tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480897788222599792024-03-04T20:53:20.924-08:00Of Houses and TreesA blog about architecture, interior design, DIY projects and, of course, trees.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-24977803858615947842016-02-11T14:04:00.002-08:002016-04-04T14:46:47.547-07:00Real Life Food No. 1: Five Food Additives to Avoid<b>Read <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/real-life-food-1-five-food-additives-to-avoid/">this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj236ON_b23MadKa1MN1-f1R6yDnvNaYNA4uMu02nnTz34tL9B7zJcEEjm0s0uPOjYAAfjsmDG1m84UjEuUelQAvd7aNK60bO5WdSe_YzEkEyTUsPQMmodnk_f0zDl3PrVaM5QBo_dC5Hwg/s1600/foodadditives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj236ON_b23MadKa1MN1-f1R6yDnvNaYNA4uMu02nnTz34tL9B7zJcEEjm0s0uPOjYAAfjsmDG1m84UjEuUelQAvd7aNK60bO5WdSe_YzEkEyTUsPQMmodnk_f0zDl3PrVaM5QBo_dC5Hwg/s320/foodadditives.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To paraphrase the <i>Alice in Wonderland</i> inspired ditty<br />
"White Rabbit": "One additive makes you larger<br />
and one additive makes you small..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have been feverishly working away on a new design for my blog (and I'm not being metaphorical about the fever as I have been sick, sick, sick). After debating long and hard over the course of this little blog's life (three years and three months to be exact), I've finally decided to include a section on my new site where I can share recipes and write posts on food topics I'm passionate about (so, basically, everything – as I love all the foods).<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">The reason I hesitated for so long over including recipes and such on this blog is because it seems like the interwebs is absolutely dripping with recipes.
Seriously, it’s like food and porn and that’s it. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Then I started thinking – many of my own recipes were initially inspired by something I found online. I may have</span> heavily adapted them to my specific likings, but where would I be without the initial inspirations and the people who took the time to share them? Salut to sharing!</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The primary reason for my recipe adaptations is that a few years ago I started reading food labels. I'm not talking about the little white nutrition box printed on all packaged foods (though I do still take a peek at that info every so often). I'm talking about ingredients, baby. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Have you ever found yourself wondering "what is maltodextrin and why is it in my crackers?" Or, "I wonder if </span>azodicarbonamide is a kind of sprouted grain?" What about "how come I can only pronounce three of the seventeen ingredients in this delicious nougette-y granola bar?"</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">If so, then you and I are now best friends. If not, then I encourage you to keep reading because things are about to get real. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Here's a "taste" (oh yeah, I went there) of things to come on the new and improved <i>Of Houses and Trees</i> with a list of food additives that'll make your skin crawl. Let's hope that this time I am being only metaphorical... (I've also included a few of the products I buy in order to avoid potential crawliness.)</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<b>Artificial Colours</b><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://us.naturespath.com/sites/default/files/styles/product_main/public/product/cer-ep-cornflakes-us-a1l1.png?itok=LsYMm9Kv" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVkDdVuqFdECODfERNBzoFn8ndxHlBIlsxwyvt0wHK55NJL7J0yI4mAMsUHCHxqDLIHr-YwAtNQBaXjSN9vLCW8TPloOK64libNVwxRAa03tjkhnXENMChhw5LGJIHnvNEodi-0QzCHex/s1600/naturespathcornflakes.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ca-en.naturespath.com/product/fruit-juice-sweetened-corn-flakes" target="_blank">Nature's Path Corn Flakes</a><br />
Ingredients: Corn Meal and/or Yellow Corn Flour,<br />
Grape and/or Pear Juice Concentrate, Sea Salt<br />
Where I Buy It: Superstore<br />
(For more availability <a href="http://ca-en.naturespath.com/about/stores" target="_blank">go here</a>.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">It says it right in the name – I mean, who wants something "artificial" going down the gullet and into the gut? But it happens all day, every day, because many popular foods are jam packed with fun-sounding ingredients like Yellow 5 and Citrus Red 2. Cereal, taco chips, canned frosting, frozen pizza, juice crystals and, my favourite, pickles (more on that delectable topic below). Now, I don't think any of us buy these foods because we expect them to be "healthy" choices, but once you know these artificial colours have been linked to ADHD and cancer, well... they stop sounding so fun.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span><b>Azodicarbonamide </b><br />
<br />
Also known as the "yoga mat compound," because – you guessed it – it's found in yoga mats as well as materials such as shoe soles and foam insulation. Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is a common additive in bread, pizza dough, tortillas and other carbolicious food items. It's used to bleach flour and make dough more dough-y. When I first started researching ADA a couple years ago I learned that it's been banned in Australia, but not in Canada or the United States. And why has it been banned down under you may be wondering, as I certainly was? Well, according to <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/melaniehaiken/2014/02/27/what-is-the-yoga-mat-chemical-and-why-is-it-in-your-food/#7762583f337d" target="_blank">this <i>Forbes</i> article</a> it's known to increase the risk of allergies, asthma and skin problems. The article then goes on to mention several companies that sell food containing ADA and also links to <a href="http://www.ewg.org/research/nearly-500-ways-make-yoga-mat-sandwich" target="_blank">this report</a> by the Environmental Working Group that lists hundreds of food items containing ADA, including items from "healthy choice" companies such as Weight Watchers and several breads that tout themselves as "100% Whole Grain."<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.spud.ca/pictures/ProductPhotos/BR863-l.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MF8Z8IujC-9dwsL-rkkdSAMhDe16MkrIUkqWvWE7TRag0IS3hmUOdyOYxpU3jNqa2SQoVg1iIi4Q0VhjpbIq13XLcyHFJCsI4iuX9tDnb4CXNvqleVfpOjx9IO4CqsTN4TLAjWb69Nqh/s320/squirrellybread.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.silverhillsbakery.ca/products/sprouted-bread/squirrelly-bread" target="_blank">Silver Hills Squirrelly Bread</a><br />
Ingredients: Organic Whole Sprouted Wheat, Raisin Nectar,<br />
Vital Wheat Gluten, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds,<br />
Cultured Wheat Flour, Yeast, Water, Sea Salt, Sunflower Oil<br />
Where I Buy It: Superstore<br />
(For more availability <a href="http://www.silverhillsbakery.ca/store-locator/" target="_blank">go here</a>.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>High Fructose Corn Syrup (and other Refined Sugars)</b><br />
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I feel almost silly including this. I mean, we all know good ol' HFCS is actually bad, right? And yet it's still a common ingredient in a whole schwack of food items. If only staying away from chocolate bars and pop was the answer, but bread, cereal, juice, nutrition bars, salad dressing, yogurt – they're all swimming in the sticky stuff. And while the other additives on my list have been linked to health problems you may not expect from every day foods (behavioural, heart, respiratory, etc.), HFCS's main problem is it makes food taste so damn good it leads to the very thing we all know is a possibility when overindulging – weight gain. However, there is controversy over whether HFCS is even more problematic than regular refined sugar with <a href="https://examine.com/faq/is-hfcs-high-fructose-corn-syrup-worse-than-sugar/" target="_blank">some experts</a> essentially stating "sugar is sugar – if you eat too much of it you'll get fat," while <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/high-fructose-corn-syrup_b_4256220.html" target="_blank">others in the know</a> argue that HFCS is even more of a concern because it contains chemicals such as mercury.<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US"><b>Maltodextrin</b></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Unlike the much maligned HFCS, maltodextrin is a bit more of a slippery additive to pin down. It's usually derived from plants such as corn, potatoes and rice and plants are good... right? (I'm sure by now you know where I'm heading with this.) Maltodextrin (also known as modified corn starch) is used as a thickener or filler and is found in canned fruits, dressings, protein shakes, sauces and so much more (including beer!). Aside from it being highly processed and as high in carbohydrates as table sugar, it also <a href="http://www.theguthealthprotocol.com/wp/maltodextrin-biofilm-and-inflammation-enhancer/" target="_blank">has been linked to disrupting gut bacteria</a> by feeding the bad guys and helping them adhere to the intestinal wall, in turn causing inflammation. (Gut health is a current obsession of mine ever since watching a fascinating episode of <i>The Nature of Things </i>called "It Takes Guts," which you can watch <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2678011123" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US"><b>Polysorbate 80</b></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picklesplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1LOrganicDillPickles.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PEBQQPUJn_lvpBM3d0rKowZfqO0jEvhPjUmlyUBxoFnrud4BJ8KGmNsVHfeQFHbqVGlpIV3EfTuiG0dbiiBopvxlo3NQ6nVRrQ2RQMGeSt52RGu4CF7z2FEaFSkm1Kp__m6do_vF8g1v/s320/sunshinefarmspickles.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picklesplease.ca/products/" target="_blank">Sunshine Farms Dill Pickles</a><br />
Ingredients: Cucumbers, Water,<br />
Vinegar, Salt, Garlic, Dill Seed<br />
Where I Buy It: The only store I've ever<br />
found it at is Save on Foods<br />
(For more availability <a href="http://picklesplease.ca/retail-locations/" target="_blank">go here</a>.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US">This one really burns me (and perhaps it literally could as it has been labelled as "slightly flammable") because of pickles. You could honestly say, without being remotely overly dramatic, that pickles are the love of my life. But I don't love the fact that the brand I used to buy (Bick's Dill Pickle Garlic), as well as many other brands, include the "defoaming" agent polysorbate 80 (also known as "tween 80," which sounds like an event for twelve year old girls that I definitely would not want to attend). According to <a href="http://thegoodhuman.com/2012/05/31/what-is-polysorbate-80/" target="_blank">this website</a>, it has been linked to the development of intestinal issues (particularly for those predispositioned to colitis and Crohn's), blood clots, stroke, heart problems and potential tumour regrowth in cancer patients. It took me quite awhile, but I finally was able to find a brand of pickles sold in my hometown (well, technically one town over), that has no crazy bowel-aggravating additives nor any refined sugar (which is another food topic I'm going to be talking about in my <i>Real Life Food</i> series... a lot).</span><br />
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<i>Do you read ingredient labels before you buy food? Are there any specific additives that you try and avoid? Are any of the ones listed above new to you or have you heard of them all before? I love you and your comments... and you can return this love by commenting some more!</i></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=348089778822259979" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=348089778822259979" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-68074270960923310432016-01-27T14:07:00.001-08:002016-04-04T14:47:02.568-07:00Freewriting... About Trees<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/freewriting-about-trees/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpa0_0LjPRbjyO-1P7hoV22d82S9TE3Rn7AljYR0CU_oMADUFqhMLBk3E0GIWJxr4nHhqZ_rO4isx71T_MbjUWQP02k1oen-1qZhW3zrirX_by5mGqhZ90jPv-Mrc9AY_2gbIOhUMp3FG/s1600/IMG_7707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpa0_0LjPRbjyO-1P7hoV22d82S9TE3Rn7AljYR0CU_oMADUFqhMLBk3E0GIWJxr4nHhqZ_rO4isx71T_MbjUWQP02k1oen-1qZhW3zrirX_by5mGqhZ90jPv-Mrc9AY_2gbIOhUMp3FG/s320/IMG_7707.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live trees, dead trees standing, dead trees taking a nap...<br />
we've got it all out on our land.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I just wrapped up rehearsing and performing in a dance piece called <i>DIG</i> by Edmonton-based choreographer Kathy Ochoa in which we explored automatic writing/automatic talking. If you're unfamiliar with the practice, the non-vocal version is usually called freewriting (something I was often required to do when I was working on my degree) and consists of a person writing for a set period of time without stopping to consider what should come next or edit what came before.<br />
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It was after the fact that I learned the term automatic writing actually describes messages that pass through a person's hand, but do not necessarily come from the mind of said person. You know, it comes from ghosts and stuff. While what we were doing in <i>DIG</i> didn't seem to have anything to do with channeling the paranormal (or did it?), there were definitely moments where I felt I had fallen into a trance-like state and the words were just tumbling out of my brain and through my hand or <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> in the case of automatic talking, where you essentially just let loose any thought that crosses your mind <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> out of my mouth.</div>
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So now, in honour of <i>DIG</i>, I shall write for two minutes on a subject that is near and dear to both mine and this blog's heart <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> trees. Things are about to get crazy... if you define crazy as someone behaving only slightly more strangely than they usually do.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<i>trees trees the magical fruit oh wait trees aren't a fruit are they but sometimes they do have fruit so what is a tree then it's a... a... something that I can't recall right now it's a plant no it's a tree probably just a tree and then there are shrubs yes shrubs what a silly word shrubbery and now I'm writing all in caps no I'm not oh I thought I was because I had hit the cap lock button in order to emphasize the word shrubbery but I guess it didn't work things that don't work well dead trees I guess but yes oh wait they do work because they decease no that's not it they decompose yes! and then the organisms all come a creeping and a crawling and then the tree becomes part of the earth and the earth becomes part of the tree and that's what it's all about my friends the cycle the cuticle the circle not cuticle oops look I just edited a tiny bit but you can forgive me for that right</i></div>
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And there you have it. </div>
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What we were instructed to do in school was to go through the unfiltered babble and pick out something that could be, well, something. I'm digging (<i>DIG</i>!) the line about "the earth becomes part of the tree" as it always amazes me when I think about the world that goes on beneath our feet. Again, I'm not talking about supernatural/underworld type stuff <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> I'm talking about soil and worms and extensive root systems and aquifers and layers upon layers of things we cannot see and thus forget are there, but if not for them... then what of us?</div>
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<i>Have you ever done freewriting, automatic writing or automatic talking (whether it came from your own psyche or that of the deceased)? Did anything in the above ramble stand out to you? Please comment below </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>–</i></span><i> either in unfiltered or regular thought-out writing.</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-19747399180923383272016-01-10T14:35:00.003-08:002016-04-04T14:47:12.092-07:002016 Resolution: Save the Planet<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/2016-resolution-save-the-planet/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811381604490/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK9Y2MmuXqyhMmBW_gueZGFlNyJ0toHeR8Liu3sMSznjB6mCdpcWf6ZLjqvW8kJgFiivb-yDoUuyYO1JDYiJnBtb1vU2WysedrXKcDJjvfUsbZJ96b2O-oLN5SeziqQyhoa0ITg32CpUX/s400/6-14.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean, who wouldn't want to save something that looks like this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Much like I was inspired by a few home blogs I follow to do an online <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/12/holiday-home-tour-2015.html">Holiday Home Tour</a>, I was almost inspired to do a "Design Resolutions" post. But, you know what? You'll read about my 2016 design ideas and projects if/when I get around to them. For now, let's talk about something a little bit bigger. Something we all should be trying to do <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>every day <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> and not just as a New Year's resolution that invariably will fall to the wayside come February. What I'm talking about, my dear friends, is saving the planet.<br />
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Can it be done? Some say no. Some say we're in too deep. We've gone too far. To this I say pish posh. Of course, I just so happen to be one of those super annoying idealists who thinks that every little change we make counts and that starting small is the best way to integrate a leaner, meaner and greener way of life into your 2016. So, what say you? Want to be tree hugging, organic cotton wearing, SUV forgoing, alternative power touting hippies who not only make their own soap, but eat it too? (I have no idea if people actually make edible soap, but in this crazy world I'd take a wild guess and say yes... <a href="https://averyfoodlydiary.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/edible-soap/">yes they do</a>.)<br />
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Here are three simple ways to green your 2016:<br />
<br />
<b>Think Before You Buy</b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d1/c0/3b/d1c03b547c606df6e1d67d482ca7dc7b.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSE8A5t8EUBXbvombUlfhycvWqhpDqFqBu2S4ZzF63MtXluobN95ZFpA5HzjmuPO2E9OYJe6pIHFiwrVH5a_NjmhQbOOUlIEn8Ce8YJFUrWStB6th2TPwHGsjdi6umIZiBVl6AhtXfg-R/s320/decomposingfruit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This just makes me so sad... and strangely hungry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I used this phrase in <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2013/05/why-being-broke-is-good-thing-when-it.html">a post</a> I wrote a few years ago and it's stuck with me ever since. Now it's time to take a cold, hard and sometimes yucky (see image) look at the cost of buying before you think. Take food waste for example...<br />
