Northwest Edible Life

urban homesteading in the pacific northwest

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Giveaway: 6 Of My Favorite Homesteading Books

Earlier this week the Facebook page for this blog hit 20,000 followers. I remember when my Facebook page hit 1,000 followers and I was blown away. We had a giveaway to celebrate!

Now, at 20,000, I have to admit the feeling is a bit different. I’m thrilled and humbled and flattered by the milestone, but it’s not just my page anymore. This group that’s grown up – of gardeners, cooks, homesteaders, thoughtful spenders, green-living advocates – it’s a critical mass of people who give and take with each other and with me. It’s community.

I’m honored to step back and see how this community has grown in the just-under-three years since I started this blog. Back then I thought maybe people in my hometown would like to know when to plant their fall cabbages (hint: July). Now, people on my Facebook page answer other people’s gardening questions. Everyone is just happy to pitch in with what knowledge they have. It’s kinda amazing to be a part of, honestly.

I try not to let this blog become a shrine to self indulgent navel-gazing, but regular readers may have gathered that 2012 was a rough damn year for me personally and 2013 has mostly been about recovering from 2012. Through up moments and down, writing here – about my garden and my homekeeping and the constant exuberant cycles of life and growth and rest – has been a comfort and a challenge and a joy.

Periodically, readers email me, or comment that my posts have inspired them or motivated them or taught them a new skill. But I know that sharing what little I’ve learned in the many years I’ve gardened inspires me, and teaches me, and encourages my own habit of continued (some might say compulsive) learning. And as often as I teach, I am the student, learning from our community and being inspired by it. So it is a two way street, and I thank you so much for being part of it.

Thank you for reading, for taking the time to like and share, and for commenting. Thank you for being a member of this community.

The Giveaway!

Just over two years ago, I hosted a giveaway for hitting those first 1,000 Facebook likes. Now I think it’s time to do it again.

So, here’s the deal: I’m feeling mellow, I’m feeling contemplative, I’m feeling winter coming on. I would love to give someone a suite of my favorite kitchen, home and garden books to get them through the off season. Just add coffee, and you’ll have my favorite way to spend a quiet afternoon.

And so I’m giving away a collection of a few of my favorite books. These are reads I simply adore, books that cycle onto my bedside table frequently:

  1. An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace by Tamar Adler. A beautiful ode to simple and frugal cooking as a way of life.
  2. Art of Fermentation by Sandor Katz. Last time I had a Facebook page celebration I gave away Sandor Katz’s first book, Wild Fermentation. Giving away his follow-up work, an even more comprehensive look at fermentation of all kinds, just seems appropriate for this follow-up Facebook milestone giveaway.
  3. Vegetable Gardener’s Bible by Ed Smith. This is my favorite beginner’s gardening book. It has all the basics of vegetable gardening explained in an accessible way and is useful to gardeners in nearly every climate.
  4. All About Braising by Molly Stevens. This is possibly (probably) the best cookbook in the entire world. Stevens is a gifted cookbook author, and inspires and educates through her writing. Every recipe can be counted on to turn out deliciously.
  5. Free-Range Chicken Gardens by Jessi Bloom. This book is the best source for know-how for people who want both happy hens and thriving gardens.
  6. The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery. This book is a tome, a legend, a doorstop sized work that manages to be as engaging and funny as it is comprehensive. No small feat. A deserved classic.

In celebration of the 20,000 Facebook Like milestone, one lucky winner will receive one shiny new copy of each of these books – essentially a productive homekeeping mini-library delivered right to your door. I’m self-sponsoring this giveaway just to say thank you, so this is just between me and y’all.

To enter to win this collection of books:

If you haven’t already, like the NWEdible Facebook page and leave a comment here on this blog post letting me know you’ve done so. If you already follow NWEdible on Facebook, just tell me that. If you have a conscientious objection to Facebook, let me know what it is and we’ll call that good enough. I hate giveaways that exclude people because they aren’t into whatever social media thing is being pushed.

It’s not a condition of entry or anything, but I would sure love it if you guys would remember that my bread and butter is the sharing you do of my blog posts and Facebook page. Please – like, share, comment and let your friends know about about my blog and my Facebook page.

So, one comment and you’re entered. One entry per person, US residents only please. Any funny business with multiple entries and I disqualify ya. Sorry to my international readers; it’s not you, it’s shipping rates. Contest open until Thursday, October 3rd, 8 PM PDT. Winner will be drawn randomly and contacted via email to coordinate delivery of prize. Good luck and thank you all for reading!

This contest is now closed. Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. thank you for this generous group of books. I don’t enjoy Facebook and will not join it for this though. I loved your spice collection and this may be my new winter project! thanks for always providing positive comments on enjoying life!

  2. If not the winning comment, the earliest I’m assuming. Or maybe not. But all I want to say is 20,000 people cannot be wrong. If you are liked and loved that much it is surely because you have not, as you said, done any self indulgent navel gazing as some people are inclined to do. Ahh me, the world is strange and I have to admit, I got one hot navel. But really, this is just to say congratulations and may the winter hold you and your darling family in warmth and good eating. Much love.

  4. I love your blog, but didn’t know you had a Facebook page. I’m sure I will love that too! Thanks for the generous offering of books! Very exciting. Thanks for your blog, I love it and look forward to every new posting!

