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:
- An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace by Tamar Adler. A beautiful ode to simple and frugal cooking as a way of life.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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I LOVE you on Facebook. Always my favorite and most inspiring posts. I’ve been looking to read Everlasting Meal for a few months now!
Congratulations! I don’t even remember how I found you but I am so glad I did! Thank you for this amazing giveaway! I follow on Facebook as well. 🙂
I came across your blog one day and immediately fell in love with it! I liked your facebook page sometime ago and love sharing your posts and updates with my friends. I LOVE your recipes!
I know you from Facebook, and I suspect that you too are a Green America member. I like your Facebook comments and am excited to know about your blog now, thanks to your post offering the books. Good luck!
Thanks for the prompt to “like”…looks like some good stuff going on over there. I’ve been following your blog for awhile. Even my non-blog-reading sweetie enjoys the occasional links I send him to relevant articles you’ve written.
Love your blog and lacto-fermenting tips. I share both with whoever will listen. Thanks for being so generous with your knowledge.
Love seeing your posts on Facebook!
I’m a facebook follower. I found your blog sometime this summer and I love it. I bought a dry brush and love doing that, I think your ideas about jam and the work put into the charts and infographics is amazing. Thank you for all you do.
I follow you on FB, and get your email blog. Love your stories and pictures. Your garden is amazing. You inspire me. Thank you.
I loved Adler’s book and can’t wait to read the chicken garden book. Thanks!
I’m already a fan of you on Facebook but I’d love a chance to win some of the books that have inspired you to be so inspirational
I already follow NWEdible on Facebook. Thank you for the opportunity to win this awesome giveaway! 🙂
I’ve followed you via Facebook for over a year and thoroughly enjoy every post,
In 2 week we move from our rented duplex to a home of our own. It will be a true urban homestead on a 10th of an acre and we are excited to move our apple trees, hazelnut bushes, cherries, blueberries and bay tree out of their pots and into the ground! Getting the plants in the ground will really make it feel like home.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and knowledge!
I already follow you on FB! I’m in Portland and your tips have been very helpful. I take your book recommendations seriously because my trial and error are teaching me that growing in this region takes more attention than where I used to live. Those references are quite helpful. I’ve recommended your blog to some of my local friends who have been struggling to grow food they like, as well.
I follow your blog and I’m a friend on Facebook. I love all the informative and inspiring information you share. Hope to win the collection of books! I’m a beginner homesteader and wanting to learn much more. Thanks!
I am already a FB fan. And I love books and reading so this giveaway is right.up.my.alley. I have Sandor Katz’s first book; I love the kimchi recipe. I have been making it for my Korean-American friend. As a fellow Puget Sound resident, I totally love and appreciate your gardening advice for our climate, as well as all the canning and cooking and MMM stuff. Also, I now love the dry brushing! THANK YOU!!!
Happy Fall! My husband and I have been talking about homesteading these last few weeks and I’m so glad you shared this list of books as I’ve been wondering where to start. Thank you!!
I clicked the “Like” button on the all-knowing algorithmic machine that is Facebook. Pleeeeease let me have your favorite-homesteader-books collection! I plot and plan about homesteading a lot, and some of your favorites are some that I have on my someday-when-I-have-money-for-new-books wish list already.
Your blog is an inspriration to me! Thank you!
I follow you on Facebook!!!
I would <3 to win these REAL books!
Congrats on the 20K mark. That’s such an accomplishment. I would love some new reading material! We’ll finish building our house on 30 acres this fall, and I would love to spend the winter studying them before spring hits. 🙂
I love the helpful information that I get from your Blog and Facebook page, I just started with chickens this past spring, and my hens are now laying. I am also new to canning, and gardening, so I look forward to learning about what everyone else is doing and what works for them. I already have read the Vegetable Gardeners Bible, and refer to it all the time, Some pages are even marked with post-it tabs. Thank you for your continued effort to share valuable information with the rest of us.
Christine
I have a facebook, and I just liked you – but the thing I like the best is that you accommodate people who don’t like facebook! It makes me, (ironically?) so much more likely to share your posts on facebook! 😛
I have enjoyed your blog on facebook- you are one of the first facebook friends I have made. I have learned alot and am proud of your stance on so many issues.
