Comments for The Sustainable Backyard http://thesustainablebackyard.com Just another blog from a smalltown homesteader Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:14:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on Christmas 2009 by anajz http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/12/28/christmas-2009/#comment-1049 anajz Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:38:41 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/12/28/christmas-2009/#comment-1049 Thanks Joyce. Your Thanksgiving sounds wonderful...wish we had something like that here. I sometimes feel terrible that I would just as soon go out to eat than to spend the entire week cooking and then cleaning up afterward. Everyone else gets to visit and relax, while I spend days in preparation. Even at $25 a person, I think it would be less expensive to eat out than to purchase groceries and prepare the meal at home. While growing up, my family's holiday meal tradition included several different pies, salads, meat choices and more. Granny always made the BEST pies..but now it is just me. My girls are in college and have no way of baking or preparing items before arriving. They do try to help some in our small kitchen, but I just think it would be much easier to begin some kind of new tradition...one that is not quite as time consuming. Currently, I am trying to get my family on board with going away on Christmas, but we are having a bit of a disagreement in that department. I would much rather spend the money, time and effort that we do on Christmas buying and take a memorable, but short, vacation. The problem is getting everyone to agree on a location...haha! We have considered Branson, Kansas City and Oklahoma City as choices, with OKC being the most convenient (but maybe not the most entertaining). Thanks again for stopping by...as you can see, I have been very remiss in updating this blog. Thanks Joyce. Your Thanksgiving sounds wonderful…wish we had something like that here. I sometimes feel terrible that I would just as soon go out to eat than to spend the entire week cooking and then cleaning up afterward. Everyone else gets to visit and relax, while I spend days in preparation. Even at $25 a person, I think it would be less expensive to eat out than to purchase groceries and prepare the meal at home.

While growing up, my family’s holiday meal tradition included several different pies, salads, meat choices and more. Granny always made the BEST pies..but now it is just me. My girls are in college and have no way of baking or preparing items before arriving. They do try to help some in our small kitchen, but I just think it would be much easier to begin some kind of new tradition…one that is not quite as time consuming.

Currently, I am trying to get my family on board with going away on Christmas, but we are having a bit of a disagreement in that department. I would much rather spend the money, time and effort that we do on Christmas buying and take a memorable, but short, vacation. The problem is getting everyone to agree on a location…haha! We have considered Branson, Kansas City and Oklahoma City as choices, with OKC being the most convenient (but maybe not the most entertaining).

Thanks again for stopping by…as you can see, I have been very remiss in updating this blog.

]]> Comment on Christmas 2009 by Joyce Banbury http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/12/28/christmas-2009/#comment-1048 Joyce Banbury Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:34:03 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/12/28/christmas-2009/#comment-1048 I liked reading your Christmas day blog. We haven't downsized in decorating but we have in cooking. Christmas Dinner now consists of a big pot of home made chicken noodles, mashed potatoes, salad, biscuits and pie for dinner. The days of cooking big meals and such are long gone. We focus on staying out of the kitchen, enjoying the day and conversations, kids and getting together it works for us. :o) Also we no longer cook Thanksgiving but for the past 30 years go to the Methodist church community dinner. Love it!! Get all the fun, community and food but still have time for each other. My grandaughter now heads the dinner program!!! I liked reading your Christmas day blog. We haven’t downsized in decorating but we have in cooking. Christmas Dinner now consists of a big pot of home made chicken noodles, mashed potatoes, salad, biscuits and pie for dinner. The days of cooking big meals and such are long gone.

We focus on staying out of the kitchen, enjoying the day and conversations, kids and getting together it works for us. :o)

Also we no longer cook Thanksgiving but for the past 30 years go to the Methodist church community dinner. Love it!! Get all the fun, community and food but still have time for each other. My grandaughter now heads the dinner program!!!

