Stop the Presses

I made an omelette.

It was delicious.

Who knew that the key was to turn the flame on high about 30 seconds after your pour the egg into the pan?

{And since you've stopped by, please join us and Mr. Linky by linking to your most recent (or only, natch) clothesline-related post}

Neglected Baby

No, not my children. Don't worry about them. They've been up to their ears in activities. Let me update the tally:

::made popovers
::spent many hours idling at the pool

More to follow.

I suppose I could be referring to my dear Green Husband. He truly treats me like a Queen but sometimes I feel like I treat him less than perfectly. Not intentionally, but when I ask him about his day and then from the corner of my eye I see one child climbing up the door frame and from the corner of my other eye the other child taking LOCKS OF HER OWN HAIR out of her PURSE, I just can't seem to concentrate. I believe the solution is called date night.

My blog has been rather neglected as well. Oh, my dedicated Clothesline Challengers...how ARE you? Please let me know by signing on to this new-fangled Mr. Linky widget (not so new-fangled...this old dog is just learning some new tricks) and highlighting your most recent (or not so recent) clothesline-related post (clothesline-related posts only please).



Goo.

The Power to De-Sour?

Wendy asked, "Waaah, I want to participate, but we have a humidity problem I don't know how to deal with. Sometimes I hang the clothes out and instead of drying, they SOUR!! Does anyone have that problem?? I assume it's the humidity, but I have no idea!"

I did not know the answer, so I promised her I'd ask the masses: YOU! :)

On a related note, please check back under comments if you leave me a note. I read all of your messages (thank you, thank you!) but sometimes Blogger does not allow me to reply directly to you.

As for summer reading, run, do not walk, to your nearest bookstore or library and read the beautifully sweet, funny, and all around peach pie delectable "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty Birney. I'm only half-way done and it's my favorite book yet. See what happens when you listen to third graders? You can find some marvelous books that way!

Sorry to leave you hanging...

so to speak! We have so many new clothesline challenge members from all around the world, I'm happy to report!

Here are a few friends that have recently joined us:

Patricia, aka Sunflower Mama, writes, "We're Super Star/Advanced. I hang everything. My husband does not. But having a husband who helps with laundry is good enough for me. He can throw it in the dryer. =) In May we washed 18 loads, hung 16. For June we're 2 for 2.
I have three lines. Two go from the back porch to a tree. The last one is between two trees. I don't have anything for indoors. I hang outside year round. It just takes a load 1-2 days in the winter, compared to 1-2 hours in the summer. Thank you for hosting"

My pleasure, Sunflower Mama, and wow!, good work on your high clothesline to dryer ratio!

My dear friend (can I call you that, Susiej?) sent an update as quick as her slow internet access at the lake would allow: "I am using my clothesline!!! But, forgot to post about this... when I get my fast internet connection back, I will post this."

Keren checked in all the way from Israel to say, "I think I earned the super-star level. I hate the dryer and never use it. I live in sunny Israel and it's a pity not to use the natural sun, which gives me the feeling that not only does it dry the clothes but also cleans some stains.
great challenge! keep up the good work!"

Same to you, Keren!!

Winner of the Lotuspad Yoga Mat!

Thank you, thank you to all of you who entered this giveaway, and who, more importantly, decided to have a go at the 2009 Clothesline Challenge! {Remember, it is never too late to join}

And the winner of a yoga mat and strap is...

Jeanne of EcoLabelFundraising!

Jeanne, please email me with your mailing address so that I can coordinate with Lotuspad and get your mat and strap out to you!

Coming up - we'll shine the spotlight (or shall I say, sunlight) on some of our participants and...another giveaway!

Quick Update

Dear All,

The SUN is SHINING at last so just a quick update to tell that I have received all of your wonderful comments and emails about your clotheslines and they make me so very happy!

I'm off to hang more on the line, but I will return shortly to give mention to our new Challenge members, to highlight some of your comments, and to reveal the winner of a beautiful yoga mat and strap from LotusPad.

