Sneak Preview of The Half-Acre Homestead (60 Pages)

June 3, 2020 at 1:16 am

Here are 60 pages (38% of the total pages) from our latest book:

Book available at: www.shelterpub.com/building/halfacrehomestead

Quotes from Readers

“I just inhaled your book, reading it cover to cover in one sitting. It’s all that I hoped it would be. Now my favorite book of yours.…”
–Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick, Wired magazine; founder, Cool Tools (kk.org)
“Warning: Reading the book may lead to pulling up stakes and heading into the hills to claim your own half-acre homestead.”
–Patrick Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle
“The King of D.I.Y. Dwellings — Before cabin porn and van life were hashtags on Instagram, before tiny houses were a movement, Mr. Kahn, now 84, was the indefatigable champion of their funky, D.I.Y. antecedents.… His new book, The Half-Acre Homestead … (is) a memoir of sorts of this hard-won idyll, it is also a love letter to Ms. Creed, a skilled artisan and gardener whose glorious handiwork is vividly portrayed.”
–Penelope Green, New York Times
“The book is absolutely WONDERFUL … The language is modest and direct, the inspiration is down to earth and celestial … Gorgeous book, a … magnificent one-of-a-kind gift to us all.”
–Peter Nabokov, professor of American Indian Studies and World Arts and Cultures at UCLA

Read More …

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Italian Grain Mill Makes Rolled Oats from Whole Oat Groats

June 1, 2020 at 3:30 am
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Here is our Marcato Marga Mulino Flaker, a little Italian grinder that we use to make rolled oats from whole oat grains (called groats). For my breakfast, I use these, plus shredded coconut, some chia seeds, cooked about 10 minutes, then add maple syrup, half-and-half, a little hemp oil for flavor. This way you get the whole grain, freshly milled. Oh yeah, I usually add a little ground-up seaweed plus salt. It’s simple and delicious and inexpensive, plus you’re getting freshly milled whole grain (including the germ and bran).

There are 3 rollers on the mill, and they can be adjusted to make flour from any grains, as well as flakes. Cost: about $125.

See The Half-Acre Homestead for details on ordering these mills.

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My Raccoon Friend (for a Few Weeks)

May 28, 2020 at 3:30 am
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This raccoon has been hanging around here for a few years and recently started getting some of the cat food we leave outside, so I slowly made friends and eventually got it taking the pellets from my hand. I love watching the dexterity of its paws, very human-like. I eventually quit doing this, not good to feed wild animals, as it may encourage them to trust other humans, but it was a thrill to watch its handwork for a week or so.

Makes me realize how domestic cats and dogs came about; wild felines or canines hanging around at the entrance to caves or following nomadic tribes, becoming friends, family members, then being bred into different sizes, shapes, talents.

In our overly civilized lives, it’s a thrill to experience part of the “natural world,” or like 95% of our lineage: wild foods, fishing, making stuff by hand, harmonious interaction with other forms of life. To be sought out. Refreshing for the soul.

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Studio on the Pond in BC

May 26, 2020 at 1:50 pm

Roger Warren just sent this, along with this description of his studio on an island in British Columbia:

Lloyd… The studio was put together from scrounged everything, total investment under $300 that was mostly for floor ply. Size is 8 × 12.

Something you have never mentioned in any of your books (I have them all): Any building should be designed around multiples of 4. This fits in with standard construction lumber; i.e.: If you build 10 × 10, you (have to) cut off 2 ft. of floor ply.

I also designed and built the house, shown in my website.

www.rogeronsaltspring.com/gallery-iii

I also have the same tools you do.

Cheers Lloyd,
–Roger

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