Being green

Whitney and I were talking about recycling and being environmentally aware.  She sent me to her friend's blog who listed all the ways she has changed.  It's a very nice list, here's mine:

Do consistently:

Recycle everything: cans, glass, paper.

Hand down clothes and accept other's clothing.  I love hand me downs.  In fact, I don't like shopping for new things for myself,  I just can't spend so much money.  I like to think I'm being environmentally conscious, but maybe I'm just really cheap. 

Donating or e-cycling things we don't use anymore.

Turning off any light not in use (thank you Mom)

Replacing the old lightbulbs with the fluorescent ones.  Unfortunately, the ones I have been buying are made by GE, which poisoned the Housatonic River in my home town...

Keep the heat low.  I turn the heat down during the day to 60 and my husband put plastic on the windows.  Our heat bills were very low this year.  This is the first year we put plastic up, I have issues...

Eat more veggies and tofu.  If we do eat meat it's either Amish chicken or grass-fed beef.

Shop local.  We do shop at Trader Joe's, but we also frequent Arbor Farms and Sparrow Market (cheap veggies and excellent beef.)

Re-use water: In the summer time I use the water from whatever veggies I steamed or from the salad spinner and use it to water the plants.

I also have a big bowl in the sink (summer time), so when I am washing veggies I can water the plants with the water I have captured.

Tear the dryer sheet in 1/3's.  I am not ready to give up the dryer sheet yet, so I tear it into 1/3's thereby getting the most out of the package.

Use the minimal amount of washer and dishwasher cleaner.

Kids use the same bathwater. 

 

Would like to do:

Compost.  I saw a compost container at Ace for $70. which I thought a fair amount.

Get rain barrels, are there any nice looking ones?

Get solar panels (big dream, get off the grid)

Have veggies survive.  Damn you black thumb!

There are a ton (well, 50) great tips at 50 Ways to Help the Planet.  My fave's: #4 Do not pre-heat the oven.  #28 Picnic with a marker.

Cute presentation too!

Fun photographer

I just found Lilly McElroy.  Her pictures are so funny and interesting.  One series is of her throwing herself at men, another is of her lying down in different places.  I found her at Swiss Miss.  Check out her collections, addicting.

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day.  I am not driving one bit today (I did my errands yesterday :\ )

I was just talking with Aubrey, yes the one I made the baby blanket for, her tea company is having an Earth Day sale today.  Arbor Teas is offering 20% off their teas and other goodies until midnight.  Cheerio!

Finis! Well almost...

My baby blanket for A is done, except for a red frame.  But we'll see what the ladies-who-knit think.  I am so very proud of my work.  I think I have been bitten by the craft bug!

My next project will be Yoga Socks.  I found the pattern at Purlsoho.  I absolutely love their stuff! So many cool patterns at their blog, The Purl Bee, check them out.  I'm not having any luck uploading an image, so here is a link to the sock page, it's the very last image.  Now to buy yarn and needles...

My first project and a continuing project

I am so proud of my first crochet project. It's a big ole granny square blanket of many colors. I'm knitting it for a friend who is having her first baby in August. I won't post any pics of it until after she has it, I would like there to be some element of surprise. I am awful at surprises, I already told her that I'm making it!

I am also starting to get serious about my body. I'm taking 3 classes at the Y; yoga, spinning, and a pilates on the ball class. I am seriously trying not to wimp out during the class but give 110% as they say. I'm also at the gym one other time where I'm focusing on weights, should be more cardio... I love most of the machines, especially cable rows. I am not liking chest press or fly's. I guess I should take progressive pics as I become ripped, ha-ha. My body goal is this: I want my tri's and delts to be cut, I would like my belly flat-ish, without having to change my diet too drastically. I think is a doable goal. Wish me luck!

A perfect night

Today the weather was awesome!  It was sunny and warm-ish, the breeze made it slightly chilly. We were able to clean up a lot of things around the house and then go out on the town.  

We had a good meal at T K Wu on Liberty for not much money.  We split the beef and broccoli and there was plenty to feed both of us.  The b&b was delish, there was none of that gloppy sauce.  Then we went for walk and ended up at Maison Edwards where A bought a nice cigarillo.  I love the atmosphere there.  There is absolutely nothing I need in a smoke shop, but I do love to sit and hear the sounds and smell the smells.  Our next stop was at Moda Blue where I bought a very comfortable and super affordable bra for $32.00 out the door.  Bra shopping is not a skill that I have, but the owner was very helpful.  And her husband made a strong cup of turkish coffee for A while he smoked his cigarillo.  We both left satisfied.  

On our way the The Earle, we stopped at my fave gallery, Gallery Project.  There were some fantastic photos there that played with the light of the sun and other people's apartments on the building next door.

And lastly we split a Caesar salad and drank some drinks at The Earle, who I think makes the best Cosmo in A2.  I do love a Knights Cosmo, but this drink The Earle has won.