"Takes readers into the forests and sugar shacks of New England . . . Filled with entertaining anecdotes, traditional knowledge and recipes." — Waterbury Republican-AmericanThese stories, told by real-life sugarmakers, reveal how this ancient industry has continued into the twenty-first century. Thanks to the newest technology—and the old-fashioned virtue of patience—New England sugarmakers are still keeping it real.A former maple sugarmaker and boar...

The art of discovering cultural and natural treasures in everyday landscapes, whether in Connecticut or elsewhere."The essays and photographs take readers on a point-by-point journey to reveal the rich stories behind many of Connecticut's overlooked landmarks, from the Merritt Parkway and Cornwall's Cathedral Pines to roadside rock art and centuries old milestones." ― Connecticut ExploredIn the course of the mundan...

Icon of environmental consciousness, independent living, and social justice, Henry David Thoreau has probably generated more poems about him than any other secular individual. Beginning with his contemporaries and continuing today, they illustrate our changing views of the man in a passionate form of expression rich in emotion and meaning. A whole library of books has been written about Thoreau, but maybe poetry best explains why his legacy is both enduring and endearing.

Since its founding four hundred years ago, New England has been a vital source of nature writing. Maybe it’s the diversity of landscapes huddled so close together or the marriage of nature and culture in a relatively small, six-state region. Maybe it’s the regenerative powers of the ecosystem in a place of repeated exploitations. Or maybe we have simply been thinking about our relationship with the natural world longer than everyone.If all successive nature writing is a footnote to...

It's hard to imagine a poet who could take more joy in nature, both earthly and human. In Blue Marble Gazetteer, David Leff looks closely, always, and revels in the names of things; the catalogs of species that recur throughout are delicious to mind and ear. Still, an elegiac tone haunts the book; David loves the planet as much as he fears for its demise. But this "world of open wounds" is blessed with fellow sojourners: the poet's wife and children, his neighbors, and all the bei...

In the course of the mundane routines of life, we encounter a variety of landscapes and objects, either ignoring them or looking without interest at what appears to be just a tree, stone, anonymous building, or dirt road. But the "deep traveler," according to Hartford Courant essayist David K. Leff, doesn't make this mistake. Instead, the commonplace elements become the most important. By learning to see the magic in the mundane, we not only enrich daily life with a sense of place, we are ...

The renowned outdoorsman and cook shares his Dutch oven expertise, from proper care and essential accessories to a wide range of delectable recipes.The Dutch oven is the one cooking pot that does it all: bakes bread, steams vegetables, boils seafood, fries eggs, stews wild game, and broils meat. In The Complete Book of Dutch Oven Cooking, J. Wayne Fears shows you how to do it all like a pro. A member of the International Dutch Oven Society and an official ...

There is no better way to see America than on foot. And there is no better way to appreciate what you are looking at than with a walking tour. Whether you are preparing for a road trip or just out to look at your own town in a new way, a downloadable walking tour is ready to explore when you are.Each walking tour describes historical and architectural landmarks and provides pictures to help out when those pesky street addresses are missing. Every tour also includes a quick primer o...

This acclaimed bestseller and modern classic has changed America’s relationship with food. It’s essential reading for kids who care about the environment and climate change.“What’s for dinner?” seemed like a simple question—until journalist and supermarket detective Michael Pollan delved behind the scenes. From fast food and big organic to small farms and old-fashioned hunting and gathering, this young readers’ adaptation of Pollan’s famous food-chain exploration e...

Flowers are probably the most popular choice of all cake decorations. The simplest representation of a flower is a cut-out shape. Other more interesting ways of representing flowers are to create fabric-effect flowers out of paste or to try your hand at creating lifelike flowers. There are many books written on the art of sugar flower making; LindySmith touches on this subject here, showing you how to make lifelike poppies and peonies, as well as fabric roses, blossoms and dahlias, and sim...

There is no better way to see America than on foot. And there is no better way to appreciate what you are looking at than with a walking tour. Whether you are preparing for a road trip or just out to look at your own town in a new way, a downloadable walking tour is ready to explore when you are.Each walking tour describes historical and architectural landmarks and provides pictures to help out when those pesky street addresses are missing. Every tour also includes a quick primer o...

“A profound, graceful, and literary work of philosophy and economics, well tempered for our times, and yet timeless. . . . It will change the way you look at the food you put into your body. Which is to say, it can change who you are.” — Boston GlobeFrom acclaimed author Barbara Kingsolver—recipient of numerous literary awards including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Humanities Medal, the Dayton Literary Peace Pr...