I tried having chickens a couple years ago, but we don't really have the space. Plus, raccoons ate them. They busted into my chicken tractor by main force. My daughter was devastated, and I was sad to have not provided safe enough space for my 'cuddle chickens'. (They liked to sit on my head when they were feeling nervous. It was funny.)
But, the dream still lives on.
For those of you who are dreaming, or can start making this a reality, here's some good ideas I found the other day.
Making a dresser into a brooder for chicks
You can use a dresser you find on the side of the road... And when it's too yucky to be used anymore, off it goes again. It's doing two of the Three R's all in one go!
A very cute 'chicken garden'
I'm not convinced about the pathway, but it will be pretty for one season at least.
Thursday, 29 August 2013
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
I know it's strange to be in lust over a house...
But, I want an Earthship-type house so badly it hurts. I have spent countless hours researching them on the 'net, dreaming up ways it could work, doing my own modifications in my head... I have it all worked out.
Except for how to afford it.
That's a bit of a sticking point, really. As you might well imagine.
But, since this is a blog about all my innermost dreams and fears, here are some links for stuff that are Earthship-y and would be useful in and/or around an Earthship.
A rocket stove mass heater
(more efficient than a regular wood stove, so therefore great for frigid Canadian winters)
The Earthship homesite
A video showcasing how they're built
In my head, you could make a strawbale wall on the interior south-facing wall in between the outer, solar-collecting windows and the interior of the house. The exterior windows would keep rain off the strawbales and therefore avoid the CMHC's problem report showing the outcomes of mold in our humid summer weather (most prevalent on the north sides of houses where the sun never heats them up). There would be many windows in the interior strawbale wall to let in light (especially in the winter when the angle of the sun is lower), and the wall would help keep heat in during the winter, and keep heat out during the summer. Add to that a rocket stove/bench in the living room (vented to the outside) and everything would be peachy
Plus, a root cellar in the earth bank (with a door on the north-ish wall to keep it cool and damp), and a strawbale/earthship henhouse on the other side to keep the cluckers happy. They'd be chilly in the winter, but never freeze. And they survive that sort of existence just fine.
It would work. It would so totally work.
Unfortunately, my husband is married to his bicycle, and likes to commute to work. It's a noble, sustainable idea. But. Earthships can only be built in the country, not in the city. This is a Pushme-Pullyu sort of argument/discussion/angst session that we've been having over the years.
Also. He can't live without his coffee shops. Another thing you don't find out in the country.
He'd be happy in a downtown condo, riding his bike everywhere and drinking coffee in cute little coffee bars with sarcastic baristas. I hate traffic noise, and am getting seriously fed-up with society in general and neighbours in particular. My favourite thing in the world is silence and green spaces...
And, we can't afford to build one right now, and might never in the future.
*sigh*
What to do?
Except for how to afford it.
That's a bit of a sticking point, really. As you might well imagine.
But, since this is a blog about all my innermost dreams and fears, here are some links for stuff that are Earthship-y and would be useful in and/or around an Earthship.
A rocket stove mass heater
(more efficient than a regular wood stove, so therefore great for frigid Canadian winters)
The Earthship homesite
A video showcasing how they're built
In my head, you could make a strawbale wall on the interior south-facing wall in between the outer, solar-collecting windows and the interior of the house. The exterior windows would keep rain off the strawbales and therefore avoid the CMHC's problem report showing the outcomes of mold in our humid summer weather (most prevalent on the north sides of houses where the sun never heats them up). There would be many windows in the interior strawbale wall to let in light (especially in the winter when the angle of the sun is lower), and the wall would help keep heat in during the winter, and keep heat out during the summer. Add to that a rocket stove/bench in the living room (vented to the outside) and everything would be peachy
Plus, a root cellar in the earth bank (with a door on the north-ish wall to keep it cool and damp), and a strawbale/earthship henhouse on the other side to keep the cluckers happy. They'd be chilly in the winter, but never freeze. And they survive that sort of existence just fine.
It would work. It would so totally work.
Unfortunately, my husband is married to his bicycle, and likes to commute to work. It's a noble, sustainable idea. But. Earthships can only be built in the country, not in the city. This is a Pushme-Pullyu sort of argument/discussion/angst session that we've been having over the years.
Also. He can't live without his coffee shops. Another thing you don't find out in the country.
He'd be happy in a downtown condo, riding his bike everywhere and drinking coffee in cute little coffee bars with sarcastic baristas. I hate traffic noise, and am getting seriously fed-up with society in general and neighbours in particular. My favourite thing in the world is silence and green spaces...
And, we can't afford to build one right now, and might never in the future.
*sigh*
What to do?
Monday, 26 August 2013
Taking a leap of faith
I'm really good at doing that... but, unfortunately, it's not always rewarded.
However, I can't see the downside of signing up for the University of Guelph Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate. If nothing else, I'll become even more uber at gardening, which is not a bad thing at all. I've got some veggies down pat, but others are a bit more touch-and-go. For instance, I have no clue why my climbing zucchini is withering and dying. It's just turning yellow/brown and almost literally melting. I've grown bush zucchini before and *never* had this problem. Maybe I'll get some pro-tips from these courses.
I have some grand ideas about offering my services to local co-ops who want to start community gardens, or upgrade them. I could give seminars on basic stuff, and go out to do soil testing, looking for the best sunny places to plant, and whatnot. Perhaps do little group sessions on how to grow veggies and herbs in your back/front yard.
It would be an enjoyable way of getting a bit of cash in the summer when I'm not at the library. There are so many books out there that it almost seems unnecessary, but not everyone is comfortable learning from that format, and I'm good at explaining things in a simple, helpful manner. This could be good.
