a while back when someone asked me what was next..."no goats" he said. He never said, "no pigs". But I think it's safe to assume that a goat is a pig is a cow as far as homes within the city limits goes. I'm just sayin'. (Honey? Whaddya think?)
I also came across The River Cottage Family Cookbook by chance. I had seen it over at Jen's blog, Under the BIG Blue Sky. She really raved about it and piqued my curiosity. So when I saw it on the shelf in the cookbook section I snatched it up! I can't wait to read about how "to prepare delicious, wholesome food" and learn about "making butter, curing bacon and building a kitchen garden". How great does all of that sound? Now, I feel that I need to clarify something. We, more than likely, will NOT raise a pig on our little piece of the pie. So, more than likely, I will NOT need to know how to cure bacon. At least not while we're living here on our city lot. Maybe someday when we have our dream property in the country. But not now...not here. Now, you notice I said "more than likely". I am not ruling anything out completely. Because to be honest, I never thought we'd have chickens for crying out loud. So...never say never. I just know that my husband drew the line a while back when someone asked me what was next..."no goats" he said. He never said, "no pigs". But I think it's safe to assume that a goat is a pig is a cow as far as homes within the city limits goes. I'm just sayin'. (Honey? Whaddya think?)
OK...off to do a few chores so I can justify sitting in my reading chair all evening!
7 comments:
I have always said - " it never hurts to ask".
I see no goat nor want to pig in my back yard anytime soon : )
no pig
cannot wait to look for these! I want chickens so bad! Thanks for posting your reads! Laura
I picked this book up on a whim and LOVE it...it's got some great information on many subjects.
Ok, the Backyard Homestead looks intriguing....will have to check out. I also have River Cottage on my night stand because of Jen. She's also responsible for The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever that she blogged about that's by my bed. Good reading!
I LOVE this book!! Purchased it with a coupon from Barnes and Noble. I have it sitting right here on my desk. Surfed through a bunch of the suburban homestead books at the store and this one seemed to cover the most. Also picked up a copy of 'Deliberate Life-The Ultimate Homesteading Guide' ) ISBN 978-1-4357-1087 - which is a little more hard core. Been wanting to do a post about it since I purchased it...maybe I'll do it today..
i don't see pigs in my future either, but maybe chickens one day. i love reading homesteading books even if it is just for dreaming purposes, so i will be heading off to the library at your recommendation now.
and what i do love about the river cottage book, is how they EXPLAIN why you do certain things in cooking and baking, it's like lots of little a-ha moments!
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