Tag Archives: Book

Georgia Pellegrini’s Modern Pioneering

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this blog post, however I did receive a free copy of Modern Pioneering in exchange for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

Modern-Pioneering

I LOVE being able to create things myself. Whether it’s crafts, attempting to garden or cooking. I like to think it comes from my upbringing. In an age where there’s always someone that we can pay to do something for us, where did the satisfaction go of just doing it ourselves? Modern Pioneering brings it all back for us and reminds us of our roots.

When I was growing up, my mom and grandmother showed me that there’s nothing wrong with doing things yourself, actually it’s the way things should be done. We picked our own berries and grew our own gardens – all organic of course (perks of growing up in the country). We had beef cows (terrible idea to let your children name cows by the way). I watched my mom and grandmother can vegetables and jams, make homemade dandelion wine and the smell of fresh maple syrup in a sugar house is still one of the greatest smells of all time. My dad made some of the furniture in our home and we all took part in building and expanding our home (even if it was just getting in the way as kids).

As an adult and living in the “big city”, things don’t come as easily. I can’t walk outside and just start planting a garden in an apartment complex – I resort to potted plants. It’s not so easy finding sugar houses and fresh maple syrup in Texas and I don’t see beef cows (or any cows really) on a regular basis (when I do you bet I get excited). It’s hard sticking to your roots!

Georgia Pellegrini brings together all of those things and more. She is a modern day pioneer teaching us that we can still do all of those things. A chef, hunter, crafter, and a woman. In her latest book, Modern Pioneering, she sticks to her roots and shares it with others. It’s skills for being self sufficient in a world where we forget it’s ok to rely on ourselves.

For starters, it’s the handy tips that has been passed down for generations:

Stick a toothpick between your teeth when cutting onions and you won’t cry!

It’s gardening tips, reusing everyday products, sprucing up a space and how to prepare food (with little waste).

How to reuse products to make amazing things – such as cutting glass bottles to make glasses, making paper or making wreaths from vines.

The recipes – amazing. Many of the recipes intertwine in the book so no part of the product is left over. Case in point – almond milk and almond flour.

Best of all there’s tips on how to negotiate at a farmers market, how to pick the best fish at the market and many more tips on how to become proficient on becoming your own pioneer!

The book is amazing!

It’s the perfect time of year to work on your pioneering skills!
Have you picked up Modern Pioneering?

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Book Review: WILD

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this blog post, however I did receive a free copy of WILD in exchange for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

Sometimes we don’t need a ton of experience or a pocket full of cash to achieve our goals. Sometimes, we just need determination, strength and courage…

Book Review, Cheryl Strayed, WILD, Hiking

Within WILD, Cheryl Strayed proves just that. After losing her mother, becoming distant with her siblings and a failed marriage, Cheryl decided to find herself. Where she found herself was hiking the Pacific Crest Trail walking over a thousand miles from California to the Bridge of the Gods on the Oregon/Washington state border. Along the way, she created bonds with strangers, overcame fears and obstacles of every sort. More importantly, she found her true strength and herself as well as the greater gift of healing.

I think we can all relate to Cheryl in some way, shape or fashion. Whether it’s an experience we overcame years ago or something we are currently enduring, she lets us know we’re not alone. She also encourages us to follow our passion, our dream, no matter how far fetched they may seem. It’s determination, encouragement and sheer will.

I would encourage you to go pick up or download a copy of WILD. For extra encouragement, WILD will be on the big screen this fall staring Reese Witherspoon. (The book is always a favorite over the movie!) I can’t wait to see how the movie is compared to the book. It may inspire you to put on some hiking shoes and hit the trail yourself!

Have you read WILD? Is it on your reading list?

Book Club Friday – One Summer in Arkansas

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for reviewing purposes. As always, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The summer has been a busy one and to prove it, it literally took me all summer to read one book. One thing was certain, whenever I picked up this book I had a hard time putting it down and I’m really happy that if there was one book that I read, it was this one.

one-summer-in-arkansas_cover

Winner of the North Texas Book Festival Book Award 2013.

Official Synopsis

It is 1990, the stock market is soaring and Lee Addison is on a fast track to success in Silicon Valley. Just out of law school with a job lined up at one of the best firms in the Bay Area, he is positioned to join the ranks of young elites who will shape the 21st century.

But standing between him and his shining future is a promise to spend the summer back home in Riverton, Arkansas.

He is unprepared for the siren pull his hometown still holds on his heart, as he grapples with his sister’s troubled adolescence, ethical questions relating to the drowning death of a black youth and the weight of his ancestral legacy.

To make matters worse, the allure of a rekindled relationship with Annie Rayburn threatens to disrupt his carefully planned future.

It is a tale of crisis and survival and the universal struggle to tap into values that will hold fast against the uncertainties of time.

As I read this book, I could see it being played out on screen. A tale of growing up and making life decisions, family connections and a love story all intertwined in the summer heat of the South. It’s a front porch, drinking sweet tea kind of read that captures your attention, warms your heart and allows you to become lost in the South.

The main character – Lee Addison is visiting his small town, deep Southern roots home for the summer to reconnect his younger sister and take a temporary position with the local law firm. What entails is a battle of Southern tradition and history with the reinvention and big dreams derived from the west coast lifestyle. He becomes torn between two loves, new and old friendships and a tragic, life changing event involving his sister. We are left grasping until the very last page wondering how their lives were to pan out.

Although, this was set as a “Summer Read”, I would encourage anyone to pick this one up. Readers are left feeling completely connected to all of the characters and entangled with their lives. I really enjoyed ‘One Summer in Arkansas’.