Thursday, February 14, 2008

SHARED LOVE

Blame it on the weather! Yesterday, I planned on posting about a few special environmentally friendly products.
Today, I planned on a Valentine’s Day tribute.
On Tuesday afternoon, however, an unexpected ice storm hit. My husband couldn’t get home from work and had to stay at a hotel.
On wednesday we lost power, heat, and phone service. The problems continued sporadically all day yesterday. (Wish I had a Gaiam radio, see below. )

Since yesterday was the first day the The Mystery Project (TMP) resumed production, the power problems made life very difficult indeed. We now have a new editor at the publishing company and a new deadline (June.) More about this next week.
Hope you don't mind, but I decided to combine the two posts-- first comes green, then pink.

If only part of the post appears and not the rest, please know it wasn’t an operator error, blame it on the weather.
(Photo by GlassCityJungle.com)

Kermit the frog, of Sesame Street fame, was famous for saying “It’s not easy being green.” But, nowadays, if you interpret ‘green’ as being environmentally conscious it’s getting easier each and every day.

Companies concerned with the environment –or their bottom line—are going green. I’d like to share some of my favorites.

THE BIG BAMBOO
From flooring to furniture, bamboo is one of the most fabulous, renewable resources there is!
I’d like to introduce bamboo’s softer side. Did you know bamboo rivals the softest Egyptian cotton or cashmere?

In addition to its luscious feel, bamboo is hypoallergenic, allows your skin to breathe, absorbs odors naturally, and is easy to care for.
Bamboo Dreams bedding is cozy, soft, and incredibly comfortable! You’ll find gorgeous green coverlets, sheet sets, shams, and blankets in a rainbow of colors at www.dreamsack.com.
(Photo by Soy Silk)
Southwest Trading Company (www.soysilk.com) makes sustainable stitching easy. In addition to an assortment of wonderful yarns spun from bamboo fibers, they also produce yarns from annually renewable resources like corn, soy, milk, and chitin (a combination of shrimp and crab shells.

GARDEN THE GREEN WAY
Gardeners are the most environmentally conscious group of people, right? Wrong! As more folks take up gardening, the release of toxic chemicals into the air, soil and water has reached crisis level.

According to author Joe Lamp, if most gardeners watered early in the morning, instead of the other times of the day, nationally we would save at least 700 billion gallons of water each year!
Joe, a master gardener and certified landscape professional, has thought about environmentally sound ways to water and more. (He's also thought of Valentine's Day and wore a pink shirt for the occasion!)

Joe’s just published The ‘GREEN’ Gardener’s Guide features practical information and quick ideas for eco-friendly gardens. Get started by visiting www.joegardener.com to learn more about environmental stewardship through gardening and beyond!

SHAKE IT UP BABY
While you may not be able to get off the grid with these new motion and sun-powered products from Gaiam, even small efforts can yield big rewards.
Give the Shake Light a few jiggles of the wrist and it charges up instantly. Ten seconds of shaking delivers about two minutes of light.
At just 2.5 oz., the SideWinder is the smallest, lightest and most powerful portable cell phone charger made. Two minutes of cranking delivers 5-6 minutes of talk time, or up to 30 minutes standby.
A built-in solar panel, hand crank and AC adapter give you charging versatility with this Solar Radio. Only 30 seconds of cranking powers the internal NiMH battery for 35 minutes of AM and FM broadcasts.

THE POWER OF PINK
Happy Valentine’s Day.
Doesn’t this Scarlet Ibis remind you of a big pink feathery heart? I photographed her (him?) in Barbados several years ago. I’ve knicknamed her Scarlet. Yes, I really do\ have a thing for birds!
Just in case you didn’t receive flowers this year (or even if you did!), these are for you.

I’m off to NYC for my annual Flamenco Festival fix. See you all next week.

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***
For someone who loves to cook – and bake—like I do, a little less cream in the chowder, a little more veggies in the empanadas are my ideas of healthier living. Since Valentine’s Day is all about chocolate, wait until tomorrow to visit Kavit’s Wellness Junction blog. www.wellness-junction.com

20 comments:

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Barbara,

It's not easy being green, but what a difference it could make to all of us! Even as a tiny website, we are trying to make a difference, by using recycled shredding for packaging etc.

Thanks for the great post! And the roses, too.
xo Lidy

Whimsy Pink said...

Those roses are so pretty in that pitcher!

Gail McCormack said...

Couldn't agree more Barbara, I try and replace at least one of our "bad" products a week, this week I've invested in a spray atomosizer, instead of buying the pressure oil spray pack you simply fill this one with some favourite pure olive oil you can even add some herbs for extra tase, thanks Peta from Pretty in Pink for the idea!

