Monday... What we are doing for Earthday day 1..

Today is Monday and it's day one of my Earth day week posts. We started a compost a while ago and it hasn't been that great so we decided to do some research on how to make it better and this is what I decided to do....

A year ago I heard that Compost is the heart and soul of organic gardening. You don't have to be a farmer or an earth worm to reap the benefits of composting. I heard it was easy to do and the benefits are amazing for the pay off.

You can compost your own garden and kitchen waste at home with very little effort. Adding organic matter to your garden will improve the structure, water holding capacity, and aeration of soils containing too much clay or too much sand. Compost is the most often recommended source of organic material. It is easy to make, easy to use, and contains a storehouse of nutrients. So with that we plowed our garden yesterday.... I will write about this later in the week.

I didn't consider this but Let's just start to consider how much work is really involved, equipment required, and when will the compost is ready. ( I thought I would blink and it would be ready... yeah not so much) Composting can be as much or as little work as you want to make it. The more effort you put into it, the faster you will have finished compost. ( note to self. This is why your compost isn't working as fast as you wanted it to be..... ) oh and you have to water it down yeah didn't know that either.

The only required equipment is a shovel or pitchfork to turn or move the contents of the compost pile. Your pile can be built anywhere except up against a structure such as a shed or a solid fence. There will be bugs and worms helping you compost and you want them in the pile, not in the shed or the house. Two feet is a safe distance from any structure. A bin is unnecessary. You can just build your pile on the ground. ( this is what we have done but we are using recycled wooden pallets, tomorrow hubs is going to put them together to make a u shape to hold the contents.)

We need a variety of plant material to start off with. Grass clippings and kitchen scraps provide nitrogen while leaves and dried straw provide carbon. You simply throw in organic materials as they become available. To speed things up, we suggest you turn the pile every other week. ( yeah we are doing that now :) ) The finished compost pile will have shrunk! It only takes up about a quarter of the space of the original pile. When the individual materials can no longer be identified and the pile looks like dark, rich soil, the compost is complete. It will smell sweet, woodsy, and earthy. It will crumble through your fingers. If it smells bad, it is either too wet or not getting any oxygen. ( So ours isn't doing this so we are having a heck of a time getting it to work we are figuring out what we need to do next....) I will research this tomorrow so we can get it to work.

Keep a large coffee can under your kitchen sink for kitchen scraps, it can sit a few days before any odor starts to waft into the kitchen. Coffee grounds have a pleasant smell that hides most other odors - keep them in the paper filter, it will break down too!

What you need to not go near to for your compost.:diseased vines from tomatoes and squashes as they may contaminate the pile animal fats such as meat scraps, grease, or bones as they might attract unwelcome critters!

What you can use in your compost: You can use eggshells, bone meal, dried blood, and even hair if you wish, these provide beneficial minerals and may help discourage garden pests. Use your homemade compost as a side dressing for your garden rows. The nutrients will fertilize your crops organically. ( Note to self, ask hair salons and coffee shops for their old hair and coffee grounds! :)

Tomorrow I will tell you all about what to do next for your garden. I am trying this week to no longer have to use the Waste management for trash service, On a good note, Kingston got their own solar charged trash cans all along down town. This made my green heart melt. No if I can get the " restaurants" in Kingston to get rid of the styrofoam containers. These drive me mad with craziness, truth be told we haven't been in the 50's in a long time so why are we still using things that we have other means to use that are better for the earth? I have an idea.... if you go out this week and order take out see if your places will put your take out in your own re-useable containers? Maybe we can all start a new trend. :) Thank you!!!!

xoxo
Kingstongirl

Earth Day Week.

This week is Earth Day Week for my blog. I will write about what I am doing in my life and the things our community is doing to make things better for our earth. We have come along way in our community and what each of us do in our own lives to make things better. What I want to do is live by the land. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. I want to try to do something everyday this week that will set forth a pattern for the rest of my life. This way we can all learn something new to help restore the earth in the way it should be. We need to make changes now to help us leave the earth in good shape for our children's children.

If I get 100 followers in the next two weeks, I am going to randomly pick people that will win some great prizes. :) Worth over a $100.00, So follow me so we can get the prizes won faster.

Leave me a comment this week of what you are doing in honor of Earth Day. :)

A great cause

I am going to start doing a great thing. I had an aunt her name was Ruth, she past away a few weeks ago and I was inspired by everyone that talked about her today at her memorial. She was an amazing women. She made everyone smile and be inspired because she was so giving and caring to so many that she loved. The amount of lives she touched personally, I want that to continue so I am going to do a fun thing for the people that have less then most. I am going to collect cake mixes, frosting, candles, and gift bags. When I gather 100 for the habitat for humanity, Kingston food bank, Poulsbo Fishline, Helpline house of Bainbridge. This will make it so if its your birthday or the birthday of your children you can get a birthday pack complete with candles! Because everyone should smile. This is the only tribute I can think of that would bring many smiles and a lot of joy in the remembrance of Ruth.

If you would like to make a donation please feel free to let me know and I will tell you where you can drop off the items or send them to. Thank you for all your support.

XOXO
Kingstongirl.

Great things to do this weekend... Friday fun times.

Get your pictures taken:LITTLE LEAGUE Photo Day Saturday: I had such GREAT comments from my shot of Nick and so many parents wanted one too, so THIS Saturday the 17th from 9AM to Noon I will open my studio up for DROP-IN pix of your player as you head to games. Should take about 7 minutes and the image will be in your inbox by the end of the day! Flat fee of $25 for this quick drop in, no appt needed! Hit my website: www.bradcampimages.com for directions! --please share if you know someone that may want to know about the info..

