I’m taking a short hiatus. I have some family issues going on, my job suddenly got busy, I’m doing NaNo and the holidays are upon us.
So.
I will be back in January. I have planting to tell you about, and sewing projects, and some crafty things I’ve made. I have energy saving results to report and recipes, and more.
Thanks to all my readers and check back after January 1st.
Yesterday, I went to a local thrift store that had recently moved into a new location. I had no real goal in mind, other than perhaps some nice lightweight sweaters. I found several, but they were all too short. I hate the recent style of all women’s tops being shorter. I like a top to be long enough to be tucked in or to come down far enough to keep my lower back warm. Anyway, I struck out with the sweaters.
I did find a nice button down dark green top that will be wonderful to layer over either a short or long sleeve shirt. I am all about the layers. This shirt had unnecessary pockets on the front though, so last night, I ripped them off using a seam ripper. Now I just have to wash the shirt and decide if I like it like that, or if I want to alter it further.
My super fantastic find was a suede coat. This coat had to have cost 150+ when it was new in a department store. It is beautifully made, had all the buttons, plus and extra, is lined, had a belt and fits me like a dream. There are no stains on this coat, all the seams are intact, it is lovely. I am forever a thrift store convert because I got this coat for less than five dollars.
I was inspired to check out the thrift store from watching several episodes of Threadbangers. This site has videos, forums, and all kinds of ideas and instructions on how to make clothes, alter clothes, and more. It is a informative resources for anyone who wants to bring personal style to their wardrobe and their life. One reason I bought the shirt is when I say it, I thought, it would be great without the pockets. In the past, I would have left it in the store. But yesterday, I thought, “I can take those off myself and have a great top.”
My next goal is to fire up the sewing machine. I saw an episode on how to tailor a shirt for a better fit and I have some shirts that almost fit, but I think they could be better.
What’s your favorite thrift store find?
I heard a interesting report on tree planting at one of Mississippi’s universities and had to find out more. I have planted trees before, and I remember (vaguely) hearing about Arbor day from my school days. The university’s official bulletin from the day before the scheduled event describes it pretty well.
From Jackson State University’s website:
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(Jackson, Miss) – Jackson State University will host a news conference and tree planting celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 at 11 a.m. as part of the national Campus Tree Tour 2008 sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota.
Jackson State will become the third college campus in the nation to earn the designation Tree Campus USA in honor of the university’s commitment to promote healthy urban forest management and to engage in environmental stewardship.
Wayne Goodwin, Jackson State assistant vice president for Facilities and Construction Management, said the designation falls in line with Jackson State’s longstanding commitment to promoting “green” standards on campus.
“We’re proud to earn this designation,” Goodwin said. “This ties in with the university’s Think Green campaign and with us being environmentally conscious.” Jackson State is one of only nine schools to earn the best practices Arbor Day Foundation designation. Eighty campuses sought the honor. The other honorees include University of Nebraska Lincoln, University of Michigan, Northern Kentucky University, Virginia Tech, Oregon State University, The University of Texas at Austin, University of California, San Diego; and Arizona State University.
Jackson State’s tree-planting celebration will be held on campus at the Student Center located on the corner of Lynch and Dalton streets.
About 100 student volunteers, JSU administrators and Arbor Day and Toyota officials are expected to plant a total of 70 large trees.
This made me curious, what is the Tree Campus USA Program? Well, turns out, it is a program of the Arbor Day Foundation. This program recognizes college and university campuses that:
I am so happy to see that a Mississippi university is one of the schools on this campus tree tour. Mississippi is well known for forestry management and responsible timber harvesting. To see additional tree planting and tree appreciation is wonderful for the state.
I am so glad the election is over. This is not a political blog, I posted no banners for either candidate and I am not going to start being political now. I am just happy that the campaigning is done and we can all move on to other topics of interest. Things like:
Green Energy. We need more of it. I hope we see more wind, solar, and geothermal power sources become available. But, I think that more than producing more energy, we need to be much more efficient in our usage of that energy. I would like to see EVERYONE work to make their homes use smaller amounts of energy and to utilize ways to reduce energy at work.
Green building. I hope to see more and more green building in homes and business. Green roofs, energy efficient windows, appliances, building design. All of that will make the homes and businesses we build today better than the ones we currently live and work in.
Home and Community Gardens. There is a movement going on to grow our own food. I hope this becomes a wave, a new (old) way of life for all Americans. Every bit of food you eat that comes from your backyard or your neighbors yard is a step in the right direction. Plus, growing your own food is fun.
These are just some of the changes I want to see in the days ahead. They are not really changes, more, they are continuations of practices already put into place by forward thinking pioneers who are showing us a better way, and a better future.
This morning on NPR I heard a report about MyFarm. MyFarm is based in California and they plant gardens in peoples back yard. Then, once a week a farmer comes by and takes care of the garden. From their about page:
How it Works:
MyFarm is a decentralized urban farm. We grow vegetables in backyard gardens throughout the city. By increasing local food production we are creating a secure and sustainable food system. Using organic practices we strive to grow the best tasting most nutritious vegetables. We ask what vegetables you like and grow them just for you.
Have a backyard?
We install and maintain beautiful backyard vegetable gardens. An installation can be as small as two 8′x8′ beds or can completely transform your backyard into a food forest. Each week we maintain your garden and harvest the produce in its peak, leaving a basket of fresh veggies on your doorstep. As a member, you also sometimes will get to share in the abundance produced by other nearby backyard gardens, increasing the diversity in your basket.
I love this idea. Not only is available land being used in food production, but heirloom seeds and thus food diversity is being preserved. More people are learning the value of having food growing right outside their door. More people are learning how to grow food organically, and even if a family does not want to have the food grown in their yard, they can still participate by signing up for a box of food that comes from their neighborhood.
I think this is a model that can be replicated in every city in the US. I would love to see something like this in my town. I have a HUGE back yard that I would love to see turned into garden space. I work full time, often out of town which is why my gardening efforts have been small so far. Seeing this example makes me want to expand my efforts, to have food ready to eat outside my back door.
I gave you all green ideas for holiday gifts but I wanted to put forth another idea. In the past, I have done the marathon shopping, going to malls and going from store to store fighting the crowds. Yuck. Next, I tried online shopping, having my list written out and marking off every time I clicked buy now. That was much better since I avoided driving and the crowds. But, I still bought brand new items for way to many people and I went over budget.
What’s an even better solution? Homemade and second hand gifts. Now, I am not talking about re-gifting although that is an option. Family reads this blog, so I’m not going to reveal my homemade gifts just yet, but I will tell you about my second strategy. A local church had a bazaar this Saturday. Church bazaars often have many items donated from members, and the community. These are either high quality second hand, or brand new handmade items.
I liked this option for a variety of reasons. The items I bought are unique. There was minimal packaging. I drove very few miles. While I didn’t get all my shopping done, I marked a few more names off my list.
There were so many wonderful options. There was jam and jellies, cakes, cookies, brownies and pie. There were quilts, crocheted dishrags and dish towels. There were Christmas trees from very small to medium size. There were bamboo wind chimes, and child size wooden Adirondack chairs with a matching wooden table. There was homemade soap in a rainbow of colors.
I had a great time looking at all the items and I picked up the perfect item for three people on my list. Of all the different holiday shopping experiences I have had, this was by far one of the best.
