Plaid + Dots

april resolution update: life factory water bottles

I am beginning to realize that the quest to reduce my "plastic" footprint comes at a bit of a cost as we've replaced some of our disposables plastics with permanent solutions.  Here's another great eco-friendly find - the life factory glass and silicone water bottle.  It's uber cool, slick design comes in a variety of sizes and colors.   I've even gotten my husband on board and we're using these when we're out and about instead of the store bought (think dasani) water bottles.  We keeps our filled and chillin in the fridge so that we always have water on the go!

PHOTO CREDIT: LifeFactory

adventures with manure

Manure is gross.  It's icky.  It smells.  BUT, according to the local farm store it's supposed to be wonderful for your garden.  So, today as we were putting together the raised vegetable garden, my husband and I embarked on creating rich soil full of manure (and peat and compost too!).  I seriously hope this produces amazing vegetables because it really is unsightly!

april resolution update: lunch skins reusable sandwich bags

I was out shopping the other day and found these great reusable bags by Lunch Skins- they are an eco-friendly alternative to my faithful plastic snack bags and are even dishwasher safe.  Plus, the bags come in such great patterns and colors!  I purchased a few of these reusable bags and plan to use them in lieu of my plastic baggies.  Yeah...another type of plastic bites the dust in this household!  

PHOTO CREDIT: LunchSkins.com

cloth diapers..not the kind your mom used

So, it's going to be a scorching day in the east and it's also "Diaper Day".  A good day to clean diapers and let them hang dry in the sun while we enjoy a nice and relaxing dip at the local pool.

We made the switch to cloth diapers about 2 months ago and I am pleased to say that it was an easier switch than expected.  I went into the process a little overwhelmed and skeptical about whether or not it would be something we embraced.  I chatted with an experienced friend (thanks Melissa!) who gave me a ton of advice and directed me to some valuable resources that helped make our switch a lot easier.  We bought a trial pack (some Fuzzi Bunz, BumGenius and Flips) from Nell's Natural Baby and decided to give it a try for 3 weeks.  If after 3 weeks we weren't sold, then we'd return to Nell's for a refund and go back to the organic disposables we'd been using.

Well, let me tell you... diapering technology has come a long way from the days of a piece of cloth and safety pins.  Don't get me wrong, these old school diapers still exist, but now there are cooler options (in a wide array of colors and patterns) for keeping your baby's stuff contained.  We ended up settling on a combination of the Flip One Size Stay Dry and the bumGenius One Size Pocket Diaper.  We love the hook and loop since they are easy to close for everyone (no more fumbling with those crazy snaps).  We have a wide assortment of colors (pink, buttercream, blossom, green, violet, and white) and have enough stocked up so that we do laundry about every 2-3 days.  It's really a breeze now.

At first there was little resistance from my hubby (he wasn't a fan of the smell of the diapers) but now that we've got a system to keep the smell at bay, he's on board.  It was an easy transition and I feel so much better about this decision.  We're keeping organic material close to babies bottom (healthier option) and are helping the environment by not contributing too much to the landfills.  A "win-win" for all.  

 

rainy days = overgrown + very green garden

Rain, rain, go away... come back another day!  I think the only good thing about all of this rain is how green my garden looks.  Everything is overgrown (including the weeds) and I am dying to get out there and tidy things up a bit.   The rose buds are on the verge of blooming and the ants are hard at work getting the peonies ready to pop. Hopefully a little sunshine this weekend will help everything bloom after this week of gloomy rain.  Mr. Sun... please shine down on us soon!

fresh veggies.. thanks CSA!

We decided to join a local CSA (community supported agriculture) this year and have just gotten our second delivery of organic produce.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this experiment but so far so good.  The produce is amazingly fresh (probably the freshest vegetables I've ever had), the quantities are reasonable, and it's opened our eyes to new foods that we never would have tried.  This week we got Komatsuna in our delivery.  What the heck is Komatsua????  I guess I'll find out soon enough!.  Now, I have to figure out what to do with Komatsua...  let the creative cooking begin!

{this moment} : {mary mary quite contrary... }

 

{this moment} - "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." ~Soulemama

~ Thanks Soulemama for an inspiring and wonderful way to end the week.. TGIF!  

 

How does your garden grow???

beginner composting - selecting a compost bin

Every time I throw away coffee grounds or other compostable waste (fruit, vegetable remains, egg shells, etc.), I feel a little bit guilty that I am not doing something more useful with the remains.  

I know the benefits of composting and the general guidelines to building a beautiful compost heap (layer green and brown, keep it moist, turn it frequently to aerate and let it marinate in the heat for a few months before harvest) but my issue has been finding the right location for the compost bin and finding the right bin.  We live in a community with a few rules about house aesthetics and I am not sure if folks would like to see the compost hanging out in plain sight.  I think we'll have to hide it behind the blue spruce in the back yard and hope that it gets enough heat to produce some amazing black gold.  

Now... to find the right compost bin.  Any suggestions out there on bins that work well, stand the test of time, blend into the landscape and prevent rodents or other little creatures?????  I've just started looking but would love recommendations... Thanks y'all!