Several years ago I attended a Unity church in Memphis http://www.unityonline.com and received a copy of 7 Great Prayers for an Abundant and Blessed Life.
These prayers really helped me feel more peaceful, and more joyful so I wanted to share them here:
I Love You, God
Thank You, God
God, You Are Inside Me
God, I attract Your Blessings
God, I see You Everywhere
God, Bless .....
God, Help me To Help You
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Are You Willing to Trade?
Are you willing to trade space for energy efficiency in a new home?
Nashville-area developer Randy Chastain is betting some of you will.
Chastain, who was interviewed in Monday's business section of The Tennessean, said he's been involved in the homebuilding industry for 30 years but only recently began thinking about energy efficiency.
Cambridge Park, on 19 acres in Antioch, is Chastain's newest...and smallest...building project. It's also his most efficient.
His registration with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program makes him one of the first homebuilders in Tennessee to jump on the "green homebuilding" bandwagon.
Chastain says that sound environmental practices will add about 8k-9k in cost to each Cambridge Park home, which will be in the 250k-270k price range. They also will be 1,300 SF to 2,100 SF, which is about 10 percent smaller than comparably priced homes nearby.
This pioneering builder believes that buyers will forego extra space for energy efficiency.
However, a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that the majority of buyers would sacrifice space for high quality amenities but not for energy efficiency.
What about you?
What would be most important to you if you were buying a new home: space, amenities, or energy efficiency?
Surely there can be a way to combine all three.
Nashville-area developer Randy Chastain is betting some of you will.
Chastain, who was interviewed in Monday's business section of The Tennessean, said he's been involved in the homebuilding industry for 30 years but only recently began thinking about energy efficiency.
Cambridge Park, on 19 acres in Antioch, is Chastain's newest...and smallest...building project. It's also his most efficient.
His registration with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program makes him one of the first homebuilders in Tennessee to jump on the "green homebuilding" bandwagon.
Chastain says that sound environmental practices will add about 8k-9k in cost to each Cambridge Park home, which will be in the 250k-270k price range. They also will be 1,300 SF to 2,100 SF, which is about 10 percent smaller than comparably priced homes nearby.
This pioneering builder believes that buyers will forego extra space for energy efficiency.
However, a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that the majority of buyers would sacrifice space for high quality amenities but not for energy efficiency.
What about you?
What would be most important to you if you were buying a new home: space, amenities, or energy efficiency?
Surely there can be a way to combine all three.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Those Pesky Ants!
This is the third spring we've lived in our home and the third spring that we've been invaded by ants in the kitchen.
The first year, we wound up spraying chemicals in the kitchen because we did not know what else to do.
I am very uncomfortable doing that, because of the toxic fumes that are harmful to humans and our three kitties...and I just don't like having that stuff in the kitchen.
It did get rid of them for awhile and then they came back.
We tried vinegar and it did not work.
Last year we pretty much tolerated it, because there weren't very many, maybe because of the heat and drought? who knows...
But this year, they're out in full force, so I researched some natural remedies on the Internet.
I think I will try the jelly/borax mix first since I have both on hand and it's easier than the molasses paste.
Have you had any success with getting rid of household pests the natural way? If so, please post about it!
If not, check out this link:
http://http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/47674/get_rid_of_ants.html
The first year, we wound up spraying chemicals in the kitchen because we did not know what else to do.
I am very uncomfortable doing that, because of the toxic fumes that are harmful to humans and our three kitties...and I just don't like having that stuff in the kitchen.
It did get rid of them for awhile and then they came back.
We tried vinegar and it did not work.
Last year we pretty much tolerated it, because there weren't very many, maybe because of the heat and drought? who knows...
But this year, they're out in full force, so I researched some natural remedies on the Internet.
I think I will try the jelly/borax mix first since I have both on hand and it's easier than the molasses paste.
Have you had any success with getting rid of household pests the natural way? If so, please post about it!
If not, check out this link:
http://http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/47674/get_rid_of_ants.html
More on Being Green and Clean
Last week I posted about using vinegar and water in a spray bottle to clean the bathroom mirrors and marble countertops and how well it worked...
Although it was my first experience using vinegar, I've been using borax to clean sinks, tubs, and toilets for years, with great results.
Baking soda also is a good, natural cleaner.
I also did not know vinegar works as a copper cleaner until I found the following formula on the internet:
Copper cleaner
White vinegar
Water
Salt
Mix equal parts of vinegar and salt (a tablespoon of each should be enough to start, make more as necessary) and apply to the surface with a rag. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water afterwards, otherwise it will corrode. Don't use on lacquered finishes.
I'm eager to try it, because I don't like using chemical-based copper cleaners due to the fumes and their impact on my respiratory system.
How about you?
Have you tried any green, natural cleaners like baking soda, lemon, and/or vinegar? What were the results?
If not, do you think you'll try some of them in the future? Why or why not?
