This project has been a year in the making, and even longer in the dreaming and planning. I was going to wait a little while longer before announcing it, but as we draw ever closer to publication, I am finding it nearly impossible to contain myself a minute longer. So here it is: My partner Davin and I are collaborating on a series of homemade living, eating, and gardening instructional booklets that will be done up in our style and sensibility: personable, practical, and doable writing with clean design and loads of inspiring color photos and illustrations. Lots of experimentation and everything coming from our own experiences and the things that we personally enjoy in making a homemade life. We are having a blast with this project and can’t wait to launch!
The first in the series, “Drinking the Summer Garden: Homegrown Thirst Quenchers, Concoctions, Sips, and Nibbles” will be made available in two weeks time, within the first week of August. Since this was slotted to be a summer release, I decided to launch the series with an 80-page, full color recipe booklet dedicated to imagining and creating summer drinks utilizing the garden’s bounty. We are generally hot (OMG so hot!) and lazy through the dog days of summer. This is the time to spend chatting with friends on the patio or laying back in a hammock with a good book and a drink in hand. Keeping that in mind, the focus of this booklet is on fun and innovative ways to use herbs, edible flowers, fruit, and even vegetables to create an assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as a handful of summertime treats and nibbles to accompany them. I have also added in a few handy techniques as well as strategies and suggestions that will allow you to adapt the recipes to a wider range of ingredients and flavors using the produce that is available in your own garden. There’s canning, infusing, syrup-making, fermenting, preserving, baking (sweet and savory), deserts, iced lollis, drinks for the kids, drinks for adults, healthy drinks, wickedly unhealthy drinks, and so much more! And we fit it all into 80 pages along with loads of photos. Phew.
Getting this endeavour off of the ground has been absolutely frightening and exciting at once. I truly hope you enjoy this first release and the others that follow.
Formats:
There will be something for everyone starting with a print version (for people like us who love ink on paper) as well as a range of digital options.
Media:
If you work in media and would like to write a review or conduct an interview with either of us please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We will be making a few pdf media copies available shortly.
Congratulations on your new venture! We could all use a little more bravery and risk-taking in our lives. :-)
Thank you Amy. This has been quite a risk for us and I’ve fretted about it endlessly. But also such a pleasure and just really joyful work, too.
FABULOUS. You are amazing xo
Means a lot coming from you Amy!
Congratulations! This is sure to be amazing.
Alright!! I can’t wait :)
Have you ever considered having your publications translated to french? Urban farming is gaining a lot of interest here in Quebec and we seriously lack good written references that are adapted to our climate (books from France are no help). I’m sure you could conquer that market :) Best of luck with your new project!
I don’t control what happens with the books as their respective publishers make those arrangements.
As for these booklets, perhaps someday if there is a budget to pay for it. As a Canadian, my grasp of the French language is absolutely shameful.
That looks fabulous Gayla. What a great idea. Congrats to you and Davin.
Thanks Paul! Your comment reminds me that I had been thinking about this for far longer than a year. I recall talking to Celia about something like this while I stumbled out of the forest on the way back from the Boiling Lake. Although it is difficult to recall exactly what I said in that state of mind. I was delirious and never thought we’d come to the end! Still figuring out how we can make it back to Dominica.
Gayla – this is so awesome! Congrats to both of you! It’s funny, after I got the herb and edible flowers book earlier this year I kept thinking…whats next? When do we hear about the next book? Surely there will be a next book! Please! ha
These seem so practical and awesome. I am sure they will be wildly successful. I can’t wait to order my copy of the first one.
Congratulations to you and your friend. you have got your achievement. Definitely we will read it.
I’m new to your blog, but I’ve gotta tell you – I love it! I’m excited for this book, as my skills in gardening, drinking, and eating have been expertly honed over the years. I’d like to think of myself as an expert in two of the three areas. :) I truly enjoy reading your posts! Thank you for all you do!
I really like the look of “drinking the summer garden!”
Stop fretting and sweating. Get yourself a nice 14,000 BTU AC with all the profits from this venture.
Congratulations to you and Davin on this new and beautiful project!
How exciting! I can’t wait to get it!! :)
That sounds really cool– and very unique, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. I just happened upon your blog for the first time… thanks so much for sharing!
I have just discovered your blog in the last few weeks and now to hear about the grow guides-how fantastic!
You have an alluring way of putting things on paper.
Ann