Simple Pleasures of the Garden: Stories, Recipes & Crafts from the Abundant Earth

Simple Pleasures of the Garden is a follow-up to the very popular Simple Pleasures; Susannah Seton was inspired to write it because so many of the suggestions, stories, and recipes from the earlier book were about gardens and gardening. Organized by season, each section contains subheadings under which information is organized: "In the Garden," "With Family and Friends," "Into the Kitchen," "Beautifying Your Home," and "Nourishing Body and Soul." Seton's approach is thorough. She offers tips and stories on herb gardening, information on growing flowers for aroma or to attract butterflies, techniques for toxic-free gardening and composting, and instructions for making simple baskets and wreaths, floral-scented oils and lotions, and potpourri. Her advice doesn't neglect the palate, either: you'll find delightful, simple recipes for cooked vegetables, salads, blackberry jam, rhubarb-strawberry crisp, and many more. It is a delight to browse through Simple Pleasures of the Garden and fantasize, but the danger is that you will want to jump into your own gardening projects. Not to worry, though, beginning gardeners and those with almost no space will find plenty of guidance, including many indoor gardening projects. Just browsing through this book will probably lower your blood pressure.