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Urban Homestead Facts
LOCATION
Pasadena, CA
(Northwest Pasadena, one mile from downtown Pasadena)
PROPERTY SIZE
1/5 acre (66' x 132' / 8,712 sq.ft.)
GARDEN SIZE
~ 1/10 acre (3,900 sq.ft. / ~ 66' x 66')
GARDEN DIVERSITY
Over 350 different vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries
FOOD PRODUCED
6,000 lbs annually
challenging for 10,000 lbs in 2008 (read more)
URBAN HOMESTEAD SUPPORTS
4 full-time adults, volunteers, and many clients
ENERGY USAGE
6.5 kwh day (and going down!)
SOLAR POWER PRODUCED
8000 kwh ( as of 5/31/08)
GALLONS OF BIODIESEL MADE (since 2003)
1,000 gallons (as of 2/12/08)
"EARTH IMPACT FOOTPRINT" 5.2 acres per person
Tally Ho 2008
PRODUCE
2,100 lbs (6/31)
EGGS
Chicken 518 & Duck 640 (6/22)
HONEY
53 oz (5/19)
Steps Taken
Everyday Steps
Growing 99 % of produce
- 6,000lbs on 1/10 acre
Food Preservation/Storage:
- canning
- drying
- freezing
In the Kitchen:
- baking/cooking from
scratch
- yogurtmaking
- breadmaking
- cheesemaking
- sprouting
- cast iron cookware
- no dishwasher or
microwave
Food Choices:
- buying in bulk
- organic
- local
- eating seasonaly
- reducing "food miles"
- fair trade
- vegetarian(over 17 years)
Raising Small Farmstock:
- chickens (eggs/manure)
- ducks (eggs/manure)
- dwarf rabbits (manure)
- dwarf/pygmy goats
(milk/manure)
Composting Methods:
- making/using EM Bokashi
- vermicomposting
- composting food, garden
and green waste
Fuel:
- homebrewing biodiesel
- running diesel car on
biodiesel(~4,000 miles a yr)
Energy Conservation:
- "powering down"
- cut daily energy use in 1/2
12 kwh to 6 kwh a day
- 12 solar panels
- "green" power
- rechargeable batteries
- line drying clothes
Energy Efficient Appliances:
- washing machine
- refridgerator
- water heater(gas)
Energy Efficient Electronics:
- computer/printer/copier
- TV(no cable)/VCR/ DVD
Energy Efficient Lighting:
- compact fluorescent bulbs
- olive oil lamps
- oil lamps filled with
biodiesel
- homemade soy & beeswax
candles
- daylighting
- solar tube
Non-electrical Appliances /
Hand-powered
- blender
- toaster
- grinder(s)
- popcorn popper
- solar oven(s)
- hand washer/wringer
- pedal powered grain mill
- straight razor
- handcranked radio
- mortar & pestle
Natural beauty/no makeup
Homemade Non-toxic
Beauty Care Products
- toothpaste
- deoderant
Biodegrable/Non-toxic
Cleaning Products:
- vinegar
- baking soda
- lemon juice
Natural Health Practices:
- homeopathy
- herbal remedies
- prevention
Water Conservation Efforts:
- low flush toilets
- toilet lid sink
- reusing laundry water
- limit toilet flushings
- limit baths/showers
- mulching
- handwatering
- clay pot irrigation
- solar outdoor shower
- front load washer
- food not lawns
Hand powered garden tools:
- push mower
- broom, rake
- trowel, shovel
- hand clippers
Self-employed
Working at home:
- honey business
- produce/flower business
- craft business
Crafts & Skills:
- winemaking
- survival skills
- edible landscaping
- sewing
- leatherwork
- fiber arts
- animal husbandry
- holistic care
- tinctures
- carpentry
- plumbing
- building
- haircutting
- bicycle repairs
- soapmaking
- candlemaking
- herbs
- urban farming
- website design
- photography
- self publishing
- video & graphics
Living Simply:
- making use or do without
- bartering
- monthly shopping trips
- reduce, reuse & recycle
- second hand clothes
- salvage/thrift store
- consume less
Passive Cooling:
- no AC
- wood floors
- blinds
- windows
- screen doors
- edible forest
- "living" screens
- solar attic fan
Heating:
- no central heat
- woodstove that uses
scrap wood
- dress in layers
Walking the old paths:
- tithing
- day of rest
- stewardship
Saving seeds
Unschooling
Beekeeping
DIY Projects:
- solar oven
- cob oven
- solar outdoor shower
- depaved driveway/patio
- installed solar panels
- roofing
- sheds, etc
- animal enclosure, etc
- this website
- urban homesteading
Using canvas bags on
shopping trips / no plastic
Transportation:
- biodiesel "veggie" vehicle
- 4 "car free" days a week
- walk
- bike
- carpool
- mass transit
- cross country train trips
- 2 airplane trips in 25 years
"Green" Home Upgrades:
- metal roof
Outreach/helping others
along the path
CURRENT TRAILS
Growing 10k on 1/10
Rainwater
Waste water recovery
Support
We Support
« FOR A NIGHT | Main | QUIET REVOLUTION »
March 17, 2008
Living on the urban homestead, connected and surrounded by nature (well, as much as possible in such an urban environment), there are always birds and stray animals that we have rescued over time.
