This week I wrote over at 5 Minutes For Going Green about all the brown material you’ll ever need for your compost bin. Check it out and then keep it in mind this weekend when you are raking and bagging leaves, which is something I’m sure to be doing since our trees have dumped a ton in the past week!

Though since the weather is going to be awesome, and Jody will be back home (hallelujah) after 6 days in California, you might catch me and the fam at a pumpkin patch too. :) Have a great weekend.

Stumble it!

Over the past month, I’ve been a on a major (at least for me) food preservation kick. I’ve made and canned two kinds of jam, made peach ice cream (to. die. for.), dehydrated strawberries and apples, made and froze batches of salsa and spaghetti sauce, as well as blanched and froze several pounds of green beans. The majority of that was done with local food that I either grew myself, picked myself or bought at a local farm. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been very rewarding and fun (and, I admit it, a little bit addictive). ;)

You can read more about my latest forays into picking, eating and preserving local fruits and veggies over at 5 Minutes for Going Green today and find out where you can go near you to do the same!

Stumble it!

Ever since getting back from Michigan, my family and I have been sicker than dogs. I’ve had a cold, then the stomach flu, then a return of the cold, then the stomach flu again. Ava’s puked, Julian’s puked, and Jody’s had stomach issues as well. Of course in the middle of all of this we’ve had friends from Georgia staying with us (fun for them) and Jody’s now traveling for work for the next several days. It’s been, um, interesting.

I think I’m finally over the worst of it and the kids are on the mend as well, but needless to say, blogging hasn’t been a priority. However, you can read something from me today about how going green has sometimes forced me to slow down and why this is a good thing over at 5 Minutes For Going Green. I’m also moderating over at API Speaks this week. If you haven’t been by there yet, I encourage you to check it out for lots of motivational, interesting, sometimes silly, and often sweet gentle parenting stories.

Stumble it!

Today I’m writing over at 5 Minutes for Going Green about how to stay cool this summer without using your *gasp* air conditioning! Hey, I’ve been doing it for most of my life and I haven’t melted yet. ;) If you must use your A/C, I’ve also included some tips on how to make running your air conditioner more energy- and cost-efficient. Take a look. :)

Stumble it!