Paper Pushing

Being eco and thrifty can make gift-giving difficult at times. Some people may not recognize and appreciate the careful consideration that goes into the process. But anniversaries - especially the upper ones - require gold and diamonds, neither of which are particularly eco or thrifty. Luckily, we are only celebrating our first (paper) anniversary. Let's consider the options.

The local, free weekly paper? Not exactly a gift if someone else sends it to us.

Or how about another form of paper? Eco, thrifty, practical.

But maybe not appreciated. And then I heard on the radio about Wanganui's big event yesterday...

... and their paper-based giveaways.

Thrifty, but maybe not so eco. Hmm. Still thinking. Aha! Fish and chips come wrapped in old newspapers. Brilliant!

Happy Anniversary Honey!

Peace, Estwing

Recirculating Materials and Wealth in the Community

Before the big cold front descended upon us this week I post a tribute to "our suppliers." But it was not until yesterday - while writing an article for the monthly REBS (River Exchange and Barter System) newsletter - that I thought about how these businesses help to retain wealth within our community by "recycling" dollars through Wanganui residents. Here is the article.

Peace, Estwing

Supporting Second-Hand Superstars

We recently celebrated our "local suppliers" in a blog post (13th August - www.ecothriftydoup.blogspot.com). Those "suppliers" include the Renovators Centre, Hayward's Auctions, and various opp-shops around town. While the post was meant to be half serious and half tongue-in-cheek, it occurs to me that all of these businesses provide valuable services in terms of keeping dollars in the local community and reusing materials within the local community.

In the same way that a local currency such as REBS recycles wealth close to home, these businesses are contributing to a more sustainable Wanganui economy and a more stable global ecology. I would add Trade Me to that list when we purchase items and services from other River CIty residents.

If you have been observing the world news from Europe and America, you'll recognize significant social unrest resulting from decades of unsustainable financial and economic management. Cuts to social programmes and education - so-called "austerity measures" - are a global trend and will come one day to Wanganui, which, from my understanding, is already heavily indebted. Has anyone seen the cover of the NZ Listener this week?

Everything we do to retain wealth within our community today - including supporting second-hand shops and auctions - will help ensure a more financially stable tomorrow.

Quote: "The next item up for bid is a box of bloomin' good stuff." - Brian Hayward, Hayward's Auctions

Alternate quote: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." Olde Time New England Proverb

The Power of Sun

I reported yesterday on the cold weather gripping New Zealand. Here are some headlines:

And it turns out that the country used a record amount of electricity.

"Its those damn heat pumps in Auckland!" - Anonymous friend.

What most of the news does not say is that while the weather was cold with a few snow showers, it was mostly sunny. These are perfect conditions to put passive solar design to the test. So what did I do? Cooked a nice vegetarian curry.

And I even burned it while not paying attention. So I put on the rice...and burned that too. Ugh!

So to distract my wife from the burned supper, I suggested we play Scrabble.

Oh, what's that in the background?

What's it read?

That's inside and outside temperature.

Must be my lucky day. Warm house. Hot supper. Beautiful wife. All for under 1 kilowatt of electricity. While the country as a whole was breaking records for electricity use, our passive solar renovations have come shining through with massive savings for us. Thanks sun.

And, on top of all that...

... a 50 point bonus on my opening turn! Happy! Happy! Well, not everyone.

Peace, Estwing

You Might Be a Redneck...

New Zealand is gripped by a near 100 year Antarctic weather system. It snowed in Auckland yesterday for the first time in 72 years, and much of the Central North Island is paralyzed at the moment by closed roads. Even school closings! Many generations of Kiwis have never experienced a "snow day."

Here on Arawa Place we have had morning frosts and yesterday's high was around 8 Celsius. At the moment it is 6 C. Brrr. But the sun came out yesterday afternoon to heat our home and our water. The wife had a long, hot shower this morning as ice covered the chooks' water dish outside.

And again this morning the sun is streaming through our northeast windows.

By the way, this is what the northeast wall looked like 9 months ago.

So despite the unusually cold conditions, we're managing to stay warm in our recycled villa. And we're even taking advantage of strong sun and light winds for a little cookout. Ummm, that smells like...

... bacon!

You might be a redneck...

Nothing says eco-thrifty like reduced price, free-range "natural" bacon on a solar cooker.

Peace, Estwing

Celebrating Our Suppliers

Permaculture is more than a set of design principles. It is a way of seeing. It involves seeing energy and how it flows through a system. And it involves seeing the potential in materials that others may ignore. What many consider useless, permaculturists can repurpose into functional and beautiful elements. For example, we turned a dangerous collapsing deck into an attractive fence and gate to keep dogs away from our fowl, which also serves as a windbreak for our banana plant.

We have made wide reuse of materials left on this property when we purchased it, such as these bits of timber to frame a doorway.

But I was one board short of framing the doorway, so I went down to the Reno Centre...

... and found one for just $5.

And while I was at the Reno Centre I was lucky enough to find some galvanized flue pipe at a fraction of the price of buying it new.

Along with the Reno Centre, Wanganui is blessed with many Opportunity Shops ("Opp-Shops") where we like to find many things, especially bric 'a' brac!

And speaking of bric 'a' brac, there is no better place than...

Hayward's Auctions!

From a permaculture perspective, Hayward's is the ideal venue to fulfill multiple purposes: great stuff at great prices and high quality entertainment. We go every Thursday night. It is our date night.

And, of course, there is metals bin at the local transfer station.

Together, all of these awesome local suppliers have helped us turn this...

Before

... into this!

After

Thanks to all our suppliers for providing a valuable service to the community.

Peace, Estwing

Celebrating Spirit!

Exuding enthusiasm.

We celebrate our dear friend Melinda Hatherly on the occasion of her birthday. We feel so blessed to know Lindy and her husband, Murray Jones. Caring, generous, community-minded, the list goes on.

This Whonderful Whoman from Whanganui played a key role in our Whedding and Whare Wharming in February.

Whedding theme was "Opp-Shop Melbourne Cup."

She was also there last October to help deliver our second-hand bath...


... and our first dinner party (before we had power or water).


And, along with Murray (back left in photo above), provided the best house warming gifts ever: fruit trees and bags full of organic compost!


As she helped us celebrate our special day, we want to celebrate hers.



Peace, Estwing

Nick of Time

I do not know much about wedding protocol (just ask my wife) but from what little I understand, there is a one year window for gift giving. By some small miracle, I have just squeaked in before the deadline. Hope you like it, Dearheart.

Now that that's sorted, I wanted to explain how our coal range acts as thermal mass. Its placement is such that it receives winter morning sun through a northeast window.

It then receives winter mid-day sun through the French doors. Since we are nearly 2 months past the solstice, the sun is barely reaching the hearth. On June 21st it will reach of the first 3 courses of bricks.

And afternoon sun through a northwest window.

Even when not burning wood, our trusty Shacklock still has an energy role to play in our home. It slowly absorbs heat from the sun during the day and reradiates it at night. And the wife thinks its cute.

Peace, Estwing