Book Description
Sara Midda's richly illustrated In and Out of the Garden has delighted readers and critics alike: "This is the most gentle of books, a peaceful pastime. The delicacy of Sara Midda's art is enchanting. Anyone who is a gardener, or who has worked with plants in nature, will respond to what she has put forth so exquisitely," wrote Joan Lee Faust, Garden Editor of The New York Times. Diana Vreeland praised it as "delightful and delicious," Time magazine as "Cause for revel," and Laura Ashley called it "pure inspiration."
In scores and scores of delicate illustrations and tender reflections, the author recalls the English gardens her childhood and the gardens she tends now, to reveal surprises both dainty and daring. The colorings and imaginings make the fancy soar with pleasure, as she creates the most elegant and subtle of books to give and to have, a book to cherish as dearly as a volume of treasured poetry.
Sara Midda's garden is sown with glorious images. Ruby-red radishes are the jewels of the underworld. Myriad colors fall upon warm green moss. Brown leaves drift with sweet scent. And "in the beeman's garden, a host of hives and a swarm of bees bring sticky honey for your teas."
Vegetable gardens, herb gardens, flower gardens are illustrated. The pleasures of the orchard are celebrated. Recipes are shared for lotions and potions to cheer the heart and delight the senses. 294,000 copies in print.
Customer Reviews:
In and Out of the Garden.......2007-01-07
This book is so much fun. As a watercolorist, I am enchanted by her use of objects and her interpretation of the human form. Colors are wonderful. Hooray for Sara Midda and I hope she keeps publishing her books.
Janice Lawson - Montana
A visual treat, a true delight.......2002-01-04
I purchased this book when I was in Art college over ten years ago. Sara abilility to capture her interest with her illustrative talent is amazing . It is definately the most interesting book I ever read without seeing typesetting, but with her beautifully hand painted type.
Enchanting book of exquisite watercolors and garden wisdom!.......1999-12-01
What an enchantingly beautiful book! This is one of my favorite books, and I love giving it as a gift to gentle souls. If you like gardens, watercolor paintings, and calligraphy, you will love this beautifully bound book that is filled with Sara Midda's exquisite watercolors. Each page is a miniature painting of breathtaking intricacy and delicacy celebrating the myriad forms of gardens, flowers, vegetables, and herbs in which we delight. The book is filled with boundless garden wisdom, recipes, and poems, all charmingly set forth in Sara Midda's beautiful calligraphy. You have to see this book to know how beautiful and inspirational a gem it is!
An escape route from hustle and bustle day........1999-01-12
I've gone through this book again and again. I think whoever like calligraphy, water color painting and gardening would love this book. Although it's quite difficult to concentrate on the attennuated of water color written content. But it strongly inspires me to grasp by brushes and calligrpahy pens again. It becomes one of my possessive books and always added in my bag wherever I go since then.
A classic in modern book illumniation and garden lore.......1998-12-02
Hurray for the re-issue of this beautiful book! Paging through this hand-painted, calligraphied book any day of the year is like an escape into the Garden of Paradise! Hundreds of small, engaging watercolors of the garden and whimsical little garden people, harmonized with beautiful calligraphy. Besides being filled with the author/illustrator's charming observations, it is a veritable treasure trove of garden lore, with many quotes from authors old and new and advice from classic, old treatises on gardening and horticulture. Also many enchanting, anonymous garden sayings and quaint herbal folk remedies. The history of fruits and vegetables as a part of our culture. I bought two copies of this book--one to just periodically carry around with me! It's one of my favorite gift books, too. You won't be able to stop dreaming over it. You'll adore it!
Book Description
It's no wonder the best-selling Little Herb Gardens, now with a fresh new cover, has been so popular. Herbs are the instant gratification project of the gardening world, and people love to grow them. This friendly guide to homegrown herbs is perfect for beginners, featuring plans for simple garden projects ranging from outdoor garden beds to window boxes and container gardens. Growing instructions for over 30 herbs are rounded out with ideas for garden planning and maintenance. Tips on harvesting and cooking with nature's bounty make this charming volume as useful in the kitchen as it is in the garden. With colorful photographs and warm and informative text, Little Herb Gardens is inviting to gardeners, cooks, and herb novices alike.
