Book Notes: Smart by Nature

“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 [...]

Book Notes: Lavender, The Grower’s Guide

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 [...]

Plant Whatever Brings You Joy: The Book!

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 [...]

Book Notes: The Family Kitchen Garden

“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 [...]

Book Notes: The Seven Daughters of Eve

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 [...]

Book Notes: The Encyclopedia of Herbs

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. [...]

Book Notes: Luscious Chocolate Desserts

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 [...]

Book Notes: Bringing Nature Home

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 [...]

Book Notes: Native American Medicinal Plants

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 [...]

Book Notes: A Short History of the Honey Bee

“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 [...]

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