“Smart by Nature is an inspired handbook that connects hands-on experiences of the garden, the kitchen, the table, the compost heap, and the classroom curriculum.” ~Alice Waters, founder of Chez Panisse
In keeping with the inspirational thread we are currently exploring on this blog I was delighted that a close friend of mine happens to be [...]
Posted on July 11th, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: Book Notes | 8 Comments »
For far longer than I care to ponder I’ve had a rather hazy relationship with lavender. I know it when I see it. I’ve grown it successfully in the dampness of North Carolina, the deserts of Arizona and the lush soils of California. But could I tell you any details? Not really. So I jumped [...]
Posted on June 6th, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: Book Notes | 12 Comments »
Dear readers, it gives me incredible joy to announce to you that my book, Plant Whatever Brings You Joy: Blessed Wisdom from the Garden is now ready for publication! The official publication date is August 1, 2010. An event will be held on that date at the Nickel Creek Nursery in Mendocino County to honor [...]
Posted on May 27th, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: Book Notes | 16 Comments »
“If well managed, nothing is more beautiful than the kitchen garden.” ~William Cobbett, The English Gardener, 1829
Friday my inspiration was piqued after watching UK chef Jamie Oliver’s new show “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution,” in which he explores the introduction of healthy food into an elementary school luncheon program in West Virginia. Challenging! Apparently Jamie has [...]
Posted on March 29th, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: Book Notes | 8 Comments »
On first reflection a book review of The Seven Daughters of Eve by Oxford geneticist Bryan Sykes might seem a very unlikely choice for this particular blog. And, it’s true, I was reading the book for very different reasons, as it is an introduction to genetic ancestry from the perspective of mtDNA, the DNA component [...]
Posted on March 3rd, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: Book Notes | 7 Comments »
Ever a fan of reference books I was delighted to see Timber Press had published The Encyclopedia of Herbs, subtitled with the promise to be A Comprehensive Reference to Herbs of Flavor and Fragrance. Well qualified authors Arthur Tucker, professor of botany and Thomas Debaggio, founder of an herb farm and nursery, do not disappoint. [...]
Posted on December 31st, 2009 by Kathryn
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all photos by William Meppem, courtesy Chronicle Books
If there were ever an excuse needed to focus on chocolate the holidays do provide! This week I was nagged by a relentless urging to make brownies, knowing full well I did not have the optimal recipe. (Can someone please explain to me why the Joy of Cooking [...]
Posted on November 16th, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: Book Notes | 21 Comments »
In all honesty until reading Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by entomologist Douglas W. Tallamy I think I was rather avoiding the subject of native plant rearing. In asking myself why? I had to admit that I associated the largely misunderstood concept of native plant selection as a choice [...]
Posted on September 8th, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: Book Notes | 18 Comments »
My interest in herbal remedies was kindled first in the 60’s in Northern California, when exploring alternative healing practices first was in vogue. Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss was everybody’s standard reference, and to this day this book remains on my shelf. My knowledge was enhanced when I moved to Amsterdam in the 70’s [...]
Posted on July 5th, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: Book Notes | 18 Comments »
“No wonder honey itself was thought miraculous, because each honey bee is a gram of utter miracle.” –E. Readicker-Henderson
I was so thrilled to hear Timber Press was coming out with a book entitled A Short History of the Honey Bee. Sign me up! Longtime readers will know I adore honey bees, and early in the [...]
Posted on May 31st, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: Book Notes | 28 Comments »