Category Archives: life at home

soapdish

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Part of “living green” is reducing consumption. This may include gasoline, paper products, or materialism. One thing I try to focus on in my own life is reduce my consumption of plastic. Plastic may be recyclable, but it takes a lot of energy to do so. (I also believe the recycled plastic may not be used for food containers. Correct me if I’m wrong).

I’ve started to slowly replace the liquid soap pumps around my house with glass or porcelein soap dishes. The reduction of plastic is two-fold. First, there is no longer the pumps themselves which eventually break and must be thrown into the trash. Second, the refill bottle is no longer part of the cycle either. Thirdly, (I just thought of this one) the soap bars I am using are more natural products themselves and do not contain petroleum products. Yay!

I love the way the light hits this dish. This happened to be the only one I bought new. The rest I have purchased at thrift stores.

holy blazes

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It’s really hot outside.  I’m certainly not complaining (although I wish it were seventy or eighty degrees), but it’s given me sympathy for those who walk and bike and bus.  I try not to go out in the middle of the day, but I had to meet my knitting group at six this evening, and sweat was dripping down my face.  And my jacket needs a good washing and deodorizing on the interior if you know what I mean.

I did expect this heat, but I am happy to do my part to downsize.

yellow light

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Argh. I struggle everyday with disciplining myself. I want so badly to go into the studio every day and create amazing works of art of which I am so proud. But everytime I complete one, I am mostly dissatisfied with the result. It isn’t what I intended. I want to draw and paint like someone else, but whenever I start drawing I draw what I draw. It feels derivitive and illustrative.

Worse yet, I feel compelled to sell out and create what everyone else is creating right now–art inspired by fifties throwback ideals. Little drawings of birds, children, owls, and men with horn rimmed glasses. Stencils seem to be pretty hot right now too. What is out there right now, what is selling, is a mix of craft and high art and interior design.

The light is always best in my studio in the mornings, but I distract myself doing the chores around the house until the light goes bad, then tell myself I can’t possibly work in the dark or under that terrible yellow bulb. Then I go outside to run errands and water the yard and answer email. (I certainly haven’t spent much time blogging.)

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Here is a picture of Stephanie in Austin looking snarky.

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anniversary numero seis

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David and I shared our sixth anniversary yesterday.  On Saturday we ate dinner at the Citrus Cafe which is a little French restaurant just down the road from us.  Everything was delicious, and my amuse-bouche definitely amused my bouche.  The last one was a homemade tarragon ice cream.

I can’t believe how quickly six years goes by…it seems as though we just married yet we’ve known each other for so long.  I’m so happy to be married to David.  He is intelligent, funny, hard-working, and he makes a mean tuna casserole.  I am not kidding.

blech

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I have been so sick.  I have cabin fever.  Stuck in the house, head congestion, sinus pressure, coughing, sneezing…ugh.  I am so sad because I thought I would be better today.  Everyone went to the Renaissance Festival to celebrate Wendi’s birthday.  I know I will still get to go, but I was hoping to go with them.  I am feeling sorry for myself.  Instead, I will post a picture of me at the Faire on a better day:

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work day for front garden

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The planning…

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Tilling by hand…weren’t sure if we would have access to the roto-tiller. But those guys really tore it up–great job Adams and Jacob!

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Thank you, Sonny. He also tilled the side of the yard where we plan on placing the tomatoes.

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Winter lettuce

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Chalk drawings

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Our forewoman, Layla

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I think this was leftover from New Year’s Eve…

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Chico, Verdi, Avacado…what is your name?

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Baby Shea never fails to provide a beautiful photo.

(All photos with the exception of the bird courtesy of Stephanie. All editing by Jamie)

car

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Currently Reading: How to Live Well Without a Car by Chris Balish

I have been considering selling my car in order to live car-free.  This has been on my mind long before I gave my pre-warning notice at the chiropractor’s.  It entered my mind the same time my interest in goat farming emerged.  (Which isn’t so much of an interest as a running joke.)

Do I work to have a car?  This was the driving question in my mind.  I do enjoy driving.  I love the ability to pick up and go whenever I need something.  Or I want to visit a friend.  But what if this car mentality is feeding my consumer mentality–this idea of having what I want when I want it?

I don’t want to live in a mentality of consumerism.  And I know for sure that I want to live more radically than the way of suburban life.  I want my life to be a light of a different way.  A way that points to slowing down, meditation, eating from the earth, appreciating art.

I feel that having a car is pulling me away from the way I want to be.

I don’t think I am ready quite yet.  I have fear about being unable to visit certain friends in Queen Creek and another particular friend that doesn’t have a car.  I am afraid as to what my life would look like in the summer here in Phoenix.  I am nervous about depending on other peoples’ schedules in order to share rides.

I am optimistic about meeting new people.  I am excited to discover new places I have never noticed before.  I look forward to being more physically active through riding a bike and walking.  I am definitely looking forward to the reduction in costs and stress.

Any thoughts?