For the last few weeks, with temperatures finally (though just slightly) above freezing, we've had some serious spring fever. Our thoughts have turned away from our indoor chores and all we can think about is digging in the dirt and taking on new outdoor projects to make us more self-sufficient in our living space — anything but the remains of dirty piles of snow. Here's a few books to tide you over until Spring is in full swing!

• The Urban Homestead: This book covers ground on choosing the right home for you to begin your dreams of being as sufficient as possible to dealing with grey water and more!

• Homesteading: This book serves as a back to basics guide to growing your own food, canning, keeping chickens, generating your own energy, crafting, herbal medicine, and more!

• Just In Case: Although this book doesn't deal with how-to projects it does deal with self-sufficiency and part of that is being prepared for anything. Having that security allows you to do all the other things in your home, knowing you're always on top of things!

• Country Wisdom & Know-How: This book might cover things like growing your own food, but it also teaches you how to deal with wet basements, trees falling on your home, how to drain the soil around your home, all sorts of ridiculously helpful information that you never thought to ask your parents and grandparents when you were growing up!

• The Self-Sufficiency Handbook: This book covers raising your own food and more importantly, eco-friendly home improvements. Not ones from big new fancy companies, but tried and true methods from yesteryears that have worked for centuries without costing a fortune.

(Images: Barnes and Noble)

Posted originally from: AT:Chicago