Rain Chain your Downspout

Rain chains are alternatives to a downspout. Their purpose is largely decorative, to make a water feature out of the transport of rainwater from the guttering downwards to a drain or to a storage container.
Rain chains are typically either a series of metal cups, chained together with a hole in the bottom of each, or chain links that span vertically.  Rain water run-off gets distributed from a rooftop gutter downward through the rain chain. 

rain barrels

While rainwater may not always be safe to drink, it can be used for a variety of other things—from watering your lawn and flower beds to washing cars. And depending on your state and local laws, you may be able to use rainwater for some household graywater uses, like toilets and showers.
A rain barrel is essentially a large tank with a spigot that sits under your home’s gutter downspout to harvest rainwater from your roof. You can make one for just a few dollars, or you can purchase a basic model for around $50 to $100. A more decorative model will cost upwards of $300.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Safety: Rain barrels hold 50-plus gallons of water, so be sure the tank is both child- and animal-proof.
• Handling overflow: Look for rain barrels with an overflow valve that kicks in when the barrel reaches capacity.
• Clean water: A rain barrel topped with a fine-mesh screen will keep out insects and debris.
• Materials: Rain barrels come in all sorts of materials, from durable stainless steel to fiberglass and recycled plastic, so let personal preference be your guide. Some retailers even sell rain barrels made from old whiskey or wine barrels.
• Expanding capacity: An average rainstorm can fill one 60-gallon rain barrel within an hour. You can link several barrels to harvest even more rainwater. Look for barrels with an outlet for attaching a linking hose.
• Rebates: Check with your local water agency to learn about any rain barrel subsidies or rebates in your area. Some environmental groups sell rain barrels at a discount, saving you even more.
  
  
  How Rain Barrels Help
  
  Barrels help conserve potable water supplies. Treating and distributing safe drinking water is an energy-devouring, greenhouse-gas-spewing endeavor, and given many federal and state laws, most water that is piped into your home, whether it is used for cooking, or flushing the toilet, goes through treatment. Some four percent of our nation’s power goes to water supply and treatment facilities.
  Reducing the impact of runoff and flooding. Water rushing off rooftops finds it way to paved surfaces and storm drains as runoff, which picks up harmful pollutants like animal waste, trash, and chemicals along the way and carries them to streams and oceans. Experts cite runoff as the number one cause of water pollution in the U.S.
  
  
  
  

  Usage Tips

• Check local ordinances: Many governments and municipalities embrace rain barrel use and offer financial incentives to residents who install them. Some cities even require water-catchment systems. In Santa Fe county, New Mexico, all new residential construction must provide a means for capturing rainwater, whether a rain barrel or cistern, or land features like a berm or swale.
  
• Don’t drink the water: Rain-barrel water is not potable, since water caught on a roof carries contaminants such as bird droppings and other potentially harmful matter. Likewise, rain-barrel water is not safe for cooking, bathing or overhead watering of edible plants. You can use rain-barrel water on edible plants if you drip-irrigate, but be sure to wash produce thoroughly prior to eating.
• Think about outdoor water use: Do you wash your car or driveway frequently? Have a swimming pool to top off, or a particularly thirsty flower bed? Site your rain barrel as close as possible to one of these spots. 
  
  

garlic butter croutons

2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup of butter, melted
3 slices of bread, cut into half-inch cubes
season with favorite seasonings

Preheat oven to 300°F.

In a large bowl, mix the garlic and the melted butter.

Add the cubes of bread; then stir gently to coat.

Place the bread on a baking sheet in one layer.

Bake, turning once, until golden on all sides (takes about 15 minutes).

spinach feta lima beans

1/2 pound large lima beans , cooked
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds spinach, stemmed and cleaned thoroughly; or 1 pound baby spinach, rinsed
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon snipped chives
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1/2 cup) 

1. Cook the beans according to the directions. Remove from the heat, and drain through a colander set over a bowl. Transfer to a lightly oiled baking dish (1 1/2 to 2-quart), and add 1 scant cup of the broth.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat a large skillet over high heat, and wilt the spinach, in batches, in the water left on the leaves after washing. Remove to a colander, rinse briefly with cold water, then squeeze out excess water and chop coarsely.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in the skillet, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the spinach, dill and chives, and stir together just until the ingredients are combined, less than a minute. Remove from the heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Spread the spinach in an even layer over the beans. Sprinkle the feta over the spinach, and drizzle on the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Bake 30 minutes until sizzling. Serve hot or warm. 

winter vegetable lentil soup

• 1/2 cup red or green lentils
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon curry powder

 Directions

1. Place the lentils into a stockpot or a Dutch oven and add water to twice the depth of the lentils. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Drain and rinse lentils; return them to the pot.
2. Add onion, celery, cabbage, tomatoes, chicken broth, carrots and garlic to the pot and season with salt, pepper, sugar, basil, thyme and curry. Cook, simmering for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until desired tenderness is achieved. 

