Goats of a chance!

SWOON! UW is doing something I can be proud of! They have hired goats to help weed English ivy and Himalayan blackberry.

Community Supported Agriculture

I did it! I joined a CSA! I settled for Full Circle Farm located in Carnation, Washington. I can't tell you how fabulous it is until I get my first box on Sept. 6th but I couldn't wait to tell you!!

For those of you who are not familiar with CSAs, these local farms deliver organic produce to your door or a local drop off location weekly. I selected the small box for $29 that my roommate and I will share. I also chose to have it delievered every other week since we have a tendency to forget we have produce. Oh! Also, they'll include recipes! How fun!

American Life

I'm disgusted at the moment. I'm just so over American lifestyle. I know I just went out and bought some Tide. I was trying to be good and use good soap but what's a girl to do when even a boy thinks her clean laundry stinks?

Anyway, I just think we're disgusting. Americans, I mean. Why are there so many disposable products on the market? Why does every web ad and every fifth junk mail I get have to do with quick fix weight loss? Why did I drive across town to get a Top Pot Donut? Oh right, because they're delicious and everyone needs an occasional treat. We got for-here cups and plates.

Over donuts I heard horror stories about how horribly foster kids and pets are often treated. That doesn't really have to do with Americans in general, just sick sick people.

So yeah. I'm just kind of down. I'm the type who just wants to be able to fix things and when I can't I get pretty depressed. But that often leads me to take action....maybe I'll see if I have more yarn in my stash to make more granny squares. That will at least make me happy that I might be able to keep one person warm.

Stinky Laundry

I have been using 7th Generation laundry detergent for the past year and haven't had any complaints until recently. I have some laundry that just will not become unstinky. The problem is, I don't know how they got stinky in the first place. I especially notice it with my pajama tops. One was just AWFUL so I washed it again. I even tossed it to my roommate (a BOY!) and he recoiled in disgust.

So today I'm going to the store and buying me some Tide. I'll get liquid, of course, so that it's phosphate free. I just feel horrid about it but I just cannot go through life wondering if I'm stinky and have just gotten used to it. I'll start with a small bottle just in case it's not the 7th Generation's fault.

In case you're wondering what kind of stink it is...it smells like they've been in a box for a really long time but stronger and worse.

Update

This looks like it's turning into a craft blog. The theme is tied, really. Reusing, refashioning . . . it's all about saving energy and garbage out of landfills.

I made three and a half more squares this weekend. That equals two mostly used skeins that were filling up my yarn drawer that had no other use. Yay for cleaning!

I'm really excited about the support I've gotten so far. Several people have offered to knit squares. For others interested in knitting instead of crochet, I'm going to let you use your own creativity for the pattern. The only pattern I'd suggest staying away from is ribbing because of the stretchiness.

I should start a list a la Crunch on the side of those interested so I can keep track. : )

Crochet pattern

Excuse the optical illusion, they are the same size.

This will be the pattern for the crocheted afghan. I stole the pattern from 63 East-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches.

Using an H-hook and worsted weight yarn, please make sure your unblocked square measures 6 inches.

Chain 8, join with slip to form a ring.
RND 1: Work beginning Cluster as follows: chain 3, (YO, insert hook in ring and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook (beginning Cluster made), ch 5, work Cluster in ring as follows: (YO, insert hook in ring and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times, YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook (Cluster made), ch 2, *work (Cluster, ch 5, Cluster) in ring, ch2; repeat from * 2 times more; join with slip st. to top of beginning Cluster: 8 clusters.

RND 2: Slip st in first ch-5, work (beginning Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, *work (Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in next ch-5 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2; repatet from * around; join with slip st to top of beginning Cluster.

RND 3: Slip st in first ch-3 sp, work (beginning Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in same sp, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, *work (Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2; repeat from * around; join with slip st to top of beginning Cluster.

RND 4-5: slip st in first ch-3 sp, work (beginning Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in same sp, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, *work (Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, work 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, repeat from * around; join with slip st to top of beginning Cluster.

RND 6: Slip st in first ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 sc, sc in every stitch to next corner (about 21 st), 3 sc in corner. Continue around, slip st. in top of first sc and finish off.

crocheters, knitters, do gooders

Dear friends, stalkers, and lurkers,

I need your help. Many of us have scrap yarn lying around. Why not put it to use? I am asking folks to help me make an afghan out of granny squares to be donated to Treehouse or a local Seattle homeless shelter.

This is a great opportunity to learn how to knit or crochet! And I am not asking you to purchase yarn but to use what you, or a friend, has lying around the house.

Please let me know if you are interested. I have to run to the gym now, but this afternoon I plan on settling on patterns and final instructions.

CSA

I'm thinking about joining a CSA. There are a couple different ones in Seattle area. I love the idea of having fresh, local and organic produce being delivered (or picked up by me) each week for only $30 for two people. They also include recipes to use some of the stuff. Because I have no idea what crookneck squash is.

Anybody have an experience with these?

and I ran...I ran so far away...

So my dear, sweet, and true friend, Jenny, has suggested I run the St. Paddy's Day Dash with her. I tentatively agreed. You see, for some reason I can do aerobics, I can eliptical, I can ride a stationary bike...but I can't run. I especially can't run outside.

Today I got on the treadmill. I think it's a dnyamo...although I just looked that up and maybe it's not. I know the elipitcals run on human power at least. Look people, I'm just trying to relate this post to my conservation focused blog, ok?

Anyway, I walked two minutes and then jogged five or six for about 32 minutes. Only made 2.77 miles. A little short of the 3.1 miles of the dash. But i guess that's why we're training early! The next step, of course, will be to see if I can run outside. Why is it so different? Maybe once I'm running the full 3 miles w/o walking I'll take my skills to Greenlake.

And now I'm ravenous! I can't stop eating! damn exercise.

new pictures same dress

I took some action shots of my dress today. I look really pale . . .

Also, I made pants! They were my practice pants and I made them! I got the pattern from JoAnn's for 1.99 and the fabric I had just sitting in a drawer. I tried to take pictures but they weren't coming out very flattering. Hopefully, the pants look better in real life.

I will participate

Surly Spice tagged me, here's the deal:

Rules:
1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

So... 8 random facts about me:

I'm scared to speak French to French speakers but I speak it to myself and anyone around who won't understand.
I do not like: Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, Star Wars or Lord of the Rings
I LOVE historical fiction
I collect Hoya (plants)
I do not like the smell of plant leaves: no lavendar, yuck tomatoes, keep gernaniums and bacopa far from me!
Yet, have a degree in horticulture
I wish I were dancing right now
The only celebrity I get flustered over is Hal Sparks

I am not goign to tag 8 friends because most of my blogging friends have come across these several times and so I'm not going to make them do it again. This was my first though! So thanks, Surly!! : )