Barbara said...

Your ice storms amaze me as we have nothing like that. Loss of power etc and not being able to get home is not fun.
Thanks for your visit and comments.
I always miss you when you are not around.

Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva said...

oh i hate ice storms...my last on was in atlanta about 7 years ago...i NEVER want to have that experience again...thus the move to florida...so comeon down if you need a break...you have been so busy since i was last here...i have missed visiting you...hugs, r

Susie Q said...

Oooh..the Flamenco Festival sounds wonderful! Have fun!

I am so sorry about the ice storm. Having survived more than a few, I have learned the power of the frozen stuff! Or, should I say, NO power!
: ) For days and days and icy days!

Your post was a great one per usual...I wish more did understand about watering early. My poor husband is tired of answering that
question from neighbors who are still watering in the afternoon or early evening.
We also use a push mower. You can imagine the looks we get for that!

We have solar garden lights and I am looking for a solar pump for my little fountain.

Oh but the Ibis was glorious! What a delicious color!

I hope your Valentine's Day was a good one, albeit, a little icy! : )

Hugs,
Sue

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hi Barbara!
Wow, that is some bad weather you were having! Glad you finally got your power back on.

I am going to check out dreamsak.com. That sounds really interesting and I am due for some new sheets...

Love the picture of Scarlet! How beautiful.
Have a fun time at the Flamenco Fest....
Penny

cjan said...

Hi Barbara,

Sure hope things are back to normal with the storms you have been going through!

I love the Bamboo pillows and light colors. Never seen anything Bamboo up here, but I don't really go alot of places... LOL

Our snow is melting a tad bit, but still have about 3 ft. on the ground. We got 5 more inches last night. Hubby says it's spring. I said, 'Spring is when I see tulips coming up out of the ground. So to prove his point.. I got red tulips for Valentines day.
LOL.
Hugs,
Jan

Susan Tuttle said...

Looks like you got that awful ice storm right after we did. Your husband was so smart to stay at work, and not attempt to travel in it.

Susan
xo

A Romantic Porch said...

Your pictures are beautiful. And I love all your green ideas! xo Rachel

Niesz Vintage Home said...

Beautiful bird and roses pictures!

I wish more of my neighbors were into Green gardening. Every spring I can barely go outside without being overwhelmed by strong smell of chemical lawn fertilizers and weed killers!

We may have a few dandilions pop up, but at least my dog and I can walk our grass.

Kimberly :)

NeereAnDear said...

Well I wonder what happened... I signed up to get notified when you post and this one didnt show up...

Interesting to see the things we can purchase that are echo friendly...

sorry I have been such an absentee blogger... hoping to get back in the swing of things soon

HUGS

JO

NeereAnDear said...

I checked out the blog de jour... wonderful... I used to eat raw allt he time... and I always felt full of energy... not sure what changed .... but I may have to try it again... Thanks for ... as usual... a wonderful new blog link..

HUGS

JO

Seeb said...

thank you for lovely flowers,I like your pictures the ice ones!!

Donna said...

Thanks for all of the green tips! I've gotta go check out joegardener. The scarlet ibis is beautiful! and so are the roses!
Have a good time in NY!
Donna

Mosaic*Queen said...

Oooooh! Yucky weather!!!
Catching up on your postings.....
Happy 100th post!!
I Garden, but responsibly. No chemicals here! Here in the Phoenix area, they have pushed for desert landscaping (rocks) for the last 10 years. I would not do it. Now they are finding that too much hardscape and not enough green is causing severe heat islands which are causing moisture to pass around the heat and leave little or no moisture. My property stays about 10-15 degrees cooler than my neighbors across the street. The experts are now trying to incorporate green. It just shows that experts are sometimes wrong.
I look forward to your posting on the festival in NYC.
Hugs!
Michelle

NeereAnDear said...

Welcome back... I finally posted ..it was way too long... my next post is going to be in your honor because of something you have been posting about... will be in about a week or so...

HUGS

JO

Judy's Vintage Collections said...

Just to let you know I stop by today to visit. Looking forward to another post on your blog. GARDEN THE GREEN WAY! Spring is in the air in Texas!
Hugs,
Judy

blah said...

Dear Barbara - that bird is amazing!! I cant believe he's really that colour!! WOW!! What a spectacular piece of creation :-) God must have had fun making him !!
PS looking forward to seeing photos of flamencoing!! Im a huge costume fan ! Lallalydia and creative lounge have done great posts on flamenco fashion week :-)

Brittany said...

Gaiam is nice place for buying organic stuff!! I just love shop at here!!