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A 2014 study estimated that Canadians throw away $31 billion dollars of chow per year according to <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1718940/canadas-annual-food-waste-a-staggering-31b-heres-how-to-reduce-it/">this <i>Global News</i> report</a>. The implications go far beyond the fact that wasting food is, well, <i>wasteful</i>. Food waste means not only is the discarded item being wasted, but all the resources used to produce the item have now also been wasted. And don't forget about the additional resources required to dispose of the food.<br />
<br />
And what about the packaging? You ever notice how much cardboard and plastic and paper ensconce our food items? Why do so may brands of cereal need to have both an outside box and an inside bag? That's twice the waste right there.<br />
<br />
Have you ever thought about those plastic produce bags you likely use every time you go shopping? I hadn't until I came across some <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Simple-Ecology-Organic-Cotton-Produce/dp/B004UJ0U0C">washable fabric produce bags</a> awhile back. Now I use them all the time. If for some reason I do end up using the plastic ones, I reuse them too.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hcpl.net/content/broken-toy-drive" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPtqKsuY04iyROff9-XKD2iZwu9qUHsVRY5tnOrh7n8ZgAJ0mGcBMu2UtrbJe5egVPQkhBIcWFrXgv9vg8Gso5GHvoJizsxIJkpBOunm4CF6pLBEET4ODav3xHNmNgfEdZuivrNtCThI4/s320/notsosuperman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so super anymore, huh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the subject of packaging, may I also add that the quantity of packaging on children's toys is mind boggling. And don't even get me started on what happens to toys one they're broken, the kids have grown out of them, or once they've become bored with them. You see, $31 billion dollars of food waste (and that's just in Canada) only scratches the surface. We're constantly replacing electronics, clothes, home decor items and so on. And, even if you donate them, you're still contributing to the cycle of stuff, stuff and more stuff.<br />
<br />
But enough with the doom and gloom. I promised "simple" solutions to herculean-sized problems. So... what's my solution? As the title of this section reads... Think. Before. You. Buy.<br />
<br />
That's it. Take a moment to think before you add something new to your shopping cart and ask: What am I going to do with this? If it's food <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> will I eat it? If it's clothing <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> will I wear it? For how long? Do I already have something similar and thus don't really need another one? If it's for the home <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> where will I put it? Is there something I already have that it's going to replace? If so, what am I going to do with the old one?<br />
<br />
Once this pattern of thought becomes habit it will literally require zero effort to quickly ask these questions as you stand there with item in hand.<br />
<br />
Well, maybe it'll take 0.1% of your effort. 0.5% tops. But the planet is at least worth that, am I right?<br />
<br />
<b>Clean with Care</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.nfb.ca/film/force-of-nature-the-david-suzuki"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYPlKjq5OW0BbSxOvWdBfu9gQzKrv92gZyQHt8BJbJK-3DpD7WDLWzFObieHodNQyGg-VYNf3XJ3iazu9J_YnkItkbo7ctx1ZwmUbSOn-rBFgnhpDXf72Sn4JsJi4cTUGErraFnH3FeCP/s320/davidsuzuki.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Suzuki, rocking a moustache since 1936...<br />
assuming he was born with one.<a href="https://www.nfb.ca/film/force-of-nature-the-david-suzuki"><br /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;">Do you love to clean? Me too! Oh... you were being facetious? Yeah... me too...</span><br />
<br />
While we may not all agree on whether scrubbing the floor fuzzies behind the toilet can be described as "fun," I think we can all agree on one thing <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> chemicals are bad. And if you also disagree with me over my chemicals equal badness statement, let's <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> once again <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> take a look at the dirty (pun definitely intended) details, courtesy of <a href="http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/the-dirt-on-toxic-chemicals-in-household-cleaning-products/">the website</a> belonging to my second favourite moustachioed man (after my dad), Mr. David Suzuki.<br />
<br />
Phosphates, which are found in dishwasher detergents, laundry soap and bathroom cleaners build up in our water systems and promote harmful algae blooms leading to decreased oxygen supplies, which in turn kills fish. Certain algae blooms also produce chemicals that can be toxic to both animals and humans (oh no <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> that's us!).<br />
<br />
Sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate, which is used in toilet bowl cleaners, deodorizers, surface cleaners and disinfectants is toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term disturbances in aquatic ecosystems.<br />
<br />
Did I also mention that the above chemicals, as well as a host of others (with lovely names such as 2-butoxyethanol, quaternary ammonium compounds and trisodium nitrilottriacetate) can cause skin, eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, may cause cancer, kidney damage, liver damage and reproductive defects, while also interfering with the function of hormones? And that's just the short list, my friends.<br />
<br />
And, because there is no requirement in Canada for manufacturers to warn us about the health and environmental hazards associated with the chemicals in everyday cleaning products, we are likely being exposed to compounds that linger in the air of our home for days, weeks, months, years, ever.<br />
<br />
So, once again, what's my solution? Why, it's clean with care, of course! As an example, here is a photo of the cleaning items I keep underneath my sink...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmd4xavpo8aLykiB8KjJpkMhijGymMSQofeg-D0J6UJ2dt3sL7zigUHvXLJgiEgrVvmhItMcJcvYlmTQbZo3ODWrbt4AzqV3UyWOsqtFj2zmqDmAdwMd2t7uHDROMURJVadIO0MtNIvLgd/s1600/IMG_6999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmd4xavpo8aLykiB8KjJpkMhijGymMSQofeg-D0J6UJ2dt3sL7zigUHvXLJgiEgrVvmhItMcJcvYlmTQbZo3ODWrbt4AzqV3UyWOsqtFj2zmqDmAdwMd2t7uHDROMURJVadIO0MtNIvLgd/s400/IMG_6999.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All my cleaning supplies on one toilet seat:<br />
Nature Clean All Purpose Cleaning Lotion, baking <br />
soda, vinegar and Dr Bronner's Tea Tree Soap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They can be combined in a variety of ways to create all sorts of cleaning agents and most of them are incredibly cheap and <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> da da da DA <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> far less narsty than the aforementioned chemicals. The ones that cost a little more, like the <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/All-Purpose-Cleaning-Lotion-1-Brand/dp/B0045P6EBU">Nature Clean All Purpose Cleaning Lotion</a> and the <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dr-Bronners-Organic-Castile-944-Milliliter/dp/B0001TSIB8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452463657&sr=8-1&keywords=dr+bronners+tea+tree+oil">Dr Bronner's Tea Tree Soap</a>, are concentrated and last a long, long time. Seriously. I think I've had that bottle of Nature Clean for over a year and it's still half full.<br />
<br />
Here are a few easy recipes I found online that you can use to make your own cleaning supplies:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://myfrugaladventures.com/2012/07/homemade-bathroom-cleaners/">Homemade Baking Soda Tub Scrub</a> (there's a whole bunch of cleaning recipes on this page, but scroll down for the bathtub scrub)<br />
<a href="http://www.crunchybetty.com/clean-your-drains-with-baking-soda-and-vinegar-surprise">Homemade Baking Soda and Vinegar Drain Cleaner</a> (you could also use this recipe to simulate a volcanic eruption)<br />
<a href="http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-toilet-cleaner/">Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaners</a> (three different recipes, depending on the level of disgusting your toilet has reached)<br />
<br />
And don't worry, you can just whip these up when you need them, taking only a minute away from your precious cleaning time!<br />
<br />
<b>Eat Less Meat</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://victoriafeedsthehorseandhound.com/product/beef-cattle-feed/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0uWnTwaN35ZCJXPpmzbDA5mF0qW30iHb7kF-Bnizmzte3UEQp3rJiielKLm5LeF5we6A6LREB9nVLB_Z9B2iIwUry-XPId3jxPajUdbgCYx7NCmyEjI9JkC7tbmra5xBSN7gm0l3ss6L/s320/moo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moo?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I already went into the impacts of food waste above, but what about food production? You may have heard that meat is the most environmentally taxing food item, but what exactly does that mean? (And since I live in the province of the "I Heart Alberta Beef" sticker, I realize this topic is enough to get me shot in some circles. Just hear me out first and shoot me later, nmmmkay?)<br />
<br />
For example, according to <a href="http://science.time.com/2013/12/16/the-triple-whopper-environmental-impact-of-global-meat-production/">this <i>Time</i> article</a>, livestock production uses one third of the world's fresh water (and, as we now know, <a href="http://www.ask.com/science/water-renewable-resource-8aab095490f3e393">water is not necessarily a renewable resource</a>).<br />
<br />
And though it's hard to an make accurate estimate as to how much meat production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, some have stated it's about 18% (a number which has been called both way too high and way too low, depending on whom you ask).<br />
<br />
Worldwide meat consumption is also unequally distributed, with Americans eating an average of 270 pounds of meat a year and residents of Bangladesh eating 4 pounds.<br />
<br />
Let's be more like Bangladeshis and eat less meat. I'm not talking about becoming a vegetarian here (but if you think you can do it or would like too <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> go for it!). I myself am not a vegetarian, though I have tried before. The difficulty I had was that if the people in your life are meat-eaters it can be incredibly hard to avoid it entirely. So my solution to that problem has been not to banish meat, but to instead reduce mine and my family's consumption of it.<br />
<br />
I don't cook with red meat ever and I only buy two small chicken breasts a week, which I then divide up into four small portions <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> each portion being a part of one meal. Thus, you can still have chicken in your strifry, just a really small amount. And who needs a lot of chicken in your stirfry anyway when there are so many amazing veggies to be had!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://frenchcountryfood.com/recipes/entrees/steak-tartare.html" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC2vYGD-aRo1f1bAgzXx5oN7HxhixQ9H-YA9zKwU11S0uT6Hg34v8ZBHebjgqafB3dt_2LxqhTNSdDN8fhoV3phyphenhyphenIrwCncsLAN7zkQLYZ6NhkeH0Q0O7a_JpbC0jzIv3T53IlDzTIbYW9/s320/steaktartare.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh... dear... god... Is this what steak tartare really looks like?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Over time, I also have conditioned myself to like the heartiest meat substitute there is <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> beans. Let me tell you, I hated beans as a kid. When my mom made chilli, I spent the majority of meal time picking out all the kidney beans before I'd even take a bite. And while kidney beans still are not my favourite, I do eat on a very regular basis things such as black beans (go awesome with fajitas), garbanzo beans (so good both warm in a pasta dish or cold in a salad) and red lentils (which are technically a legume and are full of protein goodness).<br />
<br />
If the whole "eat less meat" movement intrigues you, but you aren't sure how far you can take it, you could start with <a href="http://www.meatlessmonday.com/">Meatless Mondays</a>, which <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> as the name suggests <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> means you cook one meatless meal a week.<br />
<br />
I mean, we're talking about saving the planet here <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> I think you can forgo your steak tartare for one night.<br />
<br />
<i>Did you make any green resolutions for 2016? Is there anything you already do on a daily basis that's environmentally forward-thinking? Did you make any other resolutions for the New Year? To try steak tartare, perhaps? Please don't. Just... don't. Instead, consider making "commenting more on </i>Of Houses and Trees<i>" one of them!</i><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-un_OzXrDu7g%2FVpKZiGb_MsI%2FAAAAAAAABhY%2FaPV67NAyfWY%2Fs320%2Fmoo.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2718px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-un_OzXrDu7g%2FVpKZiGb_MsI%2FAAAAAAAABhY%2FaPV67NAyfWY%2Fs320%2Fmoo.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2718px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-9115903584498960562015-12-23T20:27:00.001-08:002016-04-04T14:33:03.110-07:00Holiday Home Tour 2015<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/holiday-home-tour-2015/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<br />
Several of the blogs I read do a "Holiday Home Tour" every year where they basically take pictures of their Christmas decorations and then talk a little about the things they do to make their house feel all cozy and shit.<br />
<br />
This practice may sound a bit self indulgent to some, but I actually quite enjoy it. It's nice being invited into someone's home to learn a little about the things they do and traditions they have that make their little corner of the world festive <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> even if I was only invited in a virtual sense.<br />
<br />
I am by no means a nosy person <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>except for when it comes to seeing what the inside of people's homes look like. And I'll take some artistically shot photos of rustic stars and artisanal Santas if it's all I can get.<br />
<br />
This year I figured what the heck, why don't I do the same? Particularly since I've really pared down my holiday whosits and whatsits (from six rubber totes last year to three currently) and only put out the things I actually like or that <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> tacky as they may be <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> have some sort of special meaning or story behind them.<br />
<br />
Because stories are what homes are all about. Stories about people and places and things and life and meaning and sometimes a little self indulgence and frivolousness thrown in to boot.<br />
<br />
So, here's a few of the Christmas-related stories from my home. Come on in and stay awhile... or at least until I start shifting around uncomfortably because I'd like you to leave, but am too polite to ask. Sound good?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF-4666JS5bejn87Mamn2l1PmYeO5KG4NwhGmKocQkNkzc8CQLFZX2W655EVL_fGZikwVYgiHQEMrfWPuR4UhQuVFATsEdCPQQhV5iDZUm6DgNf7YClUgBiV6v1mCsui8BzCL-SBFfQOB/s1600/angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF-4666JS5bejn87Mamn2l1PmYeO5KG4NwhGmKocQkNkzc8CQLFZX2W655EVL_fGZikwVYgiHQEMrfWPuR4UhQuVFATsEdCPQQhV5iDZUm6DgNf7YClUgBiV6v1mCsui8BzCL-SBFfQOB/s200/angel.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
This somewhat homely looking angel is one of only two Christmas decorations I put out in my front entrance this year. And I can say it's homely because I made it. It was actually a gift for my Grandma, but after she died my mom came across it while going through her stuff and gave it back to me. I was probably about 12 or so when I sewed this. I was pretty into crafty stuff around that age and it's nice to be exploring that side of my personality again. There aren't any more stuffed oddly shaped celestial beings in my future, but for next Christmas I'm hoping to add some homemade burlap stockings and a tree skirt to my seasonal collection.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmynBg-CsbcJ4qDfWQVi4ZQe0W6qOFabbQts9R7o14HQWJsYwQQ3rs5yPqdx8wTvmiSua1nJNyHWftv_U1GraWqfS1ZRVA5UPJP2UDefnzOHpFkS70DgY8F9i1uFXS9Rr-GgYUMcLOfT1c/s1600/snowmen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmynBg-CsbcJ4qDfWQVi4ZQe0W6qOFabbQts9R7o14HQWJsYwQQ3rs5yPqdx8wTvmiSua1nJNyHWftv_U1GraWqfS1ZRVA5UPJP2UDefnzOHpFkS70DgY8F9i1uFXS9Rr-GgYUMcLOfT1c/s320/snowmen2.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
Next stop is the living room where the majority of holiday doodads hang out. As you can see, I have a thing for snowmen... or my mom does, because every one of these guys/gals were a gift from her. Although most of these snowmen look homemade <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> no I didn't make any myself, but someone did! I did assemble the burlap garland and <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> as you soon will see <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> it isn't the only one this year. This corner of my living room is hard to photograph as it's kind of dark, but does get some sunlight slanting across it at certain times of the day. I'm still trying to figure out how to best shoot interior living spaces. I'd say I'm much better at outdoor shots, though I have recently learned how to use the aperture function on my camera and have been playing with that. Any helpful tips from you seasoned photogs out there would be greatly appreciated!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D9WQA5Q6WOgXSPEOT96dPsItPUbZkcOwjLrlfELWyq5Y63yEQ_EekqG3Dxoskj50gjdf9uKCoDT3NTKNkdDAzMjSoGCNKgkuMQ2mlU22aZPi4GaT4IrXS0rlOWUCd0KiIlMiwhyphenhyphenuX00m/s1600/mantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D9WQA5Q6WOgXSPEOT96dPsItPUbZkcOwjLrlfELWyq5Y63yEQ_EekqG3Dxoskj50gjdf9uKCoDT3NTKNkdDAzMjSoGCNKgkuMQ2mlU22aZPi4GaT4IrXS0rlOWUCd0KiIlMiwhyphenhyphenuX00m/s320/mantle.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
I've never been a huge fan of our rounded-cornered, painted drywall mantle. One day I'd like to build it out with some wood or MDF, but dressing it up for the holidays helps make it a bit more interesting to look at. My favourite decoration this year by far is the burlap garland with the white stars (which used to be burgundy, but didn't stand out enough so I had Devin spray paint them <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> thanks buddy!) and the Christmas lights. At night it looks so warm and inviting I often find my eyes drifting away from the the critically acclaimed docuseries I'm currently watching (translation <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> season 10 of Friends on Netflix) and zoning out on the glow for awhile.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDj5YTa42q81TP5XGQOsPDDO1vnyBaXWeDWzNvMyT8mxh41tBqYfKPaz9Z9frMaUvExpERk43jr7cH0o6CHy2rSGfzY3QDmxb1mMjHkxgGEMpaYvFpOc0RueBYn5B6HZucNjcCrCJ6Xch/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDj5YTa42q81TP5XGQOsPDDO1vnyBaXWeDWzNvMyT8mxh41tBqYfKPaz9Z9frMaUvExpERk43jr7cH0o6CHy2rSGfzY3QDmxb1mMjHkxgGEMpaYvFpOc0RueBYn5B6HZucNjcCrCJ6Xch/s320/tree.jpg" width="218" /></a>And, of course, here's our tree. Forgive the somewhat bent and unevenly placed silver candy canes. They're the one decoration my daughter is allowed to touch (not that she actually adheres to this rule) and thus she moves them around on a daily basis, often just leaving them on the floor. I think next year, aside from the aforementioned burlap tree skirt, I'm going to add some burlap ribbon to fill in the tree a bit more. Yes, I love burlap. I love to wrap my outdoor planters in it during summer and my artificial tree in it during winter. It's a versatile fabric that, according to <a href="http://nyp-corp.com/blog/the-history-and-uses-of-burlap/">this website</a>, was once used to clothe German soldiers.<br />