Have a wonderful Saturday!

~ Amy

Clothesline Confessions & The Giveaway Revealed

Well, my pretties, let me tell you something...you can bet that I didn't save much money this weekend, not to mention the environment as I did 100%, yes, count 'em, 100% of my drying in the dryer. I mean, there were a few items that were slung over the shower curtain rod or hung from the doorknob, but read it and weep, sisters (and brothers), I was like, below novice...I was like, the anti-novice.

But! No matter! Spit-spot and all that! Tomorrow's another day (albeit a rainy one) and who cares about your THINGS when you can use this great giveaway to take care of your SOUL!

Yes, it's time for the first Clothesline Challenge giveaway...a beautiful eco-friendly yoga mat and strap courtesy of Gift of Green and LotusPad.

Here are the rules because there must be rules!

1) Those of you who have entered the Clothesline Challenge and are listed on my sidebar are automatically entered! If you would like an extra entry, please tweet this giveway and leave a comment at this post letting me know you've done so.

2) Those of you who have not yet entered the Clothesline Challenge, leave a comment at this post letting me know what level you are taking on...you may also get an extra entry by tweeting this giveaway and leaving me a comment at this post letting me know you've done so.

3) All challengers, please go to LotusPad and peruse these beautiful, environment-friendly, biodegradable mats and leave a comment at this post letting me know which mat and which strap you would like should you be the winner!

4) The contest ends at Midnight, Friday, May 22nd and the winner will be randomly picked.

Clothesline Challege Giveaway!

Get ready, Hardy Hangers! It's mid-May so it's time for the first of the Clothesline Challenge 2009 giveaways!

Remember, those of you who are listed on the sidebar are automatically entered! You'll be able to Twitter for another entry (yes, I've turned into one of THOSE).

And for those of you who have not yet taken the Clothesline plunge, now's the time. In fact, we need more Novices! Don't let those Advanced Super Stars intimidate you! Let it Shine! Put Up a Line! (I'm so losing it).

And here's a hint as I finalize the giveaway: OM.

Here Comes the Sun!

Last Year's Rainy Day Backup Plan

Although there is, dare I say, a bit of a chill in the air, that yellow orb has returned to our fair city. Although my line:dryer ratio was slightly lacking, we did get several loads out on the line this past weekend.

I am so thrilled to have so many of you with us this year for the Clothesline Challenge, some again and some for the first time. And thank you, once again to Joanie at Nini Makes for the adorable button that is gracing so many of your blogs!

Stay tuned for a clothesline checkup where I will visit your blogs to see how things are hanging... In the meantime, let the sun shine in!!

And A Clothesline Runs Through It

Frog Among the Onions

Hmmm, maybe I should have started this year's Clothesline Challenge on June 1st. From your comments (and I do read every one), I can tell that we are all having troubles with this rainy weather. Great weather if you're a worm, not so much if you're a wet pair of jeans. Hang in there, folks!!

{It's never too late to join}

Clothesline Challenge Bloggy Button is Here!

The Second Annual (and the first annual, for that matter) Clothesline Challenge would not happen without a lot of bloggy friends who are a lot more creative than I (myself? me?). A huge thank you across the pond to... Nini Makes! who designed this year's bloggy button.

Steal away!

[a href="http://giftofgreen.blogspot.com/2009/03/get-ready-gog-clothesline-challenge.html"][img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSirYBhmxMKnGr-K_rxttlnVMKFAxDbyyHg-a8nWbPqiluQQlOS4pyJdWMngFp4gF6PWmwYXF72B0NKXOMXlJ8wPf_48UgiWrnQ7d663LiN3jRUkzfoXymCKLNAsrK4EfHft6mEDS3_o/s400/GOG2009.jpg" alt="Gift of Green's Clothesline Challenge 2009"][/a]

(Replace these [ ] with these < > to make the button appear.)

Clothesline Challenge Begins Today!

It's never to late to join! Are you Novice? Intermediate? Advanced? or Super Star?

