The party, that is. Our daughter's 18th!! It has been keeping me away from my blog, since the beginning of the year. Well, one of the things. As we had to fix the narrow back landing, behind the house, to make it safe for partying teenagers. Seven in total, and they were mostly well behaved. I say mostly, because I'm sure the neighbours heard. But it's the first loud party we've had, since moving here in 2007. I'm glad to say it's over though...
I can return to the projects I've planned in conjunction with the back landing. At a pace I can manage though. The stormy weather, which took the power out for 24 hours, threatened our original deadline for the party. Because concrete had to cure, before we could construct the plinth for our long-awaited fire-pit.
Marshmallows were toasted, and enjoyed on our chilly May evening. I've always wanted a terracotta chiminea. They're safer than open fire-pits, because the chimney contains some of the flames. We put a rebar cage around it, to protect the chiminea from being bumped accidentally. Because it's a narrow space with partying teenagers - it was a very likely outcome. I'm happy to report, it went without incident though.
We had a little green, wheelie bin, with a sign, "cans and bottles". This was separate to the general rubbish bin. It made clean-up afterwards, much easier! We sort them and return to our local recycle centre. Since the beginning of the year, we've earned $20 for our efforts. My husband, collects bottles from his work-place too. We're Curious to know, how much we can earn in a year. Ten cents per item, doesn't sound like a lot, but consistently adds up!
We're trying to decide what we'll use the money for. I was leaning towards a property project. Perhaps something for the native animals. A dedicated tank for allocating water to them, maybe. Any ideas?
I will also wash and reuse the plastic cups, for art projects and feeding my plants. Worm-wee is dispensed from the main bucket with these cups. Then added to a small watering can (with extra water) for my plants. I have a worm farm in my kitchen garden now, I have yet to share with you. Saving it for another post though.
What I found interesting, was the bees taking an interest in the small amount of lemonade, leftover in a cup. I guess it's similar to sugar water. An unintentional discovery, as I went around, cleaning this morning. After removing the reciprocal, the bees returned to the flowers in my kitchen garden. Which is probably much better for them, and my plants!
While the party may be over, work on our back-landing, continues. It will double as my plant sanctuary and expanded kitchen garden. There's a whole bunch of ideas I want to implement in this small area. Now is the time to just kick-back and relax though. We've worked hard and need a break. A small one. Then we'll be straight back into it!
Do any of my readers, recycle their drinking vessels and save the money? Do you put it towards anything special? Please share your ideas (if you have any) of what we should do for our property, with the funds we collect. Cheers!
18! That's a mile stone. They grow up so fast! Happy birthday to your daughter.
ReplyDeleteHow nice that you get a little something for recycling; I think they stopped paying us for it here years ago. Do you have a bee garden? Maybe invest in flowers and a waterer for those bees!
I know, it's unbelievable! We found a photo of her, under 6 months old recently. They start out so small, lol. I like the idea you've suggested. We have a birdbath, but it's further away from my kitchen garden. It makes sense to have water closer though. I was already contemplating a water feature of some sort. But now I can consider the design applicable for bee use. Thanks for the idea, and birthday wishes.
DeleteHi Chris.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a lovely 18th birthday celebration for your daughter. A very happy birthday to her.
My son collects bottles and cans and takes them in to the recycling centre. He will pick them up if he finds them on ground in our little local park or along our walking track or at beach. This has lovely benefit of removing litter from the environment. Others save their cans and bottles for him too. He saves the money he earns from this recycling.
Something for garden sounds a lovely way to use money gained from recycling.
Meg
That's a wonderful enterprise for your son, Meg. Glad to hear of his dedication and the support from others. My mother also gives us hers. Responsible disposal, ensures they can be used again, rather than put straight into landfill. Although, I support the message to reduce, one-use only, plastic products too. Thanks for the birthday wishes.
