Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Country Crafts Book ~ Kitchen Pantry Decoration Style


“I am simply a 'book drunkard.' Books have the same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them.” 

Sometimes, we homemakers need some inspiration... Books can be such a blessing in this area! This particular title, Country Crafts by Stepahnie Donaldson, has inspired me to see the seasons like our foremothers would. To create pantry inventory, medicinal recipes, bath and body products and home decoration projects based on what is available and growing in the spring, summer, autumn and winter months.


The author shares a bit of homemaking history and encourages a simpler way of life. The photography is absolutely beautiful and inspiring in itself! This edition is hardcover and is printed on quality paper.

"A treasury of recipes and ideas with timeless appeal, inspired by seasonal food and flowers: over 70 delectable recipes for stocking the pantry and 40 crafty projects for home-made decorations and gifts with a seasonal feel, all shown in glorious step-by-step pictures by award-winning photographer Michelle Garrett."
~ Excerpt from Amazon

The Table of Contents include the following chapters:

Introduction
The Pantry
The Bathroom
The Still Room
Seasonal Celebrations
and
Seasonal Checklists


If you are anything like me, you can see what a delightful read this is! I will say, however, that I do not condone every single "thought" in the book. Certain holidays don't comply to biblical thinking nor do a few of the recipes for certain beverages (in my way of thinking). However, the overall book will excite you to love your home and enjoy daily aspects of homemaking. The author also has a lovely way with words.

I am excited to give one copy away to one of you! I would like to open this giveaway to any one of our readers from around the globe. I have lived out of the country and know what a blessing it is to have a package mailed to you from a far away land! Giveaway closed.


Simply enter via the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the easy instructions. The questions (you will find them if you click on the "leave a blog post comment" section in the widget) are designed to give me an idea of what interests you, dear reader :) You have an opportunity for seven entries per person and one week to enter.  Happy homemaking!


99 comments:

  1. I always enjoy your posts about keeping a tidy home and natural products for house keeping.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I especially enjoyed your series on old-fashioned work.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great way to make a "comeback!" Angela

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a lovely giveaway, I cannot resist my dearest JES,
    thank you !!!!
    With so much gratitude

    Dany

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the series on old fashion work and I like your practical housekeeping ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love anything to do with being frugal, yet creating a beautiful home.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Actually I've already left a comment before than reading all the rules to participate and I wouldn't change anything here !
    I'm sharing it on Google + and to follow you with Bloglovin, my Blog also is registered there, the others things aren't possible to me, my darling friend,
    blessings to you

    Dany

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ah, I was forgetting that I'm already a follower of yours along with Google Friend Connect, so I'm sorry but I cannot Subscribe via Feedburner ...

    With much love

    Dany

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your housekeeping recipes and browsing through the Monday links.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Just checked out book on Amazon- very beloved! Angela

    ReplyDelete
  11. My favorite blog topics to read here are anything about building up your pantry and homemaking.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What topics would I like to see more of? I'd love to see pictures of the inside of the author's home if she is willing to share them :).

    ReplyDelete
  13. My favorite series was the blessings of hard work. It helped to read one of these posts when I was feeling lazy!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a unique book! Would love to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love to have this book. It looks like it has many interesting ideas.

    Lesli

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the idea for crafts and etc. that goes along with the seasons and what is available during that season.

    Lesli

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hooray! A give away from my favorite blog! Let's see...I'd love to see more old fashioned work posts and homeschooling. Your words are so lovely and peaceful, they give me good homeschooling motivation :) Good old fashioned hard working articles do too...I love them!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oops,
    I answered both in one post. Sorry, what I love AND what I'd like to see. I'm not very good with this computer thing yet, I've never entered a give away before!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love the purity and honor that your blog gives to the home. I love anything that is vintage in nature or leads us to the "old paths." Thank you for asking, Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  20. JES,
    Thanks for the link-up each week though I am not regular. Even more thanks for the biblical and beautiful encouragement you bring to women, wives, and mothers! Love you, dear friend :D

    ReplyDelete
  21. Also, I forgot to thank you for the feature on the Lemon Tree From Seeds post! Mine are growing fast!
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  22. i would love to win this book, because, as you mentioned, it is so fun to receive a parcel from the other side of the world, and i am in the UK and me and my hubby are just starting out homesteading, so i can see this would be a wonderful source of knowledge to have on hand :) xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. also i would love to see some more recipes on the blog as i love cooking :) xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. The book looks lovely - and so kind of you to open it up to all of us far away! I love the quote about books. That is me as well; cannot resist lovely books.
    I don't know if I can choose a favourite! I love your cleaning products, old-fashioned work series, pantry series, everything! I am still working my way through all your lovely posts.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love everything on this blog! I am not sure if I have a favorite but I really enjoy your topics on all aspects of homemaking. Thanks for having this giveaway, You are such an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would like to see more recipes. But dont stop what you are producing on your posts! Everything is simply wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  27. This looks like a delightful book. Thank you for sharing the opportunity for receiving the book.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you Jes, what a beautiful book. I am thrilled I can enter even though I am overseas.
    I loved your "work" series and I love anything to do with pantries. I also love the printable labels and crafts. Many thanks, Annabel.xxx

