Condo Blues

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Easy Zero Waste Summer Food Options and Friday Favorites Linky Party 379

Husband took time off to play over the long Independence Day weekend. Naturally part of that was taking in a local Fourth of July parade with Lacey in a way that was as convenient as was it Zero Waste.

We can't eat out when Lacey is with us because Ohio law prohibits dogs on the outdoor restaurant patios we used to patronized when we were waiting for the parade to start.  It is way more convenient to bring our own and impromptu picnic.


Pin this idea for later!


It was super simple to pop some snacks in  containers and a few reusable water bottled from the fridge into the bottle holder in our backpack picnic cooler (aff links to the best family Christmas present ever!) and set up Parade Central. Even Lacey goes low waste with a sweet insulated double tiffin we just used as a water bowl since Lacey ate before we hit the road.

A Chinese parasol for shade, cloth fan for the heat, and mineral sunscreen for the sun and we were good to go!  A green life doesn't have to be full of angst and woe unless you want it to be.


Let's party!



Tuesday, June 27, 2017

How to a Make Tomato Cage Plant Stand

This year’s Tabasco and Habanero pepper plants aren’t doing as well as they could planted discretely in our front flower bed as they could on the sunny backyard patio. They only way to do that is to eek out space for two more plants on my small patio container garden with  four plant stands.

Which was a fantastic excuse to check out our new IKEA store! I saw a self watering planter and stand on the IKEA website that would do the job nicely.


Until I got to the store and an associate told me they were discontinued. *sad face*

No worries! I swung by Home Depot on my way home to buy tomatoes cages to make into a quick and easy modern plant stand.

Quick and Easy DIY Modern Plant Stands


Pin this idea for later and to share with your friends!

You will need:

Sunday, June 25, 2017

How to Make Compost Tea Fertilizer

Every evening as part of my post dinner cleanup,  I try to dump our kitchen compost collector into the big tumbling compost bin outside to keep the little guy from stinking up the joint.

This particular evening I gave the compost bin a crank like I have done so many evenings before only for the half full bin to suddenly become much easier to turn, like it was practically empty – because it was.

The hinges and latch on the door to the compost bin failed and dumped compost all over the yard.
For the third time.

I didn’t have enough finished compost to fertilize my garden but instead of singing the Condo Blues, I used it to make compost tea. Compost tea is an excellent plant food and fertilizer and well earns its nickname – Black Gold.

How to Brew Compost Tea Concentrate the Easy Way

Pin this post for later!


Thursday, June 22, 2017

Friday Favorites Linky Party 377

Wahoo! Yesterday was the Summer Solstice and the Official Start of Summer!!!!

As I was running errands yesterday, I popped into a nearby craft store (as one does) to find the employees putting out aisle upon aisle of Christmas supplies and decor where I hoped to find Summer stuff for First Day of Summer project inspiration for you.

*sigh* 

Let's party!

 photo Friday Favorites Banner 2.jpg


Sunday, June 18, 2017

Mod Podge Wallpaper Update: How Does it Last?

Shortly after buying our condo, I used Mod Podge to wallpaper a bathroom with old book pages.
I frequently get email asking me how using Mod Podge as wallpaper glue holds up after the 10+ years I used it to remodel my bathroom.

I thought I’d give you an update.

Pin this post for reference!