by plantgirl on September 30, 2008
At our last family party we started talking about recycling. My bro-in-law said it uses more energy to recycle than to throw stuff out. Something about a carbon footprint? OK, so I’m not as well versed in all this stuff as alot of people - but I still think recycling is a step in the right direction. As is composting. Along with adding another SFG box to my garden next year, I really really really want to start composting.
In our last house it had something called “passive solar energy” - the house was a bit strange and supposedly built by local college students. It had great paper panels to cover or uncover the massive skylights everywhere, a fan in the attic to shoot the heat accumulating there (from skylights) to the rest of the house in winter, a wood burning stove that easily heated the whole house in winter, some type of “boiler” with pipes that ran around and heated things. As for air conditioning? Ceiling fans and opening the windows. Was a bit over the top to say the least - and in the long run, way more expensive than just installing a regular furnace, central air and a vent system. Sad but true.
But with regular solar energy light hitting the solar panels is converted into electricity & saves potentially hundreds of dollars. Kind of a simpler option don’t ya think? Last month we spent $400.00 on electricity. True, it’s a huge house - and part of it has been converted into an apartment with tenants - but it was definently a bit ridiculous. Solar energy is one solution - as are ceiling fans - and setting the thermostat a bit higher. (What can I say? I’d just had a baby and the hormones were raging).
What are you doing for the environment (and your pocket book)?
by plantgirl on September 21, 2008
I started working at home a few weeks ago and am finally learning how to juggle it with everything else I have to do. So there is finally a second or two to blog about my garden!
Half the “bees” in my backyard swarming around the door are yellow jackets. Everyone knows I grew up in a city, right? I feel kind of stupid for not realizing it earlier. Fortunently no stings (yet). I seriously need a screen door (as someone commented in the last post) - but just blew my funds (or should I say credit) on a wii. Boy those things are hard to track down! After calling six stores with absolutely no luck we just decided to go to Best Buy last night (which hadn’t had it earlier). But we had a gift certificate we were itching to use and while I was looking around I realized my husband was grabbing the wii on display in the middle of the store. There were 4 when we walked in and by the time we walked out none were left. They had just gotten them the night before - and I’m surprised they lasted that long.
My chickens are doing great. I paid my little sister a couple bucks to clean out their cage - she did a great job. No eggs yet - we finally realized all these girls are pullets and we were giving them the wrong kind of feed (for layers). Oops. I hope they start to lay soon.
All my basil has flowered and turned yucky. I want to plant more beets and radishes. There is another batch of tomatoes I am hoping will ripen before the cold weather hits. I have some insulator things I’m thinking of putting around them to keep ‘em from freezing. Summer, as always, was way too short. The gorgeous wildflowers DH planted on the side of the house are now resembling a weed forest. Serious landscaping needs to take place - soon.
Thats it for now. Next post (which will *not* take as long to put up) I should have some pictures. 
by plantgirl on September 4, 2008
As much as I love having bees flourishing in my garden, they are starting to wear out their welcome. With the garden right by the back door and having to leave the door open to be able to watch my 2 year old DD1, the bees are becoming a nuisance. Two flew in today in the 30 minutes I had the door open and I caught them both in a cup and let them go outside. Finally DD1 came back inside so the door could be shut. Any ideas on contolling the bee population (without harm to the bees?)
Meanwhile, the beet seeds I planted a week ago are starting to really flourish. Baby has had colic and I hadn’t been able to post as much - I found the perfect remedy for her though - bouncing on an exercise ball. Puts her out like a light.
Will get some pictures up soon.
