Earth Day 2011

Happy Earth Day everyone!

I'm really inspired by this family, The Zero Waste Home, and I think they have some great tips for making our lives a little earth-friendlier.  I use cocoa powder as eyeshadow and/or bronzer when I go in public now, thanks to their tip.  It works!  I think it's fun, and far less overwhelming, to incorporate changes towards a cleaner and greener life a little at a time.  If we all choose to add one more better-for-the-earth thing to our lives today, imagine the potential impact.

Stop by earthday.org for more ideas and to pledge an act of green.

I'll be unplugging for the day, planting some seeds in toilet paper roll planters, dyeing some eggs with turmeric, and if the rain and snow holds off, picking up trash by the road with the kids.

Have a great Friday, everybody!

Happy Earth Day 2010!

Thank you to my awesome customers who helped me raise $45. for the Earth Day Network yesterday!  Hooray!!

Happy Earth Day, everyone!

In celebration of Earth Day's 40th year, I'm offering a limited number of "earth acorns" in my shop.  The full dollar value from each sale will be donated to the Earth Day Network.  From their website:

"Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. Our mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. We pursue our mission through a combination of education, public policy, and activism campaigns."

Acorns symbolize patience, potential, and strength which seems fitting on this day of activism.  The acorns are made of wool, which is a sustainable material, real caps picked from the forest floor, and a hemp ribbon so it can be tied as an ornament or even worn around the neck.

The kidlets and I will be doing some repurposing projects today and will share our goings-on with you tomorrow. 

If you haven't already, you may want to check out the EcoEtsy Earth Day Auction.  Score yourselves some beautiful handmade and eco-friendly goodies while helping us raise money for environmental charities.

I hope you all get a chance to do one small thing today, whether that be tossing an errant bottle in the recycle bin instead of leaving it at the curb, choosing to buy local produce, or bringing your own reusable bag to the store.  Big or small, I'd love to hear what you did, so please share.

Happy Day!

A Happy Day

Yesterday found us wandering the woods and planting seeds in celebration of Earth Day. We turned off the computer and TV for the day and entertained ourselves with nature. The wee ones painted up some flower pots and planted bean seeds and they are eagerly awaiting the little sprouts. The boys also made "best friends" with the worms we found in the compost pile. The baby enjoyed her first hike. We all picked up trash, and the boys and I made a nesting ball for the birds out of burlap and scraps of yarn and raffia. We heard the grouse, some Sandhill Cranes, watched some woodpeckers quarrelling, petted the dogs, watched bugs crawl around, and just generally had a great time together. The 3 year old also spontaneously hugged a tree which I found to be very fitting given the occasion. I hope you and yours had an equally fun day, and if not, there's always today.

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day everyone!

I'm shutting off the computer today and the wee ones and I have a full day of outside activities planned. We'll be picking up trash by the roadside, sprucing up the compost pile, and planting a few trees.

Enjoy the day!