Reminder

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a free Envirosax bag!

You want one. Really bad. Trust me.

Trust Pocket.

Book Review and a Book Giveaway!

I have been the happy recipient of some really great books lately. Skyhorse Publishing sent me one of their latest books: The Joy of Hobby Farming by Michael and Audrey Levatino, my husband got me My Bread by Jim Lahey for my birthday, and Newman Communications sent me the whimsical and somewhat educational book Fart Without Fear.  The bread book will have to wait for me to delve into its recipes until we're in homestead number two and i can get my hands on a used heavyweight pot, but i quickly consumed the hobby farming book and have this review to offer. Stay tuned to the end of this post for your chance to win a copy of Fart Without Fear- a great coffee table/ cook book for the budding chef, or anyone willing to laugh while they cook.

From the beginning to the end, The Joy of Hobby Farming struck a chord and had my full attention. It's not just a coffee table book with pretty pictures and cursury summaries of various livestock or crops. TJOHF has some really useful information between its covers, as well as pretty pictures. I think my favorite parts of the book were the 2nd and 3rd chapters which addressed the basics of searching for your farm, choosing the location, pouncing on the right property, and what to invest in/ how to establish your own hobby farm. By the way, when we speak of hobby farming, we're talking about living sustainably, turning perhaps a small profit, and farming more for the pleasure than for subsistence. A hobby farmer has another means of income. A hobby farmer is less in debt to the weather and trends, but rather can roll with the punches and just enjoy the act of farming, while enjoying the fruits of their labor and perhaps some extra income from time to time.

This is exactly what we want to accomplish. We want to feed ourselves and we'd like a little extra. We'd like to take our time, earn most of our money elsewhere and enjoy a life in the country. I think this book has helped me gain a better perspective on what we're up against. The Joy of Hobby Farming also addresses some business information with recommendations on how to run a farmers market stand, build a pond, even how to pay your taxes properly.

There are also brief chapters on raising various livestock and growing vegetable and flower gardens. I found these sections less helpful. For one: the authors are vegetarians and raise their animals for companionship and compost. I personally don't really see the point of this: if i'm going to have a flock of chickens, i'd like it to propagate itself and feed me some meat along with the delicious eggs. I think that living sustainably includes utilizing every part of my livestock, including their meat, bones, and hides. My cute goat babies will be destined as future milkers, sales, or dinner. I plan on utilizing every edible thing on our farm, including the animals, and not just for their glorious composting poo. I'll certainly enjoy the compost my critters give me, but i'll be enjoying their meat and milk as well. I have respect for the authors' decision, but it's not for me.  The chapters on vegetables were decent, but didn't tell me much i didn't already know. That being said, they'd be good reads for folks with a bit less experience.

Overall, i highly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to my friends and readers. At $14.95 it's not the cheapest read, but not the spendiest either. More than just a coffee table book, The Joy of Hobby Farming is chock full of great info and advice, and even some cute photos of a certain short tailed/legged pet of the authors' (yes, i love corgis).

And now, for the GIVEAWAY!   I'm happy to pass along my copy of Fart Without Fear to one lucky reader.

Fart Without Fear: Comfort Food for Uncomfortable Times is the world’s first laugh-out-loud, instantly useable, self-improvement comfort food cookbook. Find out what uptight politically correct chefs, nutritionists and scientists have known for years but haven’t told you. Think fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, and Boston baked beans; this cookbook for everyone includes more than 70 low- to no-odor producing comfort food recipes. Complete with a unique rating system, favorite recipes, special menus, and fun facts, Fart Without Fear will show you how to eliminate odors but not the flatulence caused by your family favorites - all without sacrificing the flavor, joy and fun they evoke.

As i mentioned before, this book DOES make a great coffee table book, but also has some really good recipes and science inside. The writing is whimsical and humorous. The beginning of the book is all about why food gives us unpleasant gas, and how you can change up certain recipes to be less, um, fragrant, shall we say?  There are natural emissions, and there are noxious fumes - this book helps you prepare your recipes deliciously while avoiding the latter result.