<br />
And, with that educational tidbit, it's about time for me to start drifting away from the conversation and start doing dishes. Oh, you're leaving? So soon...? Okaybyethanksforcoming. And also <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">– a </span>Merry Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Festivus or just another plain old Friday from all of us here (it's just me) at <i>Of Houses and Trees</i>.<br />
<br />
<i>Do you have a lot of holiday decorations or do you like to keep it pretty sparse? What's your favourite item? Which item has the most interesting story? Christmas is a time for sharing </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span><i> both baked goods and comments!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfbE4xLWVUhIh_8c01D-yNxprKjRAww0Jm8Cs9FMogF6dSr8eD0dSlfiLnZibbOPaRAvf4Om9a13HJs6LcBtOVfLOIYtkUeG6-AeDcnQOQ4prGIYn6kEBku_cws-1rHfKKRvzUKzggYO4/s1600/lights.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfbE4xLWVUhIh_8c01D-yNxprKjRAww0Jm8Cs9FMogF6dSr8eD0dSlfiLnZibbOPaRAvf4Om9a13HJs6LcBtOVfLOIYtkUeG6-AeDcnQOQ4prGIYn6kEBku_cws-1rHfKKRvzUKzggYO4/s400/lights.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-40929375676883445052015-12-03T11:05:00.002-08:002016-04-04T14:30:24.514-07:00Did It Myself No. 8: Refurbished Chair<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/did-it-myself-8-refurbished-chair/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811381126500/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PqgfvUMnLuudFC-WRDjL6s4DFHZGVewx0p24z6oqeaZxdMp1WH5GZS_ccKQcXVghCgnw44jD20BC-thU4jMYnJZv_U7g5s0hfsR5GL_fcNuibgBw0P1jdwX1BrXJqT0uJMjMNUOG0ZYN/s320/beforeandafter.jpg" width="320" /></a>Those of you who were my Facebook friends back in March 2014 may remember a little fabric survey I put up for an old chair that I had acquired and planned to refurbish. I had ordered the winning print promptly after the votes were tallied and then... nothing. Well, not nothing exactly as there has been child rearing, writing, teaching, dancing and many other around the home and yard projects tackled in the two years and nine months since.<br />
<br />
But, alas, the chair is complete! And, as with many of my DIY projects of late, I cannot take all the credit because the lovely <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> albeit manly <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>Devin Patterson was of great assistance on this one. He reinforced the chair, painted it, cut out the foam for the cushion and stapled on the fabric. Sounds like he did the entire project on his own, right? Well... there was one small "incident" that I will not detail for all of the interwebs to read, but let's just say the fabric had to be removed, repositioned and re-stapled under the very watchful eye of your's truly.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeUFP2K_lwalqv_i1qShb09LnPUOfl3v52QuiFdBSHJD3Zn9a92sE4V9L2tv6FMRlnyiFsLI60f3WA0PwTeQGJ_ucx6A5orUHXU3ftWsf8_2MMwdZKJDQ8ht9gmoULlNx9xSX-DU51NMP/s1600/IMG_6480+%2528edited%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeUFP2K_lwalqv_i1qShb09LnPUOfl3v52QuiFdBSHJD3Zn9a92sE4V9L2tv6FMRlnyiFsLI60f3WA0PwTeQGJ_ucx6A5orUHXU3ftWsf8_2MMwdZKJDQ8ht9gmoULlNx9xSX-DU51NMP/s320/IMG_6480+%2528edited%2529.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/01/did-it-myself-no-6-blue-and-orange.html">Another of my favourite colour combos</a>,<br />
more yellow and grey things to come!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Onwards! The past is in the past, even when it comes to botched husband/wife DIY projects that have to be corrected at 11pm on a Thursday night. Besides, we have much bigger happenings on the horizon and this chair is just one small project amidst a very large one <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> which I will be posting more on in the somewhat near future.<br />
<br />
Oh, and I just reread the aforementioned Facebook post and see that I had boldly declared I was planning on selling the chair and not keeping it for myself like I do with every other piece of furniture I finish. Well, I lied. It happens. Get over it.<br />
<br />
<i>Have you ever refinished or created something intending to sell and then just couldn't part with it? Or, alternately, tell me about your own botched husband/wife DIY projects. This is a judgment free place where I pledge only to laugh with you and never at you... in writing. What I actually do behind the veil of my computer screen is an entirely different story.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-43265218473565337462015-10-05T08:03:00.001-07:002016-04-04T14:31:21.493-07:00Tree of the Day No. 3: Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo)<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/tree-of-the-day-3-mugo-pine-pinus-mugo/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811380293716/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXifHuBqAbbeK9PIc1T7uhS-CVCCtFsq-2VG81rnjWp0a9kc62uNYy5CK1rI275m3BR5dbOiXLTTj1p4cUNC2s5CJzhvR5oTQjZkZ6Lkwt_c-O9dkWzyjOzHSUXjTe-4EI6p8njeGzuQu/s320/mugopine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shrub by any other name would smell, well... like a shrub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been a long time since I've done a "Tree of the Day" post (<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2013/01/tree-of-day-no-2-colorado-spruce-picea.html">the last one</a> was way back in my pre-motherhood days of January 2013), but I've decided to dust this series off because my Google calendar keeps reminding me I have a blog post "due" (because I'm the kind of person who enters every one of their to-dos into an online calendar and then procrastinates on actually doing them).<br />
<br />
Ah, majestic <i>Pinus mugo</i>! Also known as mountain pine, dwarf mountain pine, scrub mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine, creeping pine and <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> the name by which I know it <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>mugo pine. And, if that isn't enough names for you, it sometimes is referred to as <i>Pinus montana</i> and sometimes spelled "mugho pine," due to a typo in an 18th century encyclopedia.<br />
<br />
From <a href="http://www.iselinursery.com/index.php/iseli-nursery-in-the-press/101">the website of a nursery</a> located in a community called <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> get this <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> Boring, Oregon: "Many growers and retailers find <i>Pinus
mugo</i> (mugo pine) possesses many appealing qualities. The plant is
attractive, adaptable, available, inexpensive to produce, easy to sell and
relatively free of pests. It is also extremely cold-hardy… Yet, mugo pine is
not a favored selection for homeowners due to its unpredictable growth rate,
size and shape." The website then goes on to state mugo pines can range from 3' to 45' in height. Yeah. I'd call that unpredictable.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa3yCyIV2U2uq5q94KIMDA131TkunXa0JzA00pMB4Pb79zSOW_iS_OMhgh18i-rz3deilwSwpLXiX1-m1KHirF3qEfb5SkjxAHm9baP-1AQwHDAamUMxw8QfapFxAM282457PRmhE1hOD/s1600/babyhugo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa3yCyIV2U2uq5q94KIMDA131TkunXa0JzA00pMB4Pb79zSOW_iS_OMhgh18i-rz3deilwSwpLXiX1-m1KHirF3qEfb5SkjxAHm9baP-1AQwHDAamUMxw8QfapFxAM282457PRmhE1hOD/s320/babyhugo.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugo: Before (Having trouble seeing him? He's just to the<br />
left of the entrance, nestled down in the topsoil. My mom<br />
said he was 1' x 1' when they planted him...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My family can relate. My interest in this particular species is due to the fact that a very, very large mugo pine resides in the front yard of my childhood home. And when I say "resides" I mean "has completely taken over." Once a teensy little shrublet, "Hugo" as we affectionately refer to him, has been cut back and then cut back some more and yet still he remains like a monstrous coniferous creature, ready to trap innocent bystanders within his prickly pine scented grasp.<br />
<br />
Overly-dramatic? Yes, you could say that is one of of my many... let's just call them "quirks." Both of my parents walk by Hugo on a daily basis and have never been attacked. And my brother, sister and I all grew up in his presence and emerged (relatively) unscathed.<br />
<br />
I say relatively because there were a few "incidents," one involving my loving older brother shoving a fistful of Hugo's needles into my mouth. I'm sure he just assumed I was hungry (and apparently <a href="http://www.olio2go.com/Products/Mugolio--Exquisite-Pine-Bud-Syrup-from-Primitivizia__PRM-001.aspx">mugo pine syrup is a thing</a>?). Now, you could say this traumatic event was entirely of said brother's doing, but maybe, just maybe Hugo sinisterly whispered the idea into his ear...<br />
<br />
Then there was the time my brother (what is up with brothers?!) and I believe it was my cousin fell into the centre of Hugo and were nearly lost through a portal into another realm. Or, you know, they just squished the bejesus out of the poor tree. There was also the time spiders of Tolkienian size took up residence within Hugo's piney depths, but this was after I'd moved out so I'll just have to take my parents word on that (and then dance around frantically rubbing my neck because I can't talk or think about spiders without completely wigging out).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_EVuQ2uCGtYIxnnWUv6XY2eAA4wgBpKWK4yEhyphenhyphensBrusoC4Ld-yIz2E84pAwL1aLNdTKsrml6hKWxuRhYRNUVuOu9layrFBmuN2neJWyLFHcI8er_VI5tGZ_imuJ8J97aXAKXRnzZu3g2/s1600/bighugo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_EVuQ2uCGtYIxnnWUv6XY2eAA4wgBpKWK4yEhyphenhyphensBrusoC4Ld-yIz2E84pAwL1aLNdTKsrml6hKWxuRhYRNUVuOu9layrFBmuN2neJWyLFHcI8er_VI5tGZ_imuJ8J97aXAKXRnzZu3g2/s320/bighugo.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugo: Now (Don't think you need guidance to spot him in<br />
this picture...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The thing is, Hugo is massive. He dwarfs the front of the house. Little is able to grow beneath his shadow. He's deformed from the aforementioned squishing and basically looks like a giant's bowl tipped on its side. But he's part of the family.<br />
<br />
And that's the thing with trees. Like children they start out so small we can hold them in our hands. And then they grow. And grow. And they take up space in our houses (children) and in our yards (trees), but they also take up space in our lives and our hearts. They live life right alongside you and your stories are their stories.<br />
<br />
Countless times my parents have considered removing Hugo entirely. And countless times they have come to the realization that they just can't do it. One day they'll sell their house and the people who buy it, having no sentimental attachment to Hugo, will not even shed a tear when his overgrown body hits the ground. But then they'll plant a new tree and it will become part of their family and it will be a part of their stories.<br />
<br />
Because that's what trees do.<br />
<br />
<i>Do you have any trees in your yard (or in the yard of your childhood home) that you are particularly attached to? This is the place to share your stories! After all, the blog is called </i>Of House and Trees<i>...</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-55600263657622950932015-09-07T14:19:00.002-07:002016-04-04T14:30:41.776-07:00You Shall Not Pass: A Tale of Two Gates<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/you-shall-not-pass-a-tale-of-two-gates/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811379931545/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg9vLJPa8pXwPPGcQw7g7Nv4ow7L2P96x-uxs-DrHZUphL71zdScC69C7QGAmA3sk4xSFeH2F5ADDq4RXmBBBRVHSsjD_c9gjlFa2bmKeVh1WlJZpT9E3I7t4eI2VtsGBbO6v20yVm8bZ/s320/gate.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gate in Progress. Still needs posts to be trimmed (and <br />
possibly ensconced in brick), surrounding rail fence <br />
to be finished and some red, red paint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'll use anything as an excuse to throw down a <i>Lord of the Rings</i> quote (and apparently a bastardized title of a Dickens novel, because I'm all about literary reference mashups), even when it comes to something as innocuous as a handmade wooden gate. But it's a pretty awesome gate! Designed by Devin and I, built by Devin and his dad, our new gate took the place of our previous method of securing the land <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span> a very long, very heavy metal chain that was the bane of my existence on several separate occasions. The bane!<br />
<br />
Let me break it down for you. In order to lock the chain to a post, I would have to sling it over my shoulder, drag it through the gravel, and then pull with all my might until I could get the lock through it. A few times my hair got <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811379931552/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f8MUvWpqy02AUwRjSBFi8ttOwtiZf8aQPHmrPwzNWpSwMn7ozCaqmVpg84jAKngOOF7XMPgKXlg11PLudF1fqE6AvFh06n2lZSEdI1pSXa6clOtULDjHECGo8kv3T8RP8RJq4WN61m0r/s320/oldgate.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partial photo of makeshift chain gate, because it was<br />
shady like that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
caught between the chain and my shoulder. More than a few times I pinched my fingers between the chain and the lock, or in the lock itself. This all makes me sound pathetically feeble and incompetent, but I swear it was quite a process. Hence the new gate.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811379931223/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxbiX4CgcJ6MpuBDassCmdPmKSxTUDg6UARMVSXFJYB1SpVtkfjGzn1iqXnS-wLLVEa6AB28JezbjiMmxkZbrsX0vsj6JVS1EdWdZMBUcss43jbVJu2TbYmh4NGcmgq11PqBkL1-hMcFL/s320/redgate.png" style="cursor: move;" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's something about an old red gate and <br />
an old red barn in newly fallen snow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It still needs to be painted and I am dead set on red. Devin's reaction to this ranged from "bitch you crazy" to "cedar stain is sort of red" before he finally proclaimed "you just pick the colour and I'll close my eyes and paint it on." Now that's love. I've narrowed it down to three colours from Benjamin Moore <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> "Caliente" (very red), "Merlot Red" (reddish-orange) and "Mars Red" (reddish-brown). Every time I go to pick out paint colours I always end up wishing there was one called "This is the Colour You Want." (I'm paraphrasing a line from a TV show or movie, but I can't remember which one at the moment... because that's just how my mind works these days).<br />
<br />
<i>How do you feel about a red gate? Too bold? Not bold enough? Just right? Do you have any gates (or evil gate-impersonating chains) at your house? If so, what colour? If not, what</i> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><!--EndFragment--> <i>you just let strangers come and go as they please? You a hippy or something? Please scroll down... just a little further... little more... too far! Okay, right there... click on that link that sadly says "no comments" and make it go away already. Thanks!</i><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-JUybJFhW-BM%2FVe35v0H0_4I%2FAAAAAAAABVc%2FHQJ3DPyNR9Y%2Fs320%2Fredgate.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 20px; left: 32px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 456px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-JUybJFhW-BM%2FVe35v0H0_4I%2FAAAAAAAABVc%2FHQJ3DPyNR9Y%2Fs320%2Fredgate.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 20px; left: 32px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 456px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-41518134049195989512015-08-26T14:03:00.001-07:002016-04-12T14:36:13.515-07:00The Architecture of American Houses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/the-architecture-of-american-houses/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811379760658/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aQwe27phQKvc0qAiirndOEzwJY0e2QAdMNHYc7KTsgVq_txcPGsrmb6Guixap3uM8-QpgwdL-KVzjoZ7zUHNaQDoW5Of-uQPzX4FqF21KdYXmtqUXkfSZCfblCrZYok4kzQY3WIq61LK/s640/architectureofamericanhouses.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
And now for an <i>Of Houses and Trees</i> first… a short post! Think it can't be done? Well, I'll show you. I'll show you all…<br />
<br />
I came across this poster (click <a href="http://popchartlab.com/products/the-architecture-of-american-houses">here</a> for the option to zoom in) awhile back and knew I had to share it here in honour of my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/larissaswayze/the-houses-in-which-we-live/">The Houses in Which We Live</a> series. I'm not really a poster person (anymore, I should say, because lord knows many a 90s heartthrob once lined the walls of my forest green bedroom), but if I still were I would order this one up pronto as it combines several things that I love: architecture, history and <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/02/the-houses-in-which-we-live-no-3-tiny.html">tiny versions of things</a>. It also reminds me of <a href="https://www.catsmeow.com/">The Cat's Meow Village</a>, which are these little handmade wooden collectibles featuring everything from period homes to monuments to signposts (I'm looking at the one of a Golden Gate Bridge sign sitting on my desk as I type this). My mom used to have a bunch of them lining the trim around our staircase and a dear friend of her's also had an impressive collection (this is the same friend with the plastic toy toilet I so coveted).<br />
<br />
But, alas, I digress. And digressing is not allowed in short posts.<br />
<br />
<i>What's your favourite architectural home style? What style do you think we could live without (the fact that a "McMansion" is even a thing is very sad indeed). Let me know in the comments and perhaps I'll use your suggestion for the next entry in my "The Houses in Which We Live" series!</i><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-4lfP2b1BIbM%2FVd4jDLh5uaI%2FAAAAAAAABUY%2FP5WhplxN9O4%2Fs640%2Farchitectureofamericanhouses.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 115px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-4lfP2b1BIbM%2FVd4jDLh5uaI%2FAAAAAAAABUY%2FP5WhplxN9O4%2Fs640%2Farchitectureofamericanhouses.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 115px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-4lfP2b1BIbM%2FVd4jDLh5uaI%2FAAAAAAAABUY%2FP5WhplxN9O4%2Fs640%2Farchitectureofamericanhouses.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 115px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-4lfP2b1BIbM%2FVd4jDLh5uaI%2FAAAAAAAABUY%2FP5WhplxN9O4%2Fs640%2Farchitectureofamericanhouses.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 115px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-4lfP2b1BIbM%2FVd4jDLh5uaI%2FAAAAAAAABUY%2FP5WhplxN9O4%2Fs640%2Farchitectureofamericanhouses.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 115px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-4lfP2b1BIbM%2FVd4jDLh5uaI%2FAAAAAAAABUY%2FP5WhplxN9O4%2Fs640%2Farchitectureofamericanhouses.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 115px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-4lfP2b1BIbM%2FVd4jDLh5uaI%2FAAAAAAAABUY%2FP5WhplxN9O4%2Fs640%2Farchitectureofamericanhouses.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 115px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-4lfP2b1BIbM%2FVd4jDLh5uaI%2FAAAAAAAABUY%2FP5WhplxN9O4%2Fs640%2Farchitectureofamericanhouses.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 115px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-62669687840890190302015-08-11T15:03:00.002-07:002016-04-25T15:02:06.836-07:00Real Life Home Design Board No. 1: Living Room<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/real-life-home-design-board-1-living-room/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<br />
