very cool simple solar sky light

anarchyapiaries

Sam Comfort took over John's bee yard here in Tivoli when we were living in New Mexico and made it his. Check out the video link and his passion. We feel luck to have Sam bee yard here!

http://anarchyapiaries.org/fullscreen.html

Garlic Harvest Time

Earth Oven Workshop Tivoli NY 2011

A great editorial

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/20/opinion/20mcardle.html?_r=1

A great editorial that talks about how much we have to learn from the  so called third world that have been practicing sustainability for centuries. It makes me want to make another solar cooker.

Garlic Scapes

These are just a handful of our garlic scapes. In the past we have either sautéed them in a cast iron pan with olive oil and s&p, or roasted them on  the grill. With this number I needed to find new recipes. First out of my head, I made an excellent pesto with the scapes, olive oil, pecans s&p. I will do it again. And from a recipe in the nytimes a good  double garlic soup. Next I would like to try the white bean and scape dip. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/dining/18appe.html?ref=dining

A cool idea, I have never heard of, compost hot water,

Incredible

Humanmanure

  

Two New Summer Workshops

Solar Hot Water

2 Sessions
 

Session one will offer an overview of solar water heating for the home, covering basic concepts and systems including: batch heaters, flat panels and evacuated tubes. The processes of thermosyphon and heat exchange will be explained, with emphasis on simple and basic technologies that can be applied by the homeowner. We will look at an operational on-site hot water installation that was built from ordinary materials, some of them salvage. Finally, we will apply some of the concepts we have covered, working on a simple water heater constructed from a salvage tank. Participants will leave this session with the basic knowledge to plan for their own solar hot water systems.

Sessions two is optional for those who wish to gain more knowledge of solar heating and to further plans for their own systems. Together we will problem solve individual systems and, hands-on, cover basic skills, such as soldering pipe, iron pipe fittings and the simple construction involved in installing hot water panels. Limited to 6 participants

Cost: Session One : $35 Saturday, June 18 10-3 Lunch Provided

Session Two: $50 Saturday, June 25 10-3 Lunch Provided 
 

Tying Knots, Coiling Cords and Sharpening Tools

We'll learn by heart the 3 basic knots that are needed for anything you might want to do, from tying up a bundle of  newpapers to lashing down a  boat in a hurricane.  Other knots will be demonstrated, but are optional.  We will also learn how to coil up an extension cord so that it will uncoil easily and flat when pulled from one end.

In the same workshop, we will learn to sharpen various tools found around the home:  knives, pruning shears, lawnmowers, chainsaws, chisels, etc.  Bring your favorite dull tool.

Cost:  $25  Saturday,  July   16   1-4 pm

Earthen Oven Workshop this Spring

FULL

Come join us for Mud Hen East's first East Coast workshop led by John Corcoran.

This workshop will lead participants through all the stages of building an earthen wood-fired bread/pizza oven.

In this workshop we will begin with a discussion of the basic elements of building with earth. This will cover aspects of soil composition, suitability for construction, and methods for testing. Next, we will go through the steps of design and construction of our project, culminating in hands-on work as we mix local mud and actually construct the earthen oven.

Come prepared to get your hands - and everything else - muddy.

Workshop is at 225 Kidd Lane Tivoli New York 10AM-3PM, Saturday May 28th, lunch included. RSVP liza@lizamacrae.com

On June 11th we will meet again to fire up our oven and make pizza. Bring friends, drinks, pizza dough and/or toppings.

Cost of workshop: $35