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

  4. Erica,

    I just liked your blog on Facebook, and I’m sure I would like you in person if ever the opportunity to meet you arose. Your so generous with your discoveries and hard work (I love the charts and templates!) and you’re a damn good writer to boot. Could a book be somewhere in your future?

  5. I am now your follower 🙂 I’ve been enjoying your blog since I found it last year. I love your gorgeous photos, poignant prose, and frugal life tips. All the best!

  8. Hi Erica
    I’ve liked you on FB and I have been a blog subscriber for some time now. I am breaking a rule and applying for your contest although I am in Canada. BUT I do have a US mailbox in WA state so shipping charges will not apply, if I happen to be the lucky winner!
    Thank you for all you do and say. Some of us lurkers gobble up every word!
    M :o)

  10. I love your page, already a fan! looks like 10,000 of your fans entered to win! It took a while to scroll all the way down to leave a comment….Keep up the good work!

  11. I found your blog via Paul Wheaton, actually. I just moved from Wisconsin to Portland and I know your blog is going to be an important resource as I get used to a new climate. I just about never post to Facebook, but I do use it to follow my favorite author (Pat Rothfuss) and Paul, and some other things. I went there and joined the crowd–I think it was more than 240K!

  15. Greetings Erica!

    Just heard about you from my dear friend Jessica in Ireland! I had not known about your blog or Facebook page until today… Love your topics! I’m already hooked!
    So, I have “Liked” your Facebook page, and I would love to be entered into your drawing for the mini-library. …a handy selection to have here in rural North Carolina!

    Thanks!

  16. Found you when I joined FB & have enjoyed your inspirational posts since – Thank you & keep digging &playing in the dirt!

  18. Congrats on the great milestone! and thank you for being so generous enough to offer up this fantastic collection of information as your Thank You gift!

    I’ve been following your blog for a while now, but just today clicked Like on your FB page. Here’s to many more years and many more community members!

  20. I have been following you on FB for some time now. I love the information you share-it’s very helpful, thank you!

  21. Your blog is the ONLY blog I subscribe/read! Solid information and well-written = my faithful readership. Thanks!

  22. I already follow on facebook. Congrats on 20,000! Won’t be long until 40,000 as people continue to search for ways back to our roots. Peace.

  24. I want to enter but I’m not on FB. Please include me! I got tired of people constantly bragging about their lives on facebook or showing risqué photos. I love your blog and always find it informative.

  25. i have a couple of these books already, & i earn enough money that i want someone else to win! just wanted to say that you, amongst others, have inspired me to want to live better. i am moving to northern california, where my husband & i will join my best friend & her family. i will always work as an RN, & pay rent for now, but buy land, parcel by parcel, build a cob house & start a permie garden. our goal is, within the next few years to live on our own land in our own house(s) with our own food & chickens, & maybe goats, if we can figure out how to keep them out of the garden…anyway, independence. keeping all your good advice in mind for the near future!

  26. I did like you on FB but I don’t venture there very often. I have learned a great deal from your blog and appreciate your transparency.

  29. You are my hero! I actually got ripe pumpkins this year following your advice and the tips and tricks from others on the FB page. Six years of trying and FINALLY! My very own pumpkins!! You all rock!

    Now to conquer the mighty hot pepper. 😀 Congrats on 20k!

  30. I found your blog while I lived in Montreal. It’s even more relevant now that I live in the PNW! Cheers to the awesome information and reaching 20,000.

  31. Thanks for having a contest and congratulations on this milestone! I am one of those facebook objectors (I just deleted my account forever after I left the job that required me to be on it) but would like to be included in the draw. One of my reasons for objecting to facebook is the fact that it *is* exclusive, but I can certainly appreciate its reach. At any rate, I love your site and wish you well, even if I am not your chosen winner!

  32. I have followed you for a while now & I love reading everything you write. I live in Eugene, so I can definitely relate to the Northwest Life!

  34. I don’t know how I first found your FB page, but Liked you a while back and regularly share your info with others. Good stuff, good community, and LOVE books. Thanks!

  37. I’m so glad I found your blog. The book collection looks fantastic. I look forward to following along on facebook!

  38. I just liked you on FB – something I should have done a while ago! Congrats on hitting the milestone.

  44. I am a facebook follower, a constant blog reader, and a cookbook junky. would love to add these to my collection. Keep up the good work, congratulations on so many fans 🙂

  46. I just love your down-to-earth honest approach to life in general, not to mention your encouraging homesteading spirit and sheer hard work ethic. Did you ever adopt a new slogan for canning communication? That was so much fun!

  47. I liked you on Facebook. I would love to win those books. I’m a newbie at canning and preserving foods. I did have a garden this year and canned some tomatoes. Thanks for the giveaway.

  48. I have been following you for a while on Facebook–love your blog! Great group of books! 🙂