I've decided there needs to be a word/phrase for when you're inspired by other people's inspirations (like what happens on Pinterest all day every day and into the wee hours of the night too). How about <i>inspiration squared</i>? <i>Ininspiration</i>? <i>Reinspiration</i>? Well, whatever you want to call it, I got it big time while recently reading the blog <a href="http://thediymommy.com/">The DIY Mommy</a>, specifically the <a href="http://thediymommy.com/?s=our+diy+house&x=-1153&y=-208">Our DIY House</a> series, which features the building and interior design process of a new foursquare-style home.<br />
<br />
The blogger, a trained graphic designer, went through each room of the home and made up what she calls a "Mood Board," which essentially is the Photoshop equivalent of cutting images from a magazine and gluing them to some white paper. It's a super fun way to think about what you want your new home (or old home, if you're redesigning) to look like. And when I say fun, I mean it's pretty much the most fun a home design lovin' gal with decent computer skills can have while their almost two-year old naps for three hours. Seriously. I had <i>way</i> too good of a time doing this. So much so that I'm limiting myself to just doing the living room until I've actually finished designing the house itself. Because no house equals no reclaimed brick fireplace. So here it is!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811379552797/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf27cKCm9smYhpZQOaQUbxWoaW0k0PznkA5_SKsgEh2fTbXES80Z6Ug1VEuEEBTZb7T9BHi_8KBWB5YKopy0mGcmipgcFyn86bWqj8Xc6O92AyBMwhJxIxC8zoqMRKspMBO84t1xMaW_Uj/s640/RLH+Design+Board+-+Living+Room.jpg" width="492" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">1. Medium Toned Grey/Brown Wide Plank Laminate Flooring<br />
2. Barnwood Framed Mirror<br />
3. Benjamin Moore Paints Bennington Grey (field colour) and Mink (accent colour)<br />
4. Green Microsuede Storage Ottoman (already own)<br />
5. Reclaimed Brick for Fireplace (see below)<br />
6. Sisal Rug with Brown Border<br />
7. White Floating Wood Mantel<br />
8. Bookshelves for Built-In Storage (see below)<br />
9. Dark Brown Leather Couch (already own)<br />
10. Woven Twig Lamp (already own)<br />
11. Blue, Brown and Green Distressed Console Table (already own a plain brown one)<br />
12. Blue, Brown and Green Striped Fabric for Curtains (already own)<br />
13. Blue, Brown and Green Floral Fabric for Toybox Ottoman (already own)<br />
14. Various Throw Pillows (already own, except for blue one)<br />
15. Blue Microsuede Wingback Chair (see below)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You know the saying "blue and green should never be seen except for in the washing machine?" I don't even remember where I initially heard it, but it's one of those weird things that has stuck with me since childhood. You know, like my face.<br />
<br />
Nowadays, previously unheard of colour combinations are de rigueur (meaning that if you don't have unexpected colour schemes in your house you shall henceforth be known as a social pariah). I blogged about one of my favourite unusual combos, blue and orange, in <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/01/did-it-myself-no-6-blue-and-orange.html">this post</a>. Another trendy hue pair I currently adore is yellow and grey (which I will be blogging about at a later date).<br />
<br />
And, since one theme of this post seems to be limiting myself, I have decreed I am only allowed to go into detail about three <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">– </span>that's right, only three! <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><!--EndFragment--> of the pictured items or else I will carry on for always and forever about how much I love barnwood frames/how much I dislike leather couches (but since we already own one I'm-a gonna to roll with it).<br />
<br />
#5 <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><!--EndFragment--> Reclaimed Brick for Fireplace<br />
<br />
Very excited about this idea. Reusing an old material is not only good for the environment, it also brings character and history to a space. A quick browse on Kijiji tells me that you can buy batches of recycled brick from various independent sellers, there's also businesses like <a href="http://achouse.ca/">Architectural Clearinghouse</a> where you can find used construction materials. While stock is constantly changing, I'm hoping I'll be able to find some previously loved brick when the time comes.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811378923705/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DvwBO8BOw3cn4HJ544p1GuDneqEzEIquHFLxIJCTe7D_xUOb1xgTBna3un1-SwVmhotR1o1QbHrqIC7YSec3ENiIZMYbrHRkJYypRPqvsjgO6DdavMEIgLN5dUz27mTTgrjTUSbOVo7l/s320/whitebuiltinsinlivingroom.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Built-ins/fireplace situation will be<br />
similar to this, but I'd like the brick to <br />
be floor to ceiling, please and<br />
thank you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
#8 - Bookshelves for Built-In Storage<br />
<br />
I plan to put some sort of built-in shelving in pretty much every room in the house (even on the staircase's landing). And, with the magic of Ikea (you know, the cheap European kind of magic), you can buy some plain old bookcases, slap some moulding on them and <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><!--EndFragment--> voila! <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><!--EndFragment--> custom cabinetry fit for your collection of first editions. Or your porcelain cat figurines… Because, as the saying goes, one person's Orwell is another's Persian.<br />
<br />
#15 - Blue Microsuede Wingback Chair<br />
<br />
When I was looking for furniture to compliment that which we already own I wasn't planning on throwing a blue microsuede chair into the mix. But, when this photo came up in Google image search, it took me back to the many hours I spent sitting across from my grandma in her living room. Me in a black leather La-Z-Boy, and her in a chair that looked just like this. Although she's no longer with us, the chair now resides in my mom's dining room (and, knowing my dearest mama, perhaps one day it will be mine).<br />
<br />
There you have it! It'll be interesting to see how many of my ideas make it into the final product. But, truly, it doesn't matter what does and what doesn't. For me, the best part of this whole process is the dreaming.<br />
<br />
<i>What's your favourite unusual colour combo? What are some of the features in your dream living room? Do you collect first editions, porcelain cats… or something else? Viva la comment!</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-24818331811207205502015-07-20T20:40:00.000-07:002016-04-25T16:10:14.846-07:00Mr Sun, Sun, Mr Golden Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/mr-sun-sun-mr-golden-sun" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811379230900/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynP7T7dvjJsI89LAtLHa6BoeQp-JgdUh2NuI4LKMTsV6AnY1joYSE-a1evOL2JwY62uY_uuGE8oMznwtGU-LPfpoz1RIcauUOlD2LvnQ2rhcx6ybl7IQZX03D1oq8XOlb5h0HG6qb-NV6/s320/childhood.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my sibs, being all one with nature<br />
and stuff, circa about a million years ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't remember when I got hooked on being green. I mean, I've always adored nature. Trees. Lakes. Dirt. My family's annual (and sometimes bi or tri-annual) camping trips (usually to the majestic Rockies) led to a love of the great outdoors and all that it represents being wound into the very fabric of my being. But did I always recycle? No. Was I always <i>that</i> person <span style="font-size: 13pt;">– </span>you know, the one who dies a little inside when someone at a birthday party throws away a paper plate, or licks clean plastic cutlery and puts it in their purse so it can later be reused? No. No, I wasn't.<br />
<br />
I'm a firm believer in the fact that green living is about integrating eco-friendly choices into reality. I clearly recall that I didn't start blue-bagging until I lived in my first apartment, which had recycling bins in the parking lot. I didn't start separating organic waste from the rest of the garbage until I moved to Stony Plain, where we have <a href="http://www.stonyplain.com/Town-Services/Garbage-and-Recycling/Organics-Collection.htm">Organicarts</a> that are collected on a weekly basis.<br />
<br />
Then there's this whole solar power thing. I'm not sure where my obsession with it began, but I do know that when Devin and I first started talking about building a home it was something I brought up very early on. And though he certainly was intrigued by the idea, he also tends to be a bit more pragmatic than I about this whole "let's save the world" business.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a few years (and, you know, throw a baby in there just for fun) and the phrase "solar farm" (as in on our land) has actually befallen my ears via the mouth of my husband several times as of late. Be still my David Suzuki-lovin' heart!<br />
<br />
So here's some info on solar power <span style="font-size: 13pt;">–</span> specifically geared toward our Albertan climate, which we all know comes with its own set of… shall we say quirks?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811379230922/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSm3bCMq7-yDIdXj2Hv9kyG1dwN2gTRIdFtgGuTd8R6kgGhDQ2PogXPlXSuZSuVfZhnJOaKOJ6phjmCC4pW3RwVJ70HRxW9hVVcOjCYQxRxPB8SqhsV1rGbxMpkqqkxNZekgrkxY2AefF/s320/handandsun.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ironically, this photo was taken in British Columbia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Alberta is Mad Sunny, Ya'll</b><br />
<br />
According to <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/112500594/Albert-as-Solar-Potential">a recent study</a> by the not-for-profit Canadian Solar Industries Association, "Alberta's solar energy resource is almost one million-billion kilowatt hours per year" (or 1,000,000,000,000,000… I didn't even realize there was such thing as a "million-billion"). Alberta is the best solar energy resource in all of Canada and, fun fact, even though Okotoks is more than 25 degrees of latitude further north than Miami, it still is a greater solar energy resource than "The Magic City" between the months of July and October.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811379230875/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmB-DMvhqBTybQmOZmtXuWuVws6ovDiuyR_UT0CgpMxE03sr_BFjFstziqlqkK-FpimAHA28VGBKcIN2Wh1RWcAbzSKPnyHkXTLkToYTgPQm7K6uqPuAqdxn45pjlbuyi7GGX0U5HL0pX/s320/solarpanelsinsnow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just think <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-small;">–</span></span><!--EndFragment--> this could be you! For serious though,<br />
brushing snow from solar panels may not even be<br />
necessary as "the albedo effect," i.e. sun reflecting<br />
off of snow, "can make a panel generate more<br />
electricity in the same way that it gives<br />
skiers sunburn on sunny winter days." (<a href="http://wespeakfortheearth.tumblr.com/post/34903470899/let-it-snow-solar-panels-can-take-it">Source</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
<b>Unlike Most of Us, Solar Panels Like Cold Weather</b><br />
<br />
I attempted to paraphrase (and then deleted) <a href="http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/solar-cell-operation/effect-of-temperature">this</a> article because of the nightmare-inducing equations, but then I found <a href="http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=2668">this</a> one, which explained things just the way I like it <span style="font-size: 13pt;">–</span> with words instead of numbers. Plus, it gives a grand total of nine explanations about the relationship between solar panels and temperature, one of them being: "As the solar panels get hotter, they will
produce less power from the same amount of sunlight [than a colder panel].
Normally, electrons at rest (low energy) are excited by the sun (high energy),
and the difference between their excited and rest energies is the potential
difference (voltage) . . . Because we produce power from the difference in the
states (at rest and excited by the sun), if the electrons have more energy at
rest (your solar panels are hotter), the difference between the rest energy and
excited energy (from the sun) is smaller, and our solar panels will produce
less energy." What do you think, should I change my header to read "Of Houses and Trees: A Blog about Architecture, Interior Design, DIY Projects, Trees and, Of Course, Excited Electrons?"<br />
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811379230801/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqtiyMOGoOFtzz6myF9-VZb0YSnqSLcHqQAC9w7M2gZBIdSUKyduiMrnfV11t557OYKhZjRX-6PLLukw0oRlCpDOBoK5QjjSlZlcD4hmkyjTVmoiMHp85fgLyMPVd1SBpEjwSVSPkaI8e/s1600/solarshingles.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The days of ginormous solar panels protruding from the<br />
rooftops of only the crunchiest of hippies are coming<br />
to an end. Behold... solar shingles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>"This is Oil Country" is O-V-E-R</b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b></b>
No, I'm not talking about Connor McDavid (but, since I did bring him up, let me just say that poor kid is never going to live up to everyone's second-coming-like expectations of him <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13pt;">–</span> he's basically Barack Obama on skates). I'm talking about the glorification and shortsightedness that permeates our oil-soaked culture. Yes, we have a lot of oil. We get it already. But, as aforementioned, we also have a lot of sun. So pardon my idealism, but would it really be so hard to divert just a teeny bit of the time, the energy and the monies we put into the oil industry and send it on over to solar (and other alternative and renewable resources)? "That will never happen," you say. "It's all a conspiracy," you moan. "There are people who would have you shot just for saying that," you intone, twirling the tip of your handlebar mustache between your thumb and forefinger. "Bah," I scoff. "Change is coming," I muse. And then, I break into song… <i>here comes the sun, little darling...</i><br />
<br />
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<i>What say you? Is oil over? Have you ever thought about looking into solar power or other alternative energies? Do you care about where your power even comes from, or are you more of a "as long as I can binge-watch the new season of </i>Orange is the New Black<i> I'm all good" kind of person?</i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-68624944266894173982015-06-30T15:35:00.001-07:002016-05-30T15:46:51.281-07:00Deciding on Siding<br />
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<b>Read <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/deciding-on-siding/">this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811377559127/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBb9ul49x81clzisTQykDXAWyfl5acG9jBQVYuSruOPogFJLgctod29fBvZPeR4fv6PNSCeLoeOAVTKbNQMei8_Vqb9fUid6pQEDajjEbr3tSTkeKlXiKWrui7xDkBmjaXoARoFuzaMQJ/s320/multiplesidinghouse.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super charming house that incorporates<br />
several types of exterior cladding. Plus,<br />
who can resist a front porch, window<br />
boxes AND a brick chimney?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Oh my god, [I'm] back again…" and I obviously have Backstreet Boys on the mind since watching their riveting documentary "Show 'Em What You're Made Of" on Netflix the other weekend. (I'm not even being facetious, it was surprisingly moving.) And just like BSB when they came out with their second album, I'm back without having actually gone anywhere. But now that <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/06/a-horse-fence-of-course.html">Devin's laptop has an external keyboard hooked up to it</a>, the AutoCAD muses are sending me productive vibes once more.<br />
<br />
That's right! The <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/05/so-close-and-yet.html">design of our new house is back on track</a> and the time has come for me to start thinking about exterior siding. Our current home has one type <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>horizontal vinyl boards in beigey-grey. Yuck. (My apologies to anyone who loves vinyl siding or the colour beigey-grey.) The truth is our new home will likely have some vinyl siding strewn about as it's pretty much the most affordable (and easy to maintain) option. But after seeing photos such as the one above I got to thinking about homes that are clad in several different materials and about how the varying colours and textures add so much visual interest.<br />
<br />
So here we go, nearly 200 words into my post, let's talk about what I came here to talk about… siding!<br />
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<b>Brick</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811378923751/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4dBI651IHzGnBCWtmDZ9luSmfKnbbLUoJTAe3ZAnwMYzawm6U4DjgjEBt3B7ir6bPmEwjmyrc6gmMeBzd4vMt4xx5Sam7CIorZSk0EO2MCHNBpXfgLqs3yUeliUG8nvZV-dRZP5a_lCe/s320/IMG_2693.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sure, it looks decrepit now, but I bet this<br />
brick farmhouse (which I used to drive<br />
by every day) could've been restored<br />
to its former glory… if a developer hadn't<br />
bought it and promptly tore it down… <i>sniff</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had to begin here, because brick is just, well, classic. It's uber durable, it adds mad character and… it's crazy expensive. Since I was a kid, all I wanted was to live in a home built out of brick. Really. I even would've traded my favourite toy pony Jessica (who had beautiful rainbow coloured wings… which I later cut off because I thought she was too delicate to play with in her winged state) for a red brick farmhouse with a dormer window in the attic. And while an entirely brick facade just isn't in the budget for our new house, it's quite popular in the neighbourhood I currently live in to have a bit of brick or stone across the lower face of the house, although we don't have any on ours as Devin told me it would've been an extra $10,000 at the time of purchase… yikes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811378789376/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoRxO4rJZdq2cDwaMe_tt3CDb94QsHCElgMVFXWsY-S3TLNd38ZeJHNcP2bO-U_sXPom4svYL5ay158GVJKkNxDUHV7p3xS6BPf1il9bzqdI-DVfMWM0tSVio7zgP977dWh3Ge6aN2n55/s320/pebbledash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fingers are itching to pick just looking at this photo...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Stucco</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Another pricier siding type, stucco is traditionally made from sand, Portland cement, lime and water. Spread over top of a metal screening (which, if I recall correctly from my architectural technology days, is called "lath"), stucco has several finishing options ranging from smooth as a baby's bum to pebbledash <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> meaning small rocks were smooshed in before it dried. Pebbledash was a popular finish in the neighbourhood I grew up in, which was built in the 1980s and thus it seems quite dated to me. We had a neighbour who had coloured glass mixed in with their pebbles and I used to pick the little pieces out and pretend they were jewels, because I'm classy like that. Devin and I have talked about using stucco for the new house because of its durability, especially after the great hailstorm of '09 pinged holes through our vinyl siding and much of it had to be replaced (hooray for insurance!).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811378889447/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAK6-vNln6f1uS_6skwzmgclWHqJUAeI1OIwMrsGd25k_iGPwof-bTUNqUpPKm-Zp10ftvweGRpl59seXuEk4kAPzzjHdLsAVss4yZw5mr8IH0-WvdmM57Gk_Ikm71e_N56TXOoArTyVN/s320/vinyl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All jokes aside about vinyl siding being "cheap" <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> you can<br />
