Springling monsters!

I have spent the past two days scrambling to get them transplanted and come up with a plan for them to get enough sun as there is no way for them all to fit on the light table at once.

Stay tuned!

2010 Dawn Marie Kelly all rights reserved

fresh veggie salad slaw

It has occurred to me that while many folks believe that they can not afford to buy organic produce, everyone can certainly grow their own. (I also see the bit of extra money I spend to buy organic as my health insurance premium as my husband and I fall into the uninsured americans list.)

To illustrate that point I have taken on a new project this year. I am growing a garden using nothing but containers with veggie plants I’ve started from seeds. Then throughout  the growing season I will keep you updated here on my blog!

The bits for the seed starting table and light system

I am growing; 2 types of hot peppers, sweet peppers, eggplants and summer squashes, 5 types/sizes of tomatoes as well as tomatillos, carrots, cukes, onions and several herbs and edible flowers.

Ambitious right? I was so eager though and hopefully I haven’t bit off more than I can chew!

How I kept track of what's planted/growing where

About three weeks ago I started my seeds.  Just the veggies first but I already need to repot some of them which will free up my seed starter trays to plant the herbs now.

Up goes the front light reflector

I had The Hubster help me build my seed starting table and light stand. Is it not fabulous? The  4 foot by 2 foot folding table was discarded so cost me nothing. The APS seed starting trays I bought at Gardener’s Supply and were the most costly part of the whole endevour so far but will last for years and the light kit you can see, is made using cheap materials picked up at our local Lowes.

OOooooo, pretty lights!

I was able to find organic seed starter mix at my local Home Depot and we used two types of compact florescent bulbs – red and blue spectrum, to lure the seeds to sprout.

We have recycled a couple of cardboard boxes, covered one side with foil and surrounded the seed trays to reflect as much light as possible back at the seed trays. To insure a good start I have two moist heat heating pads under the seed trays as well.

Green!!!!!

I also bought 3 inch and 4 inch pots for the growing seedlings to move into , also from Gardener’s Suppy, made of composted cow doo that can be planted right into my containers outside when the time comes. I love that!

2010 Dawn Marie Kelly all rights reserved

So many choices...

I have a confession to make. I completely ignored all the, “Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day’” for quite a long time. I was unusually closed minded about it and resisted any and all information on it.

That was a mistake. A seriously, dumb, mistake that has since been rectified.

Master Recipe just after mixing

The very odd thing was that I had been following Zoe on Twitter for a year and still resisted. I do not even have a good excuse why.

If you haven’t joined the, in 5 Minutes a Day, army of fans, or haven’t heard of this bread making method yet—run, don’t walk to the bookstore, web-site whatever you have to do to start.

In fridge after rising on the counter for a couple hours

You can even ask questions of Jeff and Zoe on their blog and I can tell you first hand that they will respond to your questions or concerns.

And it’s not just bread! It’s also soup/chili bowls and pizza in minutes flat at my house.

Out of the oven and cooling!

They currently have two books, Artisan Bread in 5 and Healthy Bread in 5 with a Pizza and Flatbreads in 5 on the way. I own the first two and am eagerly awaiting the third book for my collection.

Since buying the first book shortly after our return from Rome, I have not bought any bread products. None!

The books are filled with recipes that utilize the many dough recipes in the books and the best part? The dough will happily wait in your fridge for up to two weeks for you to scoop out and use!

Pesto, tomato, prosciutto, red onion and buffalo mozzarella on the italian Semolina bread dough

I was a home baked bread snob and was certain that their method, which uses very wet dough, would somehow produce an inferior product and I could not have been more mistaken. Everyone who has had the breads at my house have been more than impressed with the taste, texture and appearance of the breads.

I honestly do not know why everyone isn’t doing this at home. I have even set up a couple friends and family members with a dough filled dough bucket and Master recipe. They can’t run fast enough to buy the books after they too see just how easy it is to produce perfect, delicious bread, every time.

Pizza out of the oven!

So do yourself and whoever sits down at your table a favor and join the Bread in 5 army of fans today!