All Things Great and Clotheslines

I happened upon two great posts yesterday on all things clotheslines.

First, head on over to Heather's post at Enviromom and then to The Greenest Dollar to get inspired, and then sign on for Gift of Green's Clothesline Challenge that begins (for those of you, like, er, me, who don't actually air dry year round!) May 1st!

And then, oh beauty, if you are in need of some inspiration there are two Flickr groups - who knew there could be such beauty in clothes hanging out to dry?

Clothespins & Beautiful Clotheslines

Clothesline Challenge - Just Hanging Around

I am thrilled that we already have several souls who are willing to get creatively crunchy in the quest for air drying goodness.

Kate from Ramble on Rose joins us with a traditional backyard clothesline, as does yours truly.

Dayna from fo.ne.tic.lee speaking joins us for year number two and writes, "My line is between an old tall pine and a super shiny eye hook on my daughters swing set. I even got a middle of the line extending pole holder thing-a-ma-jig last summer." Hmmm...we may need a photo of that thing-a-ma-jig, Dayna.

Ames at Yay! Pie! is terrified of crunchy towels, but she has added two collapsible wooden drying racks to her arsenal.

Maxine is laaaahfing at all ower leeetle baaaaby steps, as she never really took a break from line drying after last year's challenge. Bonus, her blog Green Across Texas is now featuring a post on her homemade laundry detergent.

Another reader has been line drying away since last summer's challenge, putting me to absolute SHAME! And let me tell you something...she lives where it is cold, like, 10 months out of the year. TEN! Like, I think sometimes they only get daylight for a few hours. Do I have that right, Jen?

And welcome to our newest participant and for alerting us to Project Laundry List, just a bunch of people hanging around. Get it? Hanging around?

Remember, it is never too late to join the Clothesline Challenge 2009!

Clotheslines and Automatons

I may be a year or so behind the times, but if I told you that The Invention of Hugo Cabret was worth the wait, I wouldn't be lying. The book has been checkout of my library continuously since September and I finally got my hands on it - I read it in one night.

And don't forget to sign on to our 2009 Clothesline Challenge! You have plenty of time to prepare as we count down to May 1st.

Get Ready! GOG Clothesline Challenge 2009!

And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.

~The Great Gatsby

**Update! Get Your GOG 2009 Clothesline Challenge Bloggy Button Here! Thank you, NiniMakes!***

The 2009 Gift of Green Clothesline Challenge began May 1st!!

The Clothesline Challenge will run for four months this year: May, June, July and August. Of course, your clothesline need not be a traditional line hung between posts in your backyard! You may use your shower curtain rod, your banister, your apartment balcony, or a clotheshorse, of course, of course.

There are four Line Levels this year: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Super Star. Choose your Line Level based on what you think you can accomplish over the next four months.

Novice: Using a clothesline (or clothesline-related product) gives you the chills. You have bad memories of a towel burn you got from a crunchy sun-dried towel. You'll give it a try, pledging to dry 10% of your wet laundry (1 item out of ten per load or one load per ten loads) on a clothesline or CRP.

Intermediate: You've been itching to formalize your clothesline (or CRP) and here's your chance. You want to rig up a better system, whatever that may be, and see how much you can save on your energy bills by cutting out the dryer. You pledge to dry 50% (5 out of ten items per load or 5 loads out of ten loads) for the duration on a clotheslines or CRP.

Advanced: Crunchy towels don't scare you! In fact, bring them on! Crunch builds character! In fact, you are running out of space to hang all of your fine and not-so-fine washables. You pledge to dry 90% (9 out of ten items per load or 9 loads out of 10 loads) for the duration on a clothesline or CRP.

And this year...Super Star Level: As IF! You don't even OWN a dryer! You dry 100% of your laundry, and you do it almost year round. De Clothes Line Chaaaa-lenge Es Fur Baaaabeees. (Use Terminator voice while reading previous sentence).

