Review: Made From Scratch – Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life

Let me preface this by saying that I will be returning my library-copy of Jenna Woginrich’s new book, Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life, two weeks late – and not because I haven’t finished reading it. The thing is, it’s packed with so many book recommendations to make note of and web resources to bookmark, that whoever has a hold on the book next will just have to wait. Made from Scratch is the story of Jenna’s transformation from a typical modern person (buying everything from stores) to a modern-day homesteader keeping honeybees, chickens, angora rabbits and a vegetable garden, as well as teaching her two dogs to pull her on a sled (!) over the frozen Idaho winter landscape, while still holding down her 9-5 job.

Jenna with Jazz and Annie, photo courtesy timesunion

Jenna’s book will not teach you everything you need to know about homesteading skills, but what she does so brilliantly is give just enough information to get you fired up. After reading her book (and now her blog, as well), I am dying to raise sheep, build raised vegetable beds, and learn how to play the fiddle! If you think that’s strange, read the book and then tell me you aren’t itching to keep chickens in your backyard, plant tomatoes on your fire escape, or sew your own skirt. Jenna (who now lives in Vermont) makes it clear that anyone can start a backyard homestead and have fun doing it:

When you start producing your own food, even the simplest plot of potatoes, your life regains some of the authenticity we’ve all forgotten about. When you sit back against a tree with a mandolin on your lap instead of lying on the couch with three hundred channels of instantly recordable distraction, you gain a little more from your downtime. You’ll find yourself more humbled, satisfied, and grateful to have found a balance that simplifies your life with the skills of the people who came before you.

That’s what I love so much about Made from Scratch: it’s not just about doing something because it’s green or eco-friendly (though it is), it’s about gaining real satisfaction and pleasure out of life.

Jenna transporting sheep in her station wagon, photo courtesy timesunion

“Point is, it feels good to get dirty, work hard, and slow down.”

Enough said.

You can pick up a copy of the book here, and be sure to check out Jenna’s action-packed blog, Cold Antler Farm, to see what she’s been up to lately.

Related posts:

1. Inspired by ~ French Kitchen Gardens
2. Backyard Homesteading Workshops
3. Great Spring Reads
4. Saving The World, One Elephant At A Time