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Home, Garden, and DIY March 2016
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"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." ~ Thomas Edison (1847-1931), American inventor
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| Gardening with Less Water: Low-Tech, Low-Cost Techniques for Using Up to 90% Less... by David A. BainbridgeWith water in short supply in many regions, irrigation and water-retention techniques are becoming more important than ever for gardeners and homeowners. Making those techniques scalable and accessible, however, can be challenging, yet author and ecology professor David Bainbridge rises to the occasion. Using plenty of examples and illustrated instructions, Bainbridge presents several methods for delivering water directly to plants' roots without wasting a drop. Best of all, these methods -- which include wicking systems, grow tubes, porous hoses, and clay pots -- can all be implemented using recycled or low-cost materials. Combining brevity, passion, and expertise, Gardening with Less Water is a must-read for savvy growers. |
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| One Dough, Ten Breads: Making Great Bread by Hand by Sarah BlackAccording to baking instructor Sarah Black, simply "getting your hands in the dough" is the best place for aspiring bread-bakers to start. Beginning with just one dough -- a basic white loaf -- Black goes on to show you how that dough can be modified into ten different breads by using different flours, flavors, and techniques. Black's richly detailed instructions provide steady guidance for your actions while also helping you tune your senses to the look, feel, and smell of bread-making. With its emphasis on learning by doing, this photo-illustrated volume is "the closest a book can get to a hands-on course in the art of bread" (Booklist). |
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| You Have It Made: Delicious, Healthy, Do-Ahead Meals by Ellie KriegerLet's face it: make-ahead meals are awesomely convenient, but not always conducive to a healthy diet. That's where nutritionist and TV personality Ellie Krieger comes in with this collection of freezer-friendly dishes that are both easy to make and good for you. Each recipe has customized freezing and reheating instructions (no more flipping between sections of the book!), and every meal of the day is given consideration, from breakfast "quiche in a bag" to dinnertime pulled pork and pineapple tacos. Still hungry for further tasty, nutritious make-aheads? Pick up Michelle Borboa's Make-Ahead Meals Made Healthy. |
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| Container Theme Gardens: 42 Combinations, Each Using 5 Perfectly Matched Plants by Nancy J. Ondra; photography by Rob CardilloIf you're new to container gardening or you've been frustrated by past attempts, this inviting book has the answers you need. Here, you don’t have to worry about painstaking design; all you have to do is choose a container and a theme and follow the instructions. Want an arrangement of edible greens, low-light plants, or flowers with blue blossoms? You'll find all of those options and more, each appearing with its own shopping list and each featuring five plants that are matched to grow in harmony. Moreover, each of the individual plants is described in detail, alongside tips, tricks, and suggested substitutions to ensure that you can always find a plant that will work for you. |
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| The Herbal Apothecary: 100 Medicinal Herbs and How to Use Them by J.J. PursellOld-fashioned herbalism and modern science come together in The Herbal Apothecary, a guide to selecting and using medicinal herbs. Written by a naturopathic physician, the book begins with a tutorial of the human body's various systems before launching into a comprehensive list of herbs, detailing the health benefits of each. Once you're armed with this knowledge, you'll be prepared for the advice that follows regarding how to find or grow herbs, as well as the careful instructions for making your own teas, tinctures, salves, and more. Though its information-dense style might not be for everyone, The Herbal Apothecary is ideal for readers who want a deep dive into herbal remedies. |
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| Crochet One-Skein Wonders: 101 Projects from Crocheters Around the World by Judith Durant and Edie Eckman, editorsIf you're familiar with the One-Skein Wonders series, you know how useful they are for using up leftover yarn (or yarn you just couldn't resist buying). This volume will appeal to crocheters in particular, as it focuses exclusively on short-and-sweet crochet projects. Not only are the projects handily arranged by yarn weight, they're also extremely diverse in terms of style and skill level. Projects range from wearables (jewelry, bags, scarves, etc.) to a delightful mix of toys, home textiles, and other useful items (there's even an e-reader cover!) There truly is a project for every skein in your stash here, and each one is accompanied by easy-to-understand instructions and colorful photos. |
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| One-Hour Cheese: Ricotta, Mozzarella, Chèvre, Paneer -- Even Burrata... by Claudia LuceroKnown for her DIY cheese kits, Claudia Lucero has found a new way to bring cheesemaking into home kitchens: an easy-to-use cookbook filled with cheese recipes that can be made -- without any fancy equipment -- in 60 minutes or less. Grouped by type of cheese (Creamy and Spreadables, Firm and Chewy, Melty and Gooey), the recipes include suggestions for variations, presentation, and coordinating snacks and drinks, all related in a tone so friendly that it's hardly a surprise when Lucero invites you to email her for "curd support." With stellar guidance and photographic instructions, you'll be whipping up your own meyer lemon ricotta, brown butter burrata, or curried paneer in a flash. |
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| One Bowl Baking: Simple, from Scratch Recipes for Delicious Desserts by Yvonne RupertiSatisfy your sweet tooth without breaking a sweat using this clever book for bakers who are short on time, space, and patience. Each of the 100-plus recipes presented here requires just a single solitary bowl (some are even mixed right in the pan!), and many can be prepared in 15 minutes or less. Desserts like cream streusel muffins and a chocolate tart with sea salt deliver maximum flavor for minimum effort, while adorable "tiny cakes" provide a perfect last-minute option for parties or gift-giving. If you appreciate these concise, high-quality recipes, you may also want to try Short & Sweet: The Best of Home Baking by Dan Lepard. |
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| One Good Dish by David TanisDespite its title, One Good Dish is not a cookbook of one-dish meals. Rather, it's a collection of dishes that are designed to be elegant and satisfying as standalones, and can be eaten any time. Chef David Tanis serves up 100 recipes, and while they call for high-quality ingredients, these sophisticated yet minimalist dishes aren't just for foodies -- any interested home cook can try their hand at mouth-watering offerings such as save-your-life garlic soup, ham and gruyère bread pudding, or cabbage with black mustard seeds. This accessibility, paired with polished writing and sumptuous photographs, adds up to a book that's a pleasure for readers as well as an inspiration for cooks. |
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| One-Yard Wonders: Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric! by Rebecca Yaker and Patrica HoskinsWhether you're side-eyeing your growing pile of fabric remnants or you need a sewing project to suit a minimal budget, One-Yard Wonders has you covered. Clothes, home décor, storage items, accessories, even pet gear…whatever you're into and whatever your skill level, you'll find a suitable pattern in this upbeat, user-friendly book. Many of the projects can be completed in only one hour -- a definite bonus for busy sewers. If you're working with even less time and fabric, however, you may want to try Debbie Shore's series of half-yard sewing projects, beginning with Half Yard Heaven. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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512-218-5400, 221 E. Main Street Round Rock, Texas 78664
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