 

tin can pots

• Empty tin can
• Screwdriver and hammer
• Liquid gesso (to help absorb paint on outside)
• Acrylic craft paints in colors of your choice
• Acrylic sealer spray
• 5-10 small rocks, stones or pebbles
• 1.5 cups potting soil
• 4-inch potted herb plant
• Water
• Flower stickers (optional)

How to make it:

1. Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, sand off any rough edges from opening of can.
2. Turn can upside down. Use screwdriver or other pointed object to poke holes in the bottom of the can. Use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver to make the holes.
3. Paint outside of can with one coat of gesso. Let dry completely.
4. Paint can in the desired color, repeat coats if needed.
5. Decorate with stickers or any other decorations if you choose.
6. In a well-ventilated area, spray the outside of the completed can with acrylic sealer spray. Let dry.
7. Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer.
8. Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full.
9. Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into the can.
10. Fill edges with remaining potting soil, gently pat down so that plant is firmly in the can but not compacted so much that it’s too tight.
11. Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add some water to the newly planted herbs.
12. Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to water them!

orange lip balm recipe

Ingredients:
* 1 teaspoon of beeswax
* 1 teaspoon of apricot kernel oil
* 1 teaspoon of calendula oil
* 4 drops of orange essential oil

Instructions:
Melt beeswax in a double boiler. Add apricot kernel and calendula oils.  Remove from heat and continue mixing till medley get little bit cooler. After add lemon or orange essential oils. Pour out to a jar or small tin.

seed starting

Seed starting. Use a lightweight growing medium and containers for planting. Provide the right temperature with a warm greenhouse or sunny window and seeds.
Use a commercial potting mix or seedling mix for the growing medium. Choose from egg cartons, yogurt cups, flats of six-cell packs or small pots when it comes to containers. (Note: Fiber- or peat-based pots should be soaked well before adding soil.)
The directions on the back of the seed packet will tell you all the specifics for starting that particular seed, along with germination time, spacing and transplant information. Be aware that germination time will vary during winter. Some herbs (parsley is an example) can take up to a month to germinate. Soaking seeds overnight often will help speed up germination.
Fill pots or flats to within 1/4 inch of the top with moistened potting or seedling mix. Plant seeds according to package instructions, paying special attention to whether seeds should or should not be covered. Some seeds need light in order to germinate. Use a fine sprayer to moisten the soil and keep it continually moist until seeds have germinated. Then, place pots in bright light or set them just a few inches below fluorescent bulbs to produce strong, healthy plants. Small pots dry out quickly, so check often and keep the soil slightly moist. Fertilize with a weak solution of liquid organic fertilizer when seedlings are about an inch high, then transplant into larger pots as needed. Seedlings can go in the ground after all danger of frost has passed.

reuse coffee grounds

•  Organic fertilizer: Sprinkle used coffee grounds in the soil of plants that love acidic soil, examples: rose bushes, rhododendrons, camellias, evergreens, carrots, and radishes.

•  Organic pest and ant repellent: Sprinkle used coffee grounds in areas where ants, slugs, and snails hang out and destroy your garden.

•  Organic cat repellent: To keep them out of your plants and garden, used coffee grounds will do the trick.

•   Mushroom growing soil: Inoculated mushroom plugs nestled into moist used coffee grounds can mean a great mushroom crop for you. Put grounds in a glass container and press a mushroom plug into them, repeating with more grounds and mushroom plugs until you run out of room.

•  Abrasive cleaner: For stubborn grease and stains on pots and pans, used coffee grounds really get in there and do the job.

•  Dust deflector: We’re talking about the fireplace here; sprinkle coffee grounds on ashes before you start collecting them to minimize the dust.

•  Furniture scratch touch up: Use a Q-tip and used coffee grounds to fill in scratches on wooden furniture–remember the coffee will stain the wood a bit, so don’t use it on something that won’t match.

•  Hand soap: Rub used grounds on your hands to get rid of stubborn odors like onion and garlic.

•   Cellulite rub: Mix one tablespoon of olive oil with 1/4 cup moist, warm used coffee grounds and spread on cellulite hot spots. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap, leave on for a few minutes, and then remove wrap and shower as normal.

•  Add some old coffee grounds to your houseplants; most will love the boost of acidity

buy used

Buy used products whenever possible. Some sources:

• local thrift stores
• Ebay
• Craigslist
• Freecycle (free!)
• local newspaper listings
• local material exchange sites (search in your area)
• garage sales (search in your area in the 'for sale' > 'garage sales' section
• used refurbished computers 
• local used furniture stores (search in your area)
• local consignment shops (search in your area)