]]> Comment on A Green Christmas? by Nicky http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/12/15/a-green-christmas/#comment-1005 Nicky Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:55:20 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/12/15/a-green-christmas/#comment-1005 Hope you got your solar dryer! We live in an apartment and can't have a clothesline, but I did get this snazzy new <a href="http://www.bestdryingrack.com" rel="nofollow">laundry drying rack</a> - being round it works really nice under a ceiling fan! It does take a while to really get in the habits of hanging instead of just tossing it in the dryer. Hope you got your solar dryer! We live in an apartment and can’t have a clothesline, but I did get this snazzy new laundry drying rack - being round it works really nice under a ceiling fan!

It does take a while to really get in the habits of hanging instead of just tossing it in the dryer.

]]> Comment on Build Your Own Compost Tumbler by Composting Enthusiast http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/05/build-your-own-compost-tumbler/#comment-967 Composting Enthusiast Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:41:28 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/05/build-your-own-compost-tumbler/#comment-967 Thanks for sharing the video. I'm gonna try this! Thanks for sharing the video. I’m gonna try this!

]]> Comment on From the Sideyard~City Wildlife by anita http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/10/20/from-the-sideyard/#comment-960 anita Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:54:19 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/10/20/from-the-sideyard/#comment-960 Great post.. love the squirrel! I could watch animals for hours and never get bored, lol... Great post.. love the squirrel! I could watch animals for hours and never get bored, lol…

]]> Comment on What Happened? by anajz http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/09/19/what-happened/#comment-957 anajz Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:33:59 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/09/19/what-happened/#comment-957 Hi Wendy... I have had so many irons in the fire recently that my sustainable backyard blogging has taken a backseat. I hope for things to slow down a bit so that I can get started again....I miss it! Hi Wendy…
I have had so many irons in the fire recently that my sustainable backyard blogging has taken a backseat. I hope for things to slow down a bit so that I can get started again….I miss it!

]]> Comment on What Happened? by Wendy http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/09/19/what-happened/#comment-956 Wendy Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:09:04 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/09/19/what-happened/#comment-956 I am still here... Are you still posting? I am still here… Are you still posting?

]]> Comment on WordPress Theme Woes by anita http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/09/19/wordpress-theme-woes/#comment-936 anita Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:31:03 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/09/19/wordpress-theme-woes/#comment-936 I know in my head the template I'm going to create, but I'm still using the other one just out of pure laziness.... lol I like this template.. maybe now that the sidebar is back you won't have to change it? I know in my head the template I’m going to create, but I’m still using the other one just out of pure laziness…. lol
I like this template.. maybe now that the sidebar is back you won’t have to change it?

]]> Comment on Project Laundry List by Nick Peterson http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/07/07/project-laundry-list/#comment-931 Nick Peterson Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:33:56 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/07/07/project-laundry-list/#comment-931 Big energy savings can be had with the right combination on laundry equipment. The new front-load washers not only use less water, but they do not need hot water AND the spin the clothes out so fast that they come out almost dry. Then just take those 'almost dry' clothes and hang them up on a <a href="http://www.bestdryingrack.com" rel="nofollow">clothes drying rack</a> indoor or out (depending on the season). Clean dry laundry with very little water usage and great energy savings! Big energy savings can be had with the right combination on laundry equipment. The new front-load washers not only use less water, but they do not need hot water AND the spin the clothes out so fast that they come out almost dry.
Then just take those ‘almost dry’ clothes and hang them up on a clothes drying rack indoor or out (depending on the season).
Clean dry laundry with very little water usage and great energy savings!

]]> Comment on Chipotle’s and Food, Inc. by Samantha G http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/07/16/chipoltles-and-food-inc/#comment-914 Samantha G Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:09:24 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/07/16/chipoltles-and-food-inc/#comment-914 I love Chipotle, and now after reading this post, I love it even more! I love Chipotle, and now after reading this post, I love it even more!

