I've decided to step it up in doing my part to save the environment.
If you don't know by now, deep down I'm really a hippy earth mother-type.
Or at least I want to be. I'm trying.
I grind my own wheat.
We have a compost box in the backyard.
I take my own reusable bag to the store.
Exciting, no? But that's just the tip of the iceberg.
There has to be more I can do.
I don't want to be political about it.
I just want to be wise and take care of the earth God has so generously given to us. I think we can all do a better job at that.
And I also want to save money.
So call it what you want ...
hippy
earth mother
eco-friendly
green
frugal
thrifty
cheap
I'm calling it smart.
And I'm going to try and do something or make a change every week. Some will be little, some will be big, but they all count.
This week ...
I am hanging a clothes line, 2 actually, across my back patio.
I cannot believe that I have never had a clothesline!
Growing up, it seemed like everyone had one.
I remember helping my grandma hang clothes outside to dry.
They always smelled so good. There was just something about watching fabric flutter in the breeze that made me think everything was well and good.
I was doing some research on clotheslines. Did you know it's actually illegal to have a clothesline in some neighborhoods in some towns? I don't know, I may be breaking the law. (wait until I get a few chickens ... I'm sure I'll be a criminal!) But I'm hanging my clotheslines this week and I'll be back to post photos for you.
So do you do your part? Are you frugal? What do you do?
I'm taking notes.
12 comments:
I reuse ziploc bags until they tear, I shop at Goodwill and use hand-me-downs for all my kids' playclothes. We are content with what we have and try to just stay away from consumption, period. I buy gallons of canola oil from Costco and keep refilling the same ol' quart size bottle. It's probably several years old now. Most of this is not to save the planet, but because I'm so darn cheap.
You've given me a good idea, Linda.
Maybe when I'm done with the backyard redo I'll put up retractable clothes lines. I still remember that so clearly as well and LOVED the smell. Now we have to get it chemically. What's wrong with THAT picture?
I agree with you. We all have to do our part.
I recycle as much as I can. I also use the reusable bag when I shop, but not at just the grocery store, all stores.
I ride my bike when possible, to do errands.
I'm always trying to think of ways to conserve. Maybe we should start a earth friendly tips blog?? I'm sure there are a lot of great ideas out there that I haven't thought of.
I have always wanted an outdoor clothes line, I love the smell. We could have one over here and lots of people do since most people don't own dryers over here, but living in the desert makes we unsure about having sand covered clothes. Besides they would not have that same fresh air smell. So, a dryer for me it is......maybe one day whenever I get back "home" I will attempt line drying
We reuse our ziploc bags too! I hadn't found anyone before Kristin who did this. I hate the idea of all that plastic that doesn't break down lying in some dump somewhere. We use reusable grocery bags, Dave makes his own compost and saves every food tub imaginable for his garage odds and ends. We have even gone to cloth napkins. We still use the paper ones some of the time, but try to use the cloth ones more..got that from my mom. I don't buy paper plates except for big parties, just a waste of trees. We also wash our water bottles in the dishwasher and refill them. I'm like you, trying to do my part, not to be politically correct, but because God gave us the responsibility of taking care of this great earth. You probably got more than you asked for!!! :)
You are going to be sick of me...but I forgot..I love clothes on the clothesline. You are right, there is something peaceful about watching them blow in the breeze. They smell good too. Dave's been wanting to put one up for a while, maybe it's time to do it! Great post, Linda! Hope all is well. :)
I guarantee if I put up a clothesline at my house the police would be here to rip it down. The hoighty-toits will just not allow it.
Your whites are going to be so white!
I'm going to be honest. I really want to do my part, but I have a really hard time with it. I've done things like switching my light bulbs, and doing larger loads, but man I love taking long showers... and other little wonderful things in life. But I'm getting better! One step at a time :)
I'm trying to.... i think it's smart for all of us!!! it's not easy, but anything worthwhile isn't easy right? :O)
I blogged about this last year, but I am OBSESSED with Target bags (I do have a few resuable bags that I sometimes remember to take to the store. Ahem.) If I see someone toss them, all wadded up and empty, I FREAK. Hello...TARGET BAGS! They are an amazing commodity...we line little wastebins with them...use them for emptying the litter box...use them as lunch bags...keep them down by the pool for trash or wet items...and on and on. Target bags are golden in this house. Seriously.
Hello, I'm trying also. The part I dislike most is the separation of recyclable plastic containers. I don't mind separating them. What I don't like is having to wash them out first before putting them in the bin. If I don't it draws bugs. It's not only more work but we have to pay for the water twice, once coming in and once going out.
I do reuse the plastic ziploc bags. I really like using them in the freezer. Anything that comes in it's own freezer bag, once it's opened I put it in a ziplock or store brand. As the veggies for ex. get low, I can put more than one bag in a ziplock.
I also use the target or walmart bags for kittie litter.
Great site. Thanks for the different ideas. By the way I'm one of those subdivisions where you cannot hang your clothing out, or I would. It would certainly put a dent in my electric bill.
I grew up with a large clothesline. Right now I am renting so I have found that a clothes drying rack is the perfect solution for me. I can save money AND the environment at the same time. Awesome.
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