How to Catch a Frog : And Other Stories of Family, Love, Dysfunction, Survival, and DIY

Stories of growing up in rural Vermont as part of an eccentric family of artists and idealists, which involved self-imposed poverty, innovative living, daily lessons in self-reliance, and a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the environment. Stories about growing up in a family of artists and idealists in Vermont, complete with illustrations and how-to instructions. Much of author and illustrator Heather Ross’s work has been inspired by her childhood spent in a rural corner of Vermont during the 1970s. Her upbringing was defined by stunning natural beauty, innovative living, and daily lessons in self-reliance—but also dysfunction, a self-imposed but nearly inescapable poverty, and little exposure to basic life skills. When, in her twenties, Ross complained to her mother about a long list of things she had missed out on and that had compromised her chance of ever leading a “normal” life, her mother waved a hand and replied, “Well, you should thank me, because you have a lot of good stories instead.” How to Catch a Frog is a collection of those stories, plus others that show Ross’s eventual route to success as an artist, entrepreneur, and mother. “A very honest coming-of-age tale . . . The book reminded me of the powerful memoir Wild by Cheryl Strayed, and if you loved that book, this one will rock your world as well.” —Meg Cox, quilt journalist, author, and instructor Much of Heather Ross's creative work has been inspired by her being born into an eccentric family of artists and idealists in a rural corner of Vermont during the 1970s. According to Heather, that environment was defined by stunning natural beauty, creative and innovative living, and daily lessons in self-reliance. It also included equal parts of general dysfunction, a self-imposed but nearly inescapable poverty, and little exposure to basic life skills. When, as a twenty-something, Heather complained to her mother about a long list of things she had missed out on and that had compromised her chance of ever leading a "normal" life (immunizations, a healthy respect for authority), her mother waved a hand and replied, "Well, you should thank me, because you have a lot of good stories instead." How to Catch a Frog is a collection of those stories, plus others that show Ross's eventual route to success as an artist, entrepreneur, and mother, all animated by Ross's delightful illustrations and how-to instructions How to make a teepee from plastic flowers -- How to make paper flowers -- How to make coffee logs to start a fire -- How to make a bonfire -- How to catch a frog -- How to save a drowning child (part I) -- How to help a bird build a nest -- How to make a warm bed -- How to swim a horse -- How to make cream of broccoli soup -- How to make a very warm pair of pants -- How to run away -- How to fend off a bear -- How to start a children's clothing company -- How to make sugar on snow -- How to save a drowning child (part II) -- How to eat fresh trout -- How to begin again -- How to have faith -- How to not turn into your mother -- How to make a home. The author shares stories that trace her route to success as an artist, focusing on her upbringing in rural 1970s Vermont where she learned daily lessons in self-reliance and lacked exposure to basic life skills A delightful collection of stories, illustrations and how-to from the renowned crafter, fabric designer and storyteller Heather Ross.