    ReplyDelete
  29. It's hard to pick what I would like more of. I love the combination of inspiration and practical ideas you write here. My favorite posts of yours are the homemade lunch meats and the seasonings printables. You do so well!
    This book looks like a lovely inspiration as well.
    Blessings,

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a delightful giveaway dear JES! Thank you for your generous offer to share it with one of us! As to what I would like to see...well, I wouldn't change a thing. Love your site just the way it is... you never fail to inspire, and amaze with your thoughtful posts, and wonderful free graphics. You do a fabulous job, appreciate you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hello Jes, thank you for the. Give away.
    Blessings to you

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am also a book drunkard and this would be very welcome on any of my book cases.

    ReplyDelete
  33. This looks like a beautiful book. Thank you for the wonderful posts. Always inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I would love to read the seasonal section! Also maybe the bathroom section!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love your blog...more on simplifying life (as in away from technology dependence) and homemaking of all sorts!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I also loved your pantry series...and lemon...and lavender, lol

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love the way you honor homemakers! Angela

    ReplyDelete
  38. I would love to win this giveaway! I stumbled onto your blog right before, or right after you left for vacation, so I have been excited for y'all to get back. Yea!!!! - Amy J. O.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love the way homemaking is honored on your blog and I never think of it as "chores" any more, I think of myself as making a home for my family. I love your posts on making extracts, vanilla and lemon were my Christmas gifts last year. I would love to see more posts on simplifying life.

    ReplyDelete
  40. You first won me over with your Peter Rabbit posts :) and then there was the Lemon series, and the Lavender series, and the Modern Day Herbal, and the - ahhh, well, I won't go on, but you get the picture :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. I so enjoyed your Wash Day Inspiration posts, and your Keepers at Home Binder posts. Would love to see more of that type - and how you use them everyday.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I've already answered up above, but I'll repeat myself -- my most favorite series is the posts you did based on Peter Rabbit :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. I like the homesteading/household articles. I'd like to see more simple recipes, like those used during the depression era with simple foods. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  44. JES, I especially enjoy the all around encouragement you give to us homemakers! That is my favorite part of your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I enjoy the lovely, old-fashioned pictures! I also enjoy reading your articles on herbal/home remedies. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I guess I would always like more recipes? I am a big time recipe collector and your recipes are always great!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Sorry...I already left one comment, and I didn't see that I needed to do another one! LOL! But, I love what you do here, and just keep on doing what you are. I think it is wonderful when you post things about herbs and home remedies, and, of course, I love anything to do with spiritual things, so those posts are always appreciated! :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. My favorite one was the pinto bean recipes! So helpful! We love beans here, all kinds, and the recipes you posted were great!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Must say that I can't choose a topic as I enjoy all your columns.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Having trouble here. Two previous comments not showing up. I like all your posts so can hardly choose a favorite. Would appreciate more frugal recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Your Beatrix Potter series is my favorite. I have Mrs. Tiggywinkles tea on my kitchen counter and the label makes me smile all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would love to see some posts on character qualities.

    ReplyDelete
  53. The topics I most enjoy reading on this blog are the themed DIYS.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I started following you this summer and my favorite posts are the ones on cleaning. I have a small mom and pop cleaning service and use so many of your recipes. Your blog is such a breath of fresh air! ( no pun intended)

    ReplyDelete
  55. My favourite posts are your free printables with the lovely vintage pictures- particularly the pantry and laundry ones :-)

    ReplyDelete
  56. I would like to see more posts on Charlotte Mason style homeschooling, please. Thank you for hosting this giveaway JES!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Your series on old fashioned work was my favourite, as the posts were very encouraging, and the paintings you included were beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I love your unit studies posts, if you're forcing me to choose!;) I like your blog just the way it is. I think you offer a quite a bit and wouldn't change a thing!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I really enjoy looking through the homemaking Mondays posts as well as how to make things naturally

    ReplyDelete
  60. Oh, how to pick a favorite topic - I love all of your blog posts! I especially enjoy the natural remedies, homemaking and herbal topics. Unit studies are fantastic too. :) You are such a blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  61. I enjoy everything on your blog, but I especially liked the blessings of work and anything on homesteading.

    ReplyDelete
  62. My favorite topic might be the 'creating a home library' . also the homemaking topics.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I like to read articles about family and home and how I can make home more enjoyable for the family. I would like to see more articles about crafty season items. My favorite post was on Strawberries.

