Earth Hour

Did you remember? I'm so distressed that I didn't. I was sewing...working on the stock for the show next weekend in Charlotte. And never thought about the date or the event.

I could kick myself!

So Excited!

Last year, I tried hard to participate in the Garden Along with Norma, but failed miserably ... we simply do not have enough light coming in and growing food in pots is less than ideal.

So this year, I jumped when I got notice that our local CSA was taking new members on a first-come, first-served basis. There wasn't a guarantee that I'd get in, so I didn't say anything.

But today, I got word that there was space for me, for a 1/2 share (all I can handle!). I also purchased a full share of herbs.

My schedule doesn't allow me to participate as a worker, but I'm delighted to know I'll have fresh vegies, and that they'll also be locally and organically grown.

Perfect!

Earth Hour 2009 - Will You Join Us?

Time For The SAL!

It's time to start our Save-A-Long!

I'm excited. What do you think this can become? I'd like your ideas, too, not just mine. How will you "Do more with less?" What will you do to make hard times a bit more bearable? Can we face a recession with smiles on our faces?

I promise I'll be putting in a big effort to reduce my own debt. I did really well for the holidays, and only bought gifts with cash. We have had a smaller Christmas, and had fun with family activities rather than expenses...How about you?

I suggested including recipes that can be really fine food, but low cost ingredients, and tonight I made this:
it's a lentil soup, and it's not completely vegetarian (tho you could adapt it to be). I promise it really was good, so I'm pleased (especially because it made a LOT). I think I may have to freeze some of it for later in the month.

Here's my recipe:

1 15.5 oz package of garlic & herb lentils (dried) - I used Hurst's Brand
2 14.5 oz cans of chicken broth
4 2/3 c water
1 16 oz package frozen "soup-starter-type" vegies - celery, onions, and carrots
1/2 16 oz. package of frozen mustard greens (or your choice of greens)
1-2 T olive oil

The seasoning is already in the bag of lentils, so I did not add anything else. This is wonderfully garlic-ky!

I rinsed the lentils, and brought the chicken broth and water to a boil, then added the lentils. I let them come back to a boil. Add the olive oil, and the frozen celery, onion, and carrot mix. Simmer for 30-45 minutes (till you have the type of base you like...less time means a watery-er soup. At the very last few minutes add in your greens. I prefer mustard greens, they're rich in calcium and don't have the oxalic acid spinach has that binds to calcium and pulls it out of your system. But you can easily use turnip greens, collards, kale, whatever you like.

I'll tell you this made a LOT of soup. I toasted some Artisan bread with garlic cloves in it and that was my meal tonight. I'm hopeful it will offer the same sort of "good luck" in the New Year that the more traditional foods do. After all, there's greens, and round legumes, even if it's not black-eyed peas.

Take a look in the sidebar there - that button for the SAL is a photo of a lovely embroidered piece made by Rhonda and she gave me permission to use it for this SAL blog button. If you'd like to join us, please do, but please save the button to your own space, okay?

How much fun can we have with this? (I suspect a lot!)

2009 - A Live Lightly Year...

See that ticker up there? I'm already putting together my plans for 2009. With all that's going on in the economy, in the world, the challenges to the environment, war and destruction? Are you depressed? Even in this season of love and giving, are you fighting to "grin and bear it?"

Well, I'm going to be seeing what on earth I can do to live even more lightly and more positively on the earth than I already do. With luck, there'll be a post or two here along the way (I'm not the best at even weekly posts here, but I'll try!) - and please let me know the things you're doing to make a difference in your own lifestyle, your own economy, your own community. How are you struggling to stay upbeat!?!

As things now stand I'm going to start with a plan to make two large-batch main dish "from scratch" meals each week (on the weekends, as I have no other time during the week). Big pots of soup to take to work for lunches, a casserole/vegetarian meal for dinners during the week. I'll share photos and recipes, too!

(I'll probably start that this weekend, not waiting till 2009 for it! wink)

A big part of my goals for the new year involve reducing my expenses to cut debt as much as possible. (Is there ANYONE without some debt?) And I'll be searching online for the best sites/articles/tips I can find to pass along.

Won't you join me? I suppose we could make it an "-along!" Hmmmm...a "SAVE-along?" - oh that's rich: a SAL!
lololol!

What are we SAVEing? Our money, our community, our vision for tomorrow, our sanity?

Probably all of the above...

