Just do a Google search of the words 'how to plan a Cottage Garden'. That just turned up lots of sources. Good luck with your project.

girl wonder, some books I've found useful and enjoyed: Interior Design Master Class: 100 Lessons from America's Finest Designers on the Art of Decoration by Carl Dellatore: "Creating a library-worthy resource on design, the volume’s editor, Carl Dellatore, recruited one hundred top American interior designers to contribute essays on a particular aspect of design, interspersed with examples of their work. Useful for both aficionados and professionals, the volume reveals the meticulous and often heady process that goes into creating great interiors." There's a very good good write-up and interview with the author at the design blog Quintessence. Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating by decorator Lauren Liess (who is basically self-taught, which is why she calls herself a decorator rather than an interior designer), who has a great blog (not updated much anymore) where she has explained her choices and decisions. Mary Gilliatt's Interior Design Course by Mary Gilliatt Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy by Deborah Needleman The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well by Deborah Needleman A few of the interior design books I've picked up in the past few years, which gave me a greater sense of appreciation for what interior designers and decorators do: The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book: Everything Interior Designers Need to Know Every Dayby Linda O'Shea, Chris Grimley, Mimi Love Interior Design Course: Principles, Practices, and Techniques for the Aspiring Designer by Tomris Tangaz Some earlier helpful threads in the GardenWeb Home Decorating forum: Where to go for "Home Decorating 101"? What's your favorite Interior Design Book?

There was a national trend amongst the hipsters for "fancy toast". Usually avocado or some other veg spread, decorated by little bits that look like the bottom of the salad bowl after the leaves are gone. :) I've eaten some. Not bad, but you have to come from a cooking deprived household to think it's special. I have Nancy Silverton's book, which is interesting, but not really for beginners. Considering your relationship with baking in general, I wouldn't recommend it, though if you follow exactly without any deviation you could succeed. When I was starting, I used Local Breads by Daniel Leader, but it's more about European style bakery baking than what you're probably looking for, and it's full of errata. You can find lists of errors and corrections online, but then you have to amend the book. It's also not one I'd recommend for you. Most of my bread books, of which I have many, are very particular to the author and not really meant to be baked from like a Betty Crocker cookbook. I get your desire. Someone may know of a good one for what you're asking. I haven't seen one. I know you don't want to live online, but maybe you could do your research and print out the bits you need? Try Sourdough.com and Breadtopia.com and don't go any farther before you already have some success under your hands.

Oh wow, you guys are the best. I'm going to print this off and go do some research. I'm especially interested in the Redwall series Bestyears motioned - a 22 book series would be great for her. I did think of a series a really enjoyed when I was a young reader - The Chronicles of Narnia. Once I put them in my cart on Amazon, it started suggesting other books and I actually found quite a few possible contenders - but it's also great to have first hand recommendations here. I might try to find out a bit more about what her favorite books are, even if I just have one or two examples. I would never want to insult her intelligence by buying her something too juvenile. Thank you again! PS - James Herriot is a good idea too, I don't know why I didn't think of that. I remember my Dad (another animal lover) reading some of those books.