DeleteChris, a belated Happy Birthday to your girl. What a lot of work you did to make it a memorable occasion for her. I wish my hubby would give you all the bottles and cans he has hoarded here 🙄You wouldmake a fortune. A water feature would be nice as you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chel, for the birthday wishes. I'm sure the CEO's recyclables are collectables though! We've turned up some vintage Coke and Kirks, glass soft-drink bottles, at my MIL's house as we've been helping to clean up. You'd probably get more than 10 cents a bottle, from collectors. Your husband is probably sitting on a fortune. 😉
DeleteI'm glad it went well. I can't believe she's 18! When I started reading your blog she was only little and Peter wasn't even born. A water feature sounds nice and would benefit the wildlife. I don't think we get money for recycling here in Victoria any more. I used to do it as a kid, and probably just spent the money on lollies! I remember getting a CocoCola yo-yo once, for collecting bottletops. Yo-yos were all the go at the time and I must have drunk a lot of Coke! Haven't had one for years.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of you to remember way back when! She was just over 4 years-old, when we first came here. Such a wee-bitty. I can't believe she's now officially an adult, either. I remember the old Coke Yo-yo's too. We had a bit of a fad, in primary school - trying to do all the cool tricks. I could only do, "Around the world", and "Walking the dog" though. Those old yo-yo-s were well made, and extremely balanced. The one's my kids have now, are light and flimsy. Thanks for the trip down memory lane though. 🙂
DeleteHi Chris, its been so long since i have had a bit of time to sit, relax and visit. WOW 18, time sure does fly by. I have also been collecting bottles to cash in, not too many for us as we dont really buy drinks, the ones we have came mostly from visitors.
ReplyDeleteYour covered garden area looks great and so inviting to sit in the sun, its only 7 here today so just a little cool but the sun is lovely when you can get out of the wind.
I am interested to see what you buy at the end of the year with your bottle money.
I hope you all are keeping safe and doing well.
Hi there Nicole, nice to see you again. 🙂 I imagine you're busy on the property, taking care of animals, doing chores and running your handmade business. With winter on the wings, there's the extra chores of firewood too. Worth it for a cosy fire though. We're going to start work on the back-landing in June. An excuse to get out in the sun, as we're fortunate it's north facing. So it gets sun most of the day. It wasn't long ago, we were attempting to escape the sun in summer though, lol. Stay warm and well this winter, you two. 🙂
DeleteYou scared me with that title - my heart skipped a beat. Phew!
ReplyDeleteLol, I feared it was a bit ambiguous, so let the cat out of the bag, early. Thanks for stopping by. 😉
DeleteGoodness 18! time flies doesn't it? It sounds like a wonderful party. I love she wanted to have it at home.
ReplyDeleteThat undercover area looks fantastic. I think spend the money on a new little garden bed with a trickling water feature of some kind and surround it with beautiful, colourful flowers to attract all the beneficial insects. And then pop a seat next to it, perhaps under the shade of an elderberry or something similar. :) Specific I know. The very thing is on my wish list! LOL.
I hope you enjoy your little break, isn't this year just flying?!
xx
Thanks so much Emma, and sorry for the late reply. I hope you're staying warm in winter, as it seems to be a cold one, this year! I like your ideas. I actually have a few elderberries which have lived in pots, that I want to plant on the edge of this little area. So your specifics aren't that far off the mark!! Finding the time is always the challenge, lol. 😉
DeleteHi Chris!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your girl, sounds like the party went well.
We collect cans and bottles for 10c refund here. We are not too proud to pick up cans etc that people have discarded in the environment. Hubby goes around his workplace and collects them to bring home. It is a good idea to plan a project with the money and I like the sound of a water feature for the bees and wildlife too. I only recently learnt that bees are attracted to trickling water and it is more beneficial for them. I have since planned to do this at our place, hopefully before spring arrives.
I love your outdoor area. Such a practical place to have, I am sure it will serve you well.
Looking forward to seeing what you get up to next on your return.
Enjoy your rest and take care,
xTania
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Tania, and my apologies for the tardy reply. I have more to post about the goings on, soon. But I love the bee tip about what kind of water they're attracted to. The sound of trickling water is something we share in common with bees, I think - as it's very calming to people also. I was thinking about making a water feature from recycled bibs and bobs, though I imagine you may get to it before me, lol. I still have a chicken-coop roof, waiting to put on. 🐔 😅
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