  5. I’ve been following your blog for months now and just liked your facebook page. Thanks for sharing so much inspiration and beautiful photos!

  6. Thanks! I’m looking to eventually start my own backyard chicken family, but definitely need some help getting started.

  9. I actually do have a conscientious objection to Facebook but forward your emails to friends frequently! Love your blog. Thank you so much for inspiring me. I need all the help I can get. 😉

  10. I’m disqualified because I’m currently living outside of the U.S., but I’m pleased to see a recommendation for a chicken&garden book. I’m a huge fan of Katz and his wild fermentations so I must take a look at the others. Facebook is annoying for so many reasons, but I’ll hop right over there to like your page. I love your writing style, by the way. So refreshingly…. American!

  11. Thank you for being so generous, with your books, your knowledge, and your willingness to accept that some of us don’t Facebook

  12. Hi, Erica! I just ‘liked’ you on Facebook. Don’t know why I didn’t do it awhile ago. I’ve been following your blog for sometime. My husband and I are very close to ‘running away to the woods’ and these books would be a wonderful addition to our planning and new lifestyle. Thanks for doing this, and congrats on so many followers!

    Blessings!

  13. Liked u on face book …… thank you for getting all this valuable info out there .. a real blessing …

  15. Love the blog and now am excited to get updates on Facebook. These books look great- keeping fingers crossed!

  16. I’ve liked your FB page for years now! Love it! If you happen to pick my name for the giveaway, you can feel free to pick a second winner for the braising and chicken books as I won’t be raising chickens and I have a feel the braising book is light on the vegetarian recipes. 😉 Your blog is awesome, your FB page is awesome, and you’re awesome. That’s right, I definitely think you’ve moved with Jennifer outside the Town of Awesome. LOL!

  17. Due to the company blocking Facebook during the workday, I’ll have to ‘like’ you this evening when I get home and can access FB! Got my coffee cup ready! Looks like a great collection of books to curl up with.

  18. HI! I follow you on FB now! You’re whitty blogs always make me smile 🙂 Thanks for the book offering, it looks great!

  20. Hello! I just recently started enjoying your blog. I liked your Facebook page a few weeks ago. I love this blog. I lived in an apartment up until April, but finally got a house with some yard, made five garden boxes and have been enjoying it. I hope to be able to graduate soon and begin more or the homesteading process! But, living in Austin, means I could have a bunch of chickens in my backyard! So my husband and I are hoping the landlord will allow such an endevor.
    Thanks for doing what you love and sharing it all!

  21. “Like” doesn’t seem quite strong enough, but FB doesn’t offer “want to be this when I grow up” as an option, so waddayagonnado?

  22. I receive many emails from bloggers each morning and I read them all with my coffee. Most are the doom and gloom type, and when I read yours, it is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you and I know there are over 20,000 more that feel the same way.
    If I hadn’t of ‘liked’ you on FB, I would not be here

  24. Just LIKED YOU on Facebook, although I really do not like Facebook-at all!
    Great library you are giving away!

  26. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog & incorporating many of your wonderful ideas into my life (or to- lists)! I was previously unaware that your facebook page existed, but am happy to now be following you there as well. Cheers!

  28. I follow Northwest Edible on FB and your blog and I would love to have these books!! You’re an inspiration, Thanks and CONGRATS!!

  34. I just “liked” you on FB right now, but I’ve liked you (in real life) for a lot longer! Thanks for the work you do!

  35. Congratulations! I have liked you on Facebook (and for real!) for quite a while now. This blog is a joy to read and I learn so much. I love being a part of this community!

  36. Hi, Erica,

    I didn’t know you had a FB page but I just liked you on it. I’m an older lady, and my husband and I have seriously started gardening only in the past couple of years. Your blog is an inspiration and a joy! We’re also huge fans of the Pacific NW (we live in the Atlantic NE — well, not exactly — upstate New York) but would love to relocate out there somewhere in the San Juans….

  37. Thanks for the generous giveaway, I love your writing so very, very much! I liked your Facebook page:)

  40. I’ve liked your fb page for a long time now and these books would fit MY nightstand well, please and thank you.

  41. Hi Erica, I’ll throw in here for a chance at those books. Only been following the blog since about September, but its my favorite place to be – looking through all the posts from before then earning something new with each one. I’m a little slow, to busy reading to notice you had a Facebook link, but finally found it a few weeks ago. Love seeing you pop up in my Newsfeed! Batten down the hatches! Its going to be a wet windy weekend!

  42. Liked! Thank you for your writings! I’ve never had that elusive “green thumb” but with your help, I’ll get there . . . slowly or surely!

  44. Already have liked 🙂 Just finished my second annual hugelkulture bed, the first exploded with life all summer long, I fully expect the second to do the same!

  47. I like you on Facebook, and I’ve been enjoying your blog for over a year. Thanks for being a source of canning inspiration!

  49. Some years ago someone asked me a gardening question I knew was in one of my many gardening books. Out of that has come a 6 year collection of everything I know (and am always learning) about gardening and landscaping. Wouldn’t it be great if all gardeners could jot their knowledge for the next generation? Please keep up your inspiring work. Thanks.

  50. I have been resistant to Facebook for a long time, but my daughter finally wore me down. I liked your page today and look forward to reading everyone’s posts there.