A YEAR OF PIES!
HOMEMADE LIVING: HOME DAIRY
HOMEMADE LIVING: KEEPING BEES
HOMEMADE LIVING: CANNING & PRESERVING
HOMEMADE LIVING: KEEPING CHICKENS
Recent Acquisitions
You know how it goes. You see something in a magazine, or perhaps at a book store, fall in love with it, pine for it, determine it is completely out of your price range and that you just need to get over it, and then turn around, a mere two days later, and find it for sale, half off? You know how that happens just about all of the time? No? It never happens to you? Right. Me neither. Until this weekend, that is.
I fell in love with British organic gardening expert Bob Flowerdew (the name! the braided pony tail!) when I picked up his book Grow Your Own, Eat Your Own several years ago. I was initially intrigued by the book itself, but came to be smitten more so by its author. He’s cheeky, and clever, and, well, it’s not every day that you find a Brit describing himself thusly:
I love: gardening, scented plants, good food, cats, beautiful women, erudite conversation, reading, etymology, public speaking, invention, outrageous ideas, scuba diving, and whinging on about the state of things. I dislike: bad, bland and factory food, over egged political correctness, the state of things, humour-less prigs, self-opinionated hypocrites and anyone else like me continually whinging on about the state of things.
You love him now too, right? So, when I first glanced his newest book 6-volume organic gardening series at a big book store a few weeks ago, I knew I wanted it straight away. But, alas, it was a bit out of my price range, at least, to acquire all 6 books at once. Then I saw that Martha was digging on Bob, too. The series, it would be mine, I decided, but when?
And then. AND THEN. In a most auspicious pop into the book store attached to the Screen Door over the weekend, I saw the series. All 6 books. At half price. The deal was done. The books, they were mine. As we move into the season of seeds and soil and potting and planting, I can’t wait to have Bob alongside, sharing his sage advice with wit, humor, and whimsy. I too love scented plants, good food, cats, and the like. Me and Bob. We’d be tight. I might just even fashion my wild mane of hair into a braided ponytail, as an homage.
I am so happy to live up here now and be able to take advantage of the local stuff you link to! Didn’t know about Screen Door yet, looks wonderful. As a brand-new gardener and not-quite-reformed packrat, I just dragged the hood from an old VW bug out of the woods yesterday because I felt it could be reclaimed SOMEHOW for my front garden. Screen Door looks like more of the same, can’t wait to explore. Thanks!
What a great find! They look like lovely books, now if only I could stumble across my own set half off
how cool are those!! besides his amazing name, those book covers are to die for….have fun with your new treasures!
That is some gorgeous book design!
I was into the jacket design and then– the hair! The tank top! AND he is a regular on a gardening radio show on BBC Radio 4!! (I have such a soft spot for radio nerds!) Thanks for sharing him with us!
What a find. And if Martha likes him, well, that’s good enough for me! The Brits have a mastery of the English language that somehow deepens the effects and meaning of their expressions. I think that aspect coupled with his 30 years of experience plus a unique, rather unstuffy persona gives his collection an edge. It will be fun to see which “projects” you implement, your interpretations and adaptations to your particular space.
I am looking forward to Spring planting also. Buying the seed packets and perusing the catalogs is a favorite thing to do while sipping a hot cup of tea. The Antiques shop you highlighted is lovely; the decor featured is inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing. The Brits certainly have a mastery of language and horticulture. I hope you let us know which projects and methods are successful for you in your own garden.
I picked up his book on Composting at a used book store in the fall. I didn’t realize it was part of a set. I’ll keep my eyes open for the rest. Thanks.