enjoying the little things in life: christmas morning with my puppies

it's a quiet christmas morning, and i've got a puppy on either side of me snuggling

Making Fresh Tracks with Responsible Living

So, now that I've taken a look at what I've already accomplished in living responsibly, I have a good idea of the things I want to work on moving forward.

1. Eating less packaged food. This also goes with our goal to eat healthier. The less packaged the food it, the more natural the food is.

2. Recycle more. Basically, we need to move out of our condo to a place where we can recycle.

3. Unplug our power cords more often. I know it's not realistic to do it every time, but if it's the majority, I'd be happy.

4. Eat out less often = less paper waste

5. Eat less non-free trade chocolate. Can I possible go all the way with this? I love chocolate so much...

6. Resist the urge to buy new. Have a sustainable perspective when I shop.

7. What resources do I have (money, food, time, care) that could benefit others?

Green Resolutions Met

It's that time of year where we start to think about resolutions for the new year - making fresh tracks if you will. Sometimes when we start thinking about looking forward, we forget to remember what we have done.

I've had a chance to think a lot recently about ways I can be more sustainable and responsible in my life, and as I explore this endeavor, I want to compile a list of what I'm already doing. Maybe some of these ideas can give you ideas.

1. Using a reusable water bottle for taking water to work each day. No disposable bottles for me!

2. Take my lunch to work regularly - less waste from fast food packaging.

3. Print household documents on the other side of paper.

4. Cut paper that's been printed on already on one side into quarters for notepad paper

5. Reuse tissue paper and decorative bags for wrapping gifts.

6. Leave curtains closed to block drafts in the winter time. Opening blinds when the sun is shining directly in for the light and the heat.

7. Cut up tshirts into rags, which we use to clean all sorts of surfaces.

8. Read books from the library! (keeps my house from cluttering up too!)

9. When I do buy books, buy them used

10. Use vinegar solutions to clean my windows and surfaces.

11. When I can, buy household items and clothes from the thrift store. (fulfills the thrill of the hunt too!)

12. We eat the venison from the many deer that the hubbs shoots each year. We hardly ever buy meat.

13. Combining trips with errands. Running errands annoys me, so when I can combine them it saves me time and gas.

14. I regularly wash our clothes in cold water; very rarely in warm water.

15. We don't use fabric softener, nor dryer sheets.

16. Of course, we use CFL's as much as possible

17. I've gotten in a good habit of using my reusable shopping bags (it took a while for me to remember them!)

18. As mentioned in an earlier post, I use grocery plastic bags that my parents have generously given me, for scooping up the poopies poop.

19. We reuse wine,whiskey, and coke bottles as taper candle holders.

20. All of my throw pillows have been recovered with old curtains, sweatshirts, or other extra fabrics.

Vintage Window Turned Bulletin/Photo Board

I found these awesome vintage windows at a thrift store in Nashville in the spring. It's a perfect example of a project where I get the bones for the project and then 'marinate' on it for a while before I do anything. Here's what I did with one of the two windows:
I made this bulletin board/photo frame for my sister's apartment. I screwed on some brackets to the back so that she can hang it if she wants to. I also screwed in two knobs on the front that allows it to be a small hat/coat rack when it's hung. I finished this project almost six weeks ago, but only last week was able to give it to her, so I had to hold it in til then.

I still have window number two to complete. I'm currently halfway done. I'm turning that window into a side table and I'm super excited to see how it turns out!

fresh idea: easy personalized lampshade

Here's a fresh idea that I did back in 2005 when I was a counselor at Lake Forest Ranch. I wanted to do something where my campers that summer could sign their name and I could remember them forever. At the same time, I wanted them to sign something that I could actually USE. I am a big fan of having things in my home be as functional as possible.

My idea: decorate a lamp shade! It was super easy too! All I did was buy a basic white lampshade from Wal-Mart (because that's the only store they had in town :) ) and then supplied sharpie markers.

I love this because now six years later, I still have this reminder of my fabulous summer at camp as a counselor and all of the girls that were a part of that summer. I love this too, because anyone can do this and for so many different situations. Another cool thing is that I did this again when I worked there a second summer, so I can have a matching pair!

enjoying the little things in life

finding a GOOD book. not just an ok book, but a really, and truly, GOOD book...

by the way, i'm reading "Unbroken" right now and highly recommend it

For a long time, I have followed zenhabits' blog and loved some of their articles. This is one of them. The point that made me want to put this as a link on my blog (and to help me remember to do this) is the point to "Scare Yourself- Live Outside Your Comfort Zone". Blogs can seem so personal, and yet in our long-distance world, just another way to get to know each other. It was very scary to consider putting my ideas out there, but I do it all the time in my daily life, why not to those in my long distance life.

So, this post is my "out of my comfort zone" item for today: admitting that it's scary sometimes to put your ideas out there.

Check out this great article:

http://zenhabits.net/ignite/