This is the story of Lloyd and Lesley building a home and establishing a garden on a small piece of land on the Northern California Coast over a 46-year period. Starting with a vacant half-acre piece of land, they built their own home, created a garden with vegetables and fruit, and describe raising chickens, bees, and goats. The book also covers cooking, foraging, fishing, crafts, birds, butterflies, and tools. Their main theme is that this was all done by hand.

An important part of all this has been that they have never paid rent nor have they ever had a mortgage.

There are over 500 photos illustrating all the above facets of their lives. They provide clear explanations of everything from building skylights to maintaining a septic system to how to build greenhouses and raised vegetable beds in the garden. There is a section on unique kitchen tools, as well as advice on useful tools used in construction.

There is also a section with Lloyd's advice to someone just starting to building their first home, based on what he's learned over the years.

They point out that a computer is not going to build a house for you, and encourage people that, even in this digital age, it's still possible to create at least some of your own food and shelter with your own hands.