Dear Sunday Letter friends,
The week went by fast! We even had two or three days without rain. It was nice while it lasted, and I even found enough dry time to cut back my rosebushes.
Now, pardon me while I preach for a moment…
Zero Garbage
Last week, I attended a class at Ozark Natural Foods called Zero Garbage. Before I explain the concept, let me back up… Ten minutes before I drove to the class, I wheeled our City of Fayetteville garbage container to the curb because the next morning was our trash day. I was feeling pretty good that our container only contained one tall-sized kitchen garbage bag for the week. Since we compost and recycle, our trash is much less than it once was.
But.
In class, it didn’t take long for my mind to be completely blown. The presenter, Rose Brown, hasn’t thrown away a bag of garage in TEN YEARS. Not one trash bag. Her concept of Zero Garbage came about in 2009 as a one-year challenge. She thought it would be interesting to see if she could go an entire year without adding garbage to the landfill. One year led to two. Two led to ten. She’s still doing it, and so is her five-year-old son.
How on earth?
First of all, she doesn’t buy anything that will result in garbage that can’t be recycled, composted, or burned. No bottles of shampoo. No plastic bags of dried beans. No potato chips because the sacks can’t be recycled. No shrink-wrapped anything.
She buys in bulk, taking her own fabric bulk shopping bags and glass jars to the grocery store. She makes her own toothpaste and lotion. She buys second hand items because not only are they less expensive but they don’t come with packaging.
What she has accomplished is amazing, really. And I think I’m doing a good job if I don’t buy plastic water bottles or choose paper over plastic at the grocery store. While I don’t see myself ever living up to her standards, awareness is a powerful thing. Facts are facts. Our landfills are filling up at an alarming rate, and we only have so much space.
Plastic doesn’t break down.
Being unconcerned is short-sighted considering there’s a garbage patch twice the size of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean. Until we all do our part to change our habits, it’s going to grow larger.
(photo: Unsplash)
So… I’m only one person. What can I do to make even the slightest difference?
After attending the Zero Garbage class, I realize if I change only one habit, that one change will add up to a difference over my lifetime. Same for you.
Learn more about Rose Brown’s Zero Garbage Challenge HERE.
Pop-Up Spring
If April showers bring May flowers, February floods bring what? March mold? I don’t know for sure, but what I do know is our back yard is now the consistency of Tres Leche Cake. But not in a sweetened milk sort of way.
While last week’s weather varied from one day to the next, we did see glimpses of blue sky in between days of drizzle. I call these pop-up spring days. No, they aren’t real spring days, but instead are temporary and teasing, a fleeting reminder of what’s to come again, unless of course we are forced to build an ark and set sail searching for spring.
Enough rain already. At least until the season of drought comes.
Brown Banana
Last week, I had four bananas about to go bad, past the point of eating unless I mixed them inside smoothies or banana bread. I decided to make a cake with them using a chocolate cake mix. So easy and yummy! I mixed the cake according to the directions (with eggs, oil, and water) and then added in four soft bananas (broken into chunks).
I let my Kitchen-aid do the work, and it blended the bananas into the batter quite nicely.
I baked the cake according to the temperature on the box but added ten minutes because of the extra bananas.
The bananas make the cake super moist and extra flavorful. Something for the sweet tooth on a rainy day? Nothing wrong with that.
For God So Loved the World
Last week we attended the 70-year anniversary celebration of St. Joseph Catholic School in Fayetteville which included a silent and live auction. (At one time, my sister-in-law was principal there, and we have friends who work/worked there, thus the connection.)
I’ve been to many a school fundraiser, but this one was extra-impressive. And might I just add—the Catholics have no problem serving wine which is really a brilliant marketing idea if you think about it. More wine = higher bids come live auction time.
John and I came home with this art piece created by the junior high art class.
I love the bright colors and the heart theme. Our stark white master bathroom really appreciates the pop of color. And can’t we all use the John 3:16 reminder?
Things Momma Says
Me: Do you have anything to say in this week’s Sunday Letter?
Momma: Can’t think of a thing.
***
Question before I go: 1) Do you plan to watch the Oscars tonight? 2) If so, which movie is your choice for best picture?
See ya later, Sunday Letter friends. Stay dry and happy.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
My choice for best song:
I haven’t seen a ton of movies this year, but in terms of best actor, Rami Malek as Freddy Mercury was outstanding. We also really enjoyed Green Book, both male leads were outstanding the story was well done. Perhaps it will earn soundtrack honors, as well – Don Shirley’s music is awesome! I will not watch the show. I don’t need to see Hollywood disparaging our country and our president.
I’m excited to watch this year because I’ve seen several of the movies. There’s no host this year so maybe politics will not be a part of it.
Super interesting letter today! Ten years, zero garbage? I’m afraid I’m not that good of a person but I try to do my part. Maybe I will try harder. Maybe! LOL It seems the whole country is experiencing unusual weather this year. Your cake sounds and looks luscious! The art piece is lovely! I can’t believe your momma can’t think of a thing to add to your letter. I have no intentions of watching the oscars. I have no interest in Hollywood people and their drama! Have a good week. See you on Facebook. ?
I truly only watch for the dresses. This is when I miss Joan Rivers. She did the best Red Carpet shows. I often turn the volume down and read or play computer games One of my old friends used to host Oscar parties. She and her friends would throw popcorn at the screen and make fun of the actress that allowed some stylist to pick a designer dress worth much more than my little house is worth. She then pulls her hair back into a messy ponytail and put on clown makeup or almost NO makeup. i love a good burlesque show. Send in the clowns!
I love your new “heart” art piece! The students did an amazing job – they are very talented!
I watched most of the Oscars, although I hadn’t seen any of the movies. I think everyone but Spike Lee behaved themselves. 🙂 Radio stations have rammed “Shallow” down our throats since its release until I was sick of it, but I have to say, I LOVED the live version at the Oscars!
Your banana-chocolate cake looks good. I finally got around to making peanut butter tea cake this past weekend, from a recipe which I’d cut from a magazine – the March 1997 issue of Glamour. LOL It’s pretty tasty.
Thank you! We love it too!