10 On Tuesday...Ways to Save Money

I saw this over on Carole's blog and decided to participate here:

So here some of the 10 ways I try to save money:
1. I set the thermostat on 64 when I'm not in the house or when I go to bed. It's at 68 for about 5 hours in the evening. The thermostat is right next to the plant light, so when I turn it OFF or ON, I can easily adjust the temperature. I'm pretty good about not forgetting it...
2. All flourescents...all the time. I changed the bulbs last spring...Love it! And I turn OFF the lights when I'm not in the room.
3. I pack my lunch every day. Sometimes it's soups, sometimes it's leftovers, mostly it's a sandwich, which I make while I make my breakfast in the morning. On Sundays? I put 5 cans of V-8 in the fridge, so I pull that out and 3 of my vegies are taken care of for the day! (yes, I recycle the cans and I use fabric napkins!)
4. I do not take a newspaper - I get my news from TV, NPR, and online.
5. I use the library, I don't buy books (except for knitting books).
6. I use My Coke Rewards and have gotten two free magazine subscriptions as a result of tallying my points from the Diet Coke I drink every day...(yes, I'm an addict, but since I don't have much of any other vice - unless you count fabric and yarn - I think I'm okay).
7. I trip-chain. And I drive as little as possible. My commute is less than 10 minutes and I try to stay right near my home for errands. I moved into town to make that possible.
8. When I wash my clothes, I don't run my tops (or my handknit socks) through the dryer. I hang them up to dry. Saves on the electricity to run the dryer, but it also saves the clothes. A BUNCH.
9. I wash my dishes by hand using two pans - one for soap, one for rinse. The rinse water goes on my plants.
10. I use meat as a condiment (mostly) in my cooking. Tuna casseroles, beef stews, chicken quesidillas, any kind of soup - they all rely heavily on the vegies and noodles and much less on the meat. Since I spent several years as a vegetarian, I don't mind meals without meat. At least once a week? I'm a tomato soup (yes, Campbells! it's a weakness) and grilled cheese sandwich gal...to keep the food bill under control! (it's also easy)

Two Wrongs...

obviously do not make anything right.

I think, over the past few months, it's become pretty obvious that I'm a strongly opinionated person, especially when it comes to politics, and what I consider to be basic sensible behaviors. I tend to say what I think, and I usually believe in standing up for my beliefs, and have even been involved in protests over the years to show that.

I am about to rant. If you don't want to hear it? You know what to do, and you won't hurt my feelings a bit.

I cannot believe this.

Let me explain my anguish over such a thing. I'm a person who strongly believes that if someone loves someone that's all that matters. We have precious little love in this world, and if you've got it? Flaunt it. Shout it to the rooftops and celebrate it.

As a result, you can imagine, I'm sure, that I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with the idea of same-sex marriage. I have friends who are gay. I am delighted when they find someone to care for and about...We should all be so lucky.

Prop 8 should never have passed. I feel strongly about that. It is wrong to try to exert your religious beliefs upon others. Period.

IF you are against Prop 8, IF you are against what the Mormon Church did? Fine. Protest, become an activist, do whatever is appropriate to make the change next election day, or sue to go thru the court system, write your congressional representative, any of the acceptable methods available to make legal changes.

But. Sending white powder through the mail is simply no different from bombing clinics that offer a choice to pregnant women or shooting the staffers who assist there. It's wrong...

Terrorizing people, injuring people, killing people - there is NEVER a justification for it.
Period.
End of rant.

WHATEVER YOU DO - VOTE!

And Now For A Change of Pace!

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Simple, Progressive, and Sensual

16 Ukiyo-e, -2 Islamic, 8 Impressionist, 0 Cubist, -13 Abstract and -13 Renaissance!

Ukiyo-e (浮世絵, Ukiyo-e), "pictures of the floating world", is a genre of Japaneseand paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries. it mostly featured landscapes, historic tales, theatre, and pleasure. Ukiyo is a rather impetuous urban culture that has bloomed in popularity. Although the Japanese were more strict and had many prohibitions it did not affect the rising merchant class and therefore became a floating art form that did not bind itself to the normal ideals of society.

People that chose Ukiyo-e art tend to be more simplistic yet elegant. They don't care much about new style but are comfortable in creating their own. They like the idea of living for the moment and enjoy giving and receiving pleasure. They may be more agreeable than other people and do not like to argue. They do not mind following traditions but are not afraid to move forward to experience other ideas in life. They tend to enjoy nature and the outdoors. They do not mind being more adventurous in their sexual experiences. They enjoy being popular and like being noticed. They have their own unique style of dress and of presenting themselves. They may also tend to be more business oriented or at the very least interested in money making adventures. They might make good entrepreneurs. They are progressive and adaptable.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

I Wondered When Someone Would SEE This Point

Critical to the discussion of what a Small Business is...and who will tax what.

But then it's always been obvious that politicians obsfucate such issues.

Thinking Beyond the Political Soundbites...

I like the way this guy thinks...

Long Time No Post!

The garden fizzled fast...became a huge breeding ground for mosquitos when considerable amounts of rain fell in short periods of time, and I was snowed under many other things...too busy to notice. That is, until I was hit in the face with a mass infestation that greeted me whenever I went through my front door - to the point of having them dancing about my inner sanctum at all hours. Cutter to the rescue. (That and dumping the pots, spreading out the soil to dry out, dumping the plants.
(sigh)

So it's fall. And I'm back on my cruisade to be environmentally, fiscally, and personally responsible. How can I pare down, how can I, in the midst of economic chaos in the world, keep my head above water and not panic?

Are you feeling it, too?

