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No Fear Gardening: How To Think Like a Gardener
by Charlie HartAre you frightened of your garden? Terrified of accidentally bringing death to a sap-filled friend? Put off by the overwhelming number of species of plants and their baffling Latin names? Whether your garden is a sprawling country plot or a kitchen windowsill, gardening is good for the mind, body and soul. Yet just the thought of picking up a pair of secateurs can strike fear into even the bravest of hearts, meaning we often don't make the most of our personal Edens.Charlie's 'no fear' approach to gardening will help you find the easy path to beautiful borders and jampacked vegetable beds. A reassuring, simple-to-use handbook, No Fear Gardening is aimed at all budding gardeners and anyone who might be missing out simply because they don't know how and where to start. Whatever the reason, this book will answer all your questions. From digestible lists of what seeds to plant where, guides to pruning and how to cope with difficult spots to Charlie's favourite vegetables to grow (and, more importantly, eat) and essential pieces of kit, Charlie has condensed a wealth of gardening know-how into easy-to-follow and practical tips. With its unique, liberating approach, No Fear Gardening will inspire you to dust the cobwebs off your watering can and get your garden blooming, whatever the weather or season.
Start and Run a Gardening Business, 4th Edition: Practical advice and information on how to manage a profitable business
by Paul PowerWhether your aspirations are simply to sell a selection of home grown plants from the boot of your car or to establish a succesful all-year-round gardening business, this book will show you how. It covers: preparing your business plan; getting kitted out; how to find work - and keep it; what services to offer; book-keeping for gardeners; planning the gardening year; how to get commercial contracts; providing estimates; the top ten most profitable gardening jobs.
Low-Cost Living 2nd Edition: How to Live Well for Less Money
by John HarrisonWhen economic conditions are tough, we all need to watch our spending. John Harrison's simple, tried and tested methods will help you to enjoy a better standard of living while saving money and helping the environment.Discover the benefits of growing your own fruit and vegetables, raising chickens, making butter, cheese and bread, and brewing your own beer.Save energy, save on your bills.Harvest food for free and avoid waste.Play the supermarkets at their own game and get the best deals.See how to recycle, re-use, make do and mend.Find out if solar power is right for you and whether wind power makes domestic sense.
The Shaping of Us: How Everyday Spaces Structure our Lives, Behaviour, and Well-Being
by Lily Bernheimer"You are going to be transported by what Bernheimer has to say. You'll make different decisions and figure out how your brain is working and what should be prioritized in your life" Jo Good, BBC LondonWhat makes everyday spaces work, how do they shape us, and what do they say about us?The spaces we live in - whether public areas, housing, offices, hospitals, or cities - mediate community, creativity, and our very identity, making us who we are. Using insights from environmental psychology, design, and architecture, The Shaping of Us reveals the often imperceptible ways in which our surroundings influence our behaviour.Wide-ranging and global examples cover the differences between personalities and nationalities, explore grass-roots and mainstream efforts to build environments promoting well-being, and look ahead to what will become of us if we don't listen closely to what we know is good for us.You will learn whether you are a natural 'prospector' or 'refuger' in the office environment, what roundabouts and stoplights say about British and American culture, whether you are guilty of NIMBYism or being drawn to 'ruin porn', and how the half-house may be a common sight in the near future.The environments we inhabit define our identities - from the earliest moments of our evolution to the worlds we build around ourselves.
100 Plants That Won't Die in Your Garden
by Geoff TibballsStocking a garden with plants can be an expensive business, so there are few things more frustrating than when the prized specimen for which you have paid a king's ransom either online or at a garden centre shrivels up and dies within a year or so of purchase. If you can prove that the plant was half-dead when it arrived, you may able to obtain a refund from some online retailers, but for the most part you have to put it down to experience and make a firm mental note not to buy fussy plants in future.The problem is that many websites and catalogues claim that everything they stock is easy to grow. Herbaceous perennials are a particular minefield. Too often you are told that a certain plant 'will come back year after year' without fail when in reality it is either so tender that the only chance of it surviving an average British winter is in a greenhouse or it is a short-lived perennial that is unlikely to flourish beyond two years anyway - and even then only if the local slugs and snails are on a diet. This book cuts through the horticultural sales pitches by listing 100 plants which, for little care beyond the essential watering at planting time, can reliably be expected to thrive in just about any garden. These plants are all but indestructible - pests give them a wide berth, they will prosper in any reasonable garden soil and will withstand anything that the UK climate throws at them. Divided into sections for shrubs, conifers, climbers, perennials, grasses, annuals, alpines and bulbs and with each entry having a Value For Money (VFM) rating out of 10, this easy-to-use guide will prove invaluable not only for the new gardener but also for old hands who are fed up with wasting time and money on plants that all too rapidly lose the will to live. With these suggestions, you can be assured of year-round colour and interest in your garden for the minimum of effort.
