This month’s book is an absolute delight to read and browse. Patina Living is about the farm and gardens of Brooke and Steve Giannetti who live in Ojai, California, about an hour and a half north of Los Angeles.
As all good garden books, this one has drawings of the layout of the farm and gardens mixed throughout the book. You probably know by now how much I love drawings of garden plans, and these are especially nice as they also list the names and locations of the plants they grow.
The gardens were carefully laid out and given the similar climates, you feel very much as if you are in an Italian garden instead of California. Main staples in the gardens are boxwood, roses, and lavender.
You will find comfortable seating for relaxing or dining thoughtfully scattered around the property. Their lovely table was the inspiration for the table makeover for my own yard.
They have lovely vegetable gardens with an abundance of produce.
And the book also contains a variety of recipes I am anxious to try.
This book wasn’t as much about gardening as I’d hoped when I ordered it, but it is full of beautiful photos. Besides the garden photos that make you swoon, you have the pleasure of meeting their collection of sweet farm animals.
They have everything from chickens to ducks, pigs, donkeys, sheep, cattle, doves, and my favorite, – goats. Every animal has shelter and grazing areas especially designed to meet their needs.
I can honestly say, this was one of the most relaxing and peaceful books I have ever read. It was such a joy to slowly leaf through the pages, enjoying their beautiful gardens and meeting all of their sweet animals. It is a book filled with the luxury of slowing down and simple living.
You can also follow Brooke and Steve @velvetandlinen on Instagram, where you can meet them, their animals, and watch daily stories and updates on life at Patina Farm. They have taught me I don’t want to only create beautiful gardens, but to enjoy and live in my garden every moment that I can.
Those pygmy goats are SO cute! I wonder if local ordinances would allow me to have one (or more) here? (A bigger question is what would my husband say – I wasn’t able to convince him we needed chickens during an earlier discussion.) Pre-lockdown, I used to see a woman walking 2 goats (regular size) whenever I traveled a certain route mid-morning. Ojai is lovely, a haven for artists and tourists, although it can get very hot during the summer months.
I have always wanted to have goats. Goats and chickens are two unique animals that are constant entertainment.
They have such fun personalities. When I had chickens, they were as much a pet as my cat and dog. Downside of chickens, and most likely goats too, is that they will eat plants, and the chickens were often digging up new plants in search of bugs. I never had any bugs in my yard during that time, as they kept them totally under control. When I would be in the garden weeding, they were always by my side, waiting for me to dig up a bug for them. Space is the most important issue. It is important they have enough free range space, without it being in your gardens. If you get them, always have two, so they have a companion.
What a beautiful book. I love the drawings mapping out the gardens. And the animals of course. 😉 I‘d be quite happy to come across a recipe in a gardening book. 😃