Blog post by Laura Carter
While we may find ourselves social distancing in our homes, the need to adult may be greater than ever.
Restaurants, clothing stores, repair shops, doctors’ offices and more are closed, so it’s time for a good “Can-Do” attitude! With time at work reduced or eliminated, it may be time to re-evaluate your budget. Plus, with your extra down time, you might even learn a new skill you can use when the health crisis is over.
Poudre River Public Library District is here to help! Here are a few suggested resources to get you started.
The Useful Book: 201 Life Skills They Used to Teach in Home Ec and Shop by Sharon Bowers, David Bowers
Available on hoopla
A modern encyclopedia of DIY with everything you need to know to roll up your sleeves and cook it, build it, sew it, clean it, or repair it yourself. There’s a kitchen crash course; there’s Sewing 101; a 21st-century shop class. Plus: do-it-yourself plumbing; car repair basics; and home maintenance.
Better Homes and Gardens Do It Yourself eMagazine
Available via Flipster
Do It Yourself showcases attainable, stylish and affordable ideas for making your home “live” better. Each inspiring issue contains a mix of home decorating, remodeling, and gardening articles with a can-do, success-oriented approach.
Mending Matters: Stitch, Patch, and Repair Your Favorite Denim & More by Katrina Rodabaugh
Available on OverDrive
Includes more than 20 hands-on projects that showcase current trends in visible mending that are edgy, modern, and bold—but draw on traditional stitching. It does all this through just four very simple mending techniques: exterior patches, interior patches, slow stitches, darning, and weaving. Katrina Rodabaugh also explores mending as a metaphor for appreciating our own naturally flawed selves.
Beginning Sewing Techniques
Available on Films on Demand
Step-by-step sewing that demonstrate how to make a basic skirt and blouse. View the entire process, or select from 16 shorter segments. This includes taking one’s measurements to determine pattern size, making minor pattern adjustments for fit, and selecting essential sewing equipment.
Make It, Own It, Love It: The Essential Guide to Sewing, Altering and Customizing by Matt Chapple
Available through hoopla
Matt Chapple, the UK’s top amateur stitcher and winner of the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee 2015, shares everything you need to know about repairing and maintaining your attire. Matt’s no-nonsense language strips away the complexity of sewing, as he gives practical advice.
Cooking Fundamentals: Success in the Kitchen (6 Episodes)
Available to stream on Kanopy and available on Hoopla
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, learn cooking fundamentals with Chef Dave Christopherson. Chef Dave demonstrates and explains a variety of basic cooking techniques necessary for success in the kitchen, including baking, blanching, boiling, grilling, roasting, sautéing, simmering, stir-frying and more as he prepares three simple, “from scratch” meals.
The Everyday Gourmet: How to Master Outdoor Cooking (12 Episodes)
Available on Kanopy
Twelve informative lectures filled with detailed demonstrations of techniques and recipes from around the world that will liven up your summer meals. Along with clear lessons in cooking techniques and recipes, Chef-Instructors Briwa and Clark also give you a number of insider tricks for cooking on and off the grill, as well as tips for how to avoid some of the most common mistakes people make.
Personal Finance For Dummies
Available on OverDrive
The proven guide to taking control of your finances! Personal Finance For Dummies has helped countless readers budget their funds successfully, rein in debt, and build a strong foundation for the future.
Money 911: Budgeting and Cutting Spending by Jean Chatzky
Available on hoopla
Most people seek financial help not because they’re planning for the future but because they need it . . . right now! In this invaluable guidebook, financial expert Jean Chatzky provides answers to today’s most pressing financial questions and concerns, including: How do I get out of debt? How do I avoid foreclosure? How do I set up a monthly budget? How can I improve my credit score? How do I get my health insurance to pay a claim? What should I do when I lose a parent?
21 Days to Master Extreme Self-Care by Cheryl Richardson
Available through OverDrive
In the rush of everyday life we can often lose sight of our own well-being and inner comfort, to the point where we lose sight of how to bring deep pleasure into every day. In this short, easy-to-read guide, world-renowned life coach Cheryl Richardson shows you how to nurture life’s most important relationship: with yourself. With sound advice, effective exercises and resources to take each step further, this practical handbook for the heart and mind will show you that by changing your mindset, you can radically change your life in just 21 days.
Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies
Available on hoopla
Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies offers useful and easy remedies you can do at home and potentially reduce the need for a trip to the doctor’s office or emergency room. You’ll learn how to manage, treat or prevent more than 120 conditions. There is also an Emergency Care section that provides critical information you’ll need should an emergency occur. This book doesn’t replace the advice of your doctor, but it can help you manage common problems safely at home.
Do you want to search for information by topic but aren’t sure where to start?
You can simply search the library catalog at www.poudrelibraries.org as you normally would — just be sure to refine your results.
Check the box on the left-hand side of the catalog results page to narrow your search. You can indicate all online items, or check the list for a specific media channel. To navigate to a specific app or type of media, such as an Audiobook, you can look at www.poudrelibraries.org/download and select the appropriate button for your media preference.