I do remember these words from my only successful attempt to quit smoking (my last attempt!), my yoga class, my Lamaze class, and all the psychological work I did in learning to destress after my heart attack. Very simple words:

Breathe in and count to 4. Hold the breath for a count of 4. Breathe out for a count of 8. Stop. Repeat.

Then, of course, I learned to knit. And went back to sewing.

If you're stressed? And you're so inclined? MAKE SOMETHING. Take paper and scissors and cut out paperdolls or snowflake chains.

Play with the cat. (or dog, if that's your preference)

Then go to these sites on the web:
The Simple Dollar
If You Feel Stressed, Walk Around Your House
Simple Living Network

This might inspire you to get a handle on the things you can control, and stop obsessing over what you're not ever going to control...

(I know. I'm a stresser and an obsesser...it's hard to move past your innate nature and go with the flow, so to speak. But still...remember to breathe?)
(((hugs)))

Melanie finds the most interesting quizzes...

...of course, I'm truly ready to "skate thru life" the next time, IF once remembers that this life has been pretty frantic - 17 hour days, 7 days a week are pretty normal in my current world!

Your result for Reincarnation Placement Exam...

Garden of Eden

It's the Garden of Eden for you!

Well, this is about as cozy and simple as life can get. We hope you like it here. The real estate is not well developed, but the garden is top-flight.

Your answers indicate that you basically want to just coast through life. You don't want any trouble, and you don't want any special privileges either. That's fine with us. It's entirely possible to live a pleasant life without trouble or strife, and Eden is the perfect spot for it, as long as you don't... well...

Just try to behave better than the previous tenants. Evictions can be rough.

Take Reincarnation Placement Exam at HelloQuizzy

Since My Garden Doesn't Want To Grow...

I'll have to make do with these veggies!
Made for a friend whose garden is overproducing these days...and she's also traded in her truck for public transporation! I strive to be like her...since she is also a sock knitter, the inside of this little Grace backpack was made up like a Posy Sock Sack, with 4 needle sleeves and flannel inside to protect her double points!
(((hugs)))

Proud to Be a Boomer Today...

Love ya, gal...

And love those pantsuits...did you see Bill? "I love you forever..." She deserves nothing less, Bill...

Fascinating....

Read for yourself, and see what you think?

The Theory of Anyway...

I've been, as I know many of you have, doing little things that will reduce my carbon footprint and lower some of my expenses along the way - changing to compact fluorescents, unplugging appliances when not in use, trip-chaining as much as possible, buying locally, eating at least one weekly vegetarian meal. These things aren't that difficult and make me feel a little more in control on the Peak Oil issue...

And surely, if you've been by a gas station recently, you've noticed that prices are down a bit...

That might cause us to want to relax a bit. To say, as we're fixing dinner and realize we're out of an ingredient - "oh, I can run to the store now...those few miles won't make a difference, since the price of gas is down" - honestly, my train of thought is more along the lines of "I'll just run a fresh gallon of water for watering the tomatoes rather than using the graywater I save from cooking and cleaning up."

I usually end up feeling a bit uncomfortable, tho'.

My immediate reaction is "What if we ALL do that - get just a little lazy?" My personal code of ethics says to do the right thing all the time, not just some of the time because maybe it's more convenient this time to drop the ball a little...

I was reading blogs today and came across this theory on Susan Albert's blog. (She has links to the original topics - go there, too, as they're good explanations of this Theory of Anyway). It's a good explanation of my discomfort over taking the "little shortcuts" that ultimately lead to a bit more waste...

Because even if we think that now it's okay to run to the store just one more time in a week or month when gas prices have dropped a little, we're still using a limited resource when we don't have to.

I like the reframing of the things we do away from a negative to a positive. It's much more pleasant to consider that we do the things we do FOR the good of the planet, and not as something we have to give up. When I make a choice to contribute to the well-being of the earth, my frame of mind is much happier.

Perspective is so important, don't you think?

Garden Along...Update

All those gorgeous red tomatoes? Not mine. My Dear Daughter's!
The jalapenos and the lone little yellow pear?

Yup. Mine.
(sigh)
This is the difference between planting the tomatoes in the ground and having decent sun, and putting them in pots under trees.

Her tomatoes are great, too! Several varieties and I can't remember which are which, perhaps she said these were Celebrities?

Pit-Stop in the Rat-Race...

I stopped here today and was inspired. Maybe you will be, too?

That Yes! Magazine...I do so like it...

And I picked up the Kingsolver book at the library this week. I hope to finish it quickly...

Fruits of the Earth...

Okay, the only thing in this ratatouille that's from my own garden are the basil and the parsley, but the roma tomatoes are locally grown...

And the bread is from a local restaurant, with bakery and catering wing: Wildflour (yes, it's spelled correctly!).

I saw that Anne was making some and it made me hungry. So I made my own. It's very good and there's enough for several meals!

If only my squash had done something - but you know what? I think this has been a lousy year for it: my sis-in-law was saying she'd gotten 3-4 that were just pint-sized and the skin very tough, and then we stopped at a local orchard for peaches and nectarines today, and even their local summer squash were pint-sized and tough.

(sigh)
Just not a good year around here, I guess...