Friday Favorites, March 15

Welcome back to Friday Favorites.  I was pleasantly surprised today to learn I had connected one of my readers to a new friend met through my Friday Favorite posts, nothing could have made me happier.

March is whizzing along at record speed.  There are so many things to celebrate this month, so far we’ve had a little one’s second birthday, St. Patrick’s Day is coming up and Easter will close out the month. Today I get to share in the celebration of my daughter-in-law’s 23rd birthday. Hubby will be taking her out to lunch and she has a tattoo planned as well.  The children were very upset to learn mommy wasn’t going to have a party, so my grandson helped to pick out a cake and they will be stopping over here to celebrate sometime before dinner. The kids also choose the meal.  They have decided on spaghetti followed by a chocolate cake. Not exactly two things that go together in my mind, but it’s something they can help make. 

Greening your routine

Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which loveliness arises. ~~Pedro Calderon de la Barca

1. When I made the switch from toothpaste to baking soda to clean my teeth it was something that would fall under the “it grew on me” category. The very first time I nearly gagged on the taste.  While I am very comfortable and my taste buds adjusted after a couple of uses, here’s one recipe that would have made my transition easier.
2. Heidi found heading to her kitchen can tame her frizzy hair.  You will only need 3 ingredients to tame your hair, check it out  here.
3. Everyday Life on a Shoestring participated in a Slim Your Bin Challenge, I enjoyed reading the latest on how they have fared and what changes they  have made to reduce their garbage.
4. Easter is quickly coming up. Have you considered how you will keep your Easter green?  Crazy4Green began the quest to green the family home after losing her sister at age 42 to lung cancer.  The research has paid off and today you can find the ultimate in green Easter ideas, from natural baskets and candy to what to use instead of plastic grass in those baskets.

Recycling

“Solid wastes” are the discarded leftovers of our advanced consumer society.  This growing mountain of garbage and trash represents not only an attitude of indifference toward valuable natural resources, but also a serious economic and public  health problem. ~~Jimmy Carter

1. 10 things you can recycle through the mail caught my eye because not all of us have access to recycling for things like batteries, medical supplies or even light bulbs.
2. Creative Jewish Mom shows that you can re-purpose old clothes that have lost their usefulness, making them into something useful around the house. What surprises me is what clothing item she was able to use in her latest project.
3. This article from Make Wealth History proves that way too much of what ends up in our landfills is not worthless.  Read more here about how Scotland is considering mining landfills for resources, that’s a better idea than mining asteroids!
4. What can you do with chipped tea cups, or any other chipped items you may have lying around your house?  Why not re-purpose them into lovely bird feeders? A Ponytail Kind of Day shows you how easy it is, and it is much lovelier than a store-bought feeder any day.

Clutter Busting

Don’t own so much clutter that you will be relieved to see your house catch fire.   ~~ Wendell Berry (Farming: A Handbook)

1. I am so jealous, first that some people have warm enough weather to consider a yard sale and the only thing at this sale which didn’t find a new home I would have grabbed hoping no one else saw the potential I did.  Seriously though, there is no better way to get rid of your clutter than to have a yard sale, except to do what Kate did and have every thing picked up at the end of the sale that didn’t sell.  Can you see the potential in that dresser?

Challenges We Face

Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional. ~~ Roger Crawford

1. The theme of gardening has hit with spring soon to appear.  For Jen, the season has been challenging to say the least.  Hear her problems with the wildlife that have devastated her garden. At the same time, it’s hard to be angry with such a beautiful animal visiting your yard.  Any one have ideas to help Jen, I’m sure she would appreciate it.
2. What would you do if you didn’t fear failure?  Bethany has written a very inspiring post on just that, if there is something you want to do but have been holding back worrying over the “what ifs” you may want to read this.
3. Wendy had an opportunity to see how technology has affected her family when events prompted her to remove the computers and texting from her children.  Her aptly titled post Computers Are Sucking the Life Out of Kids will have you considering the downside of technology and children?

Minimalism

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.  ~~ Confucius

1. For those reading my blog, I am assuming that you are embracing a simpler life because it is what makes you happy.  The big question is what would you change if you won the lottery and money wasn’t an obstacle to living any way you wanted. Would you change the way you live? Becoming a Minimalist explores what she would do if she won the lottery.

Proof There is Good in the World

A part of kindness is in loving people more than they deserve.  ~~ Joseph Joubert

1. This entire article goes to the heart of what human beings are.  Little acts of Kindness can make the day of anyone, but these 16 acts warmed my heart. Which is your favorite?

Just for Laughs

If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane.  ~~ Robert Frost

1. How many of you remember the old Kung Fu TV series?  I loved that show, although I didn’t equate it with simple living at the time.  Ye Pirate reminded me of Kung Fu, simplicity, and brought me a chuckle this week.

Have a great weekend and feel free to share links I’ve missed.

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