Grow Your Own Vegetables in Pots and Containers: A practical guide to growing food in small spaces
by Paul PeacockThis book is aimed at the majority of us who live in terraced houses, high rise flats, town houses and semi-detached properties with a small garden and often nowhere to grow but the patio. It shows how to make the most of pots and planters; how to plan for a reasonable yield; and how never to run out of at least something to special eat.You might not have all the space in the world, but you can enjoy all the flavour in the world. With the step-by-step instructions in this book you will be able to grow, nurture and harvest your own fruit, vegetables and herbs in a range of pots and containers, including recycled ones such as plastic milk bottles, and kitchen sinks.
Make Your Own Butter: Delicious recipes and flavourings for homemade butter
by Simon DawsonIf it's fun, funky, jazzy and is to do with butter, it's in this book. From how to make butter at home, to where to use it, and if that raises your 'yeah, sure, I know about butter, pal' eyebrows, this book is going to surprise and delight you into next week.Split into four sections:· What you need to know· Making butter· Getting creative· RecipesMake Your Own Butter will· Whip you into a frenzy so you can't wait to start churning· Thrill and surprise with its sheer range of buttery creations like cocktails and beauty products· Enthral with QI style buttery facts· Equip you with a life skill to be passed on to others
How To Grow Your Own Fruit and Veg: A Week-by-week Guide to Wild-life Friendly Fruit and Vegetable Gardening (William Lorimer)
by Joe HashmanJoe Hashman takes you outdoors and 'in amongst it' on the vegetable plot where seeds are sown, plants nurtured, fruits tended and crops harvested. The natural history of the garden is noted, too, and delicious and often unusual recipes supplied. With his guidance - and your gardening - your kitchen garden, vegetable patch or allotment will provide you with the good, fresh, honest and seasonal fruit and vegetables that Joe has a passion for. And he will also help you sustain the natural balance of your garden. Employing his own simple, tried and tested methods the author takes the reader week-by-week through the vegetable and fruit growing year.Contents: Introduction; February-January; Jobs to do each week; Veg on the menu: recipes; Glossary of terms; Index.
Play and the City: How to Create Places and Spaces To Help Us Thrive
by Alex BonhamPlay is essential, for children but also adults. It's how we relax and revitalise ourselves, build and maintain friendships, try new things, learn and innovate.Cities have always been sites of play, bringing people together and pushing the boundaries of what is humanly possible. And now we need our cities to encourage and facilitate play of all kinds more than ever. If we want a world for our children to play in, we need to have a go at doing things differently. A city that is enjoyable to live in - that provides welcoming spaces, plentiful resources, and an attitude of 'yes, you can' - is a playful city. A city that is good for eight-year-olds as well as eighty-year-olds is a city that's good for all of us. By looking at how different cities across space and time have sought to encourage and facilitate play, Bonham shows us how to conceptualise our own contemporary city as a game, and encourages us to become participants rather than spectators.Play the city! Get involved, make a difference and help to bring your city back to life. There is help here to identify opportunities, build a team of friends and allies, take part - and win! It's time to make your move.