actually find high quality variations of it and, as this little red<br />
house shows, it can look pretty damn good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Vinyl</b><br />
<br />
Ah, vinyl. Cheap and easy… [insert inappropriate sex-trade worker comment here]. Like many oft-used home finishes these days, vinyl began as an affordable substitute for the pricier wooden clapboard or shakes seen on many older homes. Vinyl claims to be "no-maintenance," while wood siding at the very least needs to be stained or painted every so often, but I just finished reading a <a href="http://thecraftsmanblog.com/5-worst-mistakes-of-historic-homeowners-part-3-siding/">very informative article</a> that insisted no siding is ever maintenance free. It was geared towards owners of historic homes, but still made some good points, my favourite being in reference to historic materials: "They're not good because they're old, they're old because they're good." But, I digress. The aforementioned hail damage to our current home's vinyl coupled with the fact that it just doesn't look as good as other siding options means it is my last choice for our new home… and the one we'll probably end up using because, hello, having a stunning dream home you can't actually afford to build just doesn't make much sense, now does it?<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I've seen this home's wood clapboard up<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-small;">close and personal (I wrote an article<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-small;">about this house, located in Edmonton,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Alberta for a community newspaper.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It truly was beautiful!</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></td></tr>
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<b>Wood</b><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em;"></span></div>
<br />
See above. Although I'd also like to add that wood siding is susceptible to rot and insect infestation, but damn it sure is pretty… or maybe it's just the houses it's typically used on that I love so much?<br />
<br />
<b>Green Options</b><br />
<br />
I wouldn't be able to keep my credibility as the tree-hugger in the family if I didn't include a little info on sustainable siding options. Many of the aforementioned materials have environmentally friendly counterparts such as vinyl siding that includes a layer of foam insulation. Or, how about some FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood? Another eco-concious choice for a home's exterior is fibre-cement siding, which is reported to be extremely long lasting and has been popularized by the company James Hardie. (I did come across mention of a class action suit filed by consumers angry that their James Hardie products are failing, but I think I need to poke around a bit more before writing it off as I'm leaning toward using some fibre-cement siding on our new home. Yay! More research!)<br />
<br />
<i>If you stuck with me through this rather long post then congratulations! (I even left several siding types out for brevity's sake </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;"><i>–</i></span><i> aluminum, natural stone, etc.) Your reward is commenting below and letting me know what type of siding ensconces your current house and what your "dream" siding is.</i><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D6862494426689417398%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-YmeR7cmrz6I%2FVYx6sQlvdDI%2FAAAAAAAABPs%2FbPhe-9np1Z8%2Fs320%2Fwood%252528118avenuehouse%252529.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 466px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1602px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D6862494426689417398%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-YmeR7cmrz6I%2FVYx6sQlvdDI%2FAAAAAAAABPs%2FbPhe-9np1Z8%2Fs320%2Fwood%252528118avenuehouse%252529.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=8xYGiwZE8eG6&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 466px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1602px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-21134544267647232572015-06-04T13:56:00.000-07:002016-06-14T07:26:07.445-07:00A Horse (Fence), Of Course<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/a-horse-fence-of-course/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811378463865/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnaxwMBBXmi4Q-Hd_H_p2t_vIzu4V2EtlPc9MepPSMsXO_YStgqEWPsPXEVGmfpMxf0SL9zD9JtQSApv2HG-hpgW-E7iGSokeWh3E2m1NM9gjAMuJVcjNQt4CvUMaHZVGDHln9qOHGBTS/s320/IMG_5531.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse love… or horse jealousy? (I'd keep<br />
an eye out for the black one in the<br />
background if I were these two.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Land news! No, I haven't finished (nor started, really) another house design. Devin's computer has gone on the fritz and it's the one that has AutoCAD on it so everything happening on that front is happening in my head. And while we won't be living out there anytime soon I am pleased to announce that the land has new residents of the four-legged variety. Horses!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Seven little beauties that are going to be munching the summer away on our pasture and drinking in the pond that Devin dug last year. Prepping the land for (other people's) animals has been a process several years in the making and, while I haven't had a direct hand in things, I can confidently say I was indirectly involved in the following ways:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
- Bringing Devin and hired help (i.e.: family members who are paid with love and food) a pic-a-nic-a-basket.</div>
<div>
- Keeping a 0-20 month old occupied on many a long weekend (remember, I said it's been several years) because children and chainsaws don't mix.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">- Helping to write and review an iron-clad legal document also known as our pasture lease. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM4MLrTpgt9ok0OQeFDp0jHbduaxVnbwMDKFDpYHUH4-hcIQ18u8XI9Tb0HBXFuxCzHf-eV5R4pNxa19QnYAwjrl50ufQsUetlESHLXaPi4NrMFg-XcUwpCQ12a2aplgCUYmX7N6kpU6W/s1600/IMG_5534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM4MLrTpgt9ok0OQeFDp0jHbduaxVnbwMDKFDpYHUH4-hcIQ18u8XI9Tb0HBXFuxCzHf-eV5R4pNxa19QnYAwjrl50ufQsUetlESHLXaPi4NrMFg-XcUwpCQ12a2aplgCUYmX7N6kpU6W/s320/IMG_5534.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible boo-boo inducing situation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I feel like I just had a job interview for a position I am unqualified for and thus had to make stuff up that sounds impressive (like the time I told a potential employer I had "implemented a digital record-keeping system" when all I really did was burn some old files onto CDs… and then make labels for them!).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The truth is, I'd love to be more involved. I want to cut up my arms on barbed wire and get slapped in the face by indignant tree branches, but sometimes these things are better left to the pros. It's likely I would have just slowed things down since lately it seems like every boo-boo I acquire, whether real or non-existent, needs to be kissed better… Oh wait, that's not me.<br />
<br />
<i>Have you ever missed out on something not-so-fun and been sad anyway? Do you feel like you have to be involved in everything even when your talents could probably be used elsewhere? Gimme a "C," gimme an "O," gimme an "M"… oh for eff's sake just comment already.</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-64208828953360353472015-05-08T15:57:00.001-07:002016-07-03T15:29:42.357-07:00So Close… And Yet...<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/so-close-and-yet-house-design-woes/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<br />
We had never been so close to actually doing it. Selling our comfy, cozy, happy home and moving out to the wilderness… of rural Parkland County. We talked to a realtor. We started madly doing all the projects that needed to be done before we listed. We even met with the bank and were relieved to find out that financially <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><!--EndFragment--> this could actually happen. But then we told them we're planning on building a garage apartment, not an actual house, and that was kind of that, my friends.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811378134795/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznc6W-QMo9NfZPFBAnrfTFjI1cLS0k_vmKm2KsFovvBmG1HOAl0BNqLdByFyR_Ki1CJ6Z3jroWBwQzDS-1iMUQgupfJsniiK1A3F4Dp8Eb8CfB-3NnyzBEBnSXtJxvxJ_aJWaLGMaDZzc/s320/garageapartmentsouthelevation.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh erstwhile future home, we hardly knew ye.<br />
(At least I didn't have to draw it all by hand.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We knew that the county would potentially balk at the garage apartment as we'd heard rumblings they were finicky about these things. But, honestly, I didn't think the bank would care much. I mean – a house is a house is a house… right?<br />
<br />
Not so much. I'll spare you all the gobbledy-gooky details and just say that if you build a garage apartment or any sort of secondary detached living space before you build the primary residence it kind of screws you over in the end as far as the dolla' dolla' bills go.<br />
<br />
The hardest part of all this for me is that I now have to go back to the drawing board (aka AutoCAD) with the house design. I worked really, really hard getting the garage apartment plans ready and they were just so very pretty by the time they were done. And I'm not talking about the garage apartment itself – I'm talking about the actual drawings. The notes and the dimensions and the details. The details!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKSHX3LAITcuYlKCuI4a1ogaXaiNPUkZB3SxW9mMskFRr6aoyOurLlbRMtQx-ZQlhSTZk45KfZiEl5B-mtZydQo7WlHjG83LzyuMD3ZIj10k06z7405bGDKfCgXrJ2EzjDlzIinCq_mox/s1600/IMG_3543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKSHX3LAITcuYlKCuI4a1ogaXaiNPUkZB3SxW9mMskFRr6aoyOurLlbRMtQx-ZQlhSTZk45KfZiEl5B-mtZydQo7WlHjG83LzyuMD3ZIj10k06z7405bGDKfCgXrJ2EzjDlzIinCq_mox/s320/IMG_3543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one I did draw by hand. Nearly two years ago <br />
while on vacation in Panorama. Now I'm trying <br />
to recreate it in AutoCAD as the possible <br />
front elevation of our home to be.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now here I am staring, once again, at a blank screen. I draw a line. I delete it. I draw two lines. I delete them both. I'm currently so far away from where I was with the garage apartment and yes <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> of course the garage apartment began exactly the same way. And, before that, there were other house plans I started and then abandoned at different stages and for different reasons.<br />
<br />
Beginnings can be difficult. The unknowns. The what-ifs. The not-sures. But they're also exciting. When everything is just a fuzzy idea and the reality of life has yet to make it all real and sharp and stuff.<br />
<br />
Draw a line. Delete it. Repeat.<br />
<br />
<i>What sort of house related setbacks have you experienced? An offer on a 1920s farmhouse fall through? Someone snatch up your dream land before you could buy it and build a <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2013/05/why-being-broke-is-good-thing-when-it.html">replica of Versailles</a>? Let's all commiserate on the so-close-and-yet-so-fars that come with life as a homeowner.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-76102197570090460842015-04-01T14:10:00.002-07:002016-08-14T14:16:42.223-07:00The Town with the Painted Past<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/the-town-with-the-painted-past/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwmXaaTIog5iN0cKkcZOIouZefV-Ja5bkRwvkd1MXHTxtGDSk5V0LzvHIS3HsQztNIG7VfxtfOJ6gmmFlBDkmERhcSlDlFmO4ch87333nWft_c8GuYfD217Ht44NRBt8xz5yga_Bee5ob/s1600/stonyplain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwmXaaTIog5iN0cKkcZOIouZefV-Ja5bkRwvkd1MXHTxtGDSk5V0LzvHIS3HsQztNIG7VfxtfOJ6gmmFlBDkmERhcSlDlFmO4ch87333nWft_c8GuYfD217Ht44NRBt8xz5yga_Bee5ob/s1600/stonyplain.jpg" title="Photo Credit: http://www.canadafloraldelivery.com" width="320" /></a></div>
Here I go again. My second attempt at this post, which was <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/03/mahalo-back-girl.html" target="_blank">sadly lost during a <i>Tiny House Nation</i> marathon</a>. In my last entry I put up a few images of our recent family trip to Maui and, I don't know about everyone else, but nothing makes me appreciate home more than when I'm away from it. Don't get me wrong, Hawaii was beautiful. Stunning. It makes our half-melted snow and sand-covered roads look, well, like half-melted snow and sand-covered roads. But I was probably more excited to come home than I was to leave. That may have had something to do with the very squawky 18 month old we had in tow. My daughter is a lot of things <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><!--EndFragment--> smart, fun, sweet, adorable. But adaptable? Not so much.<br />
<br />
It also had to do with missing the well-loved house we live in and the life we've built for ourselves in ye old Stony Plain. I never thought when I moved here, somewhat begrudgingly, nearly six years ago that it would ever feel like home. But the town just has so much damn character! Aside from the rich history (as this post's title says, it's <a href="http://www.stonyplain.com/Visitors/Our-Community/Our-Heritage.htm" target="_blank">"The Town with the Painted Past"</a>), locally owned and locally charming stores keep popping up everywhere. This is a town with a population of 15,000, which may be more than five times the population of the town I grew up in, but a metropolis it ain't. Still, at last count, Stony has more home decor stores than you can tally on one hand. Okay, it's not a ton, but it's enough that friends who live in a completely different city drive all the way out here just to ooh and ahh over shabby chic furniture and reclaimed barnwood bird houses.<br />
<br />
So now, without further ado, I shall get to the crux of this post, which is to profile my favourite Stony Plain home stores. This isn't a post about keeping the great cogs of commerce a-turning, it's about real people with a love for unique things just trying to make a living.<br />
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<a href="http://www.onemanstreasure.ca/" target="_blank">One Man's Treasure</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xBmqv_peDD83pFx1LqmxB-2fCyjkOkRGS62Yk403dzJJ4dT6MQmQTFW_fILcUokKP-kMtBAc34HVVAPjSliuPHgRr8FBsJmHfFQ-UMjVX279AquQqm9p5gXxpKUQzRD0g_Q6EF5R4Ec6/s1600/onemanstreasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xBmqv_peDD83pFx1LqmxB-2fCyjkOkRGS62Yk403dzJJ4dT6MQmQTFW_fILcUokKP-kMtBAc34HVVAPjSliuPHgRr8FBsJmHfFQ-UMjVX279AquQqm9p5gXxpKUQzRD0g_Q6EF5R4Ec6/s1600/onemanstreasure.jpg" title="Photo Credit: http://www.onemanstreasure.ca/" width="320" /></a></div>
4912 - 50th Avenue<br />
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What town doesn't need an "antique emporium"? Similar in concept to Edmonton's <a href="http://www.oldstrathconamall.com/" target="_blank">Old Strathcona Antique Mall</a> and <a href="http://rockymountainantiquemall.ca/" target="_blank">Rocky Mountain Antique Mall</a>, just on a smaller scale (though at 3,500 square feet it's still pretty roomy). One Man's Treasure features items from over 40 vendors displaying everything from vintage and vintage-inspired furniture to collectible household items (as well as books, clothing, jewelry and a whole host of other old-timey things). I've bought a few items from this store, mostly for gifts (mostly for my mom - hi mama!), but my favourite purchase is a Medalta size 10 crock with both handles in tact, which I use in my pantry as a recycling bin. If you're not a crock person then none of this will make sense to you, but if you're the kind of guy or gal who gasps upon seeing a 5 with an unbroken lid <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> then you're picking up what I'm putting down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2Xr-Cec-rppDJhYvteEzlJiTALbIga3CYPtKF2-7_xYeEVPfNRGb57ll6AP4oDvTMjdDzWJU2cXYj6LV-lBUDbRYDq4dIUanPlE0sKpTHbT-gpVFOanqkIpCDkzSb7aTvlxc64JFFlMI/s1600/countrypumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2Xr-Cec-rppDJhYvteEzlJiTALbIga3CYPtKF2-7_xYeEVPfNRGb57ll6AP4oDvTMjdDzWJU2cXYj6LV-lBUDbRYDq4dIUanPlE0sKpTHbT-gpVFOanqkIpCDkzSb7aTvlxc64JFFlMI/s1600/countrypumpkin.jpg" title="Photo Credit: http://www.thecountrypumpkin.ca/" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.thecountrypumpkin.ca/" target="_blank">The Country Pumpkin</a><br />
Suite 104, 4807 - 48 Avenue<br />
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This is my aforementioned mama's favourite store to visit whenever she stays with us in Stony. Is it because it smells like Christmas year-round? Is it because the staff is always incredibly friendly? (I'll never forget the time my daughter said "bye bye" <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> for the first time clearly <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> and the lady behind the counter got more excited than me.) Is it the green and white armoire with the punched tin inserts that I drool over every time I visit? (That last one would be why it's one of my favourite stores, not the mama's, but she certainly does like to see me happily drooling!) Most memorable purchase is my linen-coloured duvet cover featured in <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/01/did-it-myself-no-6-blue-and-orange.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raggs-to-Riches/235048373236001" target="_blank">Raggs to Riches</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW036nOqHfMMQzQoJWvegDW5bts2GszrL671BnQDbEMe3sWnI6h6xG5tgE4oePHcJmG-XuexSowy2Cen8y2BLV4fxQWM4wBynrVNGTZNb9DRc0SGDx4J6TlIoRFkQp_GwrpBxOUbuhs6n/s1600/raggstoriches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW036nOqHfMMQzQoJWvegDW5bts2GszrL671BnQDbEMe3sWnI6h6xG5tgE4oePHcJmG-XuexSowy2Cen8y2BLV4fxQWM4wBynrVNGTZNb9DRc0SGDx4J6TlIoRFkQp_GwrpBxOUbuhs6n/s1600/raggstoriches.jpg" title="Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raggs-to-Riches/235048373236001" width="234" /></a></div>
4810 - 50 Avenue<br />
