Two things never to take for granted: the kindness of strangers, and the generosity of good friends. Some old friends invited me to join them in their house in Umbria in June, so I'm heading to Italy for a week. Super excited to have a trip! It's been years since I traveled and it's remarkable how much things have changed. Guide books, for example, go light on accommodations information, because it can all be found (up to date!) online. I'll also be traveling with a computer, so can make arrangements as I go.
Things have come together in the past week -- my guidebooks and Eurorail passes arrived. Checks came from my freelance clients so I'll have a bit of spending money. And this morning, I tried on all the clothes I planned to take, then cut them in half, then added in a few. Packing light truly is an exercise in discipline.
A huge congrats to my friend Ginger, who bought a bike on Friday. It's a Novara - REI's brand -- and is a fabulous green color. It's chromolly steel, but light and very classic. Kinda makes a girl think about a second bike, with fenders and a chain guard and a front basket for carrying strawberries and daschunds.
Today we're setting up the chicken coop in the back yard, in preparation for getting 3-4 feathered friends in July. But first, a long lope up a hill to feed a friend's bunny rabbit. Go Hoppy!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Stage Dive
The best cocktail in the Science of Cocktails 2011 exhibit at the SF Exploratorium earlier this year. Yum!
Stage Dive
by Jared Anderson, 15 Romolo
Collins glass
Ingredients:
2oz hangar one vodka
3 muddled kumquats
3 sage leaves
.5 oz honey
.5 oz lemon juice
splash of soda
Stage Dive
by Jared Anderson, 15 Romolo
Collins glass
Ingredients:
2oz hangar one vodka
3 muddled kumquats
3 sage leaves
.5 oz honey
.5 oz lemon juice
splash of soda
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Random Greenie Tidbits
Pulled from the many green building pamphlets they circulate up there in the Pacific Northwest.
Event: Coming up this month is the Village Building Convergence in Portland, where urban humanization group City Repair performs "urban alchemy", transforming spaces (like intersections) into places for people to hang out together. Check it out at vbc.cityrepair.org, May 27-June 5.
Get rebates through federal programs for weatherizing homes. MOney for home improvements to the tune of 6 billion is coming through State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation BLock Grants(EECBG). You gotta be ready to start this Sept, though. Congress also considering Home Star, aka Cash for Caulkers, with rebates up to $4k. See what Portland's offering at www.cleanenergyworksportland.org. Seattle's Earth Advantage is runnin a pilot Energy Performance Score.
Solar water systems can generate up to 60% of energy needs for hot water in the home. Oooo.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) of smaller than 800 square feet don't require a permit in Portland for the next 3 years. Great for empty nesters who might want to rent their homes and live in the guest cottage. Read about standards for green homebuilding: Passive House (qualifies for Energy-Efficient Mortgage (EEM) money through fed programs) and the Living Building Challenge.
More about EEMs and Energy Improvement Mortgages...
Available through regular lenders, but not promoted, EEMs give you extra money for home projects based on future energy savings. EIMs make you eligible for tax credits to cover new installations. First step is a HERS energy audit (home energy rating system).
Event: Coming up this month is the Village Building Convergence in Portland, where urban humanization group City Repair performs "urban alchemy", transforming spaces (like intersections) into places for people to hang out together. Check it out at vbc.cityrepair.org, May 27-June 5.
Get rebates through federal programs for weatherizing homes. MOney for home improvements to the tune of 6 billion is coming through State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation BLock Grants(EECBG). You gotta be ready to start this Sept, though. Congress also considering Home Star, aka Cash for Caulkers, with rebates up to $4k. See what Portland's offering at www.cleanenergyworksportland.org. Seattle's Earth Advantage is runnin a pilot Energy Performance Score.
Solar water systems can generate up to 60% of energy needs for hot water in the home. Oooo.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) of smaller than 800 square feet don't require a permit in Portland for the next 3 years. Great for empty nesters who might want to rent their homes and live in the guest cottage. Read about standards for green homebuilding: Passive House (qualifies for Energy-Efficient Mortgage (EEM) money through fed programs) and the Living Building Challenge.
More about EEMs and Energy Improvement Mortgages...
Available through regular lenders, but not promoted, EEMs give you extra money for home projects based on future energy savings. EIMs make you eligible for tax credits to cover new installations. First step is a HERS energy audit (home energy rating system).
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