We (my wife, 15-month old daughter, and I) are moving in the direction of minimizing our lives–which can be pretty difficult with a toddler and all her accouterments. Our other interests are around urban gardening/landscaping, and we're thinking about making our current house SMALLER this summer by tearing off a back sunporch that's just an energy drain/storage room.

Good luck with writing and building.

I am an avid reader, though these days, I gladly read textbooks (did you know there is an actual approved method for reading a math textbook?. Recent reads for me have included several educational based books. (Marcia Tate: Worksheets don't grow dendrites) I am also reading Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover.…now that I am out of college and making money!
Kerri-canning is a fun way to make sure you have plenty of food for winter! It is hot, can be a bit messy, but there is a definite gleam to the jars on the shelves. I would recommend, either Putting up the Harvest (old standby) or Canning and Preserving for Dummies.
I will be spending most of my summer up at the cabin, hoping to get some canning in myself-though without a garden it will be farmer's market produce. Extra hands will always be welcome, and learning while visiting is the best way!
BJ

I love thrillers, especially thrillers where the true detective is just a lay person and doesn't work for any law enforcement agency. If you know of a good thriller writer, I would love recommendations. Thank you.