The Seasonal Baker: Baking All Year Round
by Michelle Evans-FecciSeasonal bakes and tips on growing your own produce by former The Great British Bake Off contestant, Michelle Evans-FecciFormer Bake Off contestant Michelle was known on the show for her flavoursome, colourful bakes and for championing seasonal, locally sourced and homegrown produce. Whether it's a simple loaf for breakfast or a striking showstopper cake for a celebration, she loves using seasonal food to create tasty recipes for the whole family to enjoy. The Seasonal Baker is a collection of recipes straight from Michelle's kitchen to yours - from quick-and-easy bakes to others that are a bit more challenging - with an emphasis on special events such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas. Inside you will find delicious, vibrant recipes such as: - Hot Cross Bun Bread and Butter Pudding- Truffle, Rosemary and Garlic Focaccia- Smokey Pulled Pork Sausage Rolls- Butternut Squash, Feta, Maple and Pecan Cups- Vanilla, Rhubarb and Raspberry Celebration CakeMichelle grew up on a farm and learned from a young age how to grow vegetables and the basics of cooking and baking. She now lives in the beautiful seaside town of Tenby in Pembrokeshire with her husband Ben, their teenage son Alfie, little whippet Rosie, and two cheeky hens. As a family they love to be out in the garden where they grow a lot of the fruit, vegetables and herbs that Michelle uses in her everyday cooking. The book shows just how easy and rewarding it is to grow your own produce.As well as delicious bakes for all abilities, The Seasonal Baker contains hints and tips on ways of being thrifty with food. There is something for everyone, from what to plant, when to plant it and when to harvest - whether you have access to a plant pot, window box, balcony, raised bed or garden veg patch with intuitive, creative photos to help.
How to Relocate: The Ultimate Guide to Starting Over Successfully
by Natalie TriceHow to Relocate is an essential and positive guide for anyone who spends time on Rightmove looking for that perfect new location and dreaming about escaping the safety of their humdrum life.Would you love to live by the sea, but the thought of selling up and moving away seems impossible? Or perhaps you dream of running a small holding in Wales or setting up a surf school in Cornwall, but are too scared to make the leap of faith, so you stay safe, but unhappy, in your nine-to-five job? Deep down, you know you are meant to live somewhere else, but the thought of upsetting family and friends, and having to start over is too daunting.While moving won't change who you are, it can give you the space and freedom to be who you want to be and allow you to finally live a life you love. How to Relocate will help you face up to your fears and overcome them, because 'living the dream' is not just for other people; you can do it too. Author Natalie Trice is living proof that you can pack up and start again, and she is here to show you how.From navigating new schools and forging new friendships to sorting out your finances and career plans, How to Relocate will help ease your doubts and worries, offering practical and emotional support at every step along the way so you can be brave enough to make the bold move of your dreams. It includes a raft of success stories that share how others relocated and made it a success, even when things didn't go to plan, to show that it really is possible.This book will give you the confidence, determination and inspiration to relocate and empower you to create your dream life for once and all.
Gardening for Everyone: Growing Vegetables, Herbs and More at Home
by Julia WatkinsGardening for Everyone is a sustainable guide to growing vegetables in five simple steps: planning, building, planting, tending and harvesting. With the same wisdom and stunning aesthetic as Simply Living Well, Julia's beautiful new book is a guide to creating and growing a garden simply and sustainably with profiles of essential vegetables and herbs, ecological tips, and fun and creative projects.Growing food in your backyard (or even on a porch or windowsill!) is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to nourish yourself, be self-sufficient and connect with nature in a hands-on way. Here sustainability expert Julia Watkins shares everything you need to know to grow your own vegetables, fruits and herbs, as well as wildflowers and other beneficial companion plants.The book covers all the nuts and bolts of creating and caring for your garden - planning, building, planting, tending and harvesting - followed by a deeper dive into the plants themselves: demystifying annuals vs. perennials, cold-weather vs. warm-weather veggies, and profiles of favorite crops. Throughout, Julia offers tips for creating an eco-friendly and sustainable garden (such as vermicomposting, no-till 'lasagna' gardening, and attracting pollinators), plus some fun and unexpected hands-on projects like how to build a bean teepee, make wildflower seed paper, and enjoy refreshing herbal lemonade ice pops.
The Tree Almanac 2024: A Seasonal Guide to the Woodland World
by Dr. Gabriel HemeryA wondrous seasonal journey through Britain and Ireland's trees.Uncover the majesty and minutiae of the arboreal world in forest scientist Dr Gabriel Hemery's illustrated month-by-month guide - including tree folklore and traditions, recipes and crafts, key dates, curiosities to spot, notes on wildlife and scientific marvels from the trees that surround us.From bare branches to budbursts, the first leaves to the first blossom and the great autumn colour-change, the Tree Almanac celebrates with joyous detail all that trees give us - whether ancient or urban - and inspires us to reconnect with nature. Foreword by Tracy Chevalier.
