New Releases by Laura C. Martin

A charmingly illustrated keepsake and guide to native, wild plants of North America. In this exquisitely detailed naturalist’s handbook, Laura C. Martin provides profiles of 85 wild plants and flowers found across North America, each accompanied by lovingly illustrated and charming watercolor paintings. With dozens of notes, arrows, and details, each chapter encourages the reader to look at the plants as a naturalist would—opening up a whole new way of seeing nature. Martin gives details on where the plants can be found, how they grow, how to identify them, and what natural properties they each have. The handbook features plants from across North America, including the Purple Coneflower, found along the East Coast from Quebec to Florida, and the Opuntia (prickly pear) cacti found in Mexico and America’s Southwest. In addition to the wildflower profiles, readers will find information on growing native plants, instructions for plant crafts, tips for conservation, and ideas for activities with children. They’ll also discover recipes for teas, herb mixes, tinctures, and salves using the plants described. Crafts and activities include making dyes, simple baskets, wreaths, and crowns. A Naturalist’s Book of Wildflowers is a gift book and field guide in one, with its treasure trove of handy information and beautiful colored drawings.

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This book is a fascinating history of tea and the spreading of tea throughout the world. Camellia sinensis, commonly known as tea, is grown in tea gardens and estates around the world. A simple beverage served either hot or iced, tea has fascinated and driven us, calmed and awoken us, for well over two thousand years. The most extensive and well-presented tea history available, Tea: The Drink that Changed the World tells of the rich legends and history surrounding the spread of tea throughout Asia and the West, as well as its rise to the status of necessity in kitchens around the world. From the tea houses of China''s Tang Dynasty (618-907,) to fourteenth-century tea ceremonies in Korea''s Buddhist temples'' to the tea plantations in Sri Lanka today, this book explores and illuminates tea and its intricate, compelling history. Topics in Tea: The Drink that Changed the World include: From Shrub to Cup: and Overview. History and Legend of tea. Tea in Ancient China and Korea. Tea in Ancient Japan. The Japanese Tea Ceremony. Tea in the Ming Dynasty. Tea Spreads Throughout the World. The British in India, China and Ceylon. Tea in England and the United States. Tea Today and Tomorrow. Whether you prefer green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, chai, Japanese tea, Chinese tea, Sri Lankan tea, American tea or British tea, you will certainly enjoy reading this history of tea and expanding your knowledge of the world''s most celebrated beverage.

Lose the sugar with recipes for sweet and savory treats that use only natural sweeteners and seasonal products: no white sugar, corn syrup, or chemical substitutes allowed. Celebrity chefs from across America contribute their favorite recipes to this unique collection, which offers suggestions for delicious dairy- and gluten-free treats, along with vegan and low-fat variations. And every recipe has been tested and re-tested to perfection. Plus, Laura Martin demystifies the art of substituting natural sweeteners for refined products, so readers can use these sure-fire alternatives in their own favorite dishes!

Discusses recycling and provides information and instructions for making art projects from a variety of recycled materials.

The writer and botanical illustrator presents fifty projects for creating botanical designs on tablecloths, napkins, pillows, lampshades, place mats, scarves, and greeting cards. Original.

Presents more than sixty projects made from natural materials that are available almost anywhere.

This guide shows how your gardening can sustain your spirit in new ways, whether you grow one fig tree on an apartment terrace, or five acres of wheat in the country. It may also help you realize, as never before, that for each fruit and vegetable associated with every holiday, there is a profound and sustaining reason.

"Offers heartwarming crafts, mouthwatering recipes, and pampering beauty products all created with items straight from her own Georgia garden that can also be grown in yours."--Jacket.

Texas gardening varies widely from semi-tropical coast to desert plain, from dense woods to prairie grassland. Drawing on a wide range of expert experience and advice, Martin provides detailed information on the agricultural zones, soil types, rainfall averages, growing seasons, and frost dates for all points on the map. In a lively question-and-answer format, she reveals the tips and tricks shared by both professionals and seasoned enthusiasts, covering such areas as: -- heirloom and organic gardens; -- landscape and garden design; -- fruits and vegetables; -- flowers, herbs, trees and shrubs; -- and native plants. Chock full of practical advice, helpful hints, and valuable resource lists, Texas Gardening is a must-read for all Texas gardeners.

Arranged by season, 60 easy but impressive projects provide wonderful ideas for gift-giving and home decorating throughout the year. Spring is the time to make violet jelly, or a bride''s book of flowers, or a dollhouse garden. In summer create bath bags and oils and baby baskets. Fall projects include peach bread, vegetable strings, and scented potholders, and for winter there are corn-shuck dolls, wreaths, and miniature terrariums. A special chapter tells how to plant a "useful" crafts garden. Each project is so well-illustrated and clearly described that even a novice will be rewarded with lovely results. And more experienced crafters will benefit from the author''s sensible advice and helpful shortcuts.

Covering eighty different animals, this volume includes legends, myths, and superstitions, as well as facts about the history, characteristics, and habitats of each animal

Describes the characteristics and range of a variety of common birds, and shares myths and folklore associated with each bird

In all, thirty gardens open to visitors are illustrated in 215 specialy commissioned, dazzling photographs and described in a lively, informative text.

Documenting the phenomenon that spans continents and generations, a volume featuring hundreds of illustrations of the collection, its creators, and collectors highlights the history of Precious Moments and reveals how collectors unite in a spirit of loving, caring, and sharing.

As a tribute to the gardening of a unique region this volume portrays 32 of the most celebrated gardens of the American South, ranging from the grand gardens of the Antebellum Plantations to strikingly simple, creative plantings of the modern era.

Provides descriptions, origins, growing instructions, and legends associated with various trees and shrubs.

The statistics are startling--one out of every ten women will be raped; one out of every four college women will be sexually assaulted. In A Life Without Fear, Laura Martin instructs women in how to prevent sexual attack, conquer feelings of helplessness, and cope with the trauma of assault.

No matter where you dwell, from desert to forest, this practical guide, now in its second edition, tells how to grow and maintain a gorgeous wildflower meadow. Detailed descriptions of more that 150 species of wildflowers are accompanied by lovely pen-and-ink botanical drawings.

A usable guide for cultivating wildflowers, Southern Wildflowers is also a beautiful gift for any nature lover. Each wildflower narrative is accompanied by an exquisite, full-color watercolor painting.

Laura Martin explores the history and mystery of more than 100 garden flowers, explaining how they got their names, where they came from, and their medicinal and culinary uses and sharing their legends, supersititions, and language. More than 100 pen-and-ink drawings and 6 pages of watercolor illustrations.