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One of two Parkland County locations, the Raggs to Riches in Stony Plain is niftily located in an old craftsman style house. The store is organized into rooms so that any merchandise relating to the kitchen is in the kitchen, any relating to the bathroom is in the bathroom, and so on and so forth. There's home decor, clothing, jewelry, locally made seasonings and dressings and real old-fashioned antiques mixed in with all the new stuff. I once put not one, but two rope ladders on layaway because I just hads to have 'em. (Well, one was for me and the other was for, you guessed it, the mama <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> who has just received trifecta shout-out status.) The ladder hung in my garden all last summer, waiting oh so patiently for sugar snap pea vines to climb up and embrace it, but sadly my garden sucked last year (which will be the subject of a future post).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KD_pNxrxuWU6tnvLYqmP_RY1C_D7LPF4unDUqYuOTXopDOm7jFq6zLvTjbhQA7W-d0wDKOeU3zfxzTyvlRIIL3IYL4L1c5FBtVDsPCv_dOIJ16zjh5kpt0nDH8JQ0Mi9u2bGmwobNvy6/s1600/whimsicalvintagecreations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KD_pNxrxuWU6tnvLYqmP_RY1C_D7LPF4unDUqYuOTXopDOm7jFq6zLvTjbhQA7W-d0wDKOeU3zfxzTyvlRIIL3IYL4L1c5FBtVDsPCv_dOIJ16zjh5kpt0nDH8JQ0Mi9u2bGmwobNvy6/s1600/whimsicalvintagecreations.jpg" title="Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/whimsicalvintagecreations" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/whimsicalvintagecreations" target="_blank">Whimsical Vintage Creations</a><br />
Suite 100, 3805 - 49 Avenue<br />
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One of the newer additions to the Stony Plain family of home decor stores, Whimsical Vintage Creations specializes in re-loving old furniture <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> which they carry both in store as well as do custom requests. They even sell paint so you can do-it-yourself, if you are so inclined. Plus, the store carries a whole schwack of handmade signs in all different colour schemes and I have my eye on a yellow one that reads: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be." <i>Tear</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW-hGuT-nk2OyDyk3uHUFglJ6LG_wd6tYuk5EWWU4EjLCBbRUcz5VQeNH1k9NvK5F2ug83Kay4wXsIJB3UKYBES7yTIjZyDFksMOi7cNBXUay33eKVllTYXHuIuwtGnPxbdPj92DU2dn0/s1600/barnowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW-hGuT-nk2OyDyk3uHUFglJ6LG_wd6tYuk5EWWU4EjLCBbRUcz5VQeNH1k9NvK5F2ug83Kay4wXsIJB3UKYBES7yTIjZyDFksMOi7cNBXUay33eKVllTYXHuIuwtGnPxbdPj92DU2dn0/s1600/barnowl.jpg" title="Photo Credit: http://www.thebarnowl.ca/" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.thebarnowl.ca/" target="_blank">The Barn Owl</a><br />
4912 - 52 Avenue<br />
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So new to the Stony scene I've only had the chance to visit once, but I very much enjoyed the eclectic mix of handmade knick knacks and paddy whacks, furniture, purses, jewelry, lamps, etc. Has kind of a Country Pumpkin-y feel (and smell!) and they also offer classes so you too can learn to make all kinds of cute things for your home <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> like the burlap stuffed owl I saw there. (I will definitely be making one of those babies in the not too distant future… I'll keep you posted!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFH93iv-NRHBJj9A_89LFWHjRjXB3JwpF7NmUX92k4gWvldFhKZT3dids33Rn4MBo-QjfrYgMHHVGXer9s7Siksl0aADkfPIy08Y0ovPAdNgLwm29CwLeAFU6JtXEqzOuwE10qHKWyQCB/s1600/generalstore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFH93iv-NRHBJj9A_89LFWHjRjXB3JwpF7NmUX92k4gWvldFhKZT3dids33Rn4MBo-QjfrYgMHHVGXer9s7Siksl0aADkfPIy08Y0ovPAdNgLwm29CwLeAFU6JtXEqzOuwE10qHKWyQCB/s1600/generalstore.jpg" title="Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/50344805@N08/" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://multicentre.org/wp/visit-us-5/general-store" target="_blank">Honourable Mention: General Store</a><br />
5411 - 51 Street<br />
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Located in the 1910 Oppertshauser House, the General Store is part of the much beloved Multicultural Heritage Centre <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> a place to learn about local history, peruse work by local artists and eat local pies. All profits from the store go towards funding the MHC and all the cool programs they offer, such as an organic demonstration farm and tours of the oh so famous Stony Plain murals. Plus, and I just found this out as I was researching this very blog post, the Oppertshauser House has its very own ghost! There's all kinds of videos on YouTube of people searching for paranormal activity and I also read that once upon a time someone committed suicide there, which is actually more sad than spooky. Thankfully, I've never come in contact with any kind of spirit whilst innocently browsing through the mixture of seasonal items, candy, books, clothes and antiques. You'll also find home decor at the General Store, but it's so much more than a home decor store <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">–</span> hence the "honourable mention."<br />
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<i>Ever been shopping in Stony Plain? If so, what's your favourite store? Did I miss any worth mentioning? How about in your own town/city? Feel free to give a shout-out to all things locally owned and operated - doesn't even have to be a home store...</i><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D7610219757009046084%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F-FO8GxT2n5Ws%252FVRsQlAmDlYI%252FAAAAAAAABFw%252Fkfb3-E24FG8%252Fs1600%252Fonemanstreasure.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 359px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 558px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D348089778822259979%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D7610219757009046084%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F-FO8GxT2n5Ws%252FVRsQlAmDlYI%252FAAAAAAAABFw%252Fkfb3-E24FG8%252Fs1600%252Fonemanstreasure.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 359px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 558px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-39025689196129853702015-03-25T15:06:00.002-07:002017-04-09T09:30:57.759-07:00Mahalo Back Girl<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/maui-family-vacation/" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
An epic failure has occurred over here at Of Houses and Trees, folks, and my heart is a-broken. I probably put a good two to three hours into a post about my favourite locally-owned Stony Plain home decor stores and <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>right as it was ready to be posted <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>Safari crashed and only a fraction of the entry saved.<br />
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The ironic part (using ironic in the Alanis Morrisette way and not in the I have an English degree and thus know better way) is that Safari crashed because I was trying to watch episodes of my new obsession, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtRzGNswWU8" target="_blank">Tiny House Nation</a></i>, online for free. Oh, how I love that show, but the loss of my post is a heavy price to pay. I could rewrite it, but honestly I'm too depressed about the whole thing at the moment. Maybe another day…<br />
<br />
In happier news <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>here are some pictures of my recent family vacay to Maui! These have nothing to do with houses or trees, but nobody will care because Hawaii is so effin beautiful it trumps all things <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>including off topic blog posts and technological malfunctions. Enjoy!<br />
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<i>Two very different comment topics, but I'm equally interested in answers for both (I don't play comment favourites): Ever lost something you've worked really hard on due to the fickle mistress that is technology? Or, have you ever been to Hawaii?</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-8293500401523075112015-02-26T14:53:00.002-08:002017-05-06T15:52:08.517-07:00Apartment Living… In the Country<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/garage-apartment" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<br />
I realized I haven't posted an update on one of the main focuses of this blog, which is my own adventures in designing a brand new home, in a very long time… I actually don't think I've <i>ever</i> posted an update on the subject, if I'm being honest. And, if you know me, you know I'm always honest. So update on!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811377033924/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUWwaok0NM0Vuq7qWjDEZo0GKDOaee2CKOM9X04iRB36MQ9tWHVF7ifW7erWH7wL_SocVsinctKdIAFITzKPHLXWHchfnM7nzGACGgpIdpMudoD_sUNbGbu2BAvl3SJP1MD-aXsqIlh9g/s1600/IMG_6841.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We may not live there yet, but "The Land"<br />
still feels like home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When it comes to the type of house we'd like to build on what we've affectionately dubbed "The Land" (40 acres of rolling hills and trees just north of Stony Plain, Alberta), my husband and I have gone back and forth, up and down and in all other possible directions.<br />
<br />
What started out as a Victorian-inspired, turreted two-storey morphed into a one-and-a-half storey cape cod/craftsman complete with matching carriage house. Somewhere in between there were talks of living in an RV parked on the land (I'm all for <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/02/the-houses-in-which-we-live-no-3-tiny.html" target="_blank">living small</a>, but there's a difference between a beautifully designed tiny home and year-round camping), or doing the whole modular home thing (which comes with it's own set of difficulties). We even went and looked at a log cabin that needed to be moved off an industrial piece of land with thoughts of renovating the crap out of the decrepit old thing. But yeah… umm… no…<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811377034122/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKcP2MgYd61tJ0TlsU91baWcnGfBeIwvWGNclYYzsDO5TMe7YxTTmeioGptzO5YT4omJCNKVFUv4RbdCYTJYoSARmrlROrJp8waIeMXSpnPU8-mR9X2cp4rcS56FZdJLADchl3-OTfzGK/s1600/inspiration1.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiration the first… (Funny story<br />
about this image <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>I got it off<br />
Google Maps after seeing it on<br />
an episode of "Supernatural.")</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And all the while one possibility came up again, and again, and again. What if we built a garage that was also an apartment? (Also sometimes called a coach house or the aforementioned carriage house.) Not having a garage on our property isn't really an option when there inevitably will be skid steers and graders and hoes to store and maintain. This fact is something you accept when you're married to a heavy-equipment operator. Just like you accept that when you're married to a writer there will be books. Lots and lots of books. Oh, and also no money.<br />
<br />
So, unless we want to throw down some bedrolls amidst the oil stains, we'll also need somewhere to lay our weary heads. As I already briefly mentioned, we've always said we'd like to have an apartment above the garage anyway for either a rental suite our a guest/grandparent suite. So, why not do a two birds, one stone type thing?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811370730105/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknrnSfVRnoxM6491gXkMjCAgrJLypypK73MfV4x5F1zbLgsto7LL18FF3cgK25tGcYbyyUS4II04CXFmPVEyw7P4SsNMVvV4qdhH2iAQ1eh3YCBCV_jV84h8OEMNufbsYAz4nXLPswckN/s1600/inspiration2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiration the second...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, the plan was to build the garage apartment first, live in it for awhile, then build our "real-life home" (the term I use instead of "dream home," because you might as well add "Barbie" to the start of the latter phrase), but being the fiscally responsible people we are, Devin and I knew there was a possibility it was a one or the other type thing. Build the house <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><!--EndFragment--> no garage apartment. Build the garage apartment <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><!--EndFragment--> no house.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811372066810/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3CcImZv9u04rvPitEoW0xEEqv1uJOpxHiF52WYERVS_HbmG72k2QlNkdHINzqNYnQbLEhqvURqY41zTslgWkMEkbnDx2hOuwV9TmmJbPcWR0I35wdNrh4KfazPaVZm0ir-R311jy_tq1/s1600/garageapartment.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture something like this, but with<br />
less landscaping and more... land.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And so it went on like this… for a long time. Until the decision was made that if we ever want to live on "The Land" we'd better you-know-what or get off the you-know-what. And thus we went with the [hopefully] less expensive option of the two, which is why I'm about to wrap up this blog post, fire up AutoCAD and put the finishing touches on the design I've been feverishly working on for the last few months.<br />
<br />
Part workshop, part living quarters. Part logical, part lovely. Part garage, part apartment. All home.<br />
<br />
<i>How do you feel about garage apartments? Would you ever live in one? What does your "real-life home" look like (not the one you already live in, but the one you envision at night to lull yourself to sleep… or am I the only one who does that…)?</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-66949574993060503392015-02-12T15:10:00.002-08:002017-07-27T07:25:08.639-07:00The Houses in Which We Live No. 3: Tiny Homes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811376837530/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCq-yCAhftpCXlcne3pVNQ5ihOYiP4rlesavJlCAmdRnudQi2z4r_FUxCLskWrhFs0RndxBV9Kj2KPfiVOXh32pv1hyphenhyphenHqNi8jlP42R8i159hShaqG4OhZtCH-ztsY_7QyDiTORjcjtdON/s1600/tinyhouseinterior.jpg" width="204" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">This 125 square foot home utilizes a<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">tiny house design staple – the loft bed.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;">Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/garage-apartment" style="color: #997f00; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/" style="color: #997f00; text-decoration: none;">Of Houses and Trees</a>!</b><br />
<b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"><br /></b></div>
I've been infatuated with the "tiny house movement" since the moment I heard about it, which isn't surprising since I've always had a love-on for the little. From the plastic toy toilet I used to hide from my sister as a child (I didn't want to share), to the miniature potbelly pig I desperately wanted for a pet as a teenager, I've been cultivating my weird obsession with tiny versions of full-sized things my whole life. And now, here is a movement that not only bolsters one of my many eccentricities <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>it also validates it <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>because tiny houses aren't just adorable, they could save the planet too.<br />
<br />
A tiny home is 500 square feet or less, although I've read about people building homes as itsy bitsy as 96 square feet (about the size of a smallish bedroom). Did I mention the average Canadian home currently sits at around 1,900? So… what are we doing with the extra 1,400 square feet? Why, filling it with stuff, of course!<br />
<br />
According to website <a href="http://thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/" target="_blank">The Tiny Life</a>, having less stuff ("Life Simplification") is one of the core principles of tiny house living, along with "Environmental Consciousness" (tiny houses have smaller footprints <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>literally and metaphorically), "Self Sufficiency" (68 per cent of tiny house owners have no mortgage), "Sound Fiscal Plans" (32 per cent of tiny house owners have more than $10,000 saved for retirement) and "Life Adventures" (what could be more adventurous than <a href="http://bigfamilytinyhouse.com/story/about/" target="_blank">raising three kids under the age of seven in a 400 square foot home</a>?).<br />
<br />
With only 1 per cent of American home buyers purchasing a residence that is 1,000 square feet or less (1,000 square feet is the cutoff for a house to be considered "small"), it's clear that extreme downsizing isn't for everyone. But I think there are a few things the tiny house movement can teach us all.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811376860806/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGPSxCyOXEzVYJfdl1e6bhugZ6c-b0hHsXnjbj31kBLcVJY7oaihnBfZGOwKYVG5ItN0bdZD4S-diyxUVMfCMnXpaO6pIiLkNNX1gjytlH2W0eSwHu2ZxunT_EmUblMVL9Ppb-ZNMPTkV/s1600/littlehouseinlitterockinterior.jpg" width="250" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">"The Little House in Little Rock," is
just a<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">hair bigger than a tiny house, but it's so<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">flippin' beautiful I think we can forgive</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">the extra 57 square feet.</span></div>
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<b>Build Better, Not Bigger</b><br />
<br />
Back in my favourite decade <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>the good ol' 90s <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>English-born, American-based architect Sarah Susanka published her design ideas, based on the principle of quality over quantity, in <i>The Not So Big House</i>, which served as a launchpad for the tiny house movement. According to the book's <a href="http://www.notsobighouse.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, "Not So Big doesn't necessarily mean small. It means not as
big as you thought you needed, but designed and built to perfectly suit the way
you live." Essentially, think before you build! A bigger house not only <i>isn't</i> better, it also leads to a higher upfront construction cost, a higher overall cost to maintain the home and, as mentioned above, just a whole lot of wasted space to fill with wasteful things.<br />
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<b>The Simple Life</b><br />
<br />
When you permanently live in a home the same size as some people's recreational vehicles, you have to make simplification a priority. And it's within this task that tiny house owners shine. My favourite example (and one I'm currently implementing in my own not-so-tiny, but also not-so-big residence) I watched a <a href="http://youtu.be/RSzgh3D7-Q0" target="_blank">video</a> about a couple who lived in a tiny home. Their office was about the size of a regular home's linen closet. To maximize their space, they scanned all their officey-type documents into their computer and then shredded the paper copy. Well, let me tell you, this blew my mind. Before I began my own shredding extravaganza I would say a good 3 feet by 2 feet of the closet floor in my office was dedicated to those clunky plastic filing boxes. Not only am I now saving space, I'm saving something even more precious <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>time <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>because all I do after I open a piece of important mail is scan, shred, done. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811376861312/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6F2Z7DN35pT_ju5Y8-ADSyiyTeRmWsamNV_XQOdaF6vMio_DCSfUz7ojyTSi9fxeuPV-S3sIAkGY9ng65ULoZf8yNRWtx0Zcpp_seF1OhlEt1iK7U4aOYWt_mi4PL9Ufh0elEC-Vb8iGM/s1600/tinyhouseonwheels.jpg" width="299" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">Tiny homes can even come with wheels, an idea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">popularized by Jay Shafer, owner of Tumbleweed</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Tiny House Company.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Less Truly Does Equal More</b><br />
