Category Archives: Books

Homesteading means many things to different people. Brende’s focus in this entertaining book is less about homesteading and more about the role automated machines plays in our lives. For eighteen months the Brendes chose to live in a community that doesn’t use electricity, automobiles, computers, or powered machinery (except human or horse power). So there […]

I had a goal this year to improve my general fitness. I walk to and from work each day. Plus working at the library means moving a lot of material, lifting, etc. But I’ve found it isn’t enough. I’ve put on more weight and have gotten more out of shape. I need to turn those […]

Noel Perrin, Dartmouth college professor and farmer, decides to switch from his gas-guzzling truck to an electric car for his daily commute. Not being inclined to convert a vehicle himself he turns to Solar Electric to buy a car. This book tells his story as he takes “Solo” across the country from California to Vermont. […]

This great cookbook has recipes for making your own cheese and other dairy products, recipes to use the cheese, plus interviews with farmstead cheesemakers. Most of the recipes can be made with store bought milk but I can’t wait until we’ll be making them with milk from our own dairy goats (going to have to […]

I read this one awhile ago but since I was posting the Ewing’s other book I thought I’d add this one as well. The book is a guide to building a log house, with a few sections on powering the house with wind and sun. It’s a very enjoyable tale. I don’t plan on building […]

What to live on grid or off? Either way this is an excellent guide to renewable energy. It just came out last year so the information is also more current than some older books on the topic. Ewing also covers heating your home and water in the book. If you’re considering adding a renewable energy […]