The Lost Orchard: A French chef rediscovers a great British food heritage
by Raymond BlancPICKED BY DIANA HENRY AS ONE OF THE TELEGRAPH'S COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR 2019.'The legendary chef opens the door to a living library of lost varieties of heritage English fruit in a treasury of recipe and reflection.' Waterstones Weekly'Blanc set about the most thorough apple-tasting and cooking project I have heard of . . . [The Lost Orchard] condenses the highlights, his love letters to the forgotten apple breeds.' The Times'I began to dream about an orchard filled with thousands of fruit trees... Today we have an orchard with over 150 ancient varieties of apple. Each one has its heritage in a village or a county that used to thrive on that particular variety. They tell the story not only of what we have lost in Britain but also what we could regain.'Over the past seven years, Raymond Blanc has planted an orchard of 2,500 trees in the grounds of his hotel-restaurant in Oxfordshire. Yielding about 30 tonnes of fruit for his kitchen each year, it is full of ancient and forgotten varieties of British apples and pears, along with walnut trees, quince, medlars, apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums, damsons and cherries. A further 600 heritage fruit trees have been added from Raymond's home region of Franche-Comté in France. The Lost Orchard is a love letter to each of these varieties, complete with beautiful black and white drawings, photographs of Belmond Le Manoir and fascinating information and anecdotes about each fruit, along with recipes and stories.
How To Break Up With Fast Fashion: A guilt-free guide to changing the way you shop – for good
by Lauren Bravo'A funny, achievable guide' Observer 'Lauren Bravo is one of my favourite writers' Dolly Alderton'Bravo will inspire you to repair, recycle and give old items a new lease of life' StylistYou probably know the statistics: global clothing production has roughly doubled in just 15 years, and every year an estimated 300,000 tonnes of used clothing ends up in UK landfill. Fast fashion is the ultimate toxic relationship. It's bad news for the planet, our brains and our bank balances. We can't go on like this; our shopping habits need an overhaul.Journalist Lauren Bravo loves clothes more than anything, but she's called time on her affair with fast fashion in search of a slower, saner way of dressing. In this book, she'll help you do the same. How To Break Up With Fast Fashion will help you to change your mindset, fall back in love with your wardrobe and embrace more sustainable ways of shopping - from the clothes swap to the charity shop. Full of refreshing honesty and realistic advice, Lauren will inspire you to repair, recycle and give your unloved items a new lease of life without sacrificing your style. Because fashion belongs to everyone, but no outfit should cost us the earth.
The Yorkshire Forager
by Alysia VaseyAlysia Vasey's earliest memories are of walking alongside her grandfather as they explored the West Yorkshire moors that they called home. As an adult, this love for wild things stayed with her, even as she learnt that her family's knowledge of edible plants were a legacy of a much darker time during the Second World War. After leaving Yorkshire in search of adventure, Alysia was eventually guided home by her motto: Be true to yourself and you will become the person you were meant to be. She left her traditional path and took a far wilder journey that gradually evolved into one of the UK's most successful foraging businesses, supplying some of the greatest chefs in the world and the best restaurants in the country Her achievements are the result of a bit of luck, a lot of knowledge and a huge amount of self-belief. Here, Alysia also shares not only her story, but also her vast knowledge of UK plant lore. A true Yorkshirewoman, Alysia tells it like it is, and The Yorkshire Forager is full of tales of her family's adventures and misadventures in their search for top quality ingredients - you never know who you might meet in the woods - making this book as entertaining as it is informative.
