Hand Made: The Modern Guide To Made From Scratch Living by Melissa K. Norris

• ISBN-10: 0736969675
• ISBN-13: 978-0736969673
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (October 1, 2017)

What it's all about ... 

Homemade Shouldn't Be Hectic

Do you wish you could slow down and create a home you and your family love and enjoy spending time in? Melissa K. Norris, author of The Made-from-Scratch Life and voice of the Pioneering Today podcast, offers down-to-earth tips and guidance to help you learn how to...

• bake old-fashioned recipes (everything from biscuits to shepherd's pie) with quick, stress-free steps
• grow, harvest, and preserve culinary and medicinal herbs (with DIY tutorials for soaps, salves, and balms)
• make your own cultured and fermented foods at home following simple instructions for buttermilk, sour cream, sourdough, and more
• simplify your routine and declutter your home with room-by-room guides and Depression-era wisdom

Open your heart to God-given rest and discover practical and tangible ways you can craft your home into a refuge for yourself and the ones you love.

Home Made is chock full of practical advise that has something for every lifestyle  be it living in the country, the city, apartment living or Tiny Home living. This truly is one of the most practical, informative and delightful books I have read in a long time!

The author's focus on finding balance in all areas of life (home, work, family, faith in God) is inspirational. She's a regular Mom, wife, woman trying to juggle a family, full time work while providing a home that lovingly supports herself, family and nurtures her faith in God. 

My favorite Things about this book? 

Ms. Norris' writing style ~ it wasn't preachy ... she shared her triumphs and failures, the lessons she learned on the way and her faith in God so openly that I honestly felt like I was at my kitchen table, sipping a cup of coffee and chatting with a friend!

I love her stories and references  to the Great Depression era. That generation sure knew how to improvise, make do, go without the extras and make things stretch as far as they could possibly go.  Each tip  from that era and the stories that go with it touched my heart and inspired me.  Here's an example of one tip that I would  never have dreamed of ...       

Starchy potato water can be substituted for milk when making bread. Who knew? You'll find so MANY more of these wonderful tips and "how to's" throughout this book! 

Home Made is one of the BEST books I've read on going back to the basics and blending "the old fashioned ways" with today's life.  The tips are fantastic and there is such a wealth of knowledge with in his book that I  know I will be using it for a lifetime. I plan on gifting this book to some of my friends who have wanted to get more back to the basics. I know they're going to love it! 

5 Stars!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Norris and as well as Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley  for the opportunity to read and review this book.