Customer Reviews:
A book to get you started........2007-05-31
If you're the type of person that likes to do things without a lot of theory, this is a great book.
I'm a novice gardener and the introduction gardening instructions just didn't have enough information for me. I decided to purchase Gardening For Dummies and various other books to satisfy my need for detailed information before setting some serious time, money, and effort into a balcony garden for my apartment.
This book has great ideas and did a good job of introducing me to different herbs and plants to grow to be used in cooking. But if you want to get more "hardcore" with gardening I recommend getting other texts as well.
A sweet useful gem of a book...........2003-01-08
First let me admit I am biased, since this gem is written by someone I know and admire, here in Northern California. But it nonetheless a gem of a book with superb photographs as well as excellent advise on Do's and Don't of raising a variety of herbs. I also like the book because it shows that one can successfully raise year round fresh herbs, and do so on an acre or on a small patio. And the author also covers edible flowers another favorite of my families.
Great little book............2002-09-19
LITTLE HERB GARDENS is a great book for the novice. The authors have assembled a lovely collection of photographs and interspersed them with succinct text that explains how to identify and select easy to grow herbs; when and where to buy them (spring, fall, summer, nurseries or catalogs, plants or seeds); how to pot them (containers, soil, etc.); and where to place them (balconies, patios, or in small gardens).
This little book will inspire you to create a green space in a kitchen window, an assemblage before a patio or balcony door, or a collection of pots on the balcony. Herbs grow best in full sunlight, so if your balcony faces south, you are in luck. If you live in a town house or have a small patch of ground you can think more expansively, but this book does not really deal with garden design, or the issues associated with herb gardening. Herbs are frequently garden thugs that run amuck in the open. I suggest you find a more in-depth book such as RODALE'S ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS if you intend to go beyond pots and are thinking of growing mints, yarrows, violets, or some of the other "easy" to grow herbs suggested by this book. RODALE'S book also covers the poisonous aspects of herbs. (Some of them can kill you.)
The last section of LITTLE HERB GARDENS briefly covers kitchen uses of herbs including making herb-infused vinegars and herb-flavored sorbets. If you want to know more, once again you will have to turn to something more comprehensive such as THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HERBS by Lesley Bremness. Even if you can't grow herbs, you can buy them at the farmer's market and some food stores. LITTLE HERB GARDENS is not the only book available for learning how to grow herbs or use them, but it will get you started.
Concise and Beautiful.......2000-06-16
This book has it all--eye-pleasing photography and concise, useful information. The heart of the book is an herb-by-herb description of how to grow the plants. It's organized in a unique way according to where you could keep them--windowsill or fire escape, inside porch, outdoor pots, pantry, etc. There are suggestions for special ornamental techniques (such as topiary) and recipes for culinary herbs. Finally, the book lists seed and plant sources in the U.S. All in all, a real pleasure to read.
Book Description
Mosaic-making is the craft craze of recent years, and understandably so. While the results may look complicated, the basic technique is easy to master, allowing even beginners to create original decorative pieces for the home.
This original collection of 12 contemporary projects for the home and garden teaches readers how to easily combine pebbles, stone and other natural materials to create mosaics of lasting beauty and originality. In addition to the traditional outdoor mosaic projects for garden paths and patios are mosaics that can also be incorporated into the home--in entranceways, kitchens and fireplace hearths. From a quick-and-easy wall plaque to a more challenging, large-scale oriental pathway, there is something for all abilities. Step-by-step, illustrated instructions, a comprehensive techniques section and beautiful photographs ensure great results.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book.......2003-04-14
I looked at many pebble mosaic books before deciding on this one.
Has many hints and ideas for the beginner, with marvelous step-by-step instructions. Her mosaic patterns and use of material are some of the most creative I have seen.