Grow & Cook: The Ultimate Kitchen Garden Guide
by Mark DiaconoThe content of this book originally appeared in The New Kitchen Garden, published in 2015. 'An endless selection of delicious produce you can plant, grow and then cook with.' Raymond BlancCreate your own delicious edible garden at home!More and more people are being inspired to grow a little of what they eat at home. But while starting your own kitchen garden may seem like a daunting task at first, Grow & Cook makes it easy.Award-winning author and gardener, Mark Diacono, has distilled years of knowledge into this pocket-sized book. Whether you are new to gardening and only have a small window box or you are much more experienced with the space to experiment, this user-friendly handbook will inspire and help you. Mark is here to show you that there are plenty of options for everyone and lots of exciting new varieties to discover.Each variety in the book includes a wealth of information on when to sow, growing tips, potential problems, harvesting and plenty more. There are hundreds of varieties to pick from that can be grown and then used in your kitchen. Mark separates the growing guides into three groups:* Vegetables* Fruit & Nuts* Herbs & SpicesWhatever you choose to grow should suit your lifestyle. You might prefer something tough and sturdy that doesn't need too much love or time commitment, or you might get pleasure from the steady graft of looking after your veg patch. Whichever your circumstances, your kitchen garden should bring you joy both in the growing process and then in the kitchen.Grow & Cook is the essential pocket guide for modern gardeners.
Practising Parisienne: Lifestyle Secrets from the City of Lights
by Marissa Cox'Even if you don't find yourself booking a one-way Eurostar ticket to the capital like Marissa, this book might just be the key to finally nailing that elusive Parisian je ne sais quoi.' Penny Goldstone, Fashion Editor, Marie Claire'A delightful, down-to-earth guide . . . complete with insider fashion tips, beauty tricks and dating advice from Marissa's own personal experience, plus interviews with many modern iterations of the ever-elusive Parisienne herself.' Monica de La Villardière, journalist and co-founder of the Fashion No Filter podcastTo be Parisian is to have a certain attitude and outlook on life. In Practicing Parisienne, British journalist and blogger Marissa Cox decodes this seemingly nebulous je ne sais quoi, explaining what she has learned since moving to France eight years ago, and how and why the reader can and should adopt a more Parisian lifestyle. She reveals how she learnt to live her best life in this iconic city, what it means to be Parisian and in turn inspire you to make positive changes in your own lives, however big or small. Covering everything from style, fashion, beauty and wellbeing to chic interiors and food and wine, as well as advice about dating and friendship, each section also contains interviews with well-known Parisians and Francophiles who inspire us to live better. Because, as we know, Paris is ALWAYS a good idea.'Practising Parisienne is a celebration of the City of Lights and an ode to the pleasures in life. Marissa Cox effortlessly mixes practical tips, personal stories and inspiring conversations in this charming guide to living well the Parisian way.' Miranda York, author of At the Table and The Food Almanac 'With appreciation, honesty, a deep understanding and access to leading figures, Practising Parisienne reads like a who's who and what's what when it comes to everything Parisian.' Hannah Almassi, Editor in Chief, Who What Wear UK
The Secrets of Hawthorn Place: A heartfelt and charming dual-time story of the power of love
by Jenni Keer'This is definitely up there as one of the best books that I have read. It's got a special place in my heart. Just amazing!' 5* reader reviewLove will always find a way . . . Discover the intriguing secrets of Hawthorn Place in this heartfelt dual-time novel, filled with warmth and charm, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Cecelia Ahern.'An exquisitely detailed and enchanting love story' HEIDI SWAIN'An epic love story, mixed with gorgeous settings, a great deal of mystery and intrigue, lots of laughs, a few tears and fabulous characters, made this an absolute delight to read' KIM NASH'An absolutely wonderful dual time story that captivated me . . . and kept me spellbound' CHRISTINA COURTENAY'A beautifully intriguing love story, that . . . stays with you long after the last page' ROSIE HENDRY'Unforgettable and unique, the twists and turns of this enchanting book are woven together with threads of love and magic. I loved it!' CLARE MARCHANT........................................................................Two houses, hundreds of miles apart . . . yet connected always.When life throws Molly Butterfield a curveball, she decides to spend some time with her recently widowed granddad, Wally, at Hawthorn Place, his quirky Victorian house on the Dorset coast. But cosseted Molly struggles to look after herself, never mind her grieving granddad, until the accidental discovery of an identical Arts and Crafts house on the Norfolk coast offers her an unexpected purpose, as well as revealing