Pioneer Handbook Freebies

     I promised you another freebie and here it is. Pioneer Handbooks is a site dedicated to keeping old ways alive. They are so passionate about keeping these periodicals and their unique information available to the public that they present all this information to you FREE. That's right FREE. I love that word. FREE!

This site is just awesome. Really, old time ways + newfangled viewing + printing at home + *FREE* = AWESOME. Whats not to like about that?  

     One of the things I like to do is to pick the brains of those that are much older than me. I love to hear their stories and things they've experienced. These are like asking great Grandpa what it was like when he was a kid. 

For instance the Handbook entitled 1896 Home Mechanic gives this description:

  How-to and DIY instructions from the year 1896.  This massive chapter of the Home Mechanic’s Manual covers everything from making medicine to hair oils and pomatum, perfumery, cosmetics, soaps, herb remedies, drinks and beverages, candies, remedies for vermin, inks, cements and glue, blacking and bluing, food recipes and cleaning tips.  The historic instructions in this chapter cover the whole range of things that the settler and pioneer families would make and use at home.

And this description from the 1881 Settlers Manual Farm and Orchard:

  More than 100 traditional pioneer recipes and kitchen hints ranging from bread, cakes and pies to roasts, preserves and even ice-cream.  This chapter of recipes and cooking tips was written in 1881 for the settlers heading into the Iowa territory.  The pioneers and settlers of the 1800's relied upon the handbooks and manuals they took with them. They were the DIY and how-to books of the day.

     I'm certainly going to be printing off a lot of these booklets for my print library. Hope you can make good use of them as well. 

--Jamie

Give Away!!

     Seriously been wanting to do a give away for a long time, and now that I have had a recent blessing in my life, I want to turn around and use it to bless someone else. 

     On Tuesday May 1st I'll start taking names of those who would like to be included in a drawing for a book of your choice, of the titles here on this page. Leave a comment with your first name and last initial  ONLY, no email addresses (as I don't know how to keep them hidden).  On the following Monday, one week later I'll have a drawing and announce the winner. You must contact me with your email address at that time to give me your info to have the book shipped to you. Being subscribed and seeing the post on your feed will help notify you if you've won, but it isn't necessary to enter the drawing. If you do not contact me within 48 hours I will redraw for an new recipient.

Herbs to the Rescue-Herbal First Aid

     The choices I'm offering include three books that I know and have myself, and one I'm planning on purchasing soon. I love each one. 

     Herbs to the Rescue, by Kurt King condenses a lot of Dr. Christopher's knowledge and formulas down to a "pocket" size book that is easy to take with you in the car or on camping trips. It gives recommendations for herbs and plants around you in the woods as well as Dr. Christopher's formulas if you happen to have them with you. Excellent and very practical. 

Healthy Choices Cookbook

     The next book I offer is Healthy Choices Cookbook. This is such an awesome book for those that wish to exclude processed anything. Excellent recipes that include herbs from your garden like chickweed and  more. Wonderful garden hints, canning recipes and alternatives to meats. Really does a stellar job in offering an array of meals that your family will REALLY EAT- even for picky eaters like mine.

Putting Food By 2010 Edition

     Putting Food By has been a wonderful standby to many over the years. For a long time it only rivaled my other well loved book: Root Cellaring  Updated in 2010 it is a book that covers all areas with all safety precautions accounted for. Really a timeless book.

Great Meals Dutch Oven Style

The last choice is actually one that I don't have just yet, but will be ordering one. That way we can learn together! This book discusses outdoor dutch oven cooking (the kind that has legs on it). Since I got a dutcth oven for my birthday on the 27th I'm going to really work on developing my outdoor cooking skills. I love using my many pieces of cast iron in the house, now its time to break out of the box!

So come join me this week and be sure to pass the word along to make it fun!

--Jamie

PS- Im willing to send it out of the country too if you folks would like- I know there are a number of you that visit my blog. You help make this blog what it is too, and I appreciate it!