Maryjane's Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook: For the Farmgirl in All of Us

It's hard to really look through this book because the spine is split. I have to sit at the table to flip the pages. So the low review is for the condition. Otherwise, the contents seems quite nice.

Good Book and the one I received was in a great shape! Love it.

First I want to say of "jefffsdate's" negative review: Get a clue! I grew up in small town Texas and though there were a very few Mexican people, we generally had no "people of color". Ever been to Idaho? Not many people of color running around there either, nor are there where I live now in a rural area on the east coast. Also, duh! The magazine was made to be a product catalog which is clearly stated. Aside from that comment, I want to say this book is lovely. I identified strongly with it. I am multiracial too. Imagine that! The photos, the ideas, the feel, everything reminded me of my country small town upbringing. I've ordered many of MaryJane's products and she and her husband answer the phone on occassion. Nothing I've ordered from MaryJanes Farm hasn't been wonderful.

This book was not what I expected, it was so much more!! This is a gorgeous book fit for the coffee table. After reading it, rereading it and referencing it several times, I am hard put to decide where to keep it on the shelf in the library. It could easily go with the cookbooks, gardening, farming, etc. I finally just put it by itself where it's easy to find since I refer back to it so often. This book has wonderful ideas, great recipes and many helpful hints. It is also worth the money just for the glimpse into Mary Jane's life. I can't wait for her next book.

I like to be sure of a few things before buying a pricey book like this one: Is it full of useful content? Is it pretty to look at? Is it big? Yes to all of those regarding this book! It is full of useful content such as recipes (my one problem with the book is that many of the recipes require an ingredient purchase from Mary Jane) and craft projects and many little reads that make my heart feel warm and fuzzy. It is pretty to look at...no, make that breathtaking. Mary Jane's farm is in Moscow, Idaho, which is very near Gold Hill, Idaho, where my father grew up. I love to visit the family's homestead site, with the nearby one-room schoolhouse and tiny church. Mary Jane's photographs bring me back to Gold Hill each time I look at them. And, yep, the book is big, with 416 pages of 8-1/2 by 11" paper. I've only had the book for a few days but already I am loving it. It will make a wonderful gift for the women in my life who love the home and garden as I do. by Lori Seaborg

This is not only a great resource...but it is inspiring...beautifully illustrated...took me on a journey of what is really important in life..to simplify...experience and create.

I believe that I first heard of MaryJane from the Food Network's "Food Finds" show. Intrigued, I checked out her website, and ordered a few products, along with an issue of her magazine. I was pleased with what I received and ordered more of both. And when I heard that she would be coming out with a book, I put it on my wish list before it was published...but then I sort of forgot about it. Recently, I was perusing my wish list, looking for an item to fill up an order so that it would qualify for free shipping, and I spied this book. It was considerably more than I needed to spend, but for some reason, it felt right. So I ordered it, not knowing exactly what to expect -- would it just be a rehash of the magazine? How can something be an "Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook"? Having received it, now all I can say is "WOW"! I am definitely more than pleased with my purchase. While not an exhaustive report on any one subject, it is overflowing with tidbits about such a variety of topics that I am truly amazed. And I can see why it was named "Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook". MaryJane touches on everything from her daughter's beautiful farm wedding, to ways to easily sprout seeds, to a how-to on building your own "wall tent", to vintage embroidery patterns for kitchen towels. There's a primer for most of the basic stitches in sewing. There are recipes and reminiscences. Advice on cutting kindling. Vacation ideas. Breathtaking photos. And most importantly, there is inspiration. If you want to buy a few acres and start your own farm, this book gives you some ideas to explore. If you want to sell your produce, this book gives you sources for supplies. If you want the best garden hoe, the best food dehydrator, the purest jam -- this book tells you where to go. And if you're just a "farmgirl" at heart, this book feels like your best friend. There are so many tidbits tucked here and there throughout the book that I imagine that most people would find something to pique their interest. As a matter of fact, when I was flipping through the book, trying to find an item I had seen before and wanted to share with my husband, he stood over my shoulder, repeatedly stopping me when he spotted something that caught his eye. Trust me, that usually doesn't happen. Our reading interests don't often overlap. (But I'm pretty sure I could talk him into building a wall tent now!) All in all, if you're at all interested in this topic, I really don't think you could go wrong with this book.