Monthly Archives— April, 2014

Make Your Garden Bee-Friendly

“You can spoil some apples, but leave me the birds and the bees.” – Joni Mitchell (Big Yellow Taxi) Sadly, those words written by Joni Mitchell in the 1960s were not heeded well. We did get rid of DDT, but other insecticides and gardening practices, though not as devastating, have taken their toll. In 2006,… Continue reading →

  • Words by Andrea Leigh Ptak
  • April 25, 2014
  • 6 Comments

Hang Your Clothes Outside to Dry

10 Reasons Why 1. Saves energy. Electric clothes dryers account for one ton of CO2 emissions per year. Gas dryers use less, but still a non-renewable resource. 2. Saves money. Duh! The less you run your dryer, the less your utility bill will be. 3. Easier on your clothes. Heat from the dryer and agitation… Continue reading →

  • Words by Andrea Leigh Ptak
  • April 22, 2014
  • 3 Comments

22 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day EVERY Day

Try One or Try Them All—Whatever You Do WILL Make a Difference! 1. Grow Your Own Food The best way to ensure that the food you eat is grown organically is to grow your own. It’s healthier for you and your family, as well as the birds, insects and native plants in your area. Put… Continue reading →

  • Words by Andrea Leigh Ptak
  • April 17, 2014
  • 1 Comment

Spring Cleaning — The Natural Way

Save Money—Save the Planet Now that I’ve purged a ton of excess stuff, it’s time to get down to deep cleaning. The weather is just right for opening windows and hanging sheets on the line. Growing up in the ‘60s–‘70s, I believed housecleaning meant using the products advertised on TV. The brand names were abundant…. Continue reading →

  • Words by Andrea Leigh Ptak
  • April 15, 2014
  • 2 Comments

Abstract Garden Art from Tomato Cages

Protect Your Plants with this Simple DIY Repurposing Project I love my garden. And I love my dog. But the two are not always compatible. Though my dog, an energetic golden retriever, is well behaved and trained to stay out of the flowerbeds, it all goes out the window if there’s a squirrel in the… Continue reading →

  • Words by Andrea Leigh Ptak
  • April 8, 2014
  • 1 Comment

Purge Your Excess Stuff

Simplify Before Spring Cleaning It’s almost time to open the windows, air out the house, and give it a good cleaning down to the bones. Unless you’re one of those amazing people totally on top of things, chances are you have at least one area of your home that’s less than organized. A closet is… Continue reading →

  • Words by Andrea Leigh Ptak
  • April 4, 2014
  • 3 Comments
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