Although it was my first experience using vinegar, I've been using borax to clean sinks, tubs, and toilets for years, with great results.
Baking soda also is a good, natural cleaner.
I also did not know vinegar works as a copper cleaner until I found the following formula on the internet:
Copper cleaner
White vinegar
Water
Salt
Mix equal parts of vinegar and salt (a tablespoon of each should be enough to start, make more as necessary) and apply to the surface with a rag. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water afterwards, otherwise it will corrode. Don't use on lacquered finishes.
I'm eager to try it, because I don't like using chemical-based copper cleaners due to the fumes and their impact on my respiratory system.
How about you?
Have you tried any green, natural cleaners like baking soda, lemon, and/or vinegar? What were the results?
If not, do you think you'll try some of them in the future? Why or why not?
Monday, May 12, 2008
Green LIght!
I've been interested in making my own soy candles for awhile now, because they're better for the environment and of course, are more natural.
I decided to look into making my own because soy candles are still a bit hard to find in Middle TN, and they're pricier.
So this morning I did some research and found several websites that give instructions on how to make soy candles. It's not that hard! So I'll probably order the supplies soon...and if I enjoy it, I might even make some extras to sell at the Farmer's Market.
I'll provide the link to the company that supplies instructions and soy wax, but first, here's something from http://www.caringconsumer.com about why soy candles are better from an environmental standpoint:
They're great for helping you relax or igniting some passion for a romantic rendezvous, but did you know that candles often contain ingredients that snuff out animals? Many candles are made from beeswax stolen from industrious bees' hives, stearic acid made from tallow (a slaughterhouse product derived from beef or sheep fat), and cetyl palmitate, a waxy oil taken from sperm whales' heads or from dolphins. Although some paraffin candles are animal-free, they can be bad for your health and the environment. The soot given off from the burning of petroleum-based paraffin candles is essentially the same as that given off by burning diesel fuel. Fortunately, it's now easier than ever to find or make soy candles, which burn cleaner, last longer, are better for the environment, and do not depend on killing and stealing from animals. Check out our list of compassionate candle companies, or get crafty and make your own.
http://www.cajuncandles.com/
I decided to look into making my own because soy candles are still a bit hard to find in Middle TN, and they're pricier.
So this morning I did some research and found several websites that give instructions on how to make soy candles. It's not that hard! So I'll probably order the supplies soon...and if I enjoy it, I might even make some extras to sell at the Farmer's Market.
I'll provide the link to the company that supplies instructions and soy wax, but first, here's something from http://www.caringconsumer.com about why soy candles are better from an environmental standpoint:
They're great for helping you relax or igniting some passion for a romantic rendezvous, but did you know that candles often contain ingredients that snuff out animals? Many candles are made from beeswax stolen from industrious bees' hives, stearic acid made from tallow (a slaughterhouse product derived from beef or sheep fat), and cetyl palmitate, a waxy oil taken from sperm whales' heads or from dolphins. Although some paraffin candles are animal-free, they can be bad for your health and the environment. The soot given off from the burning of petroleum-based paraffin candles is essentially the same as that given off by burning diesel fuel. Fortunately, it's now easier than ever to find or make soy candles, which burn cleaner, last longer, are better for the environment, and do not depend on killing and stealing from animals. Check out our list of compassionate candle companies, or get crafty and make your own.
http://www.cajuncandles.com/
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day to all!
It's a windy, rainy, cool day here in Middle Tennessee...
This year we decided to fix a barbeque lunch for my mother. There is not a bbq restaurant within her driving range (just a few miles from home into Ashland City) so we decided to bring one of her favorite treats to her.
So yesterday we went to B&C Market at the Nashville Farmer's Market (http://http://www.baconandcaviar.com/files/) where we got a pound of "Q" (my dad's name for it) and some sauce.
I am fixing some baked beans and potato salad, and also made some yummy bananna pudding yesterday afternoon which we already have dipped into. Good thing I made a ginormous bowl of it!
Steve and I got up at 6 a.m. so we could go to early church, http://www.firstchurchunity.org, then be home in plenty of time to prepare the meal for noon.
It should be an enjoyable day even though we won't be able to eat outdoors.
It's a windy, rainy, cool day here in Middle Tennessee...
This year we decided to fix a barbeque lunch for my mother. There is not a bbq restaurant within her driving range (just a few miles from home into Ashland City) so we decided to bring one of her favorite treats to her.
So yesterday we went to B&C Market at the Nashville Farmer's Market (http://http://www.baconandcaviar.com/files/) where we got a pound of "Q" (my dad's name for it) and some sauce.
I am fixing some baked beans and potato salad, and also made some yummy bananna pudding yesterday afternoon which we already have dipped into. Good thing I made a ginormous bowl of it!
Steve and I got up at 6 a.m. so we could go to early church, http://www.firstchurchunity.org, then be home in plenty of time to prepare the meal for noon.
It should be an enjoyable day even though we won't be able to eat outdoors.
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