Let's branch out!!!

Let's branch out!!!

Posted by Unknown

So on my run the other day (yes it was warm enough to go outside) I noticed a hillside just starting to pop up crocus!  I was so excited and my heart warmed.  Yes, Spring is on it's way.  Despite the fact that it will snow on those yellow crocus there are plenty of indications that Spring will still indeed come.  Usually this time of year I go for a walk and look for branches to force to bloom.  Fruit trees, willows, forsythia and so many more are cut-table and will bloom in your living year in no time flat.  Sure you can buy them at the store but nothing is better than scouring your own yard (or your neighbors :), a river trail, or a Sunday drive in the mountains.  Take your cutters and bring the outside in.  It's that time of year when we need any indication that winter is once again saying good bye. 

Water Conservation

Water Conservation

Posted by Unknown

So I found this item from a company based out of Australia. The company Ripple is a company focusing on water conservation and the management of good old H2O. Their statistics state that 30 % of our water that we use in our home goes directly to the feel good moments under the shower head.


They recommend you take a four minute shower to cut down on the use of water. That's on average 9 gallons of water. I am all for conservation but I have to admit I am selfish in the shower. Don't get me wrong, I will turn off the water while I brush my teeth, bucket out the water in my son's pool to water plants, but heavens no do I think about the water I'm consuming while I'm in the shower. It's not to say I don't feel guilty (that's why I'll turn it off when I shave my legs) but that is my time. My personal escape from life. Where I can stand and absolutely do nothing but think about how good the water feels, especially in the winter months.



It's a good product overall especially if your house if overfilled with water hogging people and small water heaters for sure. They come in tons of different styles and colors and of course are waterproof and steam proof. This retail for $19.95 and are 100% ecoconscience.

This is my only question for you. If the company has a goal of cutting down on water use in the shower with 4 minutes a person. How come the timer is set for over twenty? Now that is my kind of shower.

Panda Bears

Panda Bears

Posted by Unknown

The earthquake in China had devastating effects on humanity. The vast amount of death and destruction that occurred across the region is really hard to wrap your mind around. People have suffered and are still suffering. They have lost children, homes and other family members.

The Panda Bear has also taken a hit. This is the same animal that was already in danger of surviving on its own. You forget in these situations that not only people are effected but the whole ecosystem/environment around. There are only 1590 pandas known to be living in the wild today. That is not many and since this last earthquake there are probably less than that and even more in danger. I love the panda bear! Who doesn't love these beautiful peaceful creatures. They will survive undoubtedly through this event but it will be harder for then to come back to their original numbers. With their habitat now plumedged by natural causes it is an uphill battle. We just sit back and hope that the Panda will remain and that the Chinese will see them as an animal worth looking out for. I guess I'm a proponent of the underdog....the gentle and the shy. Learn more about a panda and I'm sure you will be too.

Click here for more information from the NY Times article I read this from.

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Unknown

My college degree was in Conservation Biology & Botany. I studied ecology and ecosystems for four years and was determined to not go to the "dark side". After graduating and many attempts to get a job wearing overly tight green pants for the park system or forest service, I landed seasonal jobs until I finally did sell out and landed a good job in corporate America. Man..was the money good. Especially since it didn't end when the seasons changed. Did I really end up changing my dreams and directions for the mighty dollar? Some say that I might have sold out...But I'd like to say it was the rational thing to do to pay my bills.

It's truly not about what you do but rather how you live. I love that the last two months are all about "green" and the things you should buy (spending money) to make the world a better place. We are being guilted into being better people and somebody is making tons of money off us. Don't get me wrong, they are not bad ideas but let's be active vs. passive. It's not about affording a 0% carbon footprint (which hollywood I might add doesn't even come close to) After all, I wasn't a bad person worked 45+ hours a week at a corporate job. I still recycled (most important thing we could ever do) and educated myself about the true state of the world. I'm not seeking to destroy the earth because I haven't installed my cork floors as of yet.

I'm on my soap box I know but today is still a good day. Today is a great day to be thankful for the earth and to know what a mighty system is in place for us. We are stewards of the most beautiful and diverse place in our galaxy.

Daffodil Days

Daffodil Days

Posted by Unknown

It is officially spring and I am excited for that! I love the change in seasons and love to feel the warm sun and to watch the flowers start to pop. Especially when I'm in a place that awaits spring in March when the first day announces it's here and the signs of spring are already all around.

I grew up in small mountain town in Southern California. They have recently started celebrating spring with "daffodil days". With my dad a local activist in the community he buys bulbs by the flat to plant every fall and more and more daffodils and flowers bloom every year around the town. It's fun to see how and where they bloom. Different people plant flowers in the craziest places. Soon I hope the town will look much like the lady up the street who planted daffodils at her house until it became a local attraction. Because of her diligence in doing a seasonal chore many people appreciate the beauty that she helped create.

In the past few years a book was published about her life and her daffodil philosophy. I love the joy and beauty that flowers bring and this book is a great antidote for motivation or a plain old smile. Below is the book review off of amazon from her publisher (Shadow Mountain) along with some photos I took for you all to see.

Every year, high in the San Bernardino mountain range of Southern California, five acres of beautiful daffodils burst into bloom. Amazingly, this special spot, known as "The Daffodil Garden," was planted by one person, one bulb at a time, over a period of thirty-five years. The story of "The Daffodil Principle" originally appeared nearly ten years ago in Jaroldeen Edwards' book Celebration! Since that time, the story has gained international popularity and has been retold innumerable times. Available for the first time as an illustrated gift book, with artwork by Anne Marie Oborn, this story will touch hearts with its simple message: Start today, one step at a time, to change your world.

Good Luck

Good Luck

Posted by Unknown

What is it that makes us so drawn to animals. We are attracted to them and so love to see them in the zoo, at museums, and especially in the wild. A friend sent this to me and is was supposedly taken outside of Kamas Utah. Doesn't it make you smile? I'm not a hunter, had never seen a live moose until college, but how awesome would this have been to stroll across. Not only a moose but a white moose ta'boot. I don't think I would have believed my eyes. After doing a little research on this subject I found that this is actually not an 'albino' moose but rather a hereditary trait that can pass from generation from generation. They are more so common in Alaska but how this moose got to Utah is beyond my imagination. His great great great great.........grandfather probably left the old cow for greener grass. So typical :)

I know white elephants are good luck but I'm adding this to my list of good luck items. I think any all white animal would qualify