a bewildering mystery. Discovering that both Hawthorn Place and Acacia House were designed by architect Percy Gladwell, Molly uncovers the secret of a love which linked them, so powerful it defied reason. What follows is a summer which will change Molly for ever . . .........................................................................'One of those wonderful, magical stories that appear rarely and stay in your heart forever' CELIA ANDERSON'A marvellous dual-time novel filled with mystery, fabulous detail and an enduring love story' MADDIE PLEASE'A wonderful, page-turning story full of intrigue and romance' VICTORIA CONNELLY'I found the book enchanting' SUZANNE SNOW'An enchanting storyline and engaging characters make this book a delight to read' LYNNE SHELBY'A beautifully written timeslip . . . Highly recommended. Five stars' ERIN GREEN'The perfect mix of mystery, magic, and romance' KATE G. SMITHEarly readers are captivated by The Secrets of Hawthorn Place:'A sweeping five stars from me for this novel that defies time but trusts in love''A sheer delight to read and can highly recommend''Utterly brilliant. The storyline is riveting, you never quite know what could be about to happen as it's constantly twisting and turning . . . such a beautiful book'
Big Veg: Learn how to grow-your-own with 'The Vegetable King'
by Gerald StratfordLearn how to grow big veg with Gerald Stratford, the gardening grandad loved by over a quarter of a million fans on Twitter. "I am very grateful for all the interest my wonderful friends and followers have taken in my gardening. Now, I hope this book gives you the motivation you need to get out in the garden. Cheers!" - GERALDGerald's book is packed with decades of gardening know-how and fully illustrated with photos from his Cotswolds garden. It includes a helpful month-by-month guide to sowing, planting and harvesting veg, as well as tips on how to grow Gerald's speciality: really big veg. Full of encouragement and Gerald's infectious enthusiasm, Big Veg makes an ideal companion for anyone keen to grow-your-own.
In the Event of Love: A sweet and steamy Christmas rom-com! (Fern Falls)
by Courtney KaeGoodreads Summer Romance Reading RecommendationBuzzfeed's Most Anticipated LGBTQ Romances of 2022'Exactly the slow-burn, second-chance, friends-to-lovers romance I was craving' ALI HAZELWOOD'The perfect holiday romance! . . . Move over, Stars Hollow. I'm moving to Fern Falls!' Lacie Waldon'The holiday romance of my dreams! The sweetness of a Hallmark holiday movie, set in a town that rivals Schitt's Creek, with plenty of steamy scenes to heat things up!' Falon Ballard'Wintry perfection, a cozy flannel blanket of a book that wraps its reader in the warmest hug' Rachel Lynn SolomonOffering a steamy, queer spin on the feel-good tropes Hallmark movie, this sweet, funny #OwnVoices rom-com is perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexandria Bellefleur!......................................... With her career as a successful Los Angeles event planner imploding, Morgan Ross isn't just heading home for the holidays, it's more of a strategic retreat. Breathtaking mountain backdrops, acres of pine trees, quirky townsfolk, and charming small businesses aside, Fern Falls is also the setting of Morgan's greatest heartbreak - and she'll do anything to avoid her one-time best friend turned first love, Rachel Reed. But when Morgan discovers that Rachel's struggling Christmas tree farm is the only thing standing between Fern Falls and a corporate takeover, she has to put her heartbreak on hold. Pouring her focus into planning the perfect Christmas event to save the town, Morgan finds herself spending more and more time with Rachel. Who can blame them if the romance of the season starts to get to them? Morgan knows one thing for sure though: she and Rachel will never have a heart-warming happy ending. And, anyway, she's only here for Christmas . . . right? .........................................'Sparkles with humor and charm. The residents of Fern Falls will draw you in with their warm banter and open hearts, while the sapphic romance will heat you up faster than a cup of hot cocoa on a snowy day' Sonia Hartl'Will make your heart soar. A sexy, sparkling debut' Annette Christie'Reads like a Hallmark Christmas movie and goes down like a mug of peppermint hot chocolate... Cozy, comforting, and surprisingly steamy - this is the queer Christmas story we deserve!' Alison Cochrun'Sweet as a cup of hot cocoa (with some spice mixed in) . . . the feel-good, queer, second-chance holiday romance we've all been waiting for' Anita Kelly'Kae's sparkling voice wraps you up like a warm blanket' Ava Wilder'Ultra cozy, heart-meltingly sweet, and full of warm wit. Courtney Kae shines with a fresh, bright voice and supremely relatable characters including a dreamy lumberjane who instantly stole my heart!' Rosie Danan'With its charming small town, snowy mountaintop kisses, and dreamy lesbian lumberjane, In the Event of Love is perfect for the holidays!' Helen Hoang
Rivets, Trivets and Galvanised Buckets: Life in the village hardware shop
