Field of Plenty, A Farmer's Journey in Search of Real Food and The People who grow it. Michael Ableman

Field of Plenty is the memoir of respected farmer, writer, and photographer, Michael Ableman as he and his son travel from his own farm in British Columbia across the United States in search of several innovative and passionate farmers who are making a difference in what we eat and how we experience food. From California to New York, this story captures the essence of each farmer's vision, the spirit of the land that they work and the beauty and flavors of the foods that they lovingly produce.

Lasagna Gardening, A New Layering System for Bountiful Gardens: No Digging, No Tilling, No Weeding, No kidding, Patricia Lanza

A gardening system that works, so you don't have to! Turn in your tiller for a stack of old newspapers. Replace your shovel with a layer of grass clippings! Let Pat Lanza show you how you can create lush, successful, easy care gardens in particularly any location without hours of back breaking digging or noisy tilling.

"Practice, first person advice from an experienced gardener."

Great ideas to let you spend more time enjoying your gardens and less time working in them."

Specific lasanga techniques for the most popular vegetables, flowers, herbs, fruits and more."

Her Mother's Hope, Francine Rivers

Near the turn of the twentieth century, fiery Marta Schneider is torn between her father's delaration that she'll never be more than a servant and her mother's encouragement to chase her dreams. Determined to fulfill her mother's hope, Marta leaves home for a better life. Young and alone, she earns her way with a series of housekeeping and cooking jobs that bring her ever closer to her dream of owning an inn.

Heartbreaking news from home strengthens Marta's resolve as she moves to England and eventually to Canada. There, she meets handsome Niclas Waltert, a man just as committed as she to forging a better life in a new place. But nothing has prepared her for the sacrifices she must make for marriage and motherhood as she travels first to the Canadian wilderness and finally to the dusty Central Valley of California to raise her family.

Marta's hope is to give her children a better life and experience has taught her that only the strong survive. Her tough love is often misunderstood, especially by her oldest daughter, Hildemara Rose, who craves her mother's acceptance. Amid the drama of World War II, Hildie falls in love and begins a family of her own. But unexpected and tragic events force mother and daughter to face their own shortcomings and the ever wide chasm that threatens to separate them forever.

What a wonderful novel, though there are bits and pieces of personal family history woven through out. Good News! This first volume tells the story of Marta and Hildemara, and Carolyn and May Flower Dawn the second. So, we have another Francine Rivers book to look forward to --- What a story teller she is!

See you at Rylander