PS > I don’t really need to explain how this is green and economical do I? If you ever buy artisan bread at the grocers you know what a savings this is!

My Fridge

30" over 36 Hours

Alas, all lovely indulgences eventually come to their end.

*Sigh* Followed by a *heavier sigh*.

As some of my readers know, The Hubster and I finally had our Honeymoon holiday. It only took nine and a half years, but we finally threw financial concerns into the wind and flew to Roma.

Because all roads lead to...

To be perfectly honest, we can lay the blame firmly and respectfully at Farrah Fawcett’s now dead feet. I had read somewhere that one of her regrets at the end was that she had not been to Italy. How can it be that someone who had the time and resources to do so had not traveled to wherever she had wanted to go after all those years?

And so back in August we searched for airfare and while holding our breath, clicked and bought two roundtrip tickets on AiItalia JFK to Rome. I served up the Christmas Day ham dinner to my extended family and on the evening of December 26 we were flying our way to Roma!

Christmas Dinner 2009

We had booked a one-bedroom apartment on Via Clementina in the Esquiline Area of Old Rome. I prefer to travel staying in self- catering apartments rather than staying in Hotels. That way I get to live like a local even if it’s only for one brief week. After being given the tour by our gracious hosts, we pulled the cork on the bottle of wine they gifted us and began unwinding and unpacking.

Via Clementina

I won’t bore you with day by day or every little thing we did but give you the best bits.

• Roma is a very walk able city. We didn’t touch public transportation again until we got the train back to the airport.
• The people will graciously indulge you after you’ve stumbled through any humble attempt to speak their language.
• There are historic ruins around every corner.
• The food – Roma Cuisine – is fabulously simple and delicious.
• I have never had a better New Years Eve EVER! The entire city celebrates with fireworks from every corner and rooftop. There is dancing and cheering in the streets and the fireworks lasted an hour and a half.
• Pasta shared at 2 AM is somehow better than any other time in the world.

I enjoyed morning tea sipped on our little balcony looking out over the already awake city and leisurely soaks in the old claw footed tub. Trekking our way to every corner of Roma and back each day and sampling the simplest fare at tiny out of the way restaurants before heading back to Via Clementina for the evening. Taking potty breaks midway at the “Scholars Pub” which included a couple pints of Guinness thereby nullifying the potty breaks. Having a snooze before making dinner in the “ours for a week” tiny kitchen that lacked for nothing.

The Pantheon

We, The Hubster and I, did some much needed reconnecting and relaxing while plotting our course for the coming year. It’s a bit of a tradition for us. Chuck out what isn’t working and declare our path for the next twelve months ahead.

Sunset from the balcony of Via Clementina

We brought home that newly formed connection as well as the simpler eating habits of Roma. I now bake all our breads with help from the “Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day” book and am making all our pasta from scratch. It’s amazing how little food it takes to satisfy you when that food is so full of flavor and nutrition!

Breakfast at Via Clementina

This Dandelion will not be denied it's "glow"

There are opportunities to learn important lessons every day. We just need to be open and pay attention.

While out on our first walk of the day, the FurrButts and I, we came across that dandelion in the picture. It made me smile, stop and think.

I thought about how this little dandelion decided that despite the fact the it’s November, the leaves have all fallen and the growing season is over, it would not be denied it’s chance to bloom and have it’s day in the sun.

It’s a great lesson don’t you think?

My little life teachers!

Custom Made Entertainment Unit-Craig's List $100

I’d like you to apply this to yourself and your level of green.

What I’m saying is that there is no bad level of green.  Don’t be intimidated or overwhelmed by all the green speak and washing you are being bombarded with. Anything you do that contributes is worthy and you may actually be greener than you think.

Chances are, for instance, that during the past couple years you’ve tightened your budget against the recession. If you did, then chances are also very good that you’ve adopted some green habits without even realizing it.
Have you started taking your lunch to work? Eating more dinners at home? Using refillable water bottles and brewing your own coffee and filling a thermos? Start growing some of your own veggies?

