Sarah Marie's Profile

It works! IT WORKS!!! I definitely smashed open (with glee) four heads of garlic last night and then shook to my hearts content. I think my family is a little bit frightened..

@hmjames: I moved from Philly to Orlando about five years ago and everything seems to mold and mildew if left on the countertops any length of time. All manner of things that should never go into the fridge have been sent to its chilly interior for safe keeping. Garlic was one. In olive oil is a good tip though.. I may start that!

Totally started this week too! I did the same recently at Lowes when they cleared out an insane amount of beautiful pottery in advance of the christmas and halloween displays. I got a dozen or more beautiful small pots that are all destined for holiday giving and at $1-3/each were practically free.

I've tons of Ivy and herbs that are all going to be clipped and rooted and then given out. Also started laying out all the herbs to dry to make herbal olive oil, herbal vinegar, and dipping oils for breads for holiday giving.

Next on my list is to track down really inexpensive tins or pretty containers in which to package cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, dipped marshmallows, pumpkin bread, and apple turnovers for holiday giving. My goal this year is to not buy a single packaged commercialized gift!

Central Florida here. Our natives (coontie, firebush, dune sunflower, blanket flower, passionflower vine) are actually looking great in this heat! We've had somewhat consistent rain for the last six weeks or so in the form of those regular Florida afternoon showers.. but it's still technically dry here.

The few non-natives and vegetables we have get water that's been cycled from baths/showers/dehumidifiers/pasta water and all the rest as the first poster up top mentioned. Switching over to organic bodycare means I have no qualms pouring that rinse water on my plants. Really helps!

"It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything."

As for donations of books, keep in mind that some public library systems take all donations and those that are repetitive or are not wanted for other reasons are often sold in a "friends of the library" shop or space. Many of the libraries in Florida work this way. While this raises funds for the library in another way (and still gets books into people's hands), if this doesn't sit well with you consider donating to your local schools. Our high schools were only too happy to take several boxes full of paperbacks and college texts. Many elementary teachers need to maintain reading or lending libraries in their personal classrooms and these are expensive to build (particularly with their own funds). If you have children's books please consider passing them on to elementary school teachers.