The Old Farmer's Almanac

We buy this every year for my mother-in-law. It's amazing. I can't believe that the weather is more accurate than the weather channel. Maybe I should send one to those people. Anyway, she loves the gift.

This fascinating book makes a great stocking stuffer. I got four for the price of three and free shipping as well. You can't beat that, I'm sure!

I have purchased this every year for 25+ years. I can't imagine planting my garden without it. I love the articles they put in every year as well, very entertaining. I can't wait for the last of September each year to get an idea on the weather for the upcoming year.

I await the publication of each year's "The Old Farmer's Almanac." First, I enjoy checking out the weather forecast. Second, there are always quirky special articles worth looking at. And this year's version is no different! The weather? This is something closely associated with this publication. Pages 80-81 features (a) a weather map depicting, in broad strokes, winter and summer weather. For central Pennsylvania, the winter looks to be cool and dry; summer, likewise, cool and dry. And (b) a brief narrative on what the weather looks like. Nice point: "How accurate was our forecast last winter?" The evaluation, they claim, is pretty good (although I wonder about those who examine their own predictions!). Later (e.g., page 208), there is a more detailed analysis, region by region, for the United States. The slice of Americana from Elmira New York to Asheville, NC contains central Pennsylvania. Overall prediction? "Winter will be slightly colder and drier than normal, with below-normal snowfall." A couple other features to illustrate the contents. . . . Starting on page 162, we have an article "Better than barebones cooking." The focus is the use of bones in cooking, such as use of bones in making stock. There is a nice recipe for a basic meat stock, complete with all the ingredients needed. One of the chores that my brother and I did when we lived on a farm was clearing manure from the pig pens. Not one of my favorite tasks! There is in this edition of the "Almanac," an article on green versus animal manure. More than most of us want to know! Still, a nicely wrought little essay for those interested in the subject. So, again, this annual publication does what it does. I enjoyed going through this little book one more time!

After many years of not purchasing, I bought the newest edition of the Farmer's Almanac. I was planning to start gardening more this coming year and this is indispensable with great gardening tips, like planting dates, etc. Make sure you check out the Farmer's Almanac company website, because they will let you download a free gardener's guide. This is one of those great American publications that has stood the test of time; it's like buying a little piece of history. And how else can you get great reading entertainment for an entire year for less than $10? Conclusion: Recommended, of course!