Everyone gave me too many presents again this year (although I'm not complaining). Normally I always get quite a few books as it's no secret that I love reading and this year was no exception. 
My mother-in-law bought me the River Cottage hand book set, with 10 books covering a large number of subjects. I've already got two out of the ten (mushrooms and hedgerow) but its good to have the whole set. What I like about them is they're not too basic, I struggle now with any general books as I find I'm just reading the same things over and over and now have to buy really specific books to learn anymore on a subject.
These have also got lots of nice recipes in the back (globe artichoke humous anyone?) and tend to cover a few plants (or herbs etc) in detail rather than just touching on every one briefly. There's also a couple of books on subjects I probgably wouldn't have brought but are nice to have like bread making and cakes.
My daughter got me (although she may have had some help with this one) the wartime farm book. We've been watching the series and really enjoying it so it's nice to have the companion book. It's always amazing what you can pick up from these old time practises and I love all the old posters and leaflets it's got printed in there, although some of them are a bit small. Should make a nice read.
What did everyone else get?
I got a 3/4 completed chook house! Very impressed you got the river cottage books-i have given away all my other bread making books-the river cottage one is that good; and i just got the preserves one but haven't made anything from it yet.
ReplyDeleteI've never really made bread it's something I'd love to make the time for but I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon! Still I like to read about it. I haven't looked at the preserve one yet either but if it's like the others in the series then I'm sure it will be good.
DeleteI didn't get much this year, because I told everyone that I didn't need any more "stuff". What I did get was hand made goodies from my two eldest daughters, eg jam, chutney etc.
ReplyDeleteI shouted myself a couple of self sufficiency books off eBay to read. But I love those River Cottage books that you received, I definitely have river cottage envy now lol...Hope you have many happy hours reading until your hearts content :)
Take care :)
We're normally the ones who give out hand made items but I didn't have the time this year, maybe next year I'll try to do more hand made gifts. I've kindf given up with general self sufficiency books as I seem to be reading what I already know. Mind you I do won a lot of books. I've probably got 40 on gardening alone!
DeleteRiver cottage envy - you should go there - last year (2011) we went for a meal there it was amazing! REally lived up to my expectations.
My daughter got me the Wartime farm book, also :-) it is very good.
ReplyDeleteHappy New year to you all.
Yeah it sounds lke it's up my street. Have a good new year!
DeleteI got the Wartime farm book and a set of walkie talkies so hubby and I can stay in touch whilst out and about on the farm
ReplyDeleteYour farm must be bigger than our holding then! My wife can pretty much shout me from the house and I'll be able to hear her anywhere on the land.A nice present though (good for shows and large events as well)
DeleteWe already have 8 of those books (we don't need the seashore or fish ones) and they are a brilliant read and really useful. I've just bought the only thing that I needed this Christmas and that was a diary for 2013.
ReplyDeleteWe had a no present rule this year, we just didn't need anything :-)
Sue xx
As I'm about as land locked as it gets, the seashore isn't on the top of my to read list (although I know what I'm like with books and I will read it cover to cover anyway at some point). I always get a freee diary off a firm my dad uses but they don't seem to have them this year, I'm gutted as I've got a collection of them from the last four years!
DeleteNo Christmas presents this year, too busy to really 'do' Christmas, and France does not make a big thing of Christmas anyway, with everyone being back to work on Boxing Day. But if I had of had a Christmas present given to me, then those River Cottage books would have been gladly received, as would the war time book as well. Hope you have a good end of year, and all best wishes for happy and successful 2013.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope your 2013 is a good one - I look forward to reading about it.
DeleteI blogged about my Christmas book windfall yesterday. I also got a book on identifying mushrooms and another on animal tracks. I'm living very close to the forest and like to hike some of the trails so these should come in handy. Always good to know who or what is on the trail with you. Found bear poop at the front of the house last week.
ReplyDeleteThe animal tracks one sounds good - I'd love to do a tracking course at some point in the future I think its so interesting what some people can see when they look at the ground. Not sure I'd want to find bear poop here though! Have a good new year!
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