On Saturday, a friend of ours called and informed Jordanne that there were four baby squirrels left in a box at a local church. Seems some tree trimmers cut down their home - a beautiful towering Cypress tree. Our friend, having two dogs in her home, needed a place to bring them to be looked after until a wildlife rescue person was contacted. Knowing Jordanne is especially fond of animals and has rescued her fair share of wildlife and stray cats in her life, our friend thought Jordanne the perfect candidate to help find these little guys a home.
Jordanne already had “rescue supplies” on hand - bottles, formula, electrolytes so our friend, brought these four baby squirrels over to our place for Jordanne to watch over. The squirrels were in pretty good shape despite their ordeal. One had a tiny little cut on its leg - but nothing serious.
On Saturday evening, I called an acquaintance who knew a local woman who rescues urban wildlife and releases them back into the wild. On Sunday, while I was once again at work at the tea shop, Jordanne got in touch with the wildlife lady and she agreedto care and take care of them.
It was hard not to get attached to these four adorable creatures in the 24 hours they were here…. these photos show why….
It’s not mommy, but sure is a good substitute
Just look at that face….. Got milk?
Three (of four) little squirrels
Content. Full tummy and sweet dreams
As a matter of fact Jordanne informed me it was against the law to keep a wild animal for more than 48 hours without turning it over to “the authorities.” Lucky for us, there are people who are out there that care for such unfortunate and injured urban wildlife.
And lucky for these little guys the tree trimmers had a heart and didn’t just chuck them into the shredder with along with the branches.
This baby urban wildlife rescue coinciding with a recent TreeHugger post about Treeless Squirrels - it’s just too weird.
Hopefully, in a few weeks time, they’ll be out about about climbing and wreaking havoc on some trees - safe from tree cutter! We hope they live a long and squirrely life.
Tags:
rescue wildlife,
squirrels,
treeless squirrels,
Urban Wildlife
Topics: Posts by Anais, Urban Wildlife | Tags: rescue wildlife, squirrels, treeless squirrels, Urban Wildlife
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March 17th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Oh my goodness!! Those little guys are so cute I can hardly stand it. Must have been hard to let them go.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I’m so glad they were saved!
We have a squirrel who visits the bird feeder on our deck regularly and provides lots of entertainment. I love watching him leaping from branch to branch through the big douglas fir trees in our yard.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Oh poor things without their Mama! I just can’t help think about their Mama somewhere out there lost without them…
You did the right thing! We too have had many rescues both wild and not so wild. It pulls at your heartstrings to be sure.
Bless~
March 18th, 2008 at 4:10 am
They are so adorable! I am glad you were able to save the poor babies!
You did a wonderful thing for those sweet little ones!
March 18th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Those babies are so cute. We have many squirrels here at our home that we feed and we get to watch the babies as they grow. We love all wildlife here and do what we can to protect it.
I must say you guys are such an inspiration to us. We just love your site.
Wendy in Nova Scotia
March 22nd, 2008 at 4:15 am
I am a squirrelmom myself at times. I am absolutely in love with them. Youre not supposed to move them to another area, but in one situation I saved one from work and took it home…homemade dreys in the trees kept him around, and he would come to the kitchen window for his treats. We try to keep the wildlife wild here, but sometimes you really must lend a hand. Great job guys, and i love love love your blog, i read it EVERYDAY!!!