Any and all of those habits are green and help to benefit the environment.

If I think about it for too long, (being born blonde, that only takes 2 minutes), frugal and green are hard to separate.

Fruit Fly Catcher-Apple Cider Vinegar with a drop of Dish Soap mixed in

Most everything around me growing up was done to save money and are also green. Meat came in small portions and food in general was not wasted. New clothes were rare. I loved wearing my brother’s hand me downs and girly stuff came via multiple older girl cousins. Old tees, socks and tighty whities were cut up and became rags for cleaning.

My mother sewed and my Barbie had a vast wardrobe and could show up anywhere and not worry that another Barbie would be wearing the same outfit. I loved the aprons she made me out of tablecloths that were becoming too tattered for the table and at one point in the seventies, she reupholstered all the living room furniture. Perhaps that is where I got the idea that if you need something, there is a way to do it yourself.

My friend Amy and her husband recently became renters of their first little house. They are doing what they can to lessen the money being spent on heating oil and so one project is to make draft dodgers. She was gifted a sewing machine by the nicest Angry Chef we know and mentioned that she was waiting for enough funds to buy some fabric.

Shelf Unit -$50 and Wing Chair -$25 ~ Both Craig's List

I mentioned that I have found great fabrics at Salvation Army Thrift stores before and even old sheets that have become reusable shopping bags, skirts and curtains.

After that conversation I realized that old mens shirts from the thrift store could also be used. The larger the better. One shirt can be had for a dollar and would make at least four-five draft dodgers.

You see where I went with this right?

I would never tell you not to be a consumer. Just re-think how you consume and if you can do it in a way that benefits your cash flow as well as the environment.

Besides, while you’re in the thrift store check out the clothes in your size– there are incredible finds there from the folks who are still over consuming and a cute skirt in like new condition for three dollars is a victory in any language.

My Follain Bread--priceless!

2009 Dawn Marie Kelly all rights reserved

Red Tail Hawk

Our first non-traditional buys for the barn was at a building reuse it/recycling place in Astoria, Queens. We went to look at a commercial used fridge that had been already sold.

What we did find was nine, 8’ x 3’ brand new un-hung, primed interior doors. They were selling them for $35 each and I managed to talk them into selling them to us for $30 each. We will be using them as pocket doors to retain as much wall space and flow as possible.

This really peaked my interest in what kind of savings could we reap by buying gently used or unused new materials for the build. Unless noted, they were found on our beloved Craig’s List.

Barn ~ First Floor

If I could find this Craig I would give him a big hug and a kiss!

We scored a barely used gas generator from a woman who was getting divorced. It will give us enough juice to run important appliances and have light during outages. We paid a mere $200 for it.

We found two items that have been used for carting all of our new finds home. A trailer made from an old army jeep frame for $250 and a heavy-duty handcart used once for $30.

We found another pair of un-hung doors of the same size but different style that are also new and primed. $35 for the pair

That takes care of all the interior doors minus the two sets of pocket French doors that separate the bedroom suites from the central living area.

Three new, 2 ½’ x 4’, Anderson, vented skylights were found for the three loft spaces. $200 for all

Barn ~ Second Floor Living Space

Antique barn sliding, cast iron barn door hardware. Two full sets for $100.

Nine new vinyl, low e windows with screens for a new build. Enough for both bath suites and the whole back of the barn. All for $300

A little over 300 sq ft of oak flooring with mahogany trim pieces that was salvaged from a 150 yr old brownstone in Brooklyn. $300 (This is my fav find!)

And where are we storing all this treasure? In a trailer— a tractor-trailer trailer— that we bought for $800. I’m hoping to re-vamp this into a guest cottage down the road.

Another  find was a large lot of subway tiles for the kitchen at $65. The woman, who after hearing our project, then gave us a large lot of floor tiles that should do at least the mud room and maybe the laundry floors. That happens after folks hear about what we’re doing, they give us other stuff they were going to sell.

It’s nice to know that other people feel an affinity for our project and it’s what keeps us going.