Amazon.com
One of the first steps in garden design is finding an appropriate match of gardening and architectural styles. If you happen to love English cottage gardens and live in a sleek, modern house, this blending can be especially difficult. Inside Out presents plenty of positive inspiration for people struggling with this stylistic dilemma and may provide you with the just the ideas you've been searching for. Over a dozen different homes and gardens have been included here, each with a totally unique style. Ranging from a weathered summer house in Connecticut to an ultramodern desert retreat, each home has achieved an amazing blending of indoor and outdoor living space. Lush photos emphasize the particular areas of each house where this blending is at its most delightful, with an equal amount of views taken from inside and outside of the actual home. One small garage of a turn-of-the-century mansion is surrounded by old stone walls, lush terraces, and surprising spaces for sitting. The transformation the owners accomplished in creating this space from a debris-filled pit is tremendous, and the result is a serene escape from city life. The tropical-island space created in Miami is an altogether different story, crowded as it is with varieties of palm trees, vibrant flowers, and a spring-fed pool. The pool was transformed from its original rectangular shape and chlorinated water to a natural-looking blue-green pond framed with ferns, irregular decking, and a small waterfall. No matter what your taste or style, here you'll find gorgeous landscapes that showcase the best of the art of indoor-outdoor living. --Jill Lightner
Book Description
"Essays of considerable literary erudition and sophistication that... dislodge dull stereotypes to enable both women and men readers to see the Bible with fresh eyes."
--Los Angeles Times Book Review
As the one work that has held moral and religious sway over the Judeo-Christian tradition for thousands of years, the Bible is unsurpassed in world literature. For women, its meaning is particularly complex; traditionally, the Bible has been used to keep women in their place, but it has also been a book of enduring inspiration. Out of the Garden marks a new stage in women's relations to the Bible: this is the first collection of essays in which women read and respond to the Bible out of pleasure and curiosity--free to explore what is really relevant to women's lives.
Drawing on their own experiences and interests, Louise Erdrich, Cynthia Ozick, Fay Weldon, Phyllis Trible, Rebecca Goldstein, June Jordan, Ursula K. Le Guin, and twenty-one other writers boldly, imaginatively--and sometimes reproachfully--address the Old Testament stories, characters, and poetry that mean the most to them. Thoughtful, challenging, and playful, these beautifully written essays explore the Bible in fresh new ways. Out of the Garden reclaims the Bible for women and shows readers that the Bible is a source we can return to again and again.
"A many-splendored achievement...This grand collection is a bold revitalization of our relation to our tradition. It offers the reader the gorgeously varied company of strongly delineated temperaments as they take on the compelling, threatening figures of our imaginative forebears."
--Harold Bloom
Author of The Book of J and The Western Canon
Customer Reviews:
Claiming God for Themselves Too: Women Write About the Bible.......2000-04-10
Throughout history, religion has been man's domain: written by and for him alone. Christianity and Judaism are just two more example of male-centered religious theory. Right? Maybe. But "Out of the Garden: Women Writers on the Bible" is a startling wake-up call, and it is a powerful voice for those who feel that women (as well as the feminist movement) can find their own places within the Bible. The combination of essays provided here are strongly convincing in the argument that they present: women are important figures in the Bible, and it was written with them in mind, too. An important factor in the book is that its essays are written by women with a wide diversity of religious backgrounds, from many sects of Protestanism, to Catholicism, to Judaism. This is a powerful message of unity for women, and for religion. Many of the essays shine as personal examples of the Bible touching women's lives. Patricia J. William's personal essay was especially moving, because she tied in her own life experience with a Bible story; specifically, that of the adoption of Moses. If women can relate the Bible and the Christian and Jewish religions to their own lives, is this not important evidence in itself that they are not excluded in these theories' teachings and reachings? The only problem with this book is its tendency to make wild interpretations of Christianity and Judaism, and sometimes it is questionable whether more than the one author writing the essay could ever see a feminist message in a particular passage or story. However, this does not take away from the book's resounding message, that women should not be discouraged from claiming Christianity and Judaism as their own as men have done since its conception. "Out of the Garden" is an important book to add to any feminist theology collection, or to read in order to find out just how the Christianity of men can be looked at from the perspective of many different women.