<br />
Although I already briefly touched on the decreased environmental impact of a tiny house, it is <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>by and far <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>the most important facet of this movement. Statements similar to the following currently echo throughout our daily lives <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>if we want to continue to live on a planet that doesn't resemble <i>The Day After Tomorrow</i>, something has to change (but don't worry, Jake Gyllenhaal can stay). Website <a href="http://www.planetforward.org/webisode/tiny-house-big-impact-getting-green-by-building-less" target="_blank">Planet Forward</a> calls tiny house living "one of the rare instances in which cheap and green go hand in hand." For everyone who has ever wanted to "go green" only to gasp at the price of organic foods, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, clothing made of natural materials and alternative energy sources like solar panels, here is a price that is truly startling: $23,000. As in, the average cost to build a tiny home, if built by the owners. Plus, a smaller home means lower heating and electricity costs, and a lot more money available to invest in all the cool, new eco-inventions for the home <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>like an <a href="http://www.incinolet.ca/" target="_blank">incinerating toilet</a> (which is small, but not small enough to hide from your sibling).<br />
<br />
So maybe a tiny home isn't in your future, but a tinier, simpler life? Now, doesn't that sound nice…<br />
<br />
<i>Want to learn more about tiny life living? Watch this video! As for your comments, which I'm always dying to receive, please post them below. Would you live in a 500 square foot house? If not, are there ways you'd like to incorporate the tiny house principles into your life?</i><br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-54190695434096545852015-02-02T15:17:00.001-08:002017-08-01T08:29:25.205-07:00To Duvet or Not to Duvet: The Not-So-Fluffy Side of the Bedding Industry, Part 2<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsG6wtJnD8LqNJFNJqvY806kqFdyWvBuvOVRQOAgdyrxy9-J45ofQguKYJ3r40C3WVMCTv0eyl_DfFKROH1lXBVqt-VbEdCTr8534cWbV3lZZkQGZ8MsM-ulF8628n19EJs5o3prw7Myz/s1600/silkduvet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsG6wtJnD8LqNJFNJqvY806kqFdyWvBuvOVRQOAgdyrxy9-J45ofQguKYJ3r40C3WVMCTv0eyl_DfFKROH1lXBVqt-VbEdCTr8534cWbV3lZZkQGZ8MsM-ulF8628n19EJs5o3prw7Myz/s1600/silkduvet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">According to PETA, "approximately 3,000 silk worms die<br />
to make one pound of silk."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/vegan-bedding" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/">Of Houses and Trees</a>!</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>For Part 1 of this post, click <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/01/to-duvet-or-not-to-duvet-not-so-fluffy.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br />
<br />
Ah, silk. Is there any more luxurious a fabric? A natural protein fibre, silk has been used in the creation of clothing, furnishings, parachutes and, yes, even bedding.<br />
<br />
To me, silk will always be a smell, a department store and my keen-nosed mom. I remember fondly the times I followed her as she followed that earth-scented trail <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">– </span>leading us to a scarf, a dress, a pair of flowy draw-stringed pants that would be sniffed and then left behind after we'd gawked at the price.<br />
<br />
Silk bedding is often pitched as an excellent alternative to down duvets due to its hypoallergenic properties. But, just as with down <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>the production of silk has a disturbing side.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZQpM3bNALE4ZPFLTVtRE3A65xMuMPaZOWccVXt8vf5KC-IIFiYerWs5oRFwYroOhTS0A8Dakx0zeX1bANAtUWWrTI6o-yDvsLotIY_HyNfxY4SMqydEA12AhmigqX5PsSv2vyz6whyjt/s1600/silkworm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZQpM3bNALE4ZPFLTVtRE3A65xMuMPaZOWccVXt8vf5KC-IIFiYerWs5oRFwYroOhTS0A8Dakx0zeX1bANAtUWWrTI6o-yDvsLotIY_HyNfxY4SMqydEA12AhmigqX5PsSv2vyz6whyjt/s1600/silkworm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He/she may not be cute and fuzzy, but humans aren't<br />
so cute and fuzzy either.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
According to <a href="http://earthdivasblog.com/2010/04/12/the-short-and-sad-life-of-a-silkworm/" target="_blank">Earth Divas</a>, a website that sells fair-trade and cruelty-free products, the silkworms used in the production of human goods have now been farmed for so long they no longer exist in the wild and are considered a domesticated insect. If allowed, a silkworm would follow the natural stages of metamorphosis <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>egg, larval, pupal, adult, but the majority of silkworms are boiled alive or gassed inside their cocoons before they can further mature (as emerging from their cocoon would destroy some of the silk).<br />
<br />
The creepiest aspect of all this, to me, is that if a domesticated silkworm were allowed to live to its moth phase (Bombyx mori), it would be blind and lack the ability to fly. This not-so-fun fact reminds me of reading about KFC chickens being bred without beaks or feet. Thankfully, according to <a href="http://www.snopes.com/food/tainted/kfc.asp" target="_blank">Snopes</a>, this is a false accusation as this practice "is still beyond the reach of modern science for the time being." Hmm, "for the time being"…? Reassuring.<br />
<br />
But I digress. There is a product called peace silk, which is made by wild moths that are allowed to pass throughout all metamorphosis stages and go on to die a natural death, however I wasn't able to find whether there are peace silk duvets <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>mostly because I got distracted by another great alternative <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>bamboo duvets.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhjHM6N23a8nXUvQ8ETtrQrnfPKCSigxqfuhmSYE6gaVfH5muYsDptUmJJT1jIU2AUzG700azajbJTSzIJFKajFfS70NJDVJHQjeDKA7ShZa-S44BzHBuc7g68VRp5XZPJSlVwNMpTHiQ/s1600/harvestingbamboo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhjHM6N23a8nXUvQ8ETtrQrnfPKCSigxqfuhmSYE6gaVfH5muYsDptUmJJT1jIU2AUzG700azajbJTSzIJFKajFfS70NJDVJHQjeDKA7ShZa-S44BzHBuc7g68VRp5XZPJSlVwNMpTHiQ/s1600/harvestingbamboo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's okay. The bamboo doesn't feel a thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We've probably all heard it by now, "bamboos are some of the fastest growing plants in the world… certain species of bamboo can grow 35 inches in a 24-hour period" (from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>). (Although, I'm sure if I did enough research I'd find a dark side to bamboo harvesting too. I know, I'm such a killjoy.) This means it's a very, very sustainable product and can be used in the creation of everything from cooking utensils to clothing to building materials to snowboards. And don't forget about bedding!<br />
<br />
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Bamboo duvets <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.goodplanet.com/organic-bedding/natural-duvets/bamboo-rayon-duvet-summer-weight-clone-2.html" target="_blank">aren't cheap</a></span>,
but neither are the down or silk versions. I also had a hard time finding a
variety of buying options – my choices were all online and often came with
a hefty shipping cost. At the end of the day, I ended up going with a good, old
synthetic duvet.<br />
<br />
Sure, manmade materials come with their own issues,
but I made sure the one I purchased was Oeko-Tex certified – meaning it
was produced in an environmentally friendly manner and is free from harmful substances
(i.e.: formaldehyde, which is often used to keep fabrics wrinkle-free and
moisture-resistant, all while adding just a sprinkle of cancer-causing dust).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Phew. That was a lot of talk about blankets. I think I'll go
lie down now…</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>While I'm napping beneath my Oeko-Tex certified duvet, tell
me – what kind of sustainable products do you own? Doesn't have to be
sleep related. Perhaps you own a bamboo bra? A peace silk purse? Something else
I'm not clever enough to alliterate about?</i></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-60874122094309888302015-01-28T14:34:00.000-08:002015-01-28T14:41:41.465-08:00Reflections: Dorothy Harris<i>I know I kind of left things hanging with my <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/01/to-duvet-or-not-to-duvet-not-so-fluffy.html" target="_blank">last post</a> and that you're all desperately wondering about the fate of the silkworm. Fear not, the conclusion is still coming </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">–</span><i> I'm about halfway through composing it and, let me tell you, it's an emotional roller coaster. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll get grossed out and say "eeewww" over the close-up photo of a big, fat, worm. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But before all that happens I wanted to post something that has nothing to do with houses, trees, or the fair treatment of insects (I get the hankering to do that sometimes). This is an entry I wrote while manning the Feats Festival of Dance blog back in July 2013. It's about the illustrious Dorothy Harris </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">–</span><i> </i><i>Edmonton dance pioneer and guest of honour at this weekend's fiftieth anniversary gala for University of Alberta organization Orchesis. The blog I originally wrote the following for is no longer in existence, so I thought I'd give it a second life and once again send a big thank you into the universe for Orchesis, Dorothy Harris and the magnificent art form that is dance.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Because the University of Alberta's Orchesis has been such
an important part of my own life, I wanted the first "Reflections"
post to focus on Dorothy Harris—the dance group's founder. I had the pleasure
of meeting Dorothy at an awards luncheon, where she regaled me with tales from her
past lives—and I use the plural here because, when it comes to dance, she's
done it all. Performer, dance educator, dance advocate—Dorothy is the reason
Orchesis is nearing its fiftieth birthday and, because of what she created, modern
dance at the U of A continues to be a positive force for students, alumni,
staff and the larger community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ0aEAcZKAWDh-c8qFsUj7skHoI0jtzwDYsOpQ47Aq1seW2OXW72KAKnICOZp8uNdC8LcFawcnlAghd-Gy_ofxYQ0KwjHylPIiWPgJmF_CUS8AvJY9hpCd3N_Pk90uyMJlltfPH74NcrA/s1600/dorothyharris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ0aEAcZKAWDh-c8qFsUj7skHoI0jtzwDYsOpQ47Aq1seW2OXW72KAKnICOZp8uNdC8LcFawcnlAghd-Gy_ofxYQ0KwjHylPIiWPgJmF_CUS8AvJY9hpCd3N_Pk90uyMJlltfPH74NcrA/s1600/dorothyharris.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorothy Harris,<br />
circa 1939.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dorothy began studying dance at a young age and she notes
that, as a youth, she didn't even know modern dance existed. It wasn't until
moving to Wisconsin to study kinesiology that she was exposed to this
particular (and sometimes peculiar) form of expression. There, she met Margaret
H'Doubler, who in 1918 had created the first Orchesis dance group. Though
Dorothy never completed her degree at the University of Wisconsin, her time
spent with Orchesis made enough of an impression that—when she began teaching
for the University of Arkansas' physical education department—she decided they
needed an Orchesis program of their own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black;">After finding a husband in the
young man who took care of Orchesis' music (she laughed as she told me, "I
married an Arkansan!"), Dorothy headed to Edmonton for a job with the
University of Alberta's Office of the Registrar. But dance quickly called her
back when an opening arose in the Faculty of Physical Education. In 1964,
Dorothy began an Orchesis dance group at the U of A and credits Maury Van
Vliet, the Faculty of Physical Education's Dean at the time, for his support of
dance education. "He really turned me loose and said 'go ahead.'"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTAU5FL3b77he6tdWZqPEB7kecKGOQ4jnkQOW1qOD1gpEkYiIDqhlga-6t99EFUz8VKC7C0XYk-w2mfZFQXSnsDQ51vt26wwKB6c-kVwVc-ihhS8HODE4sjpuVx2AbY2JBtrnG7WmHLYr/s1600/dorothyandclass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTAU5FL3b77he6tdWZqPEB7kecKGOQ4jnkQOW1qOD1gpEkYiIDqhlga-6t99EFUz8VKC7C0XYk-w2mfZFQXSnsDQ51vt26wwKB6c-kVwVc-ihhS8HODE4sjpuVx2AbY2JBtrnG7WmHLYr/s1600/dorothyandclass.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorothy (far left) with a late 1960s Orchesis class.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black;">From there, Dorothy—along with
various colleagues, contacts and friends—spent the next several decades
ensuring that dance had a place in Edmonton and beyond. They created the
Alberta Dance Alliance and ensured dance academia was included in Canadian
physical education conferences. According to Dorothy, there was always a strong
dance presence in this province, but her focus was on creating connections
between different styles and different individuals. In essence, to create a
community of support and mutual respect. "The arts seem to draw such
wonderful people. Everything we ever tried... if we believed in it—it
worked."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3O3IGgiuD5u6CjMgDZ-afRUfY7fOQhKoAoLkGCvsTsOmeQNilkkHZ4QRNOY0E4U7qUofawabkxB8f2UcGwwMjzIZQfi0RHiSSoJdQLhee1KUscALfVhIal1AvyBWnhpJDLtWkYm_qFPK/s1600/Motif1972program(partial).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3O3IGgiuD5u6CjMgDZ-afRUfY7fOQhKoAoLkGCvsTsOmeQNilkkHZ4QRNOY0E4U7qUofawabkxB8f2UcGwwMjzIZQfi0RHiSSoJdQLhee1KUscALfVhIal1AvyBWnhpJDLtWkYm_qFPK/s1600/Motif1972program(partial).jpg" height="320" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A page from the program for<br />
Orchesis' <i>Dance Motif 1972</i>.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;">As for Dorothy's thoughts on
Edmonton's current dance scene, which she retired from over twenty years ago?
"I think there are some wonderful things going on right now, but—about
dance—I feel like I did that." Dorothy admits the only dance event she
currently attends is the U of A's annual Orchesis performance, <i>Motif</i>. She still loves dance and all it represents, but has other
interests now—such as gardening. Not to mention her children and grandchildren.
"I've had the most wonderful life that anybody could have. It's all been
very worthwhile—not just for me, but for all the people I've worked with and
played with. I'm the luckiest person alive."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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And now for something I think is pretty darn cool... While
visiting the "Dance Dungeon" (a storage room at the U of A where the
Orchesis archives are kept) with Orchesis' current director Tamara Bliss, I was
able to obtain a video clip from <i>Dance Motif 1972</i>. The older Motif performances have yet to be digitized, which means I got to
dust off my VCR (and if you're reading this and don't know what a VCR is... go
ask your parents). I filmed the following video with a digital camera as it
played on my TV screen, so please excuse the quality. Still, I think it's worth
viewing, particularly in the spirit of this year's Feats Festival's theme. So,
take a gander—and reflect for a little while.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SIdcyAnPR1Q/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SIdcyAnPR1Q?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-87882649201496118522015-01-19T15:19:00.000-08:002017-08-01T08:27:30.545-07:00To Duvet or Not to Duvet: The Not-So-Fluffy Side of the Bedding Industry, Part 1<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjxHs0wyfsoNtvfU4QbYJDxEAE_VEVRbFwDDDLxUfQTCwiE7jzy-AdjKDhPNKpCTL0J6Y9aBKz08YSyWXIFt8wwOeiG6feQcFqryHwrz8DHfvRGOT8zabBamU5xTit938qSNQDwgeQOJj/s1600/duvet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjxHs0wyfsoNtvfU4QbYJDxEAE_VEVRbFwDDDLxUfQTCwiE7jzy-AdjKDhPNKpCTL0J6Y9aBKz08YSyWXIFt8wwOeiG6feQcFqryHwrz8DHfvRGOT8zabBamU5xTit938qSNQDwgeQOJj/s1600/duvet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks harmless enough, doesn't it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/vegan-bedding" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/">Of Houses and Trees</a>!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Back when I was redesigning our master bedroom, I had a hard
time answering a kind of silly question – do I want a duvet? Now, is it
important whether we fall asleep beneath a duvet, a quilt, a comforter, or a
pile of dirty clothing? No. Of course not. What's important is that we fall
asleep in a warm home in a safe neighbourhood where our biggest problems
are what type of bedding to buy. I know this. However, there is a dark side to
everything – even blankets. Impossible, you say? Read on…</div>
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My original reason for not wanting a duvet was that they're
lumpy. No, that's not the dark part – I'm still getting there. Every
duvet I've encountered in the past wouldn't lay flat and what's the point of
making your bed if it looks like there's a bunch of turtles hiding beneath the covers?
(Ummm, I love turtles so that would actually be awesome.) I also
tend to like myself a heavier blanket. I'm an unsettled sleeper and the weight
helps calm me. Not that I've been diagnosed with a sensory disorder, but I
sometimes wonder. (Turns out you can actually <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.sensacalm.com/" target="_blank">buy weighted blankets</a></span> for people with
autism, ADHD, etc. I'm intrigued…)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpYjyzSHaHHqWDxDazs9LkEIci1RrtWOimnTm1hbdxhZOB4r6ypnG-RqyXRawASCt3Udae3WpgG8kNR7GJbixBOuJfI1QzWObwt9FYCOv9cd8DnqTUaFxKmxG2xg7PPXt-NVcaX1U7IMa/s1600/geese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpYjyzSHaHHqWDxDazs9LkEIci1RrtWOimnTm1hbdxhZOB4r6ypnG-RqyXRawASCt3Udae3WpgG8kNR7GJbixBOuJfI1QzWObwt9FYCOv9cd8DnqTUaFxKmxG2xg7PPXt-NVcaX1U7IMa/s1600/geese.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy geese doing geese like things - feathers intact.</td></tr>
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I looked around for a heavy quilt that I liked, but when I
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post at one of my favourite Stony Plain stores, <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.thecountrypumpkin.ca/" target="_blank">The Country Pumpkin</a></span>, I
began to rethink my duvet disdain. I knew I didn't want a down duvet, because I
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load while I was reading the article, the words were horrifying enough. And
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industry (meaning it was plucked from already dead birds), <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/down-the-startling-story-of-feather-harvesting.html/2" target="_blank">this</a></span>
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So – no down-filled duvet for me. But what are the
other options? Well, there's silk, but – again – how is it harvested?
