Happy 10th Birthday! 10! I hope you have the most fantastic day ever. Thank you for teaching me so much during this short period of time. Your creativity, sense of humor and genuine heart have inspired me to be the best version of myself. Your ability to view the world through a different lens than most, challenges me to do the same. I love that you aren’t bound by conventional thoughts and that you always stick to your beliefs, regardless of what others think. I am so proud of the person that you have become and feel very lucky to be your Mom. You have truly completed my life, I love you so much.
If your kids are like mine, they have tons of art supplies available for their creative projects. Keeping those crayons, markers and colored pencils at the ready for impromptu masterpiece creation is essential for your budding artist. You can keep all of those supplies neatly organized and easily accessible by putting them in a recycled children’s desk organizer made from an orange juice carton that was slated for the recycling bin. This recycled desk organizer can hold a lot of art supplies and can be easily toted to the car or into the doctor’s office waiting room. Read on to learn how you can create this simple desk organizer in just a few easy steps.
These green posters from The Victory Garden of Tomorrow are fantastic! Designed by Joe Wirtheim, a Portand, Oregon artist, these amazing signs make the perfect wall art. I think these would look fantastic in a kitchen or even a child’s bedroom with their fun retro-inspired graphics and great eco-friendly messages. Now, these are propaganda posters I can get behind!
Have you seen these odd plastic clam-shells that house fruit at your local grocery? If one happens to land in your recycling bin, you can transform it into a miniature greenhouse, perfect for starting herbs from seed. It works perfectly and holds the herbs until they are ready to bet transplanted to a pot. Wouldn’t these be perfect spring activities for the kids – each of them could have their own personal greenhouse. Do you want to start your own plastic clam-shell greenhouse? Read on for my photo step-by-step instructions.
What you will need:
– a plastic clam-shell container that snaps closed – organic potting soil – organic seeds – craft knife
Step 1: Prepare for Drainage
Use your craft knife to cut a small slit in the bottom of each of the “bubbles”, allowing for drainage.
Step 2: Just Add Dirt
Fill each of the “bubbles” full of a great organic potting soil. Make sure you don’t cover the little holes that snaps the top and bottom of the clam shell together.
Step 3: Prepare for Seeds
Use the end of your craft knife to make a small indent in the center of each “bubble”. This is where you will plant your seeds.
Step 4: Plant the Seeds
Plant an assortment of herbs in the “bubbles”. We planted basil, thyme, parsley and cilantro!
Step 5: Just Add Water
Add enough water to keep the soil moist. You will want to check it daily to make sure that it doesn’t dry out.
Step 6: Snap it Closed
Simply snap the clam shell closed and don’t forget to check it everyday.
Step 7: Watch your Garden Grow!
We already have basil and thyme and we are hoping to see parsley and cilantro soon.
Every year, huge quantities of trash find their way into our rivers. This garbage takes away from the natural beauty of the river and pollutes the water, wildlife, nature, and communities that it sustains. America’s rivers provide our drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation areas—making the health of our rivers everyone’s priority. Clean rivers supply a healthy, vital source of water that is essential for a thriving community and environment.
You can make a difference in the health of our rivers by helping to restore a river in your local area, either through participation or organization of a river cleanup. Check out these great tips for organizing or participating in a river clean up in your area at Cascadian Farm.
Dear Eben, 