Book Description
Dozens of ideas for creating, designing and furnishing relaxing living areas outdoors.
Tips for using indoor design elements outdoors—including rich fabric mixes, complex color palettes, and lighting, art and architectural details.
Inspiring photos accompany instructive text to empower many to create and decorate their own outdoor living niches.
Chapters discuss living and dining areas, kitchens and baths, sleep, work and play areas, architectural elements, and decorative features.
Advice for buying products and technology—grills, lighting, fire pits, and fireplaces, to flooring materials, fabrics, furniture, and more.
Book Description
Enthusiastic young gardeners have the opportunity to develop a green thumb and experience the joys of gardening in this how-to guide for kids. With 18 time-tested, proven projects gleaned from the author's experience as director of "The Good Earth Kids' Club," kids learn how to create a year-round assortment of container gardens that are simple to make, are fun to work on, and in many instances make great gifts. Organized by season, the container gardens run the gamut from "Great Big Garden Bowls for Mom" and "Father's Day Fountains" to sand art terrariums and special occasion holiday containers. In addition to providing the basics on plants and gardening, this helpful guide also includes a glossary of terms, a listing of plants used in the book, a list of resources, and numerous photographs to show kids that they're proceeding on the right path as they create their individual containers.
Customer Reviews:
Offers 17 different gardening projects with kids in mind.......2005-12-15
Gardening is lots of fun, especially with this project-oriented introduction that offers 17 different gardening projects with kids in mind, from growing a hanging basket of vegetables to creating a water garden complete with fish. Simple lists of what's needed to start each project are embellished by color photos of young gardeners and botany insights with simple facts. Children in grades 3-5 will find Kids' Container Gardening most inviting.
An Amazing and Fun Filled Book for the Entire Family!!!.......2005-06-11
I bought this book for my 3 niece and nephews. Now I have to buy it for the rest of the kids coz they had such an amazing time with this book. Highly recommended for parents who are interested in doing productive and constructive projects with their children. A great substitute for the cartoon network and a great gift idea!
Creative and Enjoyable!!!.......2005-06-10
I have 2 children, and this book brought great ideas to our family. It really created ways we could enjoy time and projects together. My son and I used one of the projects ( container gardening) for his school science project-it was fantastic.
I definately recommend this book for all parents and children. We are giving a copy to Josh's teacher as an end of the year present as well!
Absolutely fabulous!!!!!.......2005-06-10
I always am looking for great books with lots of kid friendly projects, as I am a teacher, and I have to say, this is one of the best! It is well organized, expertly researched and written, and is very versitile. The projects are applicable for a large span of age groups, and easilty adapted to whatever enironment you are using it in, whether home or school.
I bought 2 copies, one for the school, and one for myself- I can't wait to do these projects with my own children!
Book Description
With growing orchids as a pastime ever increasing in popularity, here, reissued with a lovely new cover, is one of the most popular books on the subject. This engaging volume provides all the inspiration and hands-on facts for transforming a windowsill, patio, glassed-in porch, or small garden plot into orchid territory, with the emphasis-given a plant that can be all too intimidating-on the easy. There’s Lady’s Slipper orchids and Jewel orchids for low-light homes; Laeliocattleyas to take advantage of a sunny kitchen window; and a host of other varieties. Complete with concise, easy-to-follow instructions, and beautifully illustrated with full-color photographs, Easy Orchids makes growing these prima donnas of the plant world rewarding and enjoyable for beginner and expert gardeners alike.
Customer Reviews:
Useful information, but lacking structure.......2004-09-12
This book was easy to read and had lots of beautiful orchid pictures. However, there the book is very lacking in stucture. It simply goes through different types of orchids and meanwhile gives you tips on watering, fertilizing, etc. as you go. I have read a few other orchid books and this just seems to be a conglomeration of the useful hints and tips I've found in those. For a much more useful book try Ortho's All About Orchids.
Love this orchid book.......2003-06-24
What a great orchid book. I'm a beginner, but I'll use it forever. Absolutely wonderful photos and references. I saved an orchid using instructions in this book. I recommend it, especially at this great price.
