Book Review: This Organic Life

This Organic Life: Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader

By Joan Dye Gussow

Before Barbara Kingsolver's memoir "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral" became a bestseller and a must-read for both foodies and greenies, there was "This Organic Life" by Joan Dye Gussow.

A Professor Emeritus at Teachers College, Columbia University, Gussow has been writing since the 1970s about the effect that big agribusiness has had on our diets, our environment, and our habits.

Joan is the ultimate localvore--all of her produce comes from her back yard. She does not garden as a hobby (though her mini-farm is a labor of love); she gardens to feed herself. In short, Joan chooses to do what our ancestors had to do: produces her own food, and stores enough of it to last until the next growing season.

Joan's academic interest in food supply and quality inspired her to walk her talk. In part, her garden exists simply to prove that self-sustainability is possible.

The book is part memoir, part instruction manual, part cookbook. Joan includes seasonal recipes that pair with tales from her garden.

What I like most about "This Organic Life" is that Joan includes her failures and frustrations (and in the case of her husband's death, her sorrow) as well as her triumphs and joys. What she proposes--that people can and should grow their own food for their health and for the health of the environment--is not an easy task.

But what Joan also relays is her sense of accomplishment and joy about her life's work.

Knitting Project #2: Ribbed Scarf

Here is my second knitting venture: a 2x2 ribbed scarf.

For this one, I had to use knits and purls, hence knit 2, purl 2. Lather, rinse, repeat. I messed up the counting in a few places---amazing how you can forget get where you are between "1" and "2." But if you look closely, you can tell what kind of stitch you just knit. A knit stitch looks like a scarf; a purl looks like a noose. What you're trying to do is line up all the knits and all the purls on top of each other. So if you've ever heard the term "knit the knits and purl the purls" that's what that means.

When I bought this yarn, I didn't realize it was dyed to change colors. So it started off purple, turned blue, and then back to purple.

I'm adding this one to my stockpile of homemade gifts, ready to foist (I mean bestow) on any of my friends or family.

The photo is kind of dark---my digital photography skills are quite limited. But I think the main problem is the lighting (fluorescent) and the fact that I don't have a proper background. Since I do have a day job, most of my writing and crafting happens at night, and especially during the winter months, that occurs quite early in the evening.

Luckily, I think I found my next project: a DIY light tent.

Nikki McClure: Cut Through The Heart

Nikki McClure is an Olympia, Washington-based paper cut artist whose designs are showing up on everything from tote bags to calendars to Patagonia t-shirts.

Nikki's art work depicts nature or humans in the throes of everyday occurrences (such as wading into a pond, or sharing a meal) and imbues these moments with a sense of reverence and purpose.

Her work is a celebration of community, nature, and simplicity.

You can find the most complete collection of her work at Buy Olympia and Whole Foods usually carries her popular calendars. In the Boston area, you can find Nikki's work at Magpie in Davis Square and Greenward among others.

Cool Stuff: Snack Taxi

Snack Taxis are cute alternatives to using plastic sandwich bags or plastic wrap. The cloth envelopes are lined with nylon (instead of PVC) and are secured with a velcro closure. Clean them by throwing them in the dishwasher, the washing machine, or rinse them by hand.

They are well-made and the prints are super cute (and they regularly introduce new designs). I have one sandwich-size and one snack-size one, and I could definitely use a bunch more.

Happy Sacks are handmade in Western Massachusetts, so if you live in New England (as I do) you can support the local craft economy in addition to going green. I got mine at Greenward in Cambridge, and I have also seen them at Fiddlehead on Newbury St. in Boston.

My First Project!

Hello and welcome!

Here is my very first project–a basic knit-stitch scarf. I gave it to my mom for Christmas since she's obligated to love anything her children make–no matter how hideous.

A friend of mine taught me how to knit a basic stitch, which is how this project started. I picked up on it pretty quickly, much to the amazement of my grandmother who tried very hard to teach me to knit and sew when I was little, but to no avail. Maybe, now that I'm 26, I'm ready to meet the fiber arts head on.

Anyway, a month ago my friend hosted a stitch 'n bitch at her adorable apartment and taught three knitting virgins how to cast on our first stitches. Quite magical really–there was wine, soft music playing in the background...I'll remember it forever. Sigh.

After learning the basics, I consulted the aptly-name "Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook" for further details. I looked through many, many knitting guides at my local bookstore before I decided on this one. Not only did it have the most concise, clearest directions, it is as funny as hell too. The author, Debbie Stoller, is the co-founder of Bust Magazine, a publication not known for smoothing their skirts and crossing their legs at the ankles.

I'm following "Stitch 'n Bitch" in chronological order–there's a new project to try out with every new skill you learn, so it makes sense to go through it.

For this project I used super-bulky yarn on size 13 needles. And I didn't use no fancy wool–that could get itchy around your neck , and pure wool yarn is about three times as expensive as an acrylic blend. It's about three feet long and took me about eight hours. It was slow going at first. but I started going faster once I got the knack.

You'll notice that the stitches are all in an "S" shape–this is because I used only one kind of stitch--the knit stitch. Once you start incorporating purl stitches (which is the same thing as a knit stitch, just backwards) you can create ribbing and other patterns.

Feeling good--first project is a moderate success!