Sustainability

 Ways to make my home more sustainable? That’s a tough challenge.

We bought a mill house that is now over 100 years old. We’ve lived in it for more than 43 years now. It is in the 1000–1100 square foot range.

Over the years, we’ve added or done the following things.

• We installed multiple roofs, with the last one being metal.
• We installed a heat pump with a thermostat and backup gas heat.
• We installed double pane windows.
• Added a water filter to the cold water kitchen faucet.
• Added insulation.
• We are converting to led lighting.
• We added railing to the front steps.
• We maintain upkeep on the front porch.
• We added floor coverings and moisture barriers.
• We converted the bathroom to one that is more ADA.
• We installed a back deck, cover, wheelchair ramp.

I hear the question—what does the above have to do with sustainability.

• We maintain and improve our current home with the expressed desire to live in it until we pass.
• We are in an established town with sewer, water, gas, and electricity.
• We have converted to more energy-efficient systems over the years.

The contents of the house, what about them?

• Only replace items when they are nonfunctional or no longer fit our lifestyle.
• Repurpose items whenever possible.
• We repair items as necessary, doing the work ourselves when we are qualified.
• If we replace a functioning item, we gift it to someone with a need.

What about growing our food? Shouldn’t we be doing that?

• Growing food source animals are prohibited.
• A garden? I suppose we could do that; we tried it a few times without much success, but we could do something like a raised or victory garden. The lot is small.
• We don’t water the grass.

Recycling?

Of course, we do. Our town picks up every other week and has a garbage pickup too!. Electronics, etc., are taken to a specific site a county over.

Little things

• Energy-efficient large appliances
• Cloth hand towels
• Two sets of bed linens
• Use washable kitchen items instead of disposable ones
• Clothing and linens are washing machine washable
• Air drying clothing and dishes as much as possible
• Cooking meals that can do double duty

We could do more things; however, if we don’t have the skills or the physical ability to do them, can we?

Isn’t it better to hire someone with the necessary skill sets to do tasks than waste time and resources attempting functions for which we are ill-suited?

That’s it off the top of my head. Yes, I know there are countless articles about specific sustainable products—research before you buy. Buy quality and long-lasting things. Avoid fads.

And a final word, build memories with family/friends. Memories are the things you cherish or cringe from as your life’s clock ticks.

Window Coverings

 Drapes, curtains, blinds—which should I use?

Blinds are great; they let in the most light unless the drapes or curtains are sheer. You can direct the direction the light shines into the home. Vacuum them frequently. Please do not use them in a high humidity area as any dust will stick to them. I have blinds in four rooms of my home. The ones in the bathroom are hard to keep clean. I’m ready to replace them with curtains that I can frequently wash.

Metal blinds seem to draw less dust than plastic ones. I have those in my dining room and den and love the minimum intrusion into the space. We added opaque window film to these northern windows.

I have single-pleated blinds in the living room with opaque film only on the bottom half of the windows for privacy. One window is on the south side, and one is on the east.

The bedroom has the most window treatments—window film, double pleated cloth blinds, black-out shades, and drapes. Both of us have been day sleepers, and this northeastern bedroom was our best bet to achieve a dark room. I vacuum but have to wash the drapes occasionally.

Drapes consist of more elegant materials than curtains. You must read cleaning labels and follow the directions.

Curtains are the most practical window coverings. They are from lighter-weight washable materials. Curtains provide privacy—easily cleaned when they become dirty.

So, which do you choose? It is up to you. You may be limited in your choices if you rent or live in an HOA. Owning your home gives you infinitely more options.

Less is more? Really!

 While I would agree that “less is more” may apply to many things, I can give a few instances of when that is not true.

If you don’t have enough salt (I also like to add pepper) in milk gravy, the gravy is not fit to eat.

While some prefer a minimalist kitchen, methods of refrigeration, cooking food, and cleaning dishes are more healthful than the lack of either of these three things.

Some cultures sit on the floor and lay on mats to rest or sleep. While most will agree that this is minimalist, those with mobility difficulties will agree that chairs and a bed with a frame are more desirable.

I can get by with three sets of clothing—one to wash, one I’m wearing, and one as a spare. Some only have the apparel they are wearing--this may or may not include shoes. Personally, that is too minimalist for me.

Cultural differences may be the defining factor of what is considered minimalist. Therefore, each reader will have a different perception of possessions and living conditions to make their lifestyle acceptable.

Material needs and necessities are more easily addressed than interpersonal relationships. Low expectations of reciprocal love in a relationship diminish one’s self-worth. In all probability, such a person has low self-esteem and has prior poor interactions with relationships that should have uplifted them. That “give a dog a bad name” thing and what usually follows.

One [you, me, we] must learn to love ourselves the way our creator intended. He created us as individuals, worthy of love and respect. Our physical appearances have nothing to do with what we are due as human beings with souls.

We each have unique attributes and talents to use (or abandon) for good during this lifespan. We must strive and work to achieve that which we desire. We are beings capable of taking care of ourselves, not pets to be indulged by those who own us.

It is up to us not to settle for the “less is more” mindset that would have us believe we are not worthy of deep, abiding love in our relationships. When each person in a relationship gives their all to make the relationship succeed, the result is glorious.

How do I decorate a room with a lot of stuff? [Quora question.]

 You don’t say what kind of stuff or the room in which the stuff is located. You also do not state if this is a rental property or one you own.

Gather or group items—toys, jewelry, CDs, DVDs, books, trophies, specific collectibles, etc.

