Until events run wildly out of hand, Charleen Forrest manages to cope with the uncertainties of a failed marriage, trying to live her own life and raise a son on her frugal income. She is not unaware of the hazards: "family, banktellers, ex-husband, landladies, bus drivers... men on the make who want her to lie back and accept (this is what you need, baby), friends who feel sorry for her." Her resourcefulness is a delight; her uncanny observations and surprising irony reveal a witty, wry edge that is apt to make you laugh out loud.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could describe your garden as a jewel box full of beautiful plant treasures? In this sequel to the bestselling Shocking Beauty, garden impresario Thomas Hobbs shows you how. The Jewel Box Garden is a luscious, full-color book that features 160 new and startling photos by renowned garden photographer David McDonald. Hobbs explains his philosophy of gardening and life, or as he puts it, "Life As We Dream It Could Be." In his own provocative and highly original way, he encourages gardeners to tap into their creativity and invest their heart and soul in creating oases of beauty -- intimate spaces where they can escape the pressures of modern life.

Start a thriving garden with the beginner's guide to raised-bed gardening. Are you interested in creating a bountiful garden but worried that you don't have enough space? Embrace the perfect summer activity with Raised-Bed Gardening for Beginners! This guide shows you how simple it can be to plan, build, and grow your own raised-bed garden in whatever space is available. Learn to build your bed, select the right plants, grow your own vegetables, and much more. This book makes it easy for even inexperienced gardeners to serve up freshly picked vegetables and herbs in no time. Plant a flourishing garden in minimal space with a garden book that includes: An introduction to raised-bed gardening—From constructing a planting box to mixing and maintaining soil, step-by-step instructions make getting started easy. Essential advice for all green thumbs—Help your garden thrive with detailed suggestions for crop rotation, partner planting, seed starting, and growing zones. Herb and vegetable gardening for beginners—Find growing and harvesting tips on 30 beginner-friendly plants, to make choosing the right ones for your garden a cinch. Start your new favorite summer hobby and get growing fast with this complete guide to raised-bed gardening.

A design and recipe resource with “all the tools to plan a productive garden before seeds ever meet the ground” (The Wall Street Journal). Based on seasonal cycles, each chapter of this indispensible book provides a new way to look at the planning stages of starting a garden—with themes and designs such as the Salad Lover’s Garden, the Heirloom Maze Garden, the Children’s Garden, and the Organic Rotation Garden. More than 100 recipes—including a full range of soups, salads, main courses, and desserts, as well as condiments and garnishes—are featured here, all using the food grown in each specific garden. “There’s no reason a vegetable garden must be an eyesore, banished to the corner by the garage. . . . The Complete Kitchen Garden . . . combines design advice, garden wisdom and recipes.” —Chicago Tribune

Imagine gathering fresh herbs from your doorstep, picking veggies for dinner from your patio and delectable fruit from your balcony. No matter how small your space, you can have a bountiful healthy harvest for you and your family.Box gardens are not only practical but they are also beautiful. Being able to grow a garden within site of your kitchen window adds even more value to this gardening method. If you have bad knees or a stiff back you can still enjoy gardening by using elevated box gardens that are simple to build, plant and maintain.This book includes a variety of plans to make your very own instant box gardens and step by step instructions for planning and caring for theme gardens as well as suggestions for using your harvest in creative and delicious ways.No need to worry about having a green thumb, the instructions and tips in this book will ensure that you have nothing but delicious success with your box garden.Instant box gardens are a perfect activity for the whole family. I have shared some of my favorite theme gardens and activities in this book that my very own children have enjoyed for years.Growing food has never been easier or more fun. Grab a cup of coffee and dig into this book that I hope will inspire you to join millions of other passionate box gardeners!

“A Way to Garden prods us toward that ineffable place where we feel we belong; it’s a guide to living both in and out of the garden.” —The New York Times Book Review For Margaret Roach, gardening is more than a hobby, it’s a calling. Her unique approach, which she calls “horticultural how-to and woo-woo,” is a blend of vital information you need to memorize and intuitive steps you must simply feel and surrender to. In A Way to Garden, Roach imparts decades of garden wisdom on seasonal gardening, ornamental plants, vegetable gardening, design, gardening for wildlife, organic practices, and much more. She also challenges gardeners to think beyond their garden borders and to consider the ways gardening can enrich the world. Brimming with beautiful photographs of Roach’s own garden, A Way to Garden is practical, inspiring, and a must-have for every passionate gardener.

Jill Winger, creator of the award-winning blog The Prairie Homestead, introduces her debut The Prairie Homestead Cookbook, including 100+ delicious, wholesome recipes made with fresh ingredients to bring the flavors and spirit of homestead cooking to any kitchen table. With a foreword by bestselling author Joel Salatin The Pioneer Woman Cooks meets 100 Days of Real Food, on the Wyoming prairie. While Jill produces much of her own food on her Wyoming ranch, you don’t have to grow all—or even any—of your own food to cook and eat like a homesteader. Jill teaches people how to make delicious traditional American comfort food recipes with whole ingredients and shows that you don’t have to use obscure items to enjoy this lifestyle. And as a busy mother of three, Jill knows how to make recipes easy and delicious for all ages. "Jill takes you on an insightful and delicious journey of becoming a homesteader. This book is packed with so much easy to follow, practical, hands-on information about steps you can take towards integrating homesteading into your life. It is packed full of exciting and mouth-watering recipes and heartwarming stories of her unique adventure into homesteading. These recipes are ones I know I will be using regularly in my kitchen." - Eve Kilcher These 109 recipes include her family’s favorites, with maple-glazed pork chops, butternut Alfredo pasta, and browned butter skillet corn. Jill also shares 17 bonus recipes for homemade sauces, salt rubs, sour cream, and the like—staples that many people are surprised to learn you can make yourself. Beyond these recipes, The Prairie Homestead Cookbook shares the tools and tips Jill has learned from life on the homestead, like how to churn your own butter, feed a family on a budget, and experience all the fulfilling satisfaction of a DIY lifestyle.