If a goose deserves my sympathy, than a silk worm does as well. As
the saying goes, "everything under the sun…"<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Click <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/02/to-duvet-or-not-to-duvet-not-so-fluffy.html" target="_blank">here</a> for Part 2 of "To Duvet or Not to Duvet: The
Not-So-Fluffy Side of the Bedding Industry" and please leave a comment
below just saying "what's up" or answering these
questions… What kind of bedding do you have? Does the treatment of geese
or silk worms concern you or is that just me? </i><br />
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<!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-27641472722175055812015-01-13T14:44:00.004-08:002017-09-23T20:16:55.004-07:00Did It Myself No. 7: Branch Mobile<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/tree-branch-mobile" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<br />
Along with catching up on blogging in general, I need to catch up on blogging about all the DIY projects I did <i>before</i> my daughter was born. True, I've been able to get a few homey things done since she came into my life that blessed September day, but for the most part it's been 16 months of laundry, dishes and more laundry (and of course playing!). The laundry sitch has been particularly hairy of late because our washing machine is on its way out (and BTW, this is our <i>second</i> laundry machine to futz out on us this year).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811376431295/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM09xQM26USt5TtU1NZxug32d2q-kEKXvGOAkbQs1bdS9gnb28DGyU3HT9t7Egx0P8myhTXaTIBtZjLRbdJEX5Lxg_YVceUMxDr-_zOtptAvxKHP4gv-kKJhGvnfgzi3fk8eLYBj5lJkOx/s1600/IMG_7538.JPG" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Three little chickadees, sitting on a<br />
[cancer-infused] tree…"</td></tr>
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The first one was nearing that magical ten year mark that somehow in appliance years equals 90 human years, so that was that. Then, we got a replacement free of charge thanks to some lovely family members. Unfortunately, that one didn't belong to said members originally and thus we don't know how old it actually was. And now it's dying too. Sob.<br />
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Basically this was just a long winded way of me saying I do a lot of laundry <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>the clothes/diapers/towels come out of the wash absolutely soaked and therefore must be wrung out before heading into the dryer, yet still take about 17 hours to dry (aka about three trips in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ-Z2aq-UR8" target="_blank">gateway to Narnia</a>). Oh, did I say that the dryer is also now pining for the fjords? So, a lot of laundry doing means not a lot of craft doing because apparently running a household is more important than spray painting stuff. Whaaa?!<br />
<br />
And speaking of spray painting stuff… This branch mobile hangs in my aforementioned daughter's room. It's made out of a piece of poplar I scarfed from the land (I really don't think "scarfed" can be used in this instance <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">– </span>it actually makes no sense at all, but I'm rolling with it), some fishing line and three little stuffed birdies I whipped up (using a pattern similar to <a href="http://www.reesedixon.com/2009/12/stuffed-bird-ornaments.html" target="_blank">this</a> one here <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>I can't find the link for the one I actually used).<br />
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The painting of the branch was a bit of a challenge because, as it turns out, spray paint is a horrible, horrible substance and says right on the can: "This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects, or other reproductive harm." Umm, yeah. And since at the time of spraying I was smack-dab in the middle of reproducing… I made my husband do it. But I really wasn't too worried about him because we don't live in California.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oHemwSzS8_4/hqdefault.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT0FC9-cAcWGuglVsxMc0vrabbV0ZbMSxMbcIicNTbazdtmZrlkFZLsmdsP6B4-ePWH57A4VDl9Bz5Q5bLK0OiqbRuUix_s8TgBBrmO6SCzbxc3mqeXAoqzAvezQv6Q08WdYDWbLkewp5/s1600/narniasocks.jpg" title="The socks my dryer sends to Narnia are sopping wet. Sorry Mr Tumnus. I hope you don't get a cold." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The socks my dryer sends to Narnia are sopping wet. Sorry <br />
Mr Tumnus. I hope you don't get a cold.</td></tr>
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The other challenging part of this project, which also involved my hubs (eww, gross, I just wrote "hubs"), was the hanging of the mobile. The fishing line we used to suspend it had to be tied in just the right places so the thing didn't wildly spin out of control. And then the birds also had to be oh-so-carefully placed (causing my husband to declare them "delicate geniuses"). Several times they leapt from the branch <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span> I'm assuming in an attempt to fly <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span> but instead plummeted tragically to the floor.<br />
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An observation my husband made after we hung it: "Do you think the baby will be scared? It makes shadows that kind of look like a creepy hand." So far we haven't had to worry about that as she ignored it for most of her first year and only started to notice it in the last few months. Her response? Just like with the curtains from my <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/01/did-it-myself-no-6-blue-and-orange.html" target="_blank">last post</a>, "oooooooh."<br />
<br />
Truthfully, as I said right from the beginning, her room was never really designed for her. It was designed for me. And thank god for that <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>I've spent <i>a lot</i> of time in there. Almost as much time as in the laundry room.<br />
<br />
<i>Psst… You. Yeah, that's right. </i>You<i>. People who visit this blog, but don't comment. Won't you help a sister out? I'm trying to "start a conversation" or something lame like that. So let's conversate. Down below. In the comments. Okay?</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-41360894908022276192015-01-07T14:48:00.001-08:002017-11-13T08:52:58.680-08:00Did It Myself No. 6: Blue and Orange Bedroom<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b style="background-color: #eaeedd; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Read <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/orange-and-blue-bedroom" style="color: #997f00; text-decoration-line: none;">this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/" style="color: #997f00; text-decoration-line: none;">Of Houses and Trees</a>!</b><br />
<b style="background-color: #eaeedd; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></b>
Enough has been said about New Year’s resolutions. I’m not going to add to the cacophony. But I will say this – about myself. I make resolutions all the time. Spring resolutions. Birthday resolutions. Morning resolutions. Sometime I keep them. Sometimes I don’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Inspired by a piece of soap. Soap in a dish…<br />
not on a rope.</td></tr>
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One of my current resolutions is to blog more. Why? Because I like putting stuff out there, whether I get paid for it or not. Perhaps the current state of social media will be the downfall of us all, but I like that we live in a Pinterest-y world where people share ideas and creativity flows from one home to another.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I often wonder why Pinterest wasn’t called Pinspiration, because isn’t inspiration what it’s all about? Is it too long of a word? Maybe it didn’t quite hit the nail on the head as far as the namers were concerned? I’m sure if I went in search of an answer I’d find it. But I’ve got more important things to do. Like blogging.</div>
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The thing I love about inspiration is it can come from the strangest places. Like the master bedroom redesign I recently completed. Would you believe a piece of soap is responsible? A piece of orange soap on a blue soap dish. I looked down at it and thought,<i> blue and orange… what a beautiful </i>–<i> and unusual </i>–<i> colour combination! </i>(Even in my thoughts I use en-dashes.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cXSJkEjK-MK6f3LzLEo2tzMHsfG02oNVXurdK7ko38uV_NkDuq5OknZe1VS4p_TCLTON-i4FwLnu8plCLoOVDSyNxox1QeRtnD_onQJ_Knh5ULCBlqtGmv4vFMN3cwrsAAT0ZaYPdqwM/s1600/IMG_0219+(Edited).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cXSJkEjK-MK6f3LzLEo2tzMHsfG02oNVXurdK7ko38uV_NkDuq5OknZe1VS4p_TCLTON-i4FwLnu8plCLoOVDSyNxox1QeRtnD_onQJ_Knh5ULCBlqtGmv4vFMN3cwrsAAT0ZaYPdqwM/s1600/IMG_0219+(Edited).jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Kind of looked like a 1990s<br />
dorm room before… minus<br />
the Pearl Jam posters.</td></tr>
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Turns out I wasn’t the only one who had come to this conclusion. I found a few jumping-off photos on, where else, Pinterest. <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811371715544/" target="_blank">One pin</a> in particular convinced me orange curtains were a must, so I headed on over to my new favourite website <a href="http://www.myfabricspot.com/" target="_blank">Fabric Spot</a>. Many hours were wiled away looking at intoxicating prints when my daughter was a newborn and I was trapped (lovingly) with a sleeping infant in my arms. (Yes, I am intoxicated by fabric samples. I lead a simple life.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I found <a href="http://www.myfabricspot.com/aviary-2-damask-in-saffron.html" target="_blank">this</a> orange and white damask I knew my curtains were nigh. Paired with blue walls (albeit with the deceiving name "Aloof Gray"), a linen coloured duvet cover, orange bird throw pillows and a blue and orange bird-printed fabric, also from Fabric Spot (and sadly no longer available), and I was laughin’. (You know, because I was drunk on my fabric purchases.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was not the only one to be oh-so-delighted by my design choices. My daughter, now over a year old, pointed at the new curtains and bird artwork I’d hung overnight (more birds!) and said, “oooooooh.” What can I say? She’s got great taste.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-28513072501998003642014-09-26T12:59:00.002-07:002018-02-04T16:51:25.298-08:00Did It Myself No. 5: Toy Box Ottoman<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/ottoman-toy-box" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
<br />
Umm... yeah. This is awkward. I know I've been away for a long, long time. It probably seems like I've been avoiding you, but honestly I've just been, like, <i>super</i> busy. You know?<br />
<br />
I was actually flabbergasted <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">– </span>yes, my gast was literally flabbered <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>when I logged in today and realized I haven't posted in nearly a year. I knew it had been awhile, but in my mind it was more around the 5-6 month mark <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>not 349 days! In fact, it has been so long that I've changed the way I do my m-dashes! You may have noticed they are now bookended with spaces instead of flowing into the adjoining words. And if you did notice then wow. That is like really, really sad. [Turns out, upon further examination, that what I'm now using is technically an n-dash, aka en dash, which is not quite as long as an m-dash, or em dash, but is certainly longer than a hyphen.]<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811375172443/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDYyE4hbMT3JXN3WRUjOtaOTH34r7F5LJgeug_ao6Xw2tk7hp8CBc5zdU-NXCYrVp7ypcad1J53nzSUxLT5hOWABlHTE-kVJtIfqqniyilH5NaXEnVIu8yxPreFgcHRX_dK49rPEs2hmd/s1600/Rose+Hill+Winter+Exterior+by+Larissa+Swayze.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This historic home in Stony Plain, Alberta (referred to as <br />
"Rose Hill" by the locals) was the subject of the first<br />
article I wrote for my hometown's newspaper.</td></tr>
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But considering m-dashes [and n-dashes] is actually one of the reasons I've been away. For realsies. I was writing for my local newspaper's real estate section (and I just now realized I totally should've been posting the articles on this blog because, hello, talk about related subject matter). It was within this job that I revised how I use my most favourite punctuation mark (and was advised by my editor that less is more even when it comes to dashes).<br />
<br />
Other things that have kept me away from a-blogging are raising a child, raising a husband, getting some short stories published (yay!), doing projects around the house that could then be blogged about (but then not blogging), general and specific merriment, general and specific disgruntlement, and <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">– </span>of course <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> our dear old friend Mr. Procrastination.<br />
<br />
Plus, I now have a new job, which is why I said "I was writing" and not "I am writing" when I mentioned the newspaper gig... teaching dance! I spent pretty much all my "spare time" (my explanation for the scare quotes <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> motherhood) this summer working on lesson plans and memorizing exercises. I even dedicated an entire seven hour round car trip to watching Royal Academy of Dance videos and meticulously typing up each dance step only to later realize that just watching the videos would've been enough. But I am nothing if not a chronic over-preparer. Which means I don't get a lot done, but what I do get done <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> gets done really, really thoroughly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811375279234/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISOorPAwrBsZbppYaoE4HGD7_xtR6PMokf0aU9vuKvLwvrrVAZToZpKMcFLCGFQsgmY3gTWaWV_vV7biLmW87X668wp0sTnIfc1JFH2-w0ofnTQseoVf3aOH2QU3v5H1j2QAe9z4L3uB_/s1600/IMG_0747.JPG" title="" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this pattern... and it was on sale! <br />
It's actually outdoor fabric, which means<br />
it's all ready to have water, juice and/or<br />
milk spilled on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Such as the actual topic of today's post <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> this ottoman! I can't take all the credit for this DIYer as my most loveable and talented husband was the one who actually built the thing, but we did design it together (amidst much ruler waving and pencil scribbling) and I selected the fabric and foam padding and wrapped this bad boy (girl?) up.<br />
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As is usually the case, the task at hand was not quite as easy as I initially imagined because we wanted as few seams as possible and I couldn't manage to wrestle all the fabric into my sewing machine facing in the correct direction. The answer? Hot glue gun. It's like the duct tape of DIYing... except duct tape is probably the duct tape of DIYing. So maybe it's the duct tape of more delicate DIYing?<br />
<br />
Our only concern with a hot glue gunned seam was that our daughter would pick at it and it would come loose. After all, this ottoman was designed for her. Well, for her and her toys and her soft little baby head that kept smacking into our old solid wood coffee table. But the ottoman has been in service for over a month now and so far she hasn't even noticed the seam.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYrJ6yimH7Rbj5x9wGXymLVOykiT2Eco13wGU6Q0DaNL1SHhtPMblC5dSqsk-kP2vaQwtqvIDlUn1lyVMpga4MLiu4ljqHFUmip_RppJ619qvdeu9t8ci3FJYTbVuoACKJ0Akt19HuK0B/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYrJ6yimH7Rbj5x9wGXymLVOykiT2Eco13wGU6Q0DaNL1SHhtPMblC5dSqsk-kP2vaQwtqvIDlUn1lyVMpga4MLiu4ljqHFUmip_RppJ619qvdeu9t8ci3FJYTbVuoACKJ0Akt19HuK0B/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shh... The toys are sleeping.</td></tr>
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I suppose it pales in comparison to the stuffed animals, books, wooden blocks, plastic tea cups, tupperware and various beeping and booping gadgets the ottoman houses.<br />
<br />
We put wheels on the bottom of it so we could move it aside and create more floor space for playing (and also so we could periodically block off areas of the house we don't want her entering, i.e. the kitchen when I'm trying to unload the dishwasher). The wheels have also proven handy in helping her learn to perambulate as she holds on to the ottoman and "walks" when we move it.<br />
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Hard to believe the last time I posted she was 4 weeks old and about as mobile as a sack of potatoes. Really freakin' cute potatoes. But still <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">–</span> potatoes.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-23899992536088850072013-10-11T11:54:00.001-07:002018-03-11T16:38:11.305-07:00Did It Myself No. 4: No Sew Laundry Sack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/diy-laundry-bag" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/">Of Houses and Trees</a>!</b></div>
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Here's an easy, cheap and fun project (well, fun if you're a DIY nerdwad like me). All you need is a pillowcase (I used a king-sized one), a burlap sack (got mine from UFA for about $2), some sisal twine (a must have item for any DIYer) and a few safety pins (bonus if they're old and rusty like the ones I found in my stash... yes, I have a safety pin stash<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">—don't you?)</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811372346508/"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5dbQQ1eX4E_v49cz4MJIcsxDXbGBVksEuOYCxiAGIkf10PrvoyVjFvHaGYh_aXWSAV9oNgipI8_beZa7QyDv1lDQMWfKdabkiZYbalNTJZtbw2e9NLp3_DE0g-wEcoMvgiq0mZpvKPv2/s1600/IMG_7799.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's how to assemble: </div>
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1) Slip pillowcase into burlap sack. Roll top of pillowcase down over burlap sack. (As you can see in the photo, I also rolled up the bottom as it was quite lengthy and also<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">—</span>it looks cute.)</div>
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2) Pin pillowcase into burlap sack. </div>
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3) Pin sisal twine to the top two corners of the sack.</div>
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4) Hang sack where your heart desires.</div>
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As one can imagine<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">—this doesn't have to be used as a laundry sack. You can use it to hold wrapping paper, or toys, or recycling or porn... Personally I put my nice shirts and yoga pants in it as I don't like them to fraternize in the wash with the common laundry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">Speaking of laundry... I may have overflowed the kitchen sink last night and been forced to sacrifice a bunch of bath towels to the clean-up. I better go take care of them or tonight we'll be drying our post-shower asses with nothing but air.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348089778822259979.post-44986077813898867532013-09-20T12:26:00.000-07:002018-06-04T07:14:16.737-07:00Did It Myself No. 3: Rockin' Rocking Chair<b>Read<a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.com/diy-rocking-chair-cushion" target="_blank"> this post</a> as well as new content on the completely redesigned <a href="http://www.ofhousesandtrees.com/">www.ofhousesandtrees.com</a>!</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/390968811372214241/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrUBTFAO3Q73UqHsLXJPdl99iM-rUhkBXoLryT2iVxUnMJzd0RFgLs6DsGCQF6x2StlhcQ6I4k-je5vQXYAOX3qFIIvezOFWOS3-lx_Bsx8ux8Mg6gaeyKwNtrRI54QsNV0B4lXFc1iD1/s1600/IMG_7533.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Sometimes fabric starts it all. When I was working on my daughter's room<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">—</span>before I knew she was a girl<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">—</span>I was looking for neutral colours and prints that don't outright announce "Hi! I have a penis/vagina!" I've talked about my dislike of pink in a <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2012/11/tree-of-day-no-1-japanese-tree-lilac.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>. I'm an earth-tones gal through and through. So, when I saw this graphic floral with its greys and greens and browns I just knew I had to have it. (I had to have it so bad, in fact, that I forgot to check the price tag... oops.) You may recognize the fabric as the background for the baby superheroes artwork I from my <a href="http://ofhousesandtrees.blogspot.ca/2013/09/did-not-do-it-myself.html" target="_blank">last post</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">—</span>so, I'd say I got my money's worth. Even though this fabric features flowers, I don't find it overly feminine. It actually reminds me of <i>Where the Wild Things Are</i>. Something about the long, snaking, brown and beige vine. It looks like the tail of a beast who just disappeared around the corner...<br />
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As for the rocking chair itself<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">—</span>it took some convincing, but I talked my husband out of an oversized and overpriced glider in favour of a solid wood rocker by promising I'd make a real nice cushion for it. I'd like to say "and bippity boppity boo<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">—</span>it was done," but this project actually turned out to be quite time-consuming. The chair, which I failed to take a photo of in its original state, had to be sanded, primed and given two coats of paint (and the darker wood still bleeds through in a few places). The cushion was another adventure as I bought several pre-cut pieces of foam, which didn't work. Then, I got foam custom cut, but it was too hard and felt uncomfortable. What I ended up doing was just buying quilt batting, cutting it myself and then sewing it into the fabric. I added some ties, velcroed it up and over the headrest (another request from my hubby) and there she be. I'm happy to report it's already been utilized extensively and just this morning it was spit-up on for the first time. Rock on.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MVUzaFm-XevNtQNBkvPGT9DfQtm7WqP0UhhQjbKeGuz2roKCAzZSS6_J236CEsQ3MqfEvrIPpZGkGW4GpRYUMDnXUHPQw7rYasQ50f4VPCXKJTLxZRXu0u6rvH7w2ccfZrYQ_5PIEPkw/s1600/IMG_7794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MVUzaFm-XevNtQNBkvPGT9DfQtm7WqP0UhhQjbKeGuz2roKCAzZSS6_J236CEsQ3MqfEvrIPpZGkGW4GpRYUMDnXUHPQw7rYasQ50f4VPCXKJTLxZRXu0u6rvH7w2ccfZrYQ_5PIEPkw/s1600/IMG_7794.JPG" width="192" /></a><br />
Oh! And I should also add a photo of the stool my husband built to go with the chair. We much debated the height and width of this bad boy to provide optimum rocking assistance and I think it turned out perfectly. It also doubles as a little night stand for when I'm crashed on the cot next to the bundle's crib.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415441318099576361noreply@blogger.com0