In these trying economic times, there's an increased desire to simplify our lives. Enter Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life by Jenna Woginrich from Storey Publishing.

In a world of mass-produced food, factory-stitched clothing, 300-channel cable television, and computer-centric desk jobs, it’s easy to overlook the simple pleasures of eating homegrown vegetables, raising animals naturally and humanely, wearing hand-sewn clothing, or enjoying an evening of unplugged entertainment.
Inspired by her growing admiration for small farmers and her growing distaste for rampant consumerism, 26-year-old web designer Jenna Woginrich decided to take control of her life — what she ate, what she wore, and how she spent her free time. Learn a few basic country skills, she reasoned, and she would be able to produce at least some of the food and other resources she used every day. Goodbye, prepackaged food; hello, homesteading.

This book is a very pretty little book packed with practical advice that would make an interesting gift for anyone on your list interested in the joys of "getting dirty, working hard, and slowing down."