Steam cleaning the carpet with a vinegar and borax mix. Works better than the straight vinegar I used the other day, but still didn't shift many dark patches that would/should come out with spot cleaning. Got lots of general dirt out though - I will definitely use this mix* again over the commercial carpet cleaners.
*Carpet cleaner mix: Dissolve 1/4 cup borax in 1 Litre of white vinegar. Use 1 cup in your cleaning machine and top up the tank with hot water.
Making: Jet's Orange Poppyseed Cake : Made in the food processor. Super-easy and super-yum. And chocolate zucchini cake (I iced it with chocolate icing after I took the pic. That makes exactly two cakes I've ever iced in my life. LOL).
Dinner: Homemade pizza. Kids decorate their own. Adults: tonight is caramalised red onion, homegrown silverbeet, mozzarella and fetta.
Challenge/s: Finding something to grow carrots in. I've decided not to use the foam boxes for growing food any more as it is possible that they may be leaching styrene (not nice) into soil under the heat of the hot sun. Problem is, my vegie garden is completely chockers, as are all spaces that receive full sun in my ornamental garden. It doesn't seem very frugal (or sustainable) to go out and buy pots so that I can save money by growing our own carrots. I have several old plastic pots and a couple of hanging baskets, but they aren't anywhere near deep enough... Damn, I love fresh crunchy carrots straight out of the ground (the kids eat at least two each per day), and those foam boxes were an ideal depth :-(
Solution/s: I've seen many (cute) examples of plants being planted in recycled materials, but I've long since decluttered my cupboards and garage and passed on anything that may have been suitable. Hmmm. I wonder how long cardboard boxes (the thick, reinforced ones) from the grocers would last? They would only have to last as long as one crop, then I could recycle the whole thing into the compost heap? Only one way to find out I suppose, LOL.
Reading: Re-reading Lawns Into Lunch. Growing Food in the City, by Jill Finnane, for inspiration.
Utilities for November: Gas 38.3MJ/day; Water 330L/day; Electricity 12.53kWh/day.
Contemplating: Using tomato cages next year to stop my Triffid-like cherry tomatoes taking over the backyard.
7 comments:
Gee, I was worried that perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned those foam box problems, but hey I think we all have the same values, caring for ourselves,each other and the environment, and so had to mention it. It really stuck in my mind cos I thing those boxes are so practical too :(
I love that orange and poppyseed cake recipe, so easy.
Hey, another thing, I probably mentioned it, but I too am struggling big time in surburbia so my response in yesterday's blog was partly for me. I'm in same dilemma, stuck where I am and unable to move anywhere else while the market is so crazy. Bella
have you thought of asking at the greengrocers or a small garden centre for wax coated boxes to plant things in??
Hi Bella, No, no I have been thinking about the foam box issue since I read about it on ALS, but I only got around to doing some reading on it last night. I'm also now worried about using newspaper since Sprite (I think?) mentioned she thought the ink was toxic! I was under the impression that in Australia the newspaper ink is soy-based, but I can't find anything that confirms that :-( Argh, it's always something, isn't it? LOL.
Hi Ali, Yeah my initial thought was the wax-coated boxes, but then I decided against them because I couldn't stick them in the compost bin when they started to look manky. I am definitley going to check out the local grocers next time I am going past though to see if I can score some freebies. Last time I was there all they had was foam trays though, so I don't know how succesful I'll be? I can but try!
Cheers, Julie
another suggestion is putting a couple of cardboard boxes inside each other so they last longer.....
Julie,
How about trying your local freecycle group to see if anyone has any pots they no longer want? My mum has the most fantastic array of veggies all grown in pots. The cakes look great by the way and think I might have to try making the orange poppyseed one after the heatwave here is over (34 today!)
Also I meant to say well done on the carpet cleaning. My lounge room carpet needs cleaning so i will give this a go with one of those machines you can hire :)
oooh Ali, top idea, thanks :-)
Lis, as a general carpet cleaner the mix was excellent and so cheap. I highy recommend the cake (she says, scoffing another slice ;-)
Cheers, Julie
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