]]> Comment on Chipotle’s and Food, Inc. by christy http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/07/16/chipoltles-and-food-inc/#comment-913 christy Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:24:20 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/07/16/chipoltles-and-food-inc/#comment-913 Actually, it looks like McDonalds no longer owns it... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipotle_Mexican_Grill Actually, it looks like McDonalds no longer owns it… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipotle_Mexican_Grill

]]> Comment on Chipotle’s and Food, Inc. by christy http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/07/16/chipoltles-and-food-inc/#comment-912 christy Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:21:32 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/07/16/chipoltles-and-food-inc/#comment-912 I think I ate there once, and remember liking it. McDonald's owns it, so the Food, Inc. references, etc kind of surprised me. I think I ate there once, and remember liking it. McDonald’s owns it, so the Food, Inc. references, etc kind of surprised me.

]]> Comment on Backwards Hamburger by christy http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/07/21/backwards-hamburger/#comment-911 christy Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:18:31 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/07/21/backwards-hamburger/#comment-911 Agree, gross. But probably fairly accurate. Agree, gross. But probably fairly accurate.

]]> Comment on Alternative Lighting with 2 Liter Pop Bottles by Lisa http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/04/alternative-lighting-with-2-liter-pop-bottles/#comment-873 Lisa Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:11:50 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/04/alternative-lighting-with-2-liter-pop-bottles/#comment-873 This is so cool I sent it to my husband. We are always looking for ways to reuse!! This is so cool I sent it to my husband. We are always looking for ways to reuse!!

]]> Comment on Solar Cookin’ Time by Moonshadow http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/23/solar-cookin-time/#comment-865 Moonshadow Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:29:31 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/23/solar-cookin-time/#comment-865 anajz - It's been a while since I've been here, but I remembered last year that you were experimenting with solar ovens. I popped over to drop a link on you... http://thefieldlab.blogspot.com/ ...this guy cooks with his solar over all the time. I thought he might be able to help you out with the problems that you were having with yours. But it appears you have one working now, so maybe you'd just want to check out his recipes. :) anajz - It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I remembered last year that you were experimenting with solar ovens. I popped over to drop a link on you…
http://thefieldlab.blogspot.com/
…this guy cooks with his solar over all the time. I thought he might be able to help you out with the problems that you were having with yours. But it appears you have one working now, so maybe you’d just want to check out his recipes. :)

]]> Comment on FEMA Trailers for $5 by Anita http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/03/fema-trailers-for-5/#comment-858 Anita Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:03:51 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/03/fema-trailers-for-5/#comment-858 You're right... it shouldn't matter... but it always does, and sadly probably always will... You’re right… it shouldn’t matter… but it always does, and sadly probably always will…

]]> Comment on Build Your Own Compost Tumbler by Carole http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/05/build-your-own-compost-tumbler/#comment-856 Carole Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:36:33 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/05/build-your-own-compost-tumbler/#comment-856 I compost myself since I am overrun with chicken poo. My set up is a little different because I wanted the chickens to have access to do the tossing and turning for me. We started about six months ago and have already utilized some of the rich soil for potting plants. I compost myself since I am overrun with chicken poo. My set up is a little different because I wanted the chickens to have access to do the tossing and turning for me. We started about six months ago and have already utilized some of the rich soil for potting plants.

]]> Comment on FEMA Trailers for $5 by anajz http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/03/fema-trailers-for-5/#comment-851 anajz Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:25:17 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/03/fema-trailers-for-5/#comment-851 Thanks for chiming in Anita... First off....I think that $600 a month for those small FEMA trailers is RIDICULOUS! That is more than I pay for my home each month...granted my home is very old...but it is much larger than the trailers. When I saw this article I became quite agitated because I remembered that $600. Of course, I am certain no one from FEMA would say it publicly, but the excuse of not having enough minorities is lame and in my opinion ... DISCRIMINATION! Race should not matter! Thanks for chiming in Anita…

First off….I think that $600 a month for those small FEMA trailers is RIDICULOUS! That is more than I pay for my home each month…granted my home is very old…but it is much larger than the trailers.