by Tom FortTom Fort made his name as a writer with his bestselling travel narrative The A303: Highway to the Sun. He now focuses on matters closer to home by celebrating a quintessential cornerstone of any village in Britain - the shop - in this case a century-old hardware shop daughter-in-law bought eighteen months before the pandemic struck the UK to run herself in their beautiful Berkshire village, outside of Reading. The family's dream of developing the shop into one that would become the centre of village life certainly did come true, but for a very different set of circumstances. Rivets, Trivets and Galvanised Buckets interweaves the evolution of the shop, its previous owners, and the history of the items it sells, to its customers to present a delightful study of community and the eccentricities of ordinary people.The nationwide lockdown focused minds on the home and its immediate surroundings, i.e. the garden. People were forced to look differently at where they lived, and found ways to value that, and enhance it. They learned or relearned the pleasure and fulfilment of deploying practical skills. And they came to Tom's family shop to buy and to talk about what all this meant to them. Married to this personal story will be Tom's history of home ownership and how it nourished pride in the home and the desire to make the home better and more beautiful, and how technological progress in the mass production of tools and materials made it easy to realise - or attempt to realise - those ambitions.Rivets, Trivets and Galvanised Buckets offers fascinating history of technological progress: who thought of screwdrivers, where the spirit level came from, who devised the process of galvanisation, what genius worked out that a suction pad on the end of a piece of wood could unblock sinks and so forth. As Tom recounts: 'A little girl came with her father into Heath and Watkins, looked around for a while and said to him "Daddy, this is the shop of EVERYTHING". This is the story of how this happened.
How to Clean Everything: A practical, down to earth guide for anyone who doesn't know where to start
by Ann RussellFrom everyone's favourite online cleaning expert and 'TikTok Auntie', this is the only cleaning book that you will ever need. How to Clean Everything is full of genuinely useful tips and tricks, and advice about not just what but also what not to do. Covering everything from laundry to accidents, and cleaning room by room, this book also contains sections on more general household maintenance, particularly useful for renters or anyone living away from home for the first time. Ann's approach is realistic, reassuring and easy to follow whatever your circumstances.
An Introduction To Greek Art: Sculpture And Vase Painting In The Archaic And Classical Periods (PDF)
by Susan WoodfordThe four centuries between the composition of the Homeric epics and the conquests of Alexander the Great witnessed an immensely creative period in Greek art, one full of experimentation and innovation. But time has taken its toll; damaged statues have lost their colour and wall paintings have been totally destroyed. And yet sympathetic study of surviving sculpture and of drawing on vases can give extraordinary insight into and appreciation of these once brilliant works This book, designed originally for students, introduces the reader to Greek sculpture and vase painting in the critical period from the eighth to the fourth centuries BC. The works discussed are generously illustrated and lucidly analysed to give a vivid picture of the splendor of Greek art. The up-dated second edition includes a new chapter examining art in Greek society, a timeline to help relate artistic development to historical events, an explanation of how dates BC are arrived at, a brief overview of Greek temple plans and a further reading list of recent books. This clear, approachable and rigorous introduction makes the beauty of Greek art more readily accessible and comprehensible, balancing description with interpretation and illustration, and is an invaluable tool to help develop insight, appreciation and comprehension.
Symbol, Pattern and Symmetry: The Cultural Significance of Structure
by Michael HannSymbol, Pattern and Symmetry: The Cultural Significance of Structure investigates how pattern and symbol has functioned in visual arts, exploring how connections and comparisons in geometrical pattern can be made across different cultures and how the significance of these designs has influenced craft throughout history.The book features illustrative examples of symbol and pattern from a wide range of historical and cultural contexts, from Byzantine, Persian and Assyrian design, to case studies of Japanese and Chinese patterns. Looking at each culture's specific craft style, Hann shows how the visual arts are underpinned with a strict geometric structure, and argues that understanding these underlying structures enables us to classify and compare data from across cultures and historical periods.Richly illustrated with both colour and black and white images, and with clear, original commentary, the book enables students, practitioners, teachers and researchers to explore the historical and cultural significance of symbol and pattern in craft and design, ultimately displaying how a geometrical dialogue in design can be established through history and culture.