Come watch Cold Note at the filling station! Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 9:00pm
At the The Filling Station 11200 State Hwy 104 Kingston, WA

Go see a movie at the firehouse theater. eat breakfast at the Oak table, go down town to Lil' sprouts and start that b-day shopping. Oh the great things to do in Kingston. :)

In Poulsbo start the day at the farmers market after enjoy a coffee at Hot Shots Java, stop by Liberty bay books, hop over to Bohems and get some yummy candy, then get your craft on at Dancing brush. After walk the boardwalk and enjoy the water views and maybe you will see that whale they have spotted this past week.


The big fundraising event for NK & KHS Senior Grad night is this Saturday night at the Eagles. $20.00 for a great time. Tickets for the Grad Night at the Eagles Hall can be bought @Liberty Bay Books in @historic downtown Poulsbo.2010 Grad Night Fundraiser
Co-sponsored with NKHS
Musical Entertainment provide by "Never Been to Utah"
Appetizers by Ellens cakes & catering
Beer & wine
Silent Auction & live dessert auction
All proceed benefit KHS & NKHS for safe & drug free Grad Night celebrations.
Tickets $20. ea or $140, for a table for 8
Tickets available at Kingston Fitness or contact me directly!

Bark for Life of North Kitsap This weekend! North Kitsap's first Bark For Life event, in support of the fight against cancer. Bring your dogs to Port Gamble, 11 a.m. this Sunday, April 18. See you there!

Poulsbo elementary needs a new piano! Please support our PTSA at our Barnes and Noble book fair this Sat 4/17. We get a portion of all sales that day to directly support the piano fund. Purchases in ANY B n' N store, on line, cafe, cheesecake and gift purchases all count! Use ID #10166130

Free National Park Admission - April 17th through 25th is National Park Week. During this time, entrance to all 392 U.S. national parks is free.
Lowes  will have a Build and Grow Clinic for kids on 4/17/10 from 10 to 11 AM. They will be making a planter.
Borders stores will have a free Fancy Nancy event for kids on April 17 at 11 am. Event will include poetry writing, word games, giveaways and more.
Toys R Us stores will have a Thomas & Friends Playdate on 4/17/10 from 11 AM to 1 PM. The event will include storytime, coloring, trivia and giveaways.
YMCA will have a Healthy Kids Day event on 4/17/10. Event includes games, demonstrations, arts and crafts, educational resources, healthy treats, giveaways and more..  
Williams-Sonoma will have a Healthy Cooking Vegetables Class on 4/18/10. Call your local store for the times.

Check this out if its your birthday this weekend.:Free $10 Gift Certificate at World Market on Birthday
Get a free $10 Gift Certificate on your birthday via email for World Market when you join the World Market Explorer Reward Program.

I found this at http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com enjoy!

There is a new "Buy 1 Get 1 Free Fandango Movie Ticket" code (up to $14.00 value) you can redeem for 2 points today (Friday, April 16) only at Tropicana Juicy Rewards program .  If you haven't purchased tickets through Fandango before, you may want to check for your closest participating theaters first.  You are limited to one redemption per account and the code you receive will expire June 16.


Need codes to get those 2 points?  Check my previous Tropicana Rewards posts for codes you haven't used.

One reader said: "This is a great program. My family was going to the aquarium this Sunday and they have a buy one get one free for only 2 points, it's saving us $17 on one admission!"  So be sure to enter your zipcode to find out what discounted amusement and water park tickets are available near you!



Have a fun weekend. Please leave me a comment of what you are doing the weekend.
xoxo
Kingstongirl.

Give aways!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out this blog its amazing and you can be a lucky person to win a $100 gift certificate on her Esty shop! I know I am trying.
Enjoy your visit on her blog. Please tell her that Kingstongirl news sent you!!!!!! http://nancysdailydish.blogspot.com/

Also I'm going to do a big giveaway when I get 100 followers. Something very big!!! SO please tweet, facebook. email, blog it!
I am trying to get 1000 followers by the end of the month. I will be giving lots of Giveaway's so please help me reach my goals.

xoxo
Kingstongirl

So many exciting things....

I am starting to really get excited about some events that are coming up over the next few months. You can really tell that In North Kitsap it's spring time. We have fun and last weekend the Farmers market opened in Poulsbo. I went like i do every year and I truly thought it looked so much bigger then the past. Bainbridge opened their market last Saturday as well. I am going to check it out next Saturday. Kingston opens May 1st. The thing I love about Farmers markets is the fresh food, talented artists and crafters, the way you look around and see the communities coming together.

I am challenging myself to try something new everyday. One thing a day is a baby step into having a big range of experiences.
I remember when I was in my early 20's and did this. Thinking back to that I laugh because it made me realize that I really did live a sheltered little life. So I am going to do something new everyday and put a little note on what that new thing is. If you are a blogger please do this with me. Its going to be alot of fun!

A few weeks ago my husband & I went to down town Poulsbo and looked around, I love how neat it is down there. Always have to get a yellow smiley face cookie at "Slys" get a white chocolate moca at "hot shots" Pick up a book at "Liberty bay books" went to "Amanda's yarn shop" for something new to work on. I just so love all the little shops in down town. What is your favorite shop?
I really can't wait for Kingston to have a cute down town like Poulsbo does. We are trying so hard. We just need to get people to come hang out there and spend their time exploring downtown Kingston as well as Poulsbo. We have to support our little people.

Sorry for the short post but better a little then nothing at all.

xoxo
Kingstongirl.

Wordless Wednesday's! Velcome to Poulsbo