Home Made Simple: Fresh Ideas to Make Your Own
When RFT got the opportunity to review Home Made Simple: Fresh Ideas to Make Your Own, we knew exactly who we wanted to as a reviewer, RFT’s own crafty artist-in-residence, Lana Mulder.
Lana is one of those people who is creative about everything she does from cooking to sewing to weaving to gardening. This is her take on Home Made Simple:
This is my first introduction to the Home Made Simple brand, which includes a TV show, website, and newsletter and now this book, Home Made Simple: Fresh Ideas to Make Your Own.
This is a basics reference book about organizing, decorating, entertaining, gardening, and more. It runs a gamut of ideas for the home that’s fun and interesting, but, the book keeps it “simple.” Don’t go to this book for an in-depth study of any of these subjects.
If you are looking for a way to get organized — whether in your office, with housework, or in any aspect of your home — this book gives you ideas and charts to get you started and make the process easier. I liked the charts and I’d consider using them to make housework easier and less time-consuming.
It is also a reference book if you need to remember where a particular fork should be put in a place setting, how to fold a napkin, and many other subjects.
I tried one of the recipes, the “Quick and Delicious Mousse.” It was easy to prepare, but I’d make it in small custard cups or shot glasses with a berry or two rather than the larger serving size they suggest. (I have friends who could and would and eat the full serving size!)
This book includes a little something for everyone, especially in the recipe section. Some recipes include refrigerated biscuit dough for cooks looking for convenience. There are also recipes for making your own bread and pizza dough. Vegetarian recipes often include tips on how to adapt dishes for those who prefer meat.
They also include many projects for veteran do-it-your-selfers and those who want to try their hand at do-it-your-self projects.
The projects and recipes in the book are clear and concise and include tips with options you might want to try. I especially enjoyed the book because I like ideas. For me, many of the ideas are just starting points that I can I can further develop and on put my own spin.
Real bottom line: Home Made Simple is a great book for stimulating ideas and creates a great jumping off point to explore your own creativity, whether it’s in the kitchen or other places in your home.
—Review by Lana Mulder, RFT Contributor
