DIY Projects 
HOME IMPROVEMENTS(15)
For those of you who have been following our home improvement projects, we finally figured out a way to get that horrid linoleum that had black tar underneath off the wood floors in the craft-music room
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DIY: VEGETABLE CART
Our Front Porch Farm Stand is growing and in desperate need of more space to show off all the foods & goods. Lucky for me, I have two great handy men that whipped up this wonderful little cart. Ain’t she purty?
(4) EXTREME MAKEOVER
Twenty-five years ago when we purchased this old 1917 (fixer upper) house it came with lots, LOTS, of problems. Problems that we didn’t have the money at the time to fix.
(11) RAINY DAY PROJECTS
We So Cal folks aren’t used to weather. Yep, word is that we are spoiled and we haven’t a clue what to do when weather happens. But for us weather is good, weather forces us to change routines, get creative and perhaps tackle projects that have been on the “to do list” for ages.
(1) “A SOW’S EAR”
What a sight! The garage in 1985 or 1986… condition remained pretty much the same till started fixing up in the late 1990′s. The white box truck we brought from Florida to move our furniture – everything we owned fit in this truck! Garage in 2001 We painted it (grey) ourselves and the guys made [...]
(9) CALL TO ARMS
Homegrown Revolution™ When UCLA professor Peter Sellars invited PTF to come and speak to his class, we were honored at such an opportunity. Since it was such a short notice, we had to scramble to get something that would get the students’ attention about the homegrown message of PTF. Since the class focus was [...]
(9) DOWN MEMORY LANE
Before (1985)/ first garden After (2007) More yard photos for your viewing pleasure here Taking off the old roof Before (1993-2006) After (2007) Sustainable Steps July not only marks the sixth anniversary of the PTF journal, last July was when we tackled putting on a new roof which was finished 5 months later in early [...]
(3) OUTREