Ireland here I come!

In dealing with bills, bill collectors and an ever-shrinking paycheck due to our sucky economy, I decided I want to join a commune. Or maybe start one, I'm not sure yet. So, like always, I start the necessary research and let me tell you, there are some really freaky people out there. But then I came upon The Village. It's a planned eco-village...in Ireland! I think I could handle that. Here's a list of some of their features...

A thriving community closely integrated with the town of Cloughjordan
130 low energy homes
A solar- and wood- powered community heating system
Pedestrian pathways lined with fruit and nut trees, and a streamside walkway
An enterprise centre and broadband
50 acres of land for allotments, farming and woodland
A centre of education for sustainable living
A hostel for visitors
A nearby train station and local car-sharing scheme

Considering that one of the bills I'm having trouble with is my car payment, that last feature sounds like it's right up my alley.

Anywho, here are some pics from their photo gallery...


The land - who wouldn't want to live here?!


Local pub - very important to know the where abouts of the local establishments!



Store who's name I can not read nor pronounce - anybody want to teach me Gaelic?

Fairymount Farm - I'm thinking this is the acreage they have set aside for members to plant and tend. Doesn't really matter, it's called Fairymount for crying out loud! I'm buying my plane ticket today!

Where did the sun go?

We have been having the strangest weather here! We normally have our daily dose of June Gloom that burns off around noon or late morning then it's bright and sunny and HOT. So far this month there's been 1, one, uno, un, ein, ichi day of sun. That was yesterday and it wasn't hot it was, well, balmy. A bit warm with a breeze, the perfect temperature for me (probably around 75 degrees). But today it's back to this...

GLOOOOOOMY!!

Yoohoo, Sun, where did you go?!

Happy Hump Day!!!

Just an update on the gardening venture...

My Oregano, which I started from seed, is actually starting to show itself

My cilantro, after the initial plant being picked over, started to grow this weirdness. The lower leaves are the normal cilantro type leaves but this stuff on top is just strange.

Mmmmmm...chives! Flourishing - yay!

And rosemary is doing quite well, I think some Gouda and Garlic stuffed rosemary chicken is in order!

My tomato plants (I now have 2) are also doing quite well. Unfortunately I have no current pics but the first plant is about chest height now with lots of flower, just no actual tomatoes yet. My pepper plants are getting taller but are also getting eaten by little buggies. I've been using this spray from Scott's EcoSense line that is called "Insecticidal Soap". It's slowing the bugs down but not actually keeping them away. I'm gonna have to figure something else out for that.

If anybody has any suggestions on how to get rid of the little pests in nontoxic way leave a comment please.

Baby Blanket

I know my last post was a bit, shall we say, melodramatic. I think my problem is/was that I didn't have any of my stuff/stash/craft supplies around me. They were all still packed up after having our floors done. I get alot of inspiration just from looking at all the different fabrics and supplies so since my muse was boxed up so was my creativity.

Anyhoo, a friend of mine had a baby shower this weekend so I whipped this little blankie up for the baby girl that is on her way...

Sasha was my helper all evening...

And here she is showing off the backing of the blankie (such a good little helper!)...

Now if I could just get her to do the dishes...

Reward!

ATTENTION: LOST!

HAVE YOU SEEN ME?

Goes by the name 'Creativity'. Has been missing since approximately the middle of April.

There is a reward for anybody who can provide information that results in the reunion of me and my precious Creativity!