safarikate's Profile

I recently hand-washed a 100% viscose sweater that said 'dry clean only,' and as soon as it hit the cold water, the fabric went all stiff. I was afraid I had ruined it, but as it dried, the fabric became soft again, and appears to be just fine. Any idea why this happened?

I just moved my citrus tree (about 3' tall with the pot) some 800 miles across the country, and didn't lose any of the baby citrus hanging from the branches. Make sure you stabilize the pot, and definitely keep it inside the car with the windows up. You can wrap the tree in cloth so that the branches are bent slightly upward, and tie it with twine or string (but not too tight!). I wouldn't really worry too much about hurting it, citrus are tough little plants.

I have noticed a little pilling from my Target organic sheets, which I've had for about two years, but not enough to really bother me. I think they've held up pretty well for the price point, and they're still soft.

Some friends of mine bought a house over the winter, and discovered this spring that their front yard is full of strawberries! How cool! But they want to tear it up and replant grass, which to me is sad.

Don't forget the new world record for the highest lego tower (100ft) that was just set! I wish I had enough legos to do something like this: http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/06/17/new-world-record-for-lego-tower/

The term 'weed' is very subjective, but 'native' and 'invasive' are much more well defined.

Native plants, like certain species of thistles (but not all!), have evolved in concert with other species in their particular ecosystem, both plants and animals.

Introduced species, including most of the plants sold in commercial nurseries, were brought in from other ecosystems, including ecosystems on the same continent, but their natural predators were not brought with them. Introduced species can become 'naturalized' if they exist in an ecosystem long enough, and will grow in the wild and seem 'native'.

Invasive species, including some species of thistles and a number of plants sold in commercial nurseries, reproduce rapidly enough and have no natural predators that they overrun the ecosystems they are introduced into, even if they are not invasive in their original ecosystems.

Additionally, the list of plants considered 'native' and 'invasive' varies regionally, so what is 'native' in New England could be invasive in the Midwest, and even more so between continents. So before you leave or plant a 'weed' in your garden, make sure you know for sure that it is not invasive in your region.

I've had my lemon thyme in a little 6" pot for about three years now, and it's doing very well. It seems to be a pretty hardy plant, and it's survived multiple five-plus week long trips away from home with no watering! (my rosemary has survived those, too) I love the nice open branching structure, too.

I tried to keep my citrus indoors over the summer in my tiny one-window apartment a few years ago, and it ended up dying after looking very unhappy for a while. When I moved to my current apartment, which has an east-facing balcony, I got another citrus (a variegated kumquat), and it's been loving its morning sun. I even left it outside over the mild Austin winter, and it didn't complain one bit. :)

I have a related question: I've been wanting to get rid of my tv for a while now, but I like to play video games once in a while. Does anyone know if systems like the Wii can be hooked up to computer monitors, or if there are any other small-space, high-efficiency options? Thanks!

I always thought that the species/variety of pea used for wasabi peas was different than the regular peas you find at the grocery store. I don't know what kind that would be, but they definitely seem larger than ordinary peas. You might have to end up growing your own peas for this to work correctly.