Remove things that do not belong in the room to the locations where they belong.

Determine which items must stay.

Display no more than 3 or five like items at a time. A bookcase makes a beautiful display medium. Organize books by topic or genre. Box the excess items in pretty standardized uniform containers.

Do not get additional things to place in the room—stuff.

Reduce items before buying storage items.

Buy furniture that can also store things. An entertainment center, a bookcase, a display case can all help you put your best foot forward. Underbed storage can hide multiple boxed items. The high and low spaces in a closet can do the same thing.

• An old armoire or buffet sideboard can store things. 
• A free-standing screen can keep multiple things out of sight. 
• Small items can be stored in a chest of drawers. 
• A trunk can double as a table and storage place. 
• Old luggage can be filled with things and stacked.
• A side table with a floor-length tablecloth can hide many things.
• Boxes with a door-core or plywood top can become a table that hides much. 

Can you give us more information on the types of things you consider stuff and in which room the items are located?

Give the room unity, a serene, calm look with possible pops of color.

Floor to ceiling curtains on windows and storage areas can give a cohesive look when they match or complement each other.

Kitchen organization and why we do it

 Kitchen organization and why we do it

Commercial kitchens organize according to their menu bias and for maximum safety and profitability. Different specialty or regional kitchens have different needs. Think about it—pizza places, burger outlets, Asian foods, steak houses, breakfast restaurants, country cooking, fish camps, hotdog stands, etc.

Home kitchens are best when organized into stations, as in, putting like with like together. Every cook has a personal preference for the placement of things in the kitchen. Home cooks will often utilize different tools and foods for various purposes. A pantry is excellent; if you don’t have one, use cabinets as the cook’s preferred.

Layout

• The triangle composed of a stove, sink, and refrigerator
• Prep areas
• Dishes near the sinks and dishwashers when possible
• Drawers for specific purposes (knives, prep tools, dining utensils, serving utensils)
• Kitchen cleaning supplies near the sink
• Trash can
• Compost container
• Recycle bin

Prepping

• Prepping supplies together (cutting boards, measuring cups, bowls)
• Baking pans together
• Pots and skillets in separate areas

Setting the table

• Serving dishes in one place together
• Cups and glasses near the dishwasher
• Saucers, dessert, and dinner plates together
• Cereal, salad, and soup bowl in a specific area

About the food

• Spices together
• Foods together by type (canned fruits or vegetables, sauces, condiments/dried/staples) or menu compatibility (baking supplies/pasta ingredients/soup basics)
• Baking supplies together
• Beverage supplies together

Hallmarks of a good party

 A good party rises or falls on the people participating in the celebration.

The decor can be bare walls, and it doesn’t matter.

The food can be “meh,” and it doesn’t matter.

Plan the party with a “potluck” theme, and everyone will have at least one dish that they like to eat. Make it a “bring your beverage,” and the party-goers have a beverage they want.

Plan an outdoor venue, and everyone can bring their seats.

The host will need to provide bare minimums such as

• tables for the food presentation
• tablecloths
• beverage containers
• dinnerware and utensils
• napkins or paper towels
• ice and something to keep it from melting
• a groomed yard or awning at which to gather
• a time frame for the party
• coordinating the food
• host supplying the main dish for the party—unless it’s a barbeque and a bring/cook your own steak/chicken event (host should still have some burgers and hotdogs available)

I’ve hosted cookouts (burgers and hotdogs), sandwich parties, banana-split parties, dessert (covered dish) parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, Christmas Parties, Rock Soup parties, Hobo Parties, Finger Foods parties.

I keep certain foods in my pantry to host meals if family or friends drop in for a get-together.

The people, laughs, catching up on our lives, and their events are vital. Not the food, not the decor.

Drop on by. I can make a cobbler. Fix some salmon patties and veggies or some rice and chicken. You have a choice of coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade, tea, or water to drink.

The important thing is we’ll get to visit. I miss seeing you in my life.

Got a spare room?

 Unfortunately, that extra room in the home commonly referred to as a storage room becomes a catch-all instead of a real destination.

Depending on your needs, the room’s size, and the room’s location, use it for one of the following purposes and furnish it accordingly. You can even combine uses in a room and zone different areas. Use convertible furniture and built-ins to accommodate multiple goals.

• A guest room for overnight guests
• A home office
• A children’s play or study room
• A craft room
• An overflow dining room for large family or friend gatherings
• A den
• A library
• An entertainment or games room
• A walk-in closet—properly outfitted for hanging and storing clothing
• A pantry
• A mudroom
• A hobby room
• A display room for a collection

The dining room adjacent to the kitchen is set up to host larger dinner parties as it was intended instead of being our computer/office area.

Our second bedroom (once our daughter’s bedroom, once a guest room, and a catch-all room) is now our library, craft, computer, home office, and bird room. There are multiple zones and the areas are organized. This room has been converted from a catch-all room into the room we now use the most.

Our dining room is dedicated to eating and is much easier to maintain.

I have a living and television room greatly suited for company visits.

When we can start having guests again that dining room will also be used as a card and board game room. However, the games are stored in the adjacent room and are easily available.

On the plus side, our bird is much more social. We are sharing his room instead of being in an adjacent one.

Your needs and a room’s usage may change over the years. Go with the flow. Your home should suit your needs now, not the mythical someday! Turn that storage room into something that works for you now. Don’t be afraid to zone it and create dedicated multiple zones.