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

  3. Just liked you on FB—hadn’t occurred to me to look for you there.
    This is a great stack of books. I’ve read a couple, own at least one, and see some that are about things that I’m getting read for (chickens, fermenting).
    I don’t know how I stumbled across your blog, but I’m glad I did.

  6. I have liked your Facebook page for some time now. I’m not sure how I found it, but I’m glad I did!

  10. I found your Facebook site about two years ago, just after moving to the PNW from the south (“liked” it immediately!), and it’s been such a valuable source of information for me! Although I just have a patio garden now, I’ve been filing away nuggets for the day when I might have land again! Also, the mayo in a jar video?? Blew. My. Mind!!!

  11. Yours is a lovely blog, and I’m following you from Toronto, Canada; I visited the US Pacific Northwest (Portland and the Oregon Coast, specifically) a few years ago and loved it! This is a way for me to (virtually) escape to that vacation time, AND learn more about gardening and preserving food for my family. Cheers!

  13. Congradulations Erica on your huge milestone ! I have been a follower of your blog & also have been following you on FB for some time enjoying & sharing your knowledge. Would very much love to win this wonderful collection of books.
    Thanks, Penny

  14. I’m a FB follower, and love your blog. Just reading the titles of those books makes me want to plan out a quiet, slow, cozy afternoon of reading! What a lovely giveaway. Congratulations on 20,000! 🙂

  17. Congratulations! I already follow and enjoy your (and the community’s) posts on Facebook. I also share your blog with friends whenever I get the chance.
    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  18. Hi Erica! I already follow you on Facebook. I love your blog, and your FB posts and community. So much helpful information being shared. Thank you!!

  19. I have to say had it not been for facebook today and one of my friends sharing your post I would not have found you. Just goes to show facebook isn’t always a bad thing. I have liked your page and am now going to like your blog. Thanks for the giveaway and congratulations on getting so many likes on your facebook page.

  20. I never join a competiotion before, but this is just too big a chance. I´m sure I can enjoy those books here in Denmark too. It´s great following you on Facebook.

  21. You had me at the “Terrible Tragedy of the Healthy Eater.” Love your FB posts and blog. Keep it up.

  22. Long-time follower on FB. So glad to see so many people have found you and our way of life. Thank you for being a source of entertainment, inspiration, and motivation!

  23. We’ve been following you for sometime on FB. Thank you for sharing you knowledge on Homesteading.
    Looks like a GREAT give away! Would love to add to my library! It would make it even better if we won the giveaway!
    Thanks,
    Candy K at OK Korral Farming Ranch

  24. I already follow your blog, and LOVE it! Love that you are local, too, and that we share a lot of similar experiences. Keep up the wonderful work!

  26. All of these titles have been on my read list since the MENF. I liked your FB page. I did not realize you had one…..probably because I just started my own a month ago.

    Here is to a restful winter and fantastica 2014. (chink our cuppa coffee together here)

  27. I’m a fan of facebook. I think I’ve been following you since the whole urban homesteading fiasco. Good work!

  30. I enjoy your blog and facebook page. Thank you for putting yourself “out there” to provide inspiration to those of us who strive to be better gardeners and more self-sufficient!

  33. Congrats on your milestone. It shows your doing what people like. I’m very interested in “The Art of Fermentation book” . As a Homebrewer I’m always brewing up something different for competitions, an try to stay as natural as I can.

  35. I am an avid (facebook) follower, an adoring fan of the blog, and a hopeful recipient of a small book collection. I have one small cubby open in my bookshelf that is lonesome and dying to be filled with gardening and homesteading favorites. I hope you make my week and let me know when they will arrive. My bookshelf thanks you, too.

  36. I have been a fan of yours on Facebook for a year or more now. I DO find your posts educational and entertaining. The perfect blend of practical knowledge and sardonic insight. I will share because I care.

    Keep up the good work. Better luck in 2014. 🙂

  38. I have been a fan of your Facebook page for quite awhile. I really appreciate all the great information you share. I would love a chance at winning the library! Thank you.

  39. You hooked me with “The Terrible Tragedy of the Healthy Eater” and I’ve been an avid reader ever since! Congrats on 20,000 facebook likes – I’m happy to be one of them! In fact, I think my page even likes your page 🙂 Happy Fall!

  41. I am a faithful reader who loves your blog, but I don’t do the facey-space thing. As for my reasons for being a conscientious objector… I could see it becoming a real time suck for myself. Also, I think I would wind up spending too much time thinking about how I didn’t measure up if I was a facebook user.

    That said, I’m crossing my fingers that I get to add these titles to my library!

  44. I love your Facebook page and blog. I have “liked” your page for months now and always enjoy the information, laughs and feelings that I am not all that crazy… you voice so much of what I feel, whether it is kids, cooking or life! Thank you for the opportunity to win these books!

  47. Already liked you on facebook earlier this year. I’d like to be considered. Plus, you can save on shipping rates since I’m right down the road in Ballard. I need some books since I just bought a house recently and have a small space to put raised bed planters in.

  50. Enjoy your blog so much. Have been a Facebook fan for awhile and always look forward to your posts. Thanks so much for the chance at your giveaway.