Rules: To enter this giveaway simply comment below with your favorite bean dish. I'm looking to expand my bean repertoire, and would love to hear your favorites.
For a bonus entry maybe tell us an embarrassing story about some poorly timed 'body emissions'? No pressure, but we'd love the laugh.

Hey, everybody poops, right? Well, everybody farts too! Comment below to get your hands on this silly book. Residents of the USA only, please. Be sure to provide contact info in your profile or comment so that i can find you when i choose the winner. Winner will be chosen the evening of Friday the 13th of May.

TWO GIVEAWAYS! Value up to $75!!!

You may remember that as a childrens book illustrator, I also specialize in wall art and decor for children's rooms. I work with each of my clients from sketch to final art to create a completely personalized treasure that will last  a lifetime. Today, I would like to offer my readers a coupon for 1/2 off any sized original illustration from me, and a GIFT CERTIFICATE from CSN Stores to boot!

These 11x14 originals were commissioned for very special kiddos. 11x14 artwork costs $120 with FREE SHIPPING.

I will choose two winners: One lucky follower will receive an online gift certificate for $45 at any of CSN's jazillion of stores (they're like Amazon, they have everything. Seriously)   and a coupon for 25% off any sized original illustration from Miranda R. Mueller Illustration. A second winner will receive 50% off an original illustration. Both Illustration coupons will be valid until June 13th 2011. You're also not limited to commissioning a piece for a nursery or bedroom, perhaps you have an anniversary coming up and want to get your sweety an extra special card? Or maybe you'll be attending a wedding soon: personalized art in commemoration of the couple's special day is a fantastic gift idea! Use the coupons for yourself or give them as gifts.

A sweet 8x10 for two love birds on their wedding day. 8x10s cost $65

FOUR chances to enter:

1. Become a follower of An Austin Homestead or "Like" us on Facebook. Already a follower? Great! Leave a comment letting me know.
2. Submit a comment below with your favorite reason to commission original art: Decorate a child's room? A pet portrait? A wedding gift? Baby shower gift? Personalized holiday cards?
3. Visit MirandaRMueller.com and pick your favorite illustration, leave a comment with the link.
4. Visit CSNStores.com and pick an item you'd buy with your $45 gift certificate, leave a comment with the link.

Hot dog, that's a lot of ways to enter to win a potential value of $75 bucks! Please do not exceed 4 comments, but please do tell your friends and feel free to post on any applicable forums.

***ONE MORE CHANCE TO WIN: refer anyone to my blog and receive a bonus entry. Be sure and tell them to leave your handle in their comment. 

And last but not least, congratulations to Marigold and Bohemian Beetnik for being my swap winners! Not as many people participated as i'd have liked, but i'm really looking forward to trying your goodies and sharing mine with you. And on second thought: I really want my chooks to try out Nature Girl's treat and i'd like her recipe, so though Pocket picked numbers 2 and 3, what the heck: i'll swap with number 1 too! Be sure and email me with your contact info and your preference for what you'd like to swap and i'll get your goody in the mail.

Without further ado: let the contest entries begin! You know you want to win cool stuff - who doesn't?

Giveaway Time! Cousin Leroy's BBQ Sauces!

I mentioned last week that i would be doing a fun giveaway of a great local product: Cousin Leroy's BBQ Sauces. Cousin Leroy sells (and samples!) his sauce at our Urban Farmers Market at 5109 Manchaca in Austin, TX every Saturday 10 - 3. I just love the mustard mop on some freshly fried chicken wings (i know, not exactly my usual healthy fare) and have used his seasonal Asian Sauce to cook a most delicious salmon fillet. His sauces are all great for marinading, dipping, or slathering on meat and veggies alike.  Don't miss out on this opportunity for a taste of some delicious, local flavor blended to perfection by the fastidious foodie, Cousin Leroy.

