Picture Sundays: Do You Believe In Magic?

...I really like this mural that just appeared in our neighborhood near the corner of Sunset and Coronado. Bunnies tumble out of a magic hat and there’s a silhouette of a coyote and crow (common urban wildlife here). The text, “do you beleav [sic] in magic” brought a smile to my face as I waited for the bus. My day had been re-enchanted by this symbolic bit of street art....

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Sourdough, Preserves, Barbeque Sauce and Chutney!

...tney, barbecue sauce and more. Here’s the 411: “Hang out and cook with the Urban Pioneers who created an oasis in So Cal where they grow their own food, bake their own bread and brew their own Hooch. We’ll put up preserves, barbecue sauce and chutney of summer’s final fruits. We’ll dry some tomatoes and let the season add to our other endeavours. Erik will talk us through the how-to’s of Sourdough bread and even provide starter for you to keep on...

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Filter Fail: How to Cure Internet Addiction

...is an incredibly useful research tool and a great way to reach out to the urban homesteading community. That being said, I just can’t seem to stop watching those dancing raccoons. We may be well past the point where the distraction potential of the internet is beginning to adversely effect its usefulness. Preventing filter fail So what can be done on a personal level to prevent “filter fail?” Only two things have worked for me in the past: Checki...

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094 The American Woman’s Home

On the podcast this week Kelly and I discuss a 19th century urban homesteading book written by Catherine Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe, The American Woman’s Home. The book was written mostly by Catherine, with some contributions from Harriet (author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin). It’s likely that Catherine realized that attaching her famous sister’s name would sell more copies. Published in 1869, The American Woman’s Home covers a great deal of terri...

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Saturday Tweets: Oatmeal, Bikes and a Pickle Maker

...5Xs7x — Root Simple (@rootsimple) July 28, 2015 The Skip Garden a moveable urban veggie patch built with 90% reclaimed materials http://t.co/LnpEmIPMIB — Root Simple (@rootsimple) August 1, 2015 ‘Sandorkraut: A Pickle Maker’ http://t.co/l04xhAZ3AF — Root Simple (@rootsimple) July 30, 2015 Watch bicyclist lift and move car blocking bike path via @BoingBoing http://t.co/0ut26E2kui — Root Simple (@rootsimple) July 28, 2015 On a ‘Tour De Tacos’ with L...

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