Domestic Porn

Books:my source of power.

I have a confession to make: I am addicted to how-to books. Those glossy pictures lure me in, keeping my eyes glued to the page. The text tantalizing me with its promise that yes, I too can do the impossible. Curious and thrilled, I linger. My heart is filled with longing, lust for it to be mine...all mine.

Domestic porn, that's what it is. Be it cookbooks, decorating magazines, or crafting guides. Fortunately, unlike the other sort, this kind of pornography doesn't poison your mind. True, it has been known to befuddle my senses, blasting any pretense I have at practicality to bits. I stash yarn like a squirrel hordes nuts (hiding just how much yarn I have from my long-suffering husband), and there's that one time I set my arm hairs on fire. Mostly though, my love of domestic porn books has led me down some healthy and happy paths. My life, and my family's, is richer for it.

Mr. Tilney: striking fear in students' hearts with his knit toque.

Every now and then Mr. Tilney- silly, darling man- says "You know you don't have to make everything, right?" To which I  respond "Well yes. But why buy something when you can make it yourself?"

Why indeed? For the first four years of our marriage we were in university. By the time we were done school we had two little babies (Jared and Seth). One of the only things we had in abundance was our student loans, and a first-year teacher's salary barely covered our needs, let alone the wants.

I got the inspiration for this cake here, but a book gave me the recipe.

Learning how to make and do things began as my quest to not only stretch out our scanty dollars, but to bring us a feeling of luxury. Books held my hand as I learned how. First, it was cooking. Hard to feel deprived when you're eating homemade bread fresh from the oven. Not only are there some gorgeous cookbooks out there, but they taught me how to make food delicious food too. That was the nudge that sent me tumbling down the rabbit hole. One thing has led to another, and it's so wonderfully fun down here why on Earth would I ever want to climb out?

Books are the key. I wanted something cute and fabulous for my new baby without breaking the bank? I knit him pirate booties. Ever tried homemade grape jelly? It's amazing. We grow the most scrumptious potatoes, and we all know the delights of sunflowers. Homemade toys have something special about them that a store-bought one can never duplicate. Hand knit socks are the ultimate bliss for your feet, and the occasional piece of clothing made just for you is a treasure.

Oh lalylala, your crochet patterns are the best!

Not that I make everything, but I like to do what I can carve out the time for. There's a thrill that comes with trying something new, of making and doing something for yourself. It's one of  the healthiest highs that  I know.

Want to try something yourself? Always longed to do this or that? It is possible. Books are your road map of how to get there.

What do you want to try? Tell me in the comments below, and I'll find you a good title to get you started!

Until next time, happy exploring the wide and wonderful world of books everybody!

~K