What's in the box for the lucky follower:

A taste of Cousin Leroy's BBQ Sauces. Leroy has hand selected the three following sauces: In this gift box is the excellent Spicy, the Mustard Mop and his newest sauce The Texan. Leroy offers these sauces with that " Kick In The Mouth Flavor " that you will find in all of the Cousin Leroys products. This product is made in Austin and carries a proud Texas tradition of quality ingredients and service.

How to win:

Enter this giveaway by "liking" Cousin Leroy OR An Austin Homestead on Facebook, or if you're not a Facebook user simply become a follower of An Austin Homestead. After you've liked or followed, submit a comment below with an idea you have for using Cousin Leroy's sauces. If you're already a follower, that's great! Just be sure and mention that along with your great serving idea. Tell your friends - this giveaway is not to be missed.
I will choose the winner this Friday, so get your comments in!

These sauces can be shipped anywhere within the lower 48 in the USA, so enter now to get your gift basket in time for the holidays! Delicious local Austin flavor at it's finest!

Review: Kong Wobbler and an Upcoming Giveaway!

Pocket and I were recent recipients of a great package from CSN Stores that included a Kong Treat Dispensing Disk, a Life Jacket (for Pocket) and a Kong Wobbler. I'd hoped to get out on the water two weekends ago to test out the jacket, but my husband broke our air blower and the inflatable kayak is useless without compressed air.  Alas.

BUT i've had success with the Wobbler, so here are a few photos and a short review written by miss Pocket Muffington Rommel:

 Pocket writes:

I really enjoy my new Kong Wobbler. It says on the packaging that it is meant for dogs 25 pounds or larger. I'm only 17 pounds, but enjoy this sucker just fine. Maybe it's due to my superior conformation to other tall, skinny dogs. The wobbler reminds my mom of toys she used to play with as a kid in the 80s that would topple over but not fall down - she can't remember what they were called. If i push it over it springs right back up, and i can't pick it up and dump it out like i can my usual favorite toy: an empty Gatorade bottle full of kibble/treats. Mom fills my Wobbler with kibble or dog biscuits and i have a great time trying to get it out. I'm kind of a finnicky eater though, and will often dump the kibble all over the house and then just leave it there. (I secretly enjoy watching the mice come out and eat the kibble when mom leaves me home alone in my crate - ah, sweet revenge). She doesn't enjoy cleaning it up, but our hens like to eat it too so it works out. I'd recommend this toy to any dog that really enjoys eating, eats too fast and needs to be slowed down, or who needs some extra mind stimulation. Buy it now at CSN Stores! It's only ten dollars!

Well, thank you, Pocket for that great guest post. While she was typing i just discovered a seriously amazing website. I think i still own about half of these toys. Can't believe they only made 'My Child' dolls for three years! If you're a kid or a mom of a kid from the 80s, totally look at that website. Blast to the past. Still can't remember what those little toys were called though. Send a comment if you remember.

And FINALLY: a teaser! Leroy of Cousin Leroy's Sauces has generously offered to host a giveaway here at An Austin Homestead! My booth is usually right next to his aromatic canopy at our market at 5109 Manchaca every Saturday. He's always generous enough to cook us up something delicious and you will not be disappointed if you win a jar of his sauce. He offers up a delicious and versatile mustard mop (my current favorite), two barbecue sauces, and also creates seasonal favorites, like the asian sauce i used a few weeks ago to grill the PERFECT salmon fillet. They're all perfect for marinating and for dipping in and make great ingredients to dishes like meatloaf, roasted cabbage, or hot wings! Versatility at its yummiest! I will start the giveaway next Monday, including all the details for what he'll be donating and how many winners will be chosen. In the meantime check out Leroy's Facebook page - and salivate over these sauces:

 Leroy's sauces are delicious and versatile - but the reason i offered him this giveaway is his commitment to quality and fresh ingredients. He uses no nasty chemicals or high fructose things, avoids sugar as much as possible, spends hours upon loving hours perfecting the recipes and textures, and is as local as it comes for me - a few miles away. He does ship across the USA, so readers from across the country are welcome to enter the giveaway.

Don't forget to visit next monday for your chance to win - entries will be based on comments here and 'likes' of his facebook fan page.