Bestselling author Barnes shares her gift of gracious hospitality with those longing to express kindness and joy in their home. This inspiring collection of advice and practical ideas makes a radiant gift for weddings, showers, and housewarmings.

“Easily the most thorough and best-grounded account of the coal-based system of heating in the nineteenth-century United States . . . authoritative.” —The New England Quarterly Home Fires tells the fascinating story of how changes in home heating over the nineteenth century spurred the growth of networks that helped remake American society. Sean Patrick Adams reconstructs the ways in which the “industrial hearth” appeared in American cities, the methods that entrepreneurs in home heating markets used to convince consumers that their product designs and fuel choices were superior, and how elite, middle-class, and poor Americans responded to these overtures. Adams depicts the problem of dwindling supplies of firewood and the search for alternatives; the hazards of cutting, digging, and drilling in the name of home heating; the trouble and expense of moving materials from place to place; the rise of steam power; the growth of an industrial economy; and questions of economic efficiency, at both the individual household and the regional level. Home Fires makes it clear that debates over energy sources, energy policy, and company profit margins have been around a long time. The challenge of staying warm in the industrializing North becomes a window into the complex world of energy transitions, economic change, and emerging consumerism. Readers will understand the struggles of urban families as they sought to adapt to the ever-changing nineteenth-century industrial landscape. This perspective allows a unique view of the development of an industrial society not just from the ground up but from the hearth up. “This smartly written and well-informed book focuses on a subject that very few people think about—the history of home heating in America.” —Choice

Ashleigh Levin knows exactly how to appeal to a younger generation of would-be cooks, first timers venturing on their own in the kitchen, who want to impress their loved ones and friends with delicious meals that don’t require a formal culinary training to achieve. At the same time, competent cooks will find a wealth of ideas to inspire even the most jaded of palates. Ashleigh’s own love affair with food started in her grandmother’s kitchen when she was about the same height as the kitchen table. As she says of one occasion, ‘In that second of pancake-fuelled ecstasy, I saw for the very first time the utter perfection of food and its ability to bring people you love together...’ With her conversational writing style, in Home Cooked & Heart Warming Ashleigh will take you on a journey that’s filled with memories, delicious flavours, lots of butter and the freedom to try your own tweaks, to make sure the recipes work for you, and never forgetting a relaxing glass of wine to accompany it all. The titles of the recipes are evocative and tell you all you need to know or tease you to try out an intriguing idea, for instance Restorative butternut and ginger soup with chickpea sprinkles, Fall-apart lamb, My mother’s sticky chicken, Dirty ballerina Pavlova and Sunday funday martinis.

More emails, HR run-ins, and other humor from the author of The Internet is a playground.

This book does more than just explain the benefits of low-energy dwellings (lower power bills and more comfortable surroundings) and how average Australians can achieve them. It inspires and encourages the reader with examples of beautiful and comfortable homes that are energy-efficient and immensely livable. Illustrated throughout with photos, sketches and plans (including a colour section), all the examples are Australian from all our different climatic zones.

Includes 11 timeless yet fresh designs.

Wrap up, cuddle in, and snuggle under--indulge in the best of what quilts bring! In this sequel to her bestselling book Simple Blessings, Kim Diehl is back to share more of her signature style in an all-new collection of charming, comforting quilts. Create 14 traditionally inspired quilts in a variety of sizes to warm any room of your home Learn Kim's clever technique for achieving a hand-sewn look with machine applique Find "Pin Points" tip boxes throughout, filled with helpful hints

Frederick is a demon. Born in Maryland in the early 1980's, he hasn't a clue where he came from or why, but feels an irresistible desire to occupy a human body. Once inside, he finds the previous occupants' consciousness and memories forever erased, an inevitable side effect that gives Frederick pause when switching bodies, but not so much as to truly halt his ongoing enjoyment of human lives. In various bodies, he travels the world for decades--aimless--sampling cultures and experiencing life from the points of view of males, females, young, old, rich, poor. Now, Frederick has an urge to return to his roots in America, explore the mystery of his origin, find someone to love, and settle down for a while. In his hometown, his mission bears fruit much faster than he expected, as person after person presents themselves, and following his impulses, he is lead directly to love, tragedy, answers, and the humanity he never knew he wanted.

*** VIDEO SERIES INCLUDED WITH BOOK *** "From an authoritative source, this book provides both information and inspiration for how to make your home part of the solution to our great climate crisis. It will get you thinking - and then get you moving ahead!" -Bill McKibben, Author of The End of Nature If you spend more than $500 a year for utilities then this book is for you! Follow the design and building of four Net Zero homes, learn and understand the simple principles they use to make their houses so comfortable and affordable. About the Author: "Wes is very enthusiastic and passionate about his work. Together, with his dedication to energy efficient building practices and his understanding of the practical obstacles builders face result in a better product for consumers in New Hampshire." AN - NH Public Utilities Commission "His insight into the complex issues associated with the entire energy field is an extreme asset to the task at hand. He approaches everything with a respect for the history of how the energy field has evolved and with measured reflection of the future." TG - Lakes Region Community College "Wes has a knack for making complex material easy for us non-science people to understand" Student - LRCC What Homeowners are saying about their net-zero homes: "The most comfortable house I have ever lived in. It Is comfortable year round." MM - Newmarket, NH "I haven't had a sinus headache since I moved in." RH - Canterbury, NH "My wife used to have six asthma attacks a year. She hasn't had any in the two and a half years we've lived here." JB - Barrington, NH "We've spent under $1500 for utilities in the past two years and got more than $600 back from renewable energy credits." KH - Canterbury, NH Whether you own your own home or are thinking of building or renovating, this book and video series is packed with practical ideas for you that work. TheEnergyGeek.org