Jennifer132 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 We built a house in the country (sort of). It sits on 13 acres and we have dreams of raising some animals, letting the kids roam free, etc. That said, both dh and I grew up urban/suburban, so we are learning as we go. Can anyone recommend (preferably a kindle version) a book that is somewhat of a rural living for dummies? For instance, what to do about mice or scorpions in the house, how to compost, what to do about seeing wild animals in the yard (coyote, snake, etc). We live in OK so not worried about any dangerous large animals like bear. Dealing with septic and well water, keeping the weeds down, etc. I know we are wet behind the ears, but I suppose everyone has to start somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Encyclopedia of Country Living: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1570618402/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1448654838&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=encyclopedia+country+living&dpPl=1&dpID=51NnBhytX5L&ref=plSrch (Sorry for annoying link, on my phone) It is apparently available as a kindle version, but I can't imagine it being as useful or easy to use, and I am a die-hard ebook lover. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharonM Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I have a big book with a large amount of topics. I don't live on the land, but remember the stuff from my childhood. This book is very interesting written by a woman who was doing it. She has passed on now, but I thought her stuff was right on. At least its a start. http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Country-Living-40th-Anniversary/dp/1570618402/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448654863&sr=8-1&keywords=country+living Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 oh my!! This book brings back so many memories. I bought this book when it came loose leaf with 3 Rings attached to keep it together. I think it was self-published and Ms. Emery mailed it to me herself. I *loved* that book... cherished it. Read and re-read just about every page. Dreamed and hoped.. but it was not to be. I have encorporated some of the things. I was busy making my own bread when I got that book and I remember loving her advice on bread-making and chicken keeping (which I used to own). But, I loved that book. Sigh. It got lost in a move or thrown away by accident (did I mention it is BIG). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I like Self Sufficiency for the 21st Century. I don't know if it's on Kindle; it's the type of tome that doesn't lend itself well to digital format. But I love that book. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy the Valiant Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 My grandmother gave me a very old copy of that book, and I loved it! (My copy is wicked old, and I think could use some heavy editing / indexing - I had a hard time finding things when I needed them, but maybe wasn't reading it correctly.) We have also found the homesteading books by Storey Publishing to be *very* useful. (Just put "homestead storey" into Amazon. They are written from a Massachusetts perspective - aka, cold winters.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndGenHomeschooler Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I have the Backyard Homesteading book by Story publishing and really like it. I feel like it gives a great overview of a bunch of different homesteading topics. I may have to put that other book on my Christmas wishlist. It looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 You might also like these dvds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingaway Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Storey also has one called Basic Country Skills. And I, too, enjoyed my time with The Encyclopedia of Country Living. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I don't know if bush fires are a problem where you are, but if so, educating yourself on that ought to be a top priority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Don't be afraid to ask at church, work, hardware/feed store. People will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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