Jesse Lu's Profile

Gen X/Y here. Factors into the gardening/non-gardening style of our generations are as follows:

-Time... we work more and longer than previous generations, with greater commitments to social/technological extracurriculars

-Financial... we make less money and have a dwindling expendable income ratio when you consider the continual rise in cost of living across the board

-Lifestyle... our generations are waiting longer and longer before making domestic commitments like marriage, children, home-ownership, partially because we can, and partially because it's getting harder and harder to afford those commitments.

-Domestic priorities... Previous generations were occupied by domestic pursuits in a way that was very individualistic and private. Our generations are much more interested in community and global domestics- the ideas of sharing, being conscious of our footprint, learning from each other. But we are exploring uncharted territory here, and so we are still figuring out what exactly we want and how we can provide this for ourselves.

-Ecological/Social priorities... Gen X/Yers are overwhelmingly interested in ecological and social justice, to varying degrees but nonetheless it's something most of us consider to an extent. We have a tendency to truly consider the cost/impact of our decisions. We are interested in sustainability, organics, fair trade, recycling, ethical consumerism, local economy, etc.

It's hard to see what the future looks like for our generations... But I would guess that community gardens, urban homesteading, tool/skill sharing, and green-living will be in there somewhere.

Personal anecdote: When I moved to Albuquerque, NM from San Francisco, CA, part of the draw was climate and cost of living. I work much fewer hours here in the Southwest than I would have to in San Francisco to be able to afford the same things. I now have time for pursuits like gardening and the sun is incredible here- for plants and people alike. Most rented homes and many rented apartments in this city welcome gardening and the affordability of homes means younger home-ownership. I have several friends, owners and renters alike, with full-fledged vegetable gardens and chicken coups in their backyards. We have fantastic resources for urban homesteading, community gardening, and xeriscaping, it's a huge part of the culture here probably in part because of the long cultural roots of agriculture along the Rio Grande in New Mexico. The traditional irrigation techniques of the spanish and the puebloans are still used today to nurture this hot and dry climate. They are ancient keys to sustainable agriculture that we can continue to learn from. And because our climate is so specific, there are several business who cater to xeriscaping which is inherently climate-conscious in a way I never experienced in the Bay Area where moisture can actually take a toll on your garden.

Check out these resources:

Plants of the Southwest
Rio Grande Community Farm
Albuquerque Coop Tour
Albuquerque Backyard Farms
Landscape Architecture program at University of New Mexico

make 'em scrubbers by throwing a plastic net produce bag over them... you know, the kind that lemons and garlic come in all the time.

What a great story and a delicious recipe... I wonder how one would make this vegetarian... maybe with garlic and onion instead of a bone. Throw some rice in with the beans... or barley. Also, this story is perfect lately as I've begun a project on Kickstarter and am very close to success as each of my friends, family members, and generous strangers throw what they can into the pot to help me fund a home textile studio. The whole premise of Kickstarter.com is very much akin to Stone Soup... Little bits from many can make big things happen. :)

I love Kelly's work! Thanks for sharing a peek into the personal space of this creative gem.

Wow... First off- "Clean up on aisle five." Someone is spamming the heck out of this post. Ha.

Art in the bathroom is fine as long as it isn't anything you really care about. Humidity (and in gerneral any proximity to water) is one of Art's greatest nemeses. I would stick to cheap posters and found art dans le bain.

Textiles, like a sweet table cloth or runner, artwork, like a painting or some photos or a cool poster or even vintage images picked out at a thrift store, and flowers and candles... Those four things will instantly make it feel like 'your' home.

I'm sorry... but all that packaging (eco or not) is ridiculous. Even if the packaging is biodegradable or made from recycled plastic bottles... the energy is took to make and apply all the packaging cancels the eco-friendliness of the product for me. Aside from the fact that I think 'covering lamps' in swaths of felt is kind of a stupid idea, wouldn't you need far more than a $1.00 sheet to finish a project of any real substance? Why not cut down on packaging by selling them in larger packs? This is just really weird and proof that not all 'green' ideas are created equal.

-lg cast iron skillet
-mini food processor
-thick wooden chopping board
-nesting bowls
-mortar and pestle
-wooden spoons
-spice grater
-measuring spoons and Pyrex measuring beaker
-colander: draining, straining, and an ever-trusty sifter-substitute
-timer

I wish I had room above my stove for a shelf... I guess the window's alright. ;)

My best friend knows the old owner and has been to a number of parties at this locale... she says it's phenomenal.

As far as the location and B&B idea goes... if gentrification goes as planned it would be a perfect place for a B&B. I suspect whoever gets in now will be in for a pretty sweet living in the next few years. And yes, the HP is full of toxic garbage, but so is DogPatch and I don't see that stopping the flock or artists, queers, and hispters moving there. Plus what's a little poison on your vacay?