Home, Garden, and DIY
January 2020
Sign up for our first ever
Winter Reading Challenge
to be rewarded for the reading you already do!
 
 
Recent Releases
Skillet Love: From Steak to Cake, More Than 150 Recipes in One Cast-Iron Pan
by Anne Byrn

What's inside: 150 beautifully photographed recipes, ranging from appetizers to desserts, made in the affordable, versatile cast-iron skillet.

Don't miss: historical details about the pan, ten principles of cooking with them, and tips on selecting and caring for them.

Recipes include: Queso Fundido; Easy Garlic Skillet Knots; Vegetarian Paella; Dotty's Chicken-Fried Steak; Georgia Burnt Caramel Cake. 
Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking
by Toni Tipton-Martin

What's inside: historical details plus 125 newer recipes often matched with older ones from African American cookbooks, all pulled together by the author of the James Beard Award-winning The Jemima Code.

Recipes include: Sweet Potato Biscuits with Ham; Crab Cakes; Chicken and Dumplings; Braised Celery; Quick Eggnog; Pralines; Fruit Fritters. 

Award buzz: Jubilee was named one of The New York Times' and NPR's best cookbooks of 2019.
On Flowers: Lessons from an Accidental Florist
by Amy Merrick

What it is: a thoughtful, charming, and unique debut by florist and author Amy Merrick, who focuses on the beauty of flowers and floral designs no matter their setting -- rural or urban, winter or summer, fancy or humble. 

What's inside: instructions for selecting flowers for cutting; choosing vases and flower holders; tips for creating pleasing proportions; details on caring for and watering arrangements; inspiring photos; delightful sidebars such as "How to Make Cheap Flowers Look Expensive."

Don't miss: stories and observations from her travels to Japan, England, and New Hampshire; her list of museums for flower lovers.
Maangchi's Big Book of Korean Cooking: From Everyday Meals to Celebration Cuisine
by Maangchi with Martha Rose Shulman

What it is: the acclaimed, user-friendly second book by YouTube star Maangchi, which offers 150 well-photographed recipes and includes helpful, highly detailed chapters on shopping and Korean cooking techniques as well as a section on vegan Buddhist Temple dishes.

Recipes include: Barley Rice Bibimbap; Kimchi Stew; Soy Butter Pan-Grilled Chicken; Fluffy Pine Nut Rice Cake; Bread Rolls; Honey Cookies.

This title is also available as an e-book! 
The Weaving Explorer: Ingenious Techniques, Accessible Tools & Creative Projects with...
by Deborah Jarchow and Gwen W. Steege

What's inside: step-by-step instructions for over 30 customizable projects for all different skill levels using a variety of techniques and materials (including paper and wire); lovely color photographs; tips for success for each project; spotlights on acclaimed artists.

Projects include: God's Eye; Delicate Dorset Buttons; Patchwork Pin-Loom Scarf; Biased Hemp Washcloth; Twinned Parachute Cord Mat.

Don't miss: instructions for building your own small loom. 
 
Cozy Comfort
Craft Coffee: A Manual 
by Jessica Easto; illustrations by Morgan Krehbiel

What it is: a charmingly illustrated, accessible, and thorough guide to making delicious coffee at home.

What's inside: brewing basics (including tips about grind size, water, and temperature), how to choose hardware (kettles, grinders, and full-immersion devices, oh my!), details about coffee beans (different varieties, decaffeination, etc.), and where and how to buy supplies.

Want a taste? "Coffee should not be mysterious."

This title is also available as an e-book!
Eat Joy: Stories & Comfort Food from 31 Celebrated Writers
by Natalie Eve Garrett

What it is:  A collection of illustrated, personal essays about comfort foods from 31 celebrated literary writers, including Lev Grossman and Carmen Maria Machado

What it's about:  writings and recipes reveal how certain dishes helped authors cope with dark times and pain
Cozy Stash-Busting Knits: 22 Patterns for Hats, Scarves, Cowls & More
by Jen Lucas

What's inside:  Offers heavier-weight-yarn projects in a light and beautiful style, including ideas for snuggly and trendy hats, shawls, mitts, mittens, scarves and cowls designed for crafters' favorite DK, worsted and bulky yarns.

So helpful:  Easy tips make converting patterns to different yarn weights effortless.  Projects feature a variety of textured stitches, including cables and lace.
Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff
by Myquillyn Smith

What's inside: a chatty look at creating an uncluttered yet cozy space using the author's home as a model, plus personal anecdotes, tips on finding your style, and the proper order to do things (hint: sort out seating first). 

Don't miss: the appendices, which offer the "Cozy Minimalist home recipe" and before-and-after pictures of the author's family room.

Who it's for: fans of the author's popular Nesting Place blog; readers who'd appreciate the occasional references to Christianity; those who need help getting started.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
Carrollton Public Library
1700 Keller Springs Road, Carrollton Texas 75006
4220 North Josey Lane, Carrollton Texas 75010