When I saw this article I became quite agitated because I remembered that $600. Of course, I am certain no one from FEMA would say it publicly, but the excuse of not having enough minorities is lame and in my opinion … DISCRIMINATION! Race should not matter!

]]> Comment on FEMA Trailers for $5 by Anita http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/03/fema-trailers-for-5/#comment-850 Anita Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:22:40 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/06/03/fema-trailers-for-5/#comment-850 We did pay rent... and had to be out by a certain date... and couldn't even buy the appliances or furniture out of them... The rent started at $600, and then was reduced based on income. It started low, and increased by $50 every month until we were out... Lots of things weren't fair about the treatment of Kansas people as opposed to Katrina people... one FEMA person actually told me it was because of our lack of minorities... We did pay rent… and had to be out by a certain date… and couldn’t even buy the appliances or furniture out of them…
The rent started at $600, and then was reduced based on income. It started low, and increased by $50 every month until we were out…
Lots of things weren’t fair about the treatment of Kansas people as opposed to Katrina people… one FEMA person actually told me it was because of our lack of minorities…

]]> Comment on Comment anyone? by Mom http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/05/08/comment-anyone/#comment-833 Mom Mon, 11 May 2009 03:05:36 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/05/08/comment-anyone/#comment-833 It's working for me.... :-) It’s working for me…. :-)

]]> Comment on Solar Cookin’ Time by Kathy@brazoscowgirl http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/23/solar-cookin-time/#comment-822 Kathy@brazoscowgirl Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:26:51 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/23/solar-cookin-time/#comment-822 This sounds fun and easy! I know it will work in Central Texas. I need to talk to you sometime, I have a few ideas! Mrs. M helped me get going, and i am going to add more blogs. This sounds fun and easy! I know it will work in Central Texas. I need to talk to you sometime, I have a few ideas! Mrs. M helped me get going, and i am going to add more blogs.

]]> Comment on something different by BeeBee http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/29/something-different/#comment-819 BeeBee Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:12:20 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/29/something-different/#comment-819 Oh my! =) Oh my! =)

]]> Comment on Solar Cookin’ Time by Janelle http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/23/solar-cookin-time/#comment-818 Janelle Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:49:53 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/23/solar-cookin-time/#comment-818 PS: if you get a chance - check out my blog today. I have questions about soil that I think you might be able to give advice. Thank you! PS: if you get a chance - check out my blog today. I have questions about soil that I think you might be able to give advice. Thank you!

]]> Comment on Solar Cookin’ Time by anajz http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/23/solar-cookin-time/#comment-817 anajz Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:39:50 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/23/solar-cookin-time/#comment-817 Janelle, my DH wasn't so certain about this in the beginning, but the proof was in the roast. Rebecca, I have read where people in Minnesota and Canada have used the solar ovens with great success...both even with snow on the ground....but you do need some sun. The reflectors are used in the cooler months to direct the sun into the oven. I am in the process of building a webpage for my new solar oven dealership. It's going a bit slow, but with any luck it will be up soon. Janelle, my DH wasn’t so certain about this in the beginning, but the proof was in the roast.

Rebecca, I have read where people in Minnesota and Canada have used the solar ovens with great success…both even with snow on the ground….but you do need some sun. The reflectors are used in the cooler months to direct the sun into the oven.

I am in the process of building a webpage for my new solar oven dealership. It’s going a bit slow, but with any luck it will be up soon.

]]> Comment on Let’s Eat the WhiteHouse Lawn by Jamie http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/20/lets-eat-the-whitehouse-lawn/#comment-816 Jamie Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:04:51 +0000 http://thesustainablebackyard.com/2009/03/20/lets-eat-the-whitehouse-lawn/#comment-816 Dropping by from Blog Stalkers Unite to say hi. I wish I had 1,100 square foot garden! Dropping by from Blog Stalkers Unite to say hi. I wish I had 1,100 square foot garden!

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