My Green Goings On
This time of year is my busiest. I have more orders to fill for the holiday season for my herbal products that I make & sell, the summer veggie garden must be put to bed and all the veggies and herbs dealt with before the first frost (this week). We are also doing more home improvement projects – installed the last 5 new energy efficient windows our house needed plus we are building a greenhouse with reclaimed materials and have expanded our garden space (greenhouse is incorporated into the new space and acts as part of the fence). We are attempting our first winter garden as well and have to put up the hoops and cover.
Since the bay window I really wanted for growing herbs and sprouts in our south facing window was like quadruple the price of a standard window and we will eventually move, we went with a standard window but my husband, Michael was able to set it out a bit further and now he is building a new sill that will be larger on the inside so we can grow some plants there. He also did this for the kitchen window so we have 2 spots for more growing. It’s not a bay window but it is an economical, functional and attractive substitution.
Michael had to cut down an Aspen tree in our yard that really was at the wrong elevation for it to thrive (and was blocking our expanded garden) but decided that he would leave about 9feet of the trunk in tact and build a platform/treehouse structure for our son on top of it. He’s got big plans for this structure with a trap door, some kind of peaked roof and maybe a slide (and of course my request – a very kid proof tall railing!) all with reclaimed building materials, many of which he already has. This is also part of the new fence line of the garden and is next to the greenhouse so it really will be interesting looking in that section of our yard when it’s all done. Needless to say, we are a bit frantic running around trying to get everything done (although the treehouse will have to wait) and we leave town next week to go to a wedding of an old friend and spend time with other friends and family, too.
And we also are still doing food preservation. Every year we can, pickle, dry, freeze and root cellar garden veggies. This year we have amped that up all summer and included more items we have harvested from local u-pick farms and farmer’s markets now that my son is older and able to appreciate harvesting his own food more. This is important to do especially with the economy the way it is and you never know what is going to happen in the world and if you are not prepared, well, you know. I just think it’s a good way to live regardless and doing it every year adds a good rhythm to life and is a skill to pass down to future generations.
I still have many posts I want to write about but just don’t have the time at the moment including the part 2 of my detoxing adventure. Amazing, btw the internal changes I feel and I’m not fully done yet. I am hoping to get to that update before I leave on my trip.
I hope you all are keepin’ on and don’t let the worries of the failing economy keep you down. Things in our world are changing for sure but if you are aware and don’t slip into panic and anxiety (which is easy to do when watching the news!), you’ll weather this situation and see that we are all transforming into a new way of living which, in the end, will be great for us all. Last year we decided to stay put and batten down the hatches and ride out this storm of chaos/transformation where we are hence all of the improvements we’re still making on this house to help us function better here.
Since we are in a big time of change, keep thinking about what changes/improvements you can do that’s economical for your life, promotes your health and adds quality and enjoyment. Even small changes can add so much and makes you feel so much better. For example, some of the greatest things ever in making my time in the kitchen better? Drawer organizers and more shelves. When I know where things are and can get it in 2 seconds when I’m in the middle of a recipe, I’m a happy camper. Being organized and clutter-free helps me function better and saves lots of time. There is an old saying, “A change is as good as a rest.” I totally agree.
October 08 2008 11:49 am | Home and Mel and Michael and food storage and gardening and green living and news and society and sustainability
October 8th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
That tree platform sounds like such fun!
Allies last blog post..My Big Drafty Window
October 8th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
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