Get off the Cable/Satellite TV Merry-Go-Round

Have you considered and I mean really considered giving up cable/satellite television?  We had cable television for a very short time when our children were very young, but it was one of the first things to go when we were looking for ways to save money.  It was an easy decision for us because we felt that the kids were spending far too much time in front of the set and it wasn't a necessary bill.  

I hear many folks complaining about the rising and high cost of their television service and how it just isn't worth the  money, but very few make the change.  It seems we have been conditioned by the establishment to believe we NEED this service.  I say get off the cable/satellite TV merry-go-round and save yourself a bundle of money.

Years and years ago, Pete and I had a rotary antenna installed on our roof. We were told at the time that we live in an area of Rhode Island that is difficult for reception, but we went with it anyway.  Today, we get 21 channels.  I bet you pay to watch some of the same channels that
we watch for FREE.

The channels that we receive are...

2-1 PBS WGBH HD
2-2 PBS WGBH SD
4-1 WBZ CBS Boston
5-1 WCVB ABC Boston
6-1 WLNE ABC
6-2 Living Well Network
10-1 WJAR NBC
10-2 Me-TV
12-1 WPRI CBS
12-2 CoolTV Music TV
25-1 WFXT FOX Boston
28-1 WLWC CW
28-2 WLWC LATV
36-1 RI PBS WSBE HD
36-2 RI PBS WSBE D2
46-1 Shop NBC
64-1 WNAC Fox
64-2 MyRITV
69-1 ION
69-2 Qubo
69-3 ION Life

Keep in mind that we live in a difficult reception area but I really don't feel that we are missing anything with this channel lineup and if there is something special that we are unable to watch, well we watch those on our computer.  I have a quirky obsession with Project Runway and am able to watch it on my Mac.  As a matter of fact, we have found that we can watch almost anything on our computer and with a simple cable, we can mirror the image from our laptop to our TV and watch it on the larger screen if we want to.

So, I am asking you to just consider the fact that you don't need cable/satellite TV and with the money that you will save, you can have a rotary antenna installed on your roof and then recycle the savings right back into your own pocket.

Now that is being a crafty recycler!!

Corn Chowder

I made a delicious corn chowder yesterday with recycled bacon (leftover bacon from breakfast).  I thought I would share the recipe.  It is delicious and even better on the second day when the flavors have had a chance to marry.  The perfect recipe for a cold winter's day.

6 slices of crispy bacon cut into small pieces
1 medium onion chopped
3 medium yukon gold potatoes cubed (yukon gold potatoes help to thicken the soup)
2 1/2 cups of water
2 chicken bullion cubes
1 can creamed corn
1 can kernel corn drained (or substitute fresh corn)
2 cups half and half
2 tablespoons of butter
salt and pepper to taste

In a pot, saute the bacon, onions and potatoes on medium until the onions are soft.  Add water and bullion cubes.  Add cream corn and kernel corn.  Simmer until potatoes are cooked through.  In a small sauce pan, heat half and half until warm.  Add warm half and half to other ingredients.  Add Butter.  Salt & pepper to taste.  Heat through and serve.  Delicious!!

O Christmas Tree

Christmas is over and if you have a live Christmas tree in your home, it's time to consider recycling it.  Christmas trees can certainly be placed in your compost heap.  It will decompose over time.  Just be sure to remove all of the decorations including tinsel before placing it in your heap.  If you cut it into smaller pieces it will decompose quicker.

Some cities and towns collect trees for their own recycling programs and will chip and shred the trees into mulch.  Check with your city or town for guidelines and dates for curbside pick up.

Placing your tree in your yard until spring is another alternative.  Birds and wildlife will seek the refuge of the branches of your tree during the harsh days of winter.  The branches will protect the birds and wildlife from snow, wind and cold.  Pete and I will lay our tree on it's side in a quiet location in our yard.  We'll place a bird feeder nearby and peanut butter suet in it's branches because finding food is also difficult in winter.  Then in March/April we'll place it into the compost heap to decompose.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,

                                        How lovely are thy branches!

Not only green when summer's here

But in the coldest time of year.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,

How lovely are thy branches!

Recycling Christmas Cards

This is a fun and easy project from BHG using Christmas cards.  Using a compass, make circles ranging from large to small.  Scallop the edges of some.  Slice and remove a 3/16 inch wedge with your scissors to the center of each circle.  Form each circle into a cone shape and tape to hold it in place.  Cut a styrofoam ball in half.  Place the styrofoam flat side down and push a wooden dowel (to desired height) into the center. Stack your cones starting with the largest at the base pushing it down the length of the dowel and into place.  Wind a rubberband around the dowel between each layer.  Continue until your tree takes shape.  Top with a ribbon.  No that's a beautiful way to recycle!!

Falling Leaves

Most of the  leaves have fallen from the trees and Pete and I have spent the last two weeks with the leaf blower and rakes preparing for winter.  We topped off the compost bin with a nice bunch of leaves, sent most to the compost heap and sent some into the woods for the sake of time and energy.  Most importantly, we covered the garden flowers and plants with leaves.  The leaves make a wonderful blanket for the upcoming winter months when the bitter cold, snow and ice can stress or even kill plants....especially newly established ones.  We'll clean those flower beds in the Spring.  For now, we'll let natures blanket keep our flowers and plants safe.

Recycling Pumpkins

Now that Halloween is over, we will be putting our Halloween pumpkins into the compost can.  Pumpkins make great compost and that's a great way to recycle.

Chemistry at the Eco Depot

Once or twice a year, Pete and I head to the Eco Depot to dispose of our household hazardous waste (which we store in a box out in the garage) such as motor oil, oil based paints, varnishes, rechargeable batteries, electronic equipment, pool chemicals, fertilizers and unknowns.  There's a complete list of hazardous waste that you can dispose of at http://www.rirrc.org/resident/household-hazardous-waste/.  In Rhode Island, the Eco Depot is located at the Central Landfill site but also travels to local towns.  On a recent occasion the Eco Depot was in the parking lot of our city hall/library.  We made a time appointment by phone a few days before.  We loaded our hazardous wastes into the back of the truck and made our way to the site.  Upon arrival, we were directed first to the electronics truck where we could drop off old televisions and computers, both of which contain elements that are hazardous to the environment.  Next stop was the chemicals area where we were greeted by men and women in hazmat uniforms.  We stayed in our truck and they removed the items from the back of the truck and brought them to the table of chemists.  The chemists tested these items and then disposed of them into barrels that were located behind them.  Here is where we dropped off motor oil, oil based paints, varnishes, aerosol cans, and rechargeable batteries, etc.  You may have something that you are unsure of, something that has been in your basement for so long that the label is missing and the can rusted or possibly a number of different products were mixed together to save space.  Not to worry, the chemists can take care of that for you.  It was fascinating to watch them at work.  It also felt great to dispose of these items properly and safely and keep them from polluting Mother Earth.   Consider your States Eco Depot before putting hazardous household waste into your regular trash.  * The Eco Depot is a completely FREE service and you never have to leave the comfort of your car/truck.  All items are removed from your vehicle for you.  *Everyday batteries (non rechargeable) can be disposed of in your everyday household trash.  *Latex paints can also be disposed of in regular household trash.  Simply remove the lid and allow the paint to dry before disposing of it.  If you have a large quantity, you can purchase a packet of paint dryer at your local hardware store to speed the drying process.