UMMMMM! I don't know what I was thinking when I requested this book; I believe I thought it was a craft book! Baking book is just as good! Happy mistake on my part! The recipes sound lovely! Not sure if the book will contain photos, the Kindle version didn't. But I am looking forward to trying out a few of them!

Hand Made by Melissa K Norris is useful for people who are just starting out to make things at home from scratch and want to save the time it takes to find good basic recipes. Instead of long trial and error, you can dive right in and be successful at replacing a variety of store bought food and other items with less expensive and higher quality ones made at home.
Several recipes in Melissa Norris' book are credited to other authors than herself. She put them in her book for a good reason: They are simple, inexpensive, and they work.
Two recipes that caught my eyes in the baking section were the recipe for flaky buttermilk biscuits with its detailed instructions and the recipe for a delicious carrot cake. The advice about cultivating yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, and sour cream is especially useful. I will definitely make the candles, something I have not made before.
After reading the introduction of the book, I was expecting more anecdotes about the Depression era and the author's experience growing up in a family that had to make ends meet on a restricted income. Melissa Norris' biblical references at times disrupt the flow of the book. But putting this aside, the recipes and tips in the book are good and practical.

Thank you so much to Harvest house publications via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of Hand Made by Melissa K. Norris.

It was a cookbook with a message and story behind their experiences in the kitchen. How Norris deals with life, family and food and i thought the introduction was beautifully done.

The recipes sound delightful and delicious and i cannot wait to try them!

We have already pre-ordered this book to have on hand when it comes out. It is chock full of recipes and ideas from the old homestead, but updated and modernized to be applicable today. We've followed Melissa's blog for a long time now, and she has great wisdom to pass on to others. She also does these video classes, which are excellent for kids and newbies, that would make a nice addition to your book purchase.

Don't read this book...BUY IT. There is so much information here, you will want to have it on hand to reference back to time and time again. There are recipes for everything from chocolate gravy (is that a thing?) to candles to soap. Find tips on simplifying and organization. Yes, there is some scripture and I found it thought provoking, but it isn't distracting if that's not your thing. If you read a lot of this type of book, there is a bit of duplicate information (as there often is), but I found so much good, new information, I recommend this without hesitation. Now I just need to find time to try all of the tips!!

This book is full of recipes and great ideas for homemaking. I enjoying reading about the things I know I will never do such as grind my own flour !! and I got some ideas for things to try myself. I liked hearing about the authors home and upbringing. This book does have lots of bible quotes and religious references but there is no reason why anyone who is not religious couldn't read it and just skim over those bits. A lovely homely book - thank you

Hand Made is not just a book of recipes although it does have plenty of them. Melissa shares memories from her childhood. She gives tips on simplifying your life, cooking from scratch, soap making, herbal solutions, money saving tips, tips on making the holidays special and much more. Although she did not grow up during the depression she had loved ones who passed on their stories and tips to her.

I had read her previous book The Made-from-Scratch Life and enjoyed it so I knew this book would be just as enjoyable. I follow her blog and listen to her podcast regularly.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harvest House Publishers for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. This book is due to be released on October 1, 2017 just in time to order and give as a Christmas gift to that special lady in your life.

Tons of recipes and the kind of homemade, handmade life I aspire to live when my time is once again my own. Lots of useful tips and ideas for starting small or big.

Wonderful book! Depression Era advice, pace, traditions and stories read with a romantic and nostalgic feel. I absolutely loved reading every bit of this book! A joy to read!