Up the Local Organic Food Revolution! We have nothing to lose but our trowels!
However, I can't see the downside of signing up for the University of Guelph Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate. If nothing else, I'll become even more uber at gardening, which is not a bad thing at all. I've got some veggies down pat, but others are a bit more touch-and-go. For instance, I have no clue why my climbing zucchini is withering and dying. It's just turning yellow/brown and almost literally melting. I've grown bush zucchini before and *never* had this problem. Maybe I'll get some pro-tips from these courses.
I have some grand ideas about offering my services to local co-ops who want to start community gardens, or upgrade them. I could give seminars on basic stuff, and go out to do soil testing, looking for the best sunny places to plant, and whatnot. Perhaps do little group sessions on how to grow veggies and herbs in your back/front yard.
It would be an enjoyable way of getting a bit of cash in the summer when I'm not at the library. There are so many books out there that it almost seems unnecessary, but not everyone is comfortable learning from that format, and I'm good at explaining things in a simple, helpful manner. This could be good.
Up the Local Organic Food Revolution! We have nothing to lose but our trowels!
Bruce Peninsula: Whale Island
We went camping this weekend as one last, extended hurrah of summer. My husband enjoyed sleeping on the new cot we got him. It's apparently more comfy than the couch, so this is good. Perhaps I'll be able to convince him to go more often. Especially if we go to gorgeous places like the Bruce Peninsula and he can bring his camera. It's an Unesco World Biosphere Reserve for a Very Good Reason.
I even survived swimming in Georgian Bay. Once you numb down it's quite refreshing. It even felt really good on my back. I was a bit worried that it would cramp, but the cold water did wonders for the usual, consistent, minor inflammation.
I even survived swimming in Georgian Bay. Once you numb down it's quite refreshing. It even felt really good on my back. I was a bit worried that it would cramp, but the cold water did wonders for the usual, consistent, minor inflammation.
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Peach jam and pesto
Those are the items on the list today. I had to run to Home Hardware to get another couple of cases of jars. I seem to have run through all of mine this year. Perhaps I should start asking for them back from people...
Home Hardware is a dangerous place. I started by also picking up three clearance sale bags of onion sets, and ended off with an ice cream maker. All perfectly logical (of course). I've been meaning to get an ice cream maker for a while, as it will help me in my quest to reduce my food miles and garbage. The apple corer/peeler/slicer will help with the apple sauce I'm planning on making later in the fall. See? Logical. (and so were the towel rack, toilet paper holder, and leafy garden doohicky)
Ahem.
Off to make that jam now. Unfortunately, the tomato sauce didn't go off so well. It was too 'tomato-y' apparently, and a bit too acidic. Not sure how to fix that.
Home Hardware is a dangerous place. I started by also picking up three clearance sale bags of onion sets, and ended off with an ice cream maker. All perfectly logical (of course). I've been meaning to get an ice cream maker for a while, as it will help me in my quest to reduce my food miles and garbage. The apple corer/peeler/slicer will help with the apple sauce I'm planning on making later in the fall. See? Logical. (and so were the towel rack, toilet paper holder, and leafy garden doohicky)
Ahem.
Off to make that jam now. Unfortunately, the tomato sauce didn't go off so well. It was too 'tomato-y' apparently, and a bit too acidic. Not sure how to fix that.
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Cute monster: danger sign
I found my first Tomato Hornworm today. I'd only ever heard of them, and I didn't know what the cute little green caterpillar was when I found it clinging to the underside of a tomato leaf. So, it came home with me to be identified and shown to my daughter.
Much to my chagrin, it seems that my over-exuberant tomato plants are now a very large buffet. It's quite likely that the little green monster isn't alone. They never are.
The wiki article on them
Much to my chagrin, it seems that my over-exuberant tomato plants are now a very large buffet. It's quite likely that the little green monster isn't alone. They never are.
The wiki article on them
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
The Birds and the Bees- of a different sort
A couple things really disturbed me today. Someone out there in the blogosphere mentioned that monarch butterflies are almost gone, and I got to thinking... I haven't even seen one this year. I'm pretty good at noticing stuff like that. I asked a few friends in different places, and they said they'd seen maybe one, two at most. One has a monarch caterpillar in her backyard on the milkweed she let grow for just that purpose. I've seen lots of cabbage moths, and one other butterfly. I don't know what kind, just that it was one of the orange varieties that isn't a monarch.
The other is that I have seen almost no bumblebees. I saw my first one last week. First one of the year.
Also, not so many flies. Of any kind. But, certainly more flies than bees.
Monsanto tried to discredit and ostracize Rachel Carson in the early 60's, when they were doing to nature what they're doing again right now.
We need another popular wake-up call like Silent Spring, but I'm afraid that people don't care as much about insects as they do about birds...
Ontario bee-keeper loses 37 million bees
A catastrophic year for bee colonies- The Globe and Mail
Loss of bees affects plant's abilities to reproduce- NY Times
They're actually so much more important.
The other is that I have seen almost no bumblebees. I saw my first one last week. First one of the year.
Also, not so many flies. Of any kind. But, certainly more flies than bees.
Monsanto tried to discredit and ostracize Rachel Carson in the early 60's, when they were doing to nature what they're doing again right now.
We need another popular wake-up call like Silent Spring, but I'm afraid that people don't care as much about insects as they do about birds...
Ontario bee-keeper loses 37 million bees
A catastrophic year for bee colonies- The Globe and Mail
Loss of bees affects plant's abilities to reproduce- NY Times
They're actually so much more important.
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