A must-have for your orchid library!.......2003-02-18
I am notorious among my friends and family for killing plants in no time. Yet, I got this book as a gift along with an orchid (they thought if I was given directions for use, that one plant stood a better chance...:)
Not only did the plant make it beautifully, and re-bloom, but I now own and enjoy a few more orchid plants.
This book is a great basic for your orchid library. Granted, it doesn't cover all the topics you want to know about(plant diseases for example). However, it is very invaluable and even though I now own more orchid books, I find myself getting back to this one quite often for information.
It is not intimidating, very easy to follow and an excellent introduction to a great family of plants, too often inaccurately labeled as fragile and needy.
I warmly recommend it to anyone getting started with orchids.
This book paired with an orchid plant is one of the greatest gifts I ever received...
Great starter guide for growing orchids.......2002-03-26
I got this book along with my very first orchid plant that I had bought in an annual orchid show recently. It could be both an exciting and yet intimidating experience to tend to your first orchid. However this is a perfect starter guide for beginners, with simple and easy to follow instructions in caring most of the common types of orchids. It provides readers with essential information from using the right potting mix, when to water and how to fetilize. The all color photography makes it even more fun to read. Highly recommended for first time orchid grower like myself.
A great introduction to growing orchids for the beginner.......2001-12-13
The book contains about 100 pages: 18 pages on orchid native conditions, horticultural history, and orchid anatomy and growth habits. 22 pages on growing conditions (light, temperature, humidity, fertilizers, etc), growing tips, and pests to avoid. 58 pages covering the details about growing two dozen specific popular orchids. Each orchid in this section is described by its species / cultivar name, specific growing conditions given (light, watering, fertilizing schedule), a full size photograph of each plant, and two or three paragraphs of details about this specific orchid. Book concludes with 4 pages on mail order sources, bibliography, index, and acknowledgement.
The book contains clear, crisp, and easy to read information about orchid care. It completely covers all of the essentials that the first time orchid grower needs to learn.
Is the book's information helpful? Well, I bought this book with my first orchid. One hundred days later, not only is the orchid still alive, but the flowers are still in bloom! Gee, I guess I can grow orchids, especially with guidance from this book.
Is growing orchids addictive? Well, I started with one orchid. One hundred days laters, I now own six plants ... and I'm looking to buy more. All because of this damn book :-)
The book is a great introduction to growing orchids for the beginner. It should be your first book, and you should buy it with your first orchid. Simple, but accurate, instructions throughout the text. "Easy Orchids" is a wonderfully helpful book.
Book Description
Indulging the senses with the aroma and elegance of beautiful blooms is easier than ever with Fragrant Flowers. From window boxes of heliotrope and sweet pea to gardens perfumed by honeysuckle and tuberose, this richly illustrated guide offers recipes for growing 29 scented flowers -- indoors and out, all year long. Including ideas for creating sweet-smelling dried potpourri and sachets, this lovely, informative volume is perfect for both the novice and expert gardener.
Books:
- In Vogue: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Famous Fashion Magazine
- Inferno
- Jeff Wall
- John Shaw's Closeups in Nature (Practical Photography Books)
- Le Notre's Gardens
- Life: A Journey Through Time
- Luba and the Wren (Picture Puffins)
- Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers
- Mastering Digital SLR Photography (Mastering)
- Mastering Unreal Technology: The Art of Level Design
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
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- Body Snatchers in the Desert: The Horrible Truth at the Heart of the Roswell Story
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- Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis: Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective
- A physician's counsels to his professional brethren. By a practising physician.
- Great Houses of the Queen City: Two Hundred Years of Historic and Contemporary Architecture and Inte
- They Swim the Seas: The Mystery of Animal Migration
- HITLER'S GLADIATOR: The Life and Wars of Panzer Army Commander Sepp Dietrich
General
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Sara Midda's South of France: A Sketch Book
The Painted Garden: A Year In Words And Watercolors (Courage Inspirations)
Growing up and Other Vices
A Is for Adultery, Angst, and Adults Only
View From a Sketchbook: Nature Through the Eyes of Marjolein Bastin