I hope this inspires you to consider looking somewhere other than your nearest box store before you buy that next needed thingy.

And remember, frugal is the new excess!

2009 Dawn Marie Kelly all rights reserved

Follow me on Twitter~  AngelWorks1961

Autumn Glory

When the first seed of the idea of building our own house took hold and began germinating it was innocent enough. I compare it to when you start imagining having your first child.

All you imagine is a sweet little, smiling and cooing cherub. You picture pink cheeks, chubby hands and feet.

You don’t picture and or smell the dirty diapers, endless laundry, screaming into the night and sleeping on a hard floor next to a crib that holds your restlessly, sleeping sick baby.

Our little house build has turned into a 14 acre, self sustained farm project of the green kind. This would be no big thing if we were very rich and could just ask, buy, hire and pay.

Not the case at all.

We found and bought the land while we still had the NH house. We had to wait for the house to sell before we could turn the land loan into a construction loan. That finally happened a year ago.

Getting the approval on the construction loan was a job in itself. We are what the bank kept telling me—an unconventional build.

We researched and concluded that we would not be able to build the house, barn and barnyard all at once. We decided we would design and build a two-story barn we could live in and in a couple years after that, build the house. That way we could get right into the raising of our own food.

I designed the bottom floor of the barn according to what we’d be raising for food and how much room we needed to house them. Then I added the second floor and designed our living space. We are using steel trusses for the barn, which gives you the same flexibility of floor plans as a post and beam build without as much of an investment.

I put a lot of thought into using space very efficiently as well as resources.

Placement of the build will be for passive solar heating advantages. Inside there will be internal wall windows placed for capturing natural light. Those windows have all been claimed from the landfill. Lovely multi-pane wooden windows that are inefficient in outside walls, but perfect for our application and will add architectural interest.

All the plumbing will be run along one inside wall. That saves lots of piping and makes trouble shooting easier down the road. We are using composting toilets. You will never know it by looking/using them. That saves a lot of water.

There will be a gray water capture system that will filter and then reuse the water for irrigating the landscaping and crops.

Even though there is no need for a traditional black water septic system, we have to put one in and spend thousands on a system that will go unused. Hopefully down the road when the municipalities catch up with the technology that will change.

We will have solar/ radiant floor heating throughout. The greenhouse will also be solar heated off the same system. Year round tomatoes, herbs and greens!

And yes, we are acting as our own contractors. Other than extra hands and equipment for the erection party, we will be doing all the work ourselves. Hubster has an audio and an electrical engineering degree as well. He is certified in the UK so we will do the work and then pay for US engineers to certify the work.

So yeah, the bank thinks all of that is unconventional despite being very efficient and practical. I spent no less than 25 hours at the bank educating loan officers and their department head on the Leeds program and what, how and why we are doing what we are doing.

Via Wikipedia, a brief explanation of Leeds:

LEED was created to accomplish the following:

Define “green building” by establishing a common standard of measurement

Promote integrated, whole-building design practices

Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry

Stimulate green competition

Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits

Transform the building market

Green Building Council members, representing every sector of the building industry, developed and continue to refine LEED. The rating system addresses six major areas:

Sustainable sites

Water efficiency

Energy and atmosphere

Materials and resources

Indoor environmental quality

Innovation and design process

Bottom line, they have a point system and depending on how many points you fulfill, you get a check back at the end of the build. Yes, money back for building a greener way, a reward for doing the right thing.

We will qualify for a Platinum Certification when all is done. No small feat.

They eventually decided that they should hire their own Leeds Certified consultant in house with much nudging by me. The tipping point came when while I was there one afternoon another customer called to ask questions about Leeds Certified Building and they put them on hold and asked me if I would speak to the customer as I was informed and they were not.

I am very grateful for this small community bank that took the time to figure out whether our build was a risk they were willing to take on. Most banks would have only spent the time it took to say no.

Sun Dried Tomatoes

Our Big Fat Green Build to be cont…

*(First published in the DIN)*

2009 Dawn Marie Kelly all rights reserved

Follow me on Twitter~  AngelWorks1961