When I first imagined the book that eventually became Roots and Sky, I pictured an old-fashioned treasure, something like the books I seek out in thrift stores and used bookstores. I thought my stories would be interspersed with seasonal tips and recipes and nostalgic pen-and-ink illustrations.
Almost as soon as I began writing, I realized that the story I needed to tell was simpler and leaner. Those first four seasons at Maplehurst were more quiet and watchful than busy and industrious, and the book needed to reflect that.
But the idea of offering more – seasonal stories, tips, recipes, and beautiful illustrations – has never gone away.
This summer we will celebrate five years of cultivating home in this Victorian red-brick farmhouse.
I can’t think of a better way to mark that anniversary than by finally giving you the more I imagined so long ago. In fact, I plan to give you more (and more, and more, and more). I have four gifts planned, each one arriving with a new season.
First, summer.
In collaboration with the talented designer and illustrator Jennifer Tucker of Little House Studio, I’ve created four summer-themed pages from that book of my dreams. They are free for every one of my email subscribers to download and print.
One comes from my kitchen, one from my flower garden, one from my vegetable garden, and one from my bookshelves. Each page offers something practical and beautiful wrapped up in my own lyrical point of view.
I’m planning to print and frame mine, but they’ll do just as well tacked to a bulletin board or tucked into a garden journal or recipe box. Feel free to share this post with friends who might like to print their own.
Simply input your email address to the subscribe box below, and an email with a link for the download will be sent straight to you. If you are already a subscriber, check your inbox. Your link should be waiting for you.
Here are two things to remember:
One: Summer is fleeting, and so is this gift. Two weeks from today, the offer expires, and the prints will no longer be available.
Two: Autumn follows fast on summer’s heels, and my fall pages should appear some time in September.
P.S. Because I couldn’t decide which I loved best – full color or black-and-white – I’m giving you both. I am also giving you the recipe page in two color options. Feel free to choose one or print all. Enjoy!
thank you, thank you, thank you! this couldn’t have come at a better time~ to stop and reflect amidst all the chaos that is happening in my life now…God bless…
Bless you, Pam!
Thank You! The pages are beautiful!
Aren’t they lovely? Jenn Tucker is so talented. What a privilege it was to work with her on this.
What a sweet thing to do for us! Thank you! Reading about your purple green beans made me remember that I planted a purple Kohlrabi this year, just for the different color in the garden! I also read the book “The $64.00 Tomato” from a previous book recommendation, it was a fun read. Thanks again for sharing.
Purple Kohlrabi! I’d like to try that.
They are so delightful, Christie!
And I especially love the strawberry jam print. Strawberry freezer jam has a special place in my heart as it reminds me of my grandmother.
I’m so glad! And that one comes in two colors, as well as the black-and-white. I’m thinking I may frame that print for my kitchen.
Thank you Christie! Thinking of framing the jam one myself. It printed beautifully on stock paper.
Yay! And I hope you get a chance to try the recipe. I’ll be jam making myself later this week.
How lovely! Thank you!
You are so welcome, Beth! Enjoy.
Thank you Christie Such a lovely treat and I always look forward to reading your blog posts after discovering your book last summer.
Thank you, Annelisa! By the name “Roses and Rhubarb,” I’m guessing you love summer as much as I do.
Thank you so very much.
It has been my pleasure, Vicki.
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Linda, I added a subscribe button into the body of the blog post. See above. Hopefully that will make subscribing easier for everyone! Click the button to enter your name and address. Hope that helps.
Thank you for the lovely gifts. I look forward to reading your blog and the peacefulness of it. By the way, I am a friend and former classmate of your relative, Katherine Day Loftin, a real sweet person.
You are so welcome! Any friend of my dear Aunt Katherine is a friend of mine. 🙂
Thank you, Christie. These pages are so lovely, and I can’t wait to make the strawberry freezer jam ☺️
I saw an email from Little House Studio so I subscribed today… it’s late for the free pages? Thank you so much and blessings to you from Italy 😉
Welcome! I’m afraid the summer giveaway expired, but I have another one planned for September! I’ll be doing one each season this year. If you’re subscribed, you’ll be among the first to know.