To sign up for the challenge, leave a comment stating your Line Level and the type(s) of clothesline(s) you have (just out of pure curiosity on my part). I will post a list of participants on my sidebar linking to your blog (or just your first name and state - whatever you prefer).

Caveats? Can't think of any at the moment. There will be some fun clothesline-related giveaways (and I promise to mail them out ON TIME; I am post officially-challenged) and lots of links to help you on your non-dryer journey.

Barefoot Books, Tofu Tuesdays, & Clothesline Clubs

I love a little alliteration.

Happy hello to Horse Medicine, winner of this weekend's bloggy book giveaway. HM, please contact me with your address and I will ship The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales out to you pronto! Thank you all for taking the time to comment. I have more bloggy book giveaways coming up, so stay tuned!

Talking Tofu, Kelli over at Gohn Crazy and Kaci of Ellyphant are teaming up to bring you Tofu Tuesday, a little opportunity to eat a little lower on the food chain. It officially starts on March 17th when you will be able to link to your Tofu Tuesday tip using Mr. Linky. And is the TT badge adorable or what?!:


Brought to you by...
Kaci@Ellyphant & Kelli@Gohn Crazy

Oh, and speaking of (what, I don't know), you can bet your bottom dollar that Gift of Green will be hosting the second annual Gift of Green's Clothesline Challenge. It will begin June 1, and although that sounds a long way off, it's never too early to start perusing those clothesline catalogs! Will you join us this year and exercise your right to dry!?

Warm Southerly Breeze

For those of you who live north of the Mason-Dixon line, you are going to laugh when I tell you how miserable the cold is making me. Not to mention The Cold of The Century that I have and the two little petri dishes I have (in the form of children) who are at the doctor's office as we speak (no, Green Husband has taken them there; I am not live blogging from the waiting room), no doubt being diagnosed with strep throat (again).

So you can imagine my sheer joy and almost shedding of tears when I heard this on the weather report: "Today may be the last cold day of the season, with a warm Southerly breeze bringing a warming trend to our area with highs tomorrow in the upper 40s." Warm Southerly Breeze. Upper 40s.

And please note that I am aware that I am driving you crazy with my almost weekly changes in blogger templates. I am itching for a real change. Can anyone suggest someone who will design a new blogger header for me?

I am so excited, not just for the upper 40s, but for all the greenness that is coming my way once again. I have an upcoming review of a new book from Barefoot Books (with a giveaway of said book), a new book from the Reader's Digest family on organic gardening, and, shall I mention it again, Gift of Green's Clothesline Challenge 2009!

And if you are having a rotten day, just look at Mary Beth's photo...doesn't it just bring a Warm Southerly Breeze to your face?

Grown Woman Weans Herself Off Facebook!

Yes, this just in... I have finally weaned myself off Facebook which I found was a huge time-sucker - not to mention I had slight misgivings over their privacy policies. I have to admit that I reconnected with some very long lost friends (from elementary school, no less), but personal emails have been exchanged, so voila! Time to get back to my first love, Gift of Green.

Mom Go Green has some good questions in her comment on my last post. I made some suggestions in the comments section - any other suggestions for the newbie gardener? Please feel free to post here.

I am considering...dare I mention it...the Second Annual Gift of Green Clothesline Challenge. Would any of you be interested?

And, remember how I posted about Garbage Gardening? I deep-sixed cucumber and pepper seeds after making some crudites in the kitchen, and son of a gun, two weeks later, I have pepper sprouts popping up! I simply buried them in a small pot of potting soil and have left them on my kitchen window sill to see what would emerge. Give it a try!

And...wearing my school librarian hat, I just have to tell you about an absolutely delightful book I read to my Kindergarteners this week: Isabel and the Hungry Coyote/Isabel y el coyote habriento (Bilingual)
I read it four times in a row and still could not get enough of it.

I read with amusement that someone had their feed to GiftofGreen bookmarked under "dying feeds". As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, I have the familiar conviction that life will begin again in the summer. Spring is just around the corner - I can feel it and it's great to be back as Gift of Green!!!