I started following you on Facebook this summer. I really like your page.
Just Like-d your facebook page! I guess I didn’t realize there was a page on facebook.
Hi, love your blog and i have been following your facebook page for a few months maybe a year! I don’t know how long but really enjoy it!
I’ve been following your FB page for over a year now- love it! 😉
I’ve definitely already liked your page. I’m a big fan!
Love following you on FB!
I’m a regular, put me down for books. Btw, tell Nick we brewed our first beer. He’ll be so proud.
bloody shipping rates!! well, your international readers understand the problem… and I take the opportunity to congratulate you and tell you that you have a fantastic blog that inspire me so much 🙂
I discovered it something like a month ago. I have been reading older posts and even though I have no kids and I cannot devote myself to homesteading (or I don’t want to, I love my job and don’t want to quit it), I really empathize with you. I have a 50m2 vegetable plot, and spend every late august canning, freezing, fermenting and chutney-ing everything that can be canned, frozen, fermented or chutney-ed. I make my own bread and yoghurt (I even had my own wheat and flour) and don’t buy any processed food. And sure I have to steal hours to sleeping, but the feeling I have at the end of the day pays all the fatigues.
Thanks for your blog!!!
b.t.w: The Art of Fermentation is a must!!
I like you on facebook already! I love what you do. My partner is a miracle worker in the garden and kitchen, and even if I don’t win, I know what to get them for the next several gifts.
I love ya on facebook!! Thanks for the giveaway.
Already your fan on facebook– and I just sent someone a link 5 minutes ago! (It was the Irish butter or organic? post.)
Thanks for the reading recommendations– if I don’t win, I’ll be looking for these at the bookstore!
I liked your FB some time ago. Congrats on the success of your blog, garden, classes, all that you’re doing!
Erica,
I found your blog this spring when I was trying to figure out how to save my seedlings. They were long and stringy, outgrowning their starter pack and I didn’t know what to do. I started searching the internet, for days I searched to the point of frustration, until I finally found you. I learned the word “Up-Potting”( http://nwedible.com/2011/02/seed-starting-101-up-potting.html) reading this blog. It is so frustrating to search the internet and not know that magically word that will give you that answer you’ve been seeking. You inspired me to keep on gardening… this year was my first.
Since then I’ve followed your blog and facebook page. I love how you share your life with your readers including the good, bad, and hysterical.
In about 1 1/2 months we are moving onto the family farm with 105 acreas to start our dream of homesteading. I’m hoping to start a blog about our successes and struggles.
Thank you for all your inspirational thoughts, recipes for canning, and just letting you shine through it all.
Love every post. And I “like” you on facebook.
Grace
What a sweet offering you are doing here! I have followed your blog and liked your page for a while now. I always enjoy both! Thanks for all your inspiration!
Followed on FB!
Don’t just like your Facebook page LOVE IT!
How generous of you to do this! I like your blog, and ‘liked’ your FB page ages ago.
Thanks for all the great info you share via both.
Oops, did I miss twitter and pinterest? Going to follow those next…
Been following your great blog for over a year now. Would love to get my hands on these books that have inspired you. Thank you for your work!
I don’t really like facebook – too much overshare 😉
But I LOVE getting your posts in my email box and checking your website 🙂
I follow you on Facebook!
I’ve been following you on FB ever since a commenter on Mr Money Mustache’s blog recommended your post on the economy of chicken-keeping. Thanks for a great blog!
I first found your blog last summer when I had an overabundance of fresh plums and wanted to do some sort of fermentation project with them. I google-searched, and up came your fermented cherry salsa recipe! I still want to try it out with the cherries…but my oh my…that plum salsa turned out good!
Anyway, I’ve been reading your blog ever since. I’m not a member on the “book of face” due to obsessive-facebooking-family-members and privacy concerns, but I do follow you on Pinterest! And the good ol’ fashioned email updates are always a delight!
what a great giveaway! I don’t like too many things on FB, sorry, but I do wait with bated breath new blog posts. Thanks for creating this space that doesn’t make me feel like a crazy person
I love your blog so much. Thank you for your generosity with this giveaway and regardless of who gets the books, thank you so much for this great blog you have given life to! 🙂
I love getting your emails! They are so full of good information! 🙂