Cincinnati reminds me of home, lots of trees, green space and nice people. Today driving along a familiar sight, recycling curbside bins but instead of the dull gray we have at home these were a bright red. Red would be a good color for home, considering our Loyalist heritage. Hmm, must look into that! Outside the hotel were several trees which made a striking silhouette as the sun went down.
Travel is great to reconnect with girlfriends. Tonight had supper with Girlfriendology Girlfriend Debba. She is fun, bright and a powerhouse connecting girlfriends and good things girlfriends will love through her site, blog and podcasts. Got to visit her charming home, meet the pup Brando and the distinguished feline Tom Anderson. The weather here has been warm but comfortable and each day a delightful meal outside with lively conversation. I am stocking up on inspiration for when I return to my studio at home plus the fact I have watched six episodes of Project Runway! Last night I walked to the M A L L, yes I confess a M A L L. I bought......a baked potato for supper and walked back to eat it curled up on the bed, quite delicious while feeling somewhat naughty. Debra "living my reclaimed life!"
AS I am travelling this week, at a book photo shoot in Cincinnati, suitcases, bags etc are a big part of this week! The reuseable shopping bag is becoming a culture of its own with most chains carrying their own and the web offering many stylish options. One of my favorites is the Envirosax collection. They roll up to the size of a piece of sushi and fit in the glove compartment with everything else. With all the style in bags I am going to have to update my grocery store attire to match these oh so chic bags! Debra "making it, living it green everyday!"
I obviously do not lead a very exciting life when a trip to my new garden revealed my first tomato ripening and I was thrilled. There is something so satisfying about growing your own vegetables to pick and eat. Can't get more local than that! Peas, beans and cucumbers almost ready. Next year an expansion planned into a sunnier area and visions of a veggie stand at the end of my driveway dance merrily through my head! Debra "making it green...day by day!"
Watched the world's Greenest Homes on HGTV last night. The homes are extraordinary built in trees, on sides of hills, anywhere and everywhere with sustainable, recycled materials like carpets colored with vegetable dyes. The homes featured from Canada to Australia. They were beautiful with large rooms and the kitchens fabulous. These days "living green" means living well. Green is gorgeous!
The garden is growing well, tomatoes plumping up. Should have a luscious closeup to show you but the weed invasion kind of spoils the effect! Maybe when the rain stops I will machete the weeds into submission! Debra...making it green...day by day!
This summer is my first in my new home. Being over 50 years old it came with a garden, bushes I still don't know all of them yet and so it has been a season of discovery. Also since writing the "Make it Green" column for "Today's Creative Homearts" I am very conscious of my green space. I am putting in a rain barrel on the weekend and use the dehumidifier water for my plants. Trying to conserve as much as possible, super quick showers, going nude as much as much as possible to save on laundry (not really but just wanted to make sure you were paying attention!) I was shocked to read that Canadians are the second largest consumers of water in the world. Trying to do our part in our little corner of the country. Having hardy perennial plants makes watering not much of a neccessity and this photo is of a beautiful hardy clematis on my front porch. It had vines everywhere so when I moved in I cut it back to the ground and here it is back up to the roof in all its glory! Debra ...making it green...day by day!
My fav green link of the week is Recycle Cindy of My Recycled Bags. She creates a variety of different bags, crocheting some very attractive bags from yarn she makes from recycling plastic bags, even dish cloths with a scubbie center! She posts other useful projects like making mailers from paper grocery bags. Especially memorable is the posting of her journey through breast cancer these past few months. An inspiring site to visit for green fans and recycle junkies!
Debra ....making it green...day by day!
I am trying to live green each day, some days more successful than others. Last night it was raining so I decided to dry laundry in the garage. Leftover trim strips stretched between two old chairs seemed a good idea at the time. Well the wood curved, clothes hit the garage floor (which is swept sometimes but never scrubbed so...) leaving a grayish border on several things. Now I have to use more water but wait maybe I can hang them out in the rain! The only energy I am not conserving is my own!
Debra making it green or trying to! ...day by day!
IT is a GREEN explosion everywhere these days! My garden, bushes, trees are lush and surround my new home like a fabulous quilt of leafy textures and shaded hues. Every window is full with a green landscape punctuated with accents of flowers, berries and birds. A home is more than the structure, a home makes your heart sing both inside and outside, a safe haven. I feel blessed each day to wake to the sounds of birds in the trees outside (and the occasional clink of a golf ball!, I do live only two houses past the golf course.) Here's to GREEN!!! Debra...making it green...day by day!
I signed up for a daily enews letter called The Daily Green, "the consumer's guide to the green revolution". It is filled with all kinds of great green information for everyone. Recipes, choosing a green college and of particular interest to our members they are looking for photos of recycled and handmade Halloween costumes. Yes I know it is July but dig out those photos from last year of the creative costumes you put together and submit them.
Today we are being teased with a sprinkle of rain but the garden thankfully is surviving the endless days of sun. I use my dehumidifier water to water plants at present. A rain barrel is also a good idea, we just need some rain to fill it! I am off to my studio to restyle some clothing, finishing another book and working on a project for an upcoming column of Creative Homearts. Wish I could share pics here but not until after they are published. I love my job just wish I wasn't so impatient to share what I am up to creatively!
Have a Great Green Day! Debra ...making it green....day by day!
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