Ginna B B Gordon – illustratör

Looking for John Steinbeck is the first novel in Ginna Gordon's multi-volume Lavandula Series, the story of the Wyman Family, of Carmel Valley, California.

Book One joins the family in the 1960s as the Wheel of Life turns at Sweet Farm, the Wyman Homestead. The focus is on three sisters: Rita, Nana and Fox, and their three daughters: Tate, Stevie and Jolene, cousins and friends, as they tell the story in their own words.

Sweet Farm is a colorful compound full of women, their men, children, elders and friends. They breathe the air of Carmel Valley, filled with the scent of their lavender growing on ten fertile acres. 

The women are restless. The men are nervous. The girls are growing up in the 60s and tyheir generation will become known as Baby Boomers, Flower Children, Hippies, Yuppies, the ME generation; they will be affected by the Vietnam War, Rock & Roll, revolutions from sexual to political and other dramatic social changes.

But, mostly, they will be dealing with their loves, their children and their homes as they are touched by all the concerns mentioned above.

"First You Grow the Pumpkin" shares one woman's way of eating, feeding her family, being creative and preparing deliciousness from scratch. It is truly easier than you think. This is a collection of the many, varied and simple things you can make, grow, "put up" or concoct in your kitchen. It covers basics, like soup stock reduction and yogurt. And, Pumpkin Mash, of course, and even a good lotion for your hands. It's not a diet, just a way of life. The author eats organic as much as possible, from protein to fresh vegetables, dairy to dry goods. She has stock in the freezer to enhance rice or sauces. She makes hostess gifts and holiday presents from her own ingredients, with her own hands. In this personal handbook, Ginna tells you how to do it. This book is one of Ginna's contributions toward growing a better world. Just say, "I'll do it myself."