    ReplyDelete
  64. I truly enjoy your entire site but if I had to choose just one...and that's very hard to do...I suppose I would say I enjoy the home pharmacy posts the most as I am very interested in herbal medicine.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Topics I would love to see more of are the pantry building, homemaking in olden days and home pharmacy. Keep up the great work. I look forward to your posts every week.

    ReplyDelete
  66. My favorite series is the Create Your Own Home Pharmacy series.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I enjoy the posts encouraging mothers to stay at home!

    ReplyDelete
  68. I LOVE your posts on homemaking and the herbal pantry! Thank you for your sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Hi. What an awesome giveaway and a blessing to the winner. I really enjoy any topic you post here on homemaking and old-fashion ways of keeping a home. They really resonate with me as I am an "old soul" and try to run my household in those ways whilst keeping it within the bounds of the gospel too. Thanks for the giveaway. The book looks like an informative as well as an entertaining and informative read.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I appreciate all your homemaking hints. I think they are the most enjoyable topics to me but I like all of your posts.
    Jeannette Olton

    ReplyDelete
  71. I would like to see more posts on seasonal crafts.
    Jeannette Olton

    ReplyDelete
  72. I love your posts and what a wonderful giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I love anything homemade, especially home remedies.

    ReplyDelete
  74. My Favorite is Healthy Home. I have alot of allergies and love making homemade things instead of buying things with chemicals.

    ReplyDelete
  75. I've enjoyed your pantry series. Also, your posts about house-keeping and the value of hard work have been very stimulating and inspirational! Thank you for such a beautiful blog! ~Stephanie Bailey

    ReplyDelete
  76. I enjoy the pantry series. I would love more herbal recipes. Actually I love most everything avout your blog. I guess it's why I follow along...smile...~♥Amy

    ReplyDelete
  77. I like the posts on all natural cleaners and Monday's link-up.

    ReplyDelete
  78. My favorite is your healthy home posts with all natural ingredients.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Jes I love all your topics but I love your Apothecary ones the most.

    ReplyDelete
  80. My favorite posts of yours are ones about canning. I've found a wealth of information on this site!

    ReplyDelete
  81. I most enjoy the recipes; but I also like the printables and DIY ideas
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

    ReplyDelete
  82. My favorite posts are the MAIN DISHES in the Recipe Box
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

    ReplyDelete
  83. So many to choose from, however The Art of Homemaking Mondays i always look forward to.
    Blessings Gail.

    ReplyDelete
  84. What topics I enjoy reading about on this blog: I love all the posts here, but especially the ones about raising children, family, homeschooling, and the like. I also love all the homemaking posts, and the beautiful artwork and quotes.

    What topics I would like to see more of: I would love to see some posts about homemaking and raising a family, with challenges, such as financial difficulties, single parenthood, illness, and the like.

    My favourite post or series: This is a hard one, since I love everything you post. I guess I really liked the series about making citrus-based cleaning products. :)

    Oh, and I am already subscribed to your blog. Thank you for opening your contest to global readers!



    ReplyDelete
  85. Greetings! I enjoy your blog a vast deal and would have to conclude that my favorite post/topic was the series on old fashioned work. I appreciate being considered for the book/give away. I, too, am not on facebook, twitter, or any other social media.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Your beautiful website is my ' go to ' for homemaking ideas, homemade cleaners, recipes and invaluable INSPIRATION! I adore the blog and all of the printables on SCRIBD. I cannot praise you all enough. May God always bless you and your ministry. Your ministry is greatly needed in this dark and lonely world.

    ReplyDelete
  87. I love everything you write about-you are a blessing,soglad you are back, you were missed terribly:)

    ReplyDelete
  88. I really love your herbal posts-it is something I am creeping into, and your website isfilled with great insights,practical how-tos and such-thanks for taking the time to be such a blessing to so many

    ReplyDelete
  89. Love this book. I'd love to win it. I'll write about it today. Don't forget to come over and link.
    The new party starts Monday at 4:00. Hope to see you.
    Have a great weekend. And thanks for coming by.
    XXOO

    ReplyDelete
  90. Your posts are always a blessing to me and am glad to have you back. But I particularly enjoy the ones on pantry and homemade products. This book looks very good and is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Dear Jes,

    I would be very happy with your book. Because it's a beautiful book, but also the gift is yours!
    I'm not on facebook, so I can't read the questions....
    I love your blog, and my favorite posts are they from the blessings of old fashioned work!
    Love, Carolien

    ReplyDelete
  92. Jes, I love your herbal recipes, and your down to earth wisdom. Mimi xxx

    ReplyDelete
  93. Oh I just love your blog ( even though I rarely comment). I enjoy most posts, but particularly your homemaking ones!
    Thank you for being a blessing in my life!
    Renata :)

    ReplyDelete
  94. So enjoy connecting with you and also encouraging other ladies. How about Best Fall Recipe contributions?? Main dish, sides, and sweets?? Deidre

    ReplyDelete