Archive for the ‘Home & Ranch’ Category

Pledge for Honeybees

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Honeybee

by Catherine Haug, February 28, 2012

Perhaps one of the most important things we can do to honor Earth Day (which is coming up on April 22), is a small thing: sign the pledge for honeybees, to save them from Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), and then take the appropriate actions in your yard.

There has been a lot of research about CCD, and a lot of debate as to its cause, whether pesticides or pests (pathogens). But one thing is certain: pesticides play a very important role in CCD.

Sign the Pledge for Honeybees, and see below for more info and links to other articles on bees and CCD. (more…)

Fresh: the film about moving toward sustainable food supply

Sunday, February 26th, 2012

by Catherine Haug, February 26, 2012

Dr. Mercola featured this documentary film in his newsletter today. You can view it on his website FOR FREE through March 3, 2012. It’s a little more than 1 hour in length. Go to Polyculture vs Monoculture: Fresh, the Film. Mercola writes:

The documentary “FRESH” celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system.

The film demonstrates how we can collectively transform the current “industrial agricultural paradigm” into a healthier, more sustainable way of feeding the world, while restoring the health of our ailing planet.

You can also view the trailer for this movie: Fresh (the movie): Trailers. And you can support the film by purchasing a copy or making a donation.

If you miss the free viewing deadline, you may be able to Find a screening in our area, or host a screening. If you choose to host a screening and would welcome ESP members, let me know and I’ll publish an event notice.

Enuf Stuff

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

by Catherine Haug (originally published 5/20/2009; updated & republished 2/23/21012)

See also my earlier post: Living a Simpler Life (October 30, 2011)

A New Trend

Recent news reports in this down economy indicate Americans are changing their habits, from spending to saving. This trend means we are discovering we can live with the stuff we have, at least for now. And the longer we can last with no new stuff, the more this new habit will become part of who we are. How freeing! to know I don’t need more stuff to live day to day; I don’t need more stuff to fortify my self identity; I don’t need more stuff to prove I’m at least as good as my neighbor. (more…)

Garment Creation: the Sloper & Block

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

by Catherine Haug, February 12, 2012 (All diagrams and sketches by C. Haug, unless otherwise noted).

Today, we can just go to a fabric store or online to purchase a pattern for the garment. But what if this was no longer a possibility? Or what if you wanted to make something for which there was no pattern? Or what if commercial patterns just don’t fit your body (this is my problem…)?

This is the second article in a series. See also:

This discussion includes:

  • Supplies
  • Drafting or draping a sloper
  • Drafting a block form a sloper or other blocks
  • Grading (to change the size of a pattern up or down)

 

(more…)

Making Simple Garments

Monday, February 13th, 2012
TurkCoat-Layout.pdf

Cat's Lined Turkish Panel Coat

by Catherine Haug, February 10, 2012

(garment and photo of Turkish Coat, by C. Haug)

For truly simple living, we need to be able to make our own clothing, perhaps even from fabric we create ourselves. People did this for centuries, making not only simple garments for everyday, but also more elaborate garments for special occasions such as feasts, festivals, weddings and funerals.

In general, the steps in garment creation are (not always in this order):

  • Garment design
  • Selecting or drafting the garment pattern
  • Making/obtaining fabric and thread
  • Cutting the fabric to the pattern
  • Sewing the garment seams, etc.

This is the first article in a series:

Read on for Working Without a Pattern, which uses two examples, the Japanese Hippari (jacket) and Monpei (pant) to show how this is done – without wasting any fabric. I want to express my gratitude to Folkwear Patterns for intruducing me to this concept.

(more…)

The Amish on PBS: An example of sustainable living in community, Airing Feb 28, 2012

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

by Catherine Haug, February 5, 2012

Setting aside their religious views, the Amish set an example to explore, for those of us who aspire to live sustainably and in community. A 2-hour episode of American Experience on Montana PBS, to be aired at 7 PM on Tuesday, February 28, explores this unique society that many of us didn’t know much about until the film Witness captured our attention in 1985.

The Amish movement began over 500 years ago in Switzerland as a branch of the Mennonite movement. Many emigrated to the US in the 1800s, settling primarily in Pennsylvania, then expanding into the midwestern states. Their lifestyle varies from community to community, but in general, they are known for  “simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt many conveniences of modern technology.” (2)

For more about this program, or on the Amish lifestyle, read on. (more…)