tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662211259268984177.post2330328050800038572..comments2022-08-17T03:42:01.400-07:00Comments on Urban Homestead Diaries: The New Sustainable LifestyleApril Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284816070903462748noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662211259268984177.post-83189568480685881442011-07-27T14:27:48.035-07:002011-07-27T14:27:48.035-07:00We live in an urban area we have planted the whole...We live in an urban area we have planted the whole front yard into garden. We have planted the majority in sweet potatoes since they are very easy and we can pick them all at once and they store all winter then we just plant the left overs again in the spring. The best purchase I have made recently is a new <a href="http://www.bestdryingrack.com/outdoor_umbrella_clotheslines.html" rel="nofollow">outdoor umbrella clothesline</a>. Since our back yard is so small I did not want something that the kids would have to duck while playing. This one is very solid and holds 4 big loads of laundry. Yet it folds down to make it small and if we really want it out of the way if we are having a bbq and volleyball we can simply pick it out of it's ground socket put a cap on it to keep the dirt out of it then put it back in later. Best investment I've made.Mary Q Contrariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05584539485118571553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662211259268984177.post-17866071202594282602011-07-26T09:11:33.513-07:002011-07-26T09:11:33.513-07:00That's right!! :)That's right!! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662211259268984177.post-4546193115672261902011-07-25T18:25:45.358-07:002011-07-25T18:25:45.358-07:00A clothesline has always been a must for me. I hav...A clothesline has always been a must for me. I have even rigged one up using a ladder, rope, and tires as a weight. It was the most ridiculous setup ya ever saw! My "ex" was so embarassed he put up the clothesline I had been begging him for the next day! I got rid of cable TV over 4 years ago and don't really miss it. What little I watch I can see online. I also don't use A/C, I just plan my day around the heat and get everything done outside while it is still cool. Now if I could just get a wood-burning stove, that would be great; but I can't do without heat because I don't really want my water lines to freeze during the winter. I don't use a dishwasher. It's just me and the fur-kids, and they are a huge waste of water and electricity. I make my own laundry soap and use vinegar for rinse. I also am using vinegar and baking soda more for cleaning. I am in the process of also eliminating the carpets and going to hard wood to eliminate the use of the vacuum. Then I won't have to use electricity to clean the floors. It's a small house (under 900 sq.ft.) so it will be very doable. I can sew but also love shopping at thrift stores and yard sales. Some future projects include making my own dog and cat food, expanding my food variety in the garden, and getting a bicycle to ride to the grocery store and my parents. Unfortunately public transportation leaves a lot to be desired in my area.Buffalomaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01640771026955332643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662211259268984177.post-76032763669456092082011-07-24T23:31:20.922-07:002011-07-24T23:31:20.922-07:00Thanks militaryzerowaste! There is power in numbe...Thanks militaryzerowaste! There is power in numbers, right?!April Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14284816070903462748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662211259268984177.post-89599628407486708392011-07-23T20:51:13.474-07:002011-07-23T20:51:13.474-07:00We're trying to do all these things too! It ma...We're trying to do all these things too! It makes me so happy to know there is an entire group of us out there. Our generation can make a change!! :)<br />I'm over at wordpress. http://militaryzerowaste.wordpress.com.<br />We both grew up doing this stuff a little but when we got married two years ago and came together, ideas starting blowing up! (In a good way!) Go Urban homesteaders! :)<br />Love your blog!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662211259268984177.post-83885180569169355722011-07-21T19:38:51.709-07:002011-07-21T19:38:51.709-07:00Two hours a day seems excessive for TV viewing, bu...Two hours a day seems excessive for TV viewing, but it depends on how you look at it. I used to have my kids watch Sesame Street in the morning and Mr. Roger's neighborhood in the afternoon after naptime. That's not a lot of TV, but it's an hour and a half total. I used to have friends say I was being cruel by not letting my kids watch things like Spongebob Squarepants. "Not all TV has to be educational!" Yeah, well, in my book, if you can't learn something from it, it's not worth watching.<br /><br />Once a week, I have no issue letting the kids watch a movie (which is usually about two hours). My religious father yelled at me for letting my kids watch the Harry Potter movie - it has magic, so it must be evil, right? I just pointed out that a two hour movie with magic couldn't be nearly as evil as the World of Warcraft game he was trying to interest my oldest in. He dropped the subject.<br /><br />I'm going to watch for that fair trade post. I love my chocolate and can't imagine living without it, but don't want to enjoy it at the expense of child slavery.Patricialynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16656235987162214880noreply@blogger.com