Friday - January 31,  2003

Yesterday we picked up over 200 wine bottles that one of our client's had been saving... now it's a matter of what to do with all that lovely dark green glass.  Besides lining pathways or beds, we could make a hummingbird feeder or by using a glass cutter we could turn them into candle holders... maybe somehow we can make a tumbler to tumble broken glass to use in the pathways... hmmmm....

Don't forget to check out the latest issue of our NEWSLETTER.

Weather Report:  Don't know how long I am going to repeat this.... unseasonably summer like temperatures. Heat records broken all over the Southland yesterday.

Thursday - January 30,  2003

pre-80's one uses over an estimated 50 wasteful gallons and with the new one it will use only 22 gallons.  Thankfully Pasadena has a great rebate program incentive, so it won't cost us very much for the washer -- which certainly helps the pocket book. Now we just have to figure on getting the water from the washing machine to the grey water reed bed, but that's another story.

Weather Report:  Same old... dry, warm. Temps in the high 80's. Expected to reach 90's this weekend.

Wednesday - January 29,  2003

PLAYING CATCH UP...

I know, the website is suffering from my lack of care. I've been too "lazy" to check for dead links and with all the stuff going on, I've neglected the BACK TO BASICS section, posting new pics in the PHOTO GALLERY, and adding NEW LINKS to our link directory. In addition, with the new year, I haven't had time to archive all the old FACTS & STATS and news articles of 2002 and start a new page... Only a couple days left in January (where'd it go?) and have to get the newsletter out.... Ok enough of that!

Yesterday we visited EXOTICA RARE FRUITS NURSERY, purchased another tree tomato and an ice cream bean slip (just to try).  We gorged ourselves on guavas and white sapote and picked out plants we want to try in the future for Steve (owner of the nursery) to deliver later on.

Now, that we are home it's time to get our heirloom tomatoes and peppers started and start planning for Spring and Summer.

With the kooky weather here, it seems like Spring not Winter.  I've seen apple trees blooming and even our peach is starting to bud... it's a bit early guys!  They said this has been one of the driest January on record

Weather Report:  Warm, dry and strange...

Sunday - January 26,  2003

Weather Report:  Driest January we've had in a long time... warm temps and no rain, even the peach tree is starting to bud... we are praying for rain.

Friday - January 17,  2003

Thursday - January 16,  2003

HAPPY HOLISTIC HOPPERS

Sierra                             Moonshadow

One of the bunnies (Moonshadow) had a bad case of sniffles with sneezing attacks.  For awhile there, we were a bit worried but now she's improved... more like healed.  We didn't want to bring her to a vet as they would just prescribe some drug or antibiotic that would only treat the problem and not the entire bunny's health.  Instead we tried a more alternative, holistic approach, adding fresh herbs to their diet and drops of colloidal silver, anti-bio and grape seed extract in the water.  Whatever it was, it worked.  She's now very active,  no longer has those awful sneezing fits and her runny nose has dried up.   In addition, we no longer feed them processed rabbit pellets.  Every morning we pick them a variety of fresh greens, herbs and add oats, bread or cereal, raisins, carrots or radishes, peas and orange peels or the occasional fruit slice.  Once in awhile we give them our leftover wheat grass flat to devour.  I should say that our little gals are sure spoiled!  But, they are very happy little rabbits.  Sierra likes to lick our arms and faces like a dog (she thinks we need some grooming!) and Moonshadow grunts with delight when she sees us.  They're pretty much all grown up now - weighing at about 3 pounds each. We try to let them out everyday or so in the yard for exercise and they hop around the yard doing their bunny dance of delight as they streak from one side of the garden to the other.  

For those who have animals and would like to treat problems or illnesses the alternative way, check out THE PET MEDICINE CHEST.  They have some really good advice, though their products are a bit expensive....

Weather Report:  Ditto.... warm, dry.  Record heat predicted today.

Tuesday - January 14,  2003

Monday - January 13,  2003

Sunday - January 12,  2003

GOT MILK?... SOY MILK?

On Friday we made some homemade PEANUT BUTTER.  It's was delicious!  We are trying to eliminate additional "pre-made" foods from our shopping list.  So far this year we are making our own granola (which, by the way, beats any store bought granola you can buy) and started to grind some of our own flour.  Last year we started buying in bulk and making items from scratch like ketchup, salad dressing, biscuits, flour tortillas, soy milk and etc.  This year we hope to do even more.

Yesterday we spent a pleasant afternoon hiking in the local mountains.  We are truly blessed that we live so close by (5 min).  The wind storm So. CA had just a couple days ago really did some damage up in the canyon... lots of beautiful trees were toppled over.  There were lots of people spending the day up there too, seems like more and more each year.  I remember when some days we would hike and not see a single soul.  The trail used to be only a footpath but is widened now to almost where a car can fit.  The forest rangers are doing this to accommodate for the excess traffic and it is so sad to see the scars of this left behind and knowing that the vegetation would never be the same again.   I don't mind people enjoying nature, but when you can see with your own eyes how things are changing, then something has to be done about it.  I also don't really mind mountain bikers either but there are too many "thrill-seeking" ones who are there for the speed and not for the challenge or enjoyment of nature.  They get dropped off at the top (couple miles up) of the mountain and zoom on down with little regard to the damage they cause. 

Friday - January 10,  2003

Wire area where the bunnies eat allowing their droppings to fall into redworm bin

BWDS - BUNNY WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

Finally completed the vermicomposting system working under the rabbit hutch.   The guys built a funnel underneath the wire section of the floor where the bunnies eating area is (The rest of the hutch flooring is wood.  We didn't want the bunnies hopping about on wire... ouch!) The bunnies' pellets fall down the funnel which is connected to a Rubbermaid filled with red worms.  Pretty nifty, eh?  We didn't want an open worm bin at the bottom because we wanted to keep the fly population from hanging around.  It's working out really well -- no mess, no smell, no daily cleaning, no flies, and great fertilizer for the garden... what more could you ask!

Here's a useful link about this tandem team Rabbits & Vermicomposting

DID YOU KNOW? On average, worms will eat half their weight in food per day? So with one lb of worms you would be feeding 3.5 lbs of food per week. An average household of 4 produces 7 lbs of compostable worm food per week. 

Weather Report:  Cool and overcast... but we need MORE RAIN!!!!

Thursday - January 09,  2003

for the human spirit where urban people can gather, preserve something of their culture through native seeds and foods, and teach their children about food and the earth. The revolution is taking place in small gardens, under railroad tracks and power lines, on rooftops, at farmers' markets, and in the most unlikely of places. It is a movement that has the potential to address a multitude of issues: economic, environmental, personal health, and cultural. ~ Michael Ableman, "The Quiet Revolution" ~

Read this really neat article about a 1942 Victory Garden Winner.  For all those dreaming of Spring, check out these wonderful "Victory Garden" links.  Sow a revolution!

History of the Victory Gardens  - "Governments and corporations promoted this call for self-reliance."  Hmmm, wonder where that went?

Grandpa's Victory Garden  - Reminiscing the old days.

Garden Warrior of 1942 - Urban gardens have the potential for making a valuable contribution to our food supply, and that they may one day become a necessity rather than a hobby.

Modern Victory Garden Movement  - "Our food is fighting!"

Re-Earthing The Cities  - Be different! Be daring! Do Something! Don't leave it to others! Live what you believe! It's happening downunder...

While getting these links together I ran across this: RADICAL RECYCLING...  check it out!

Weather Report:  After a couple unusually hot days, we are back to cool and overcast.  Even had bit of a drizzle this morning.

Monday - January 06,  2003

Check out Kraptonite.com or the "Power of Doo." Mr. Dundon is much more than a master organic gardener and composting guru, he is man with an important message ... "A better tomorrow for us all starts with living better today by converting waste into something that restores, not destroys, life on the planet - SOIL, NOT OIL!"

Sunday - January 05,  2003

YOU SAY YOU WANT A RESOLUTION?

Took some time off, as you can see, from writing diary entries.  Things have been quite busy around here.  We recently had a visit from some guys from Crenshaw High {better known as FOOD FROM THE HOOD}  They checked out the garden and are thinking of bringing some students here.  We also went to Tim's place yesterday and picked up a Tapioca plant.

In addition, today we got some more fruit from EXOTICA NURSERY  Let's see here, we now got Yellow Strawberry Guava, Goumi, Highbush Cranberry, different types of Pepino and a Jaboticaba.  Jaboticaba is really interesting as it produces fruit on the bark of the plant and which resemble purple grapes.  We also got some Chilean Wintergreen and European Elderberries coming in from ONE GREEN WORLD. There is sooo much to do around here these days that one feels like the guy in the circus who tries to keep all those plates turning on the table at the same time.... Sheesh, makes me dizzy just thinking about it.

I am going to have to get my seed order out soon if we are want to get a jump on Spring.  With temps being really warm here we are certainly spoiled -- I am sure all those out-of-towners for the Rose Bowl/Parade basked in our beautiful, warm days. 

We also made some new year resolutions in which we'd like to see our little place produce at least 6,000 lbs of produce.  Then after the yard and garden is finished we'd like to move on and tackle some more off-the-grid, sustainable, and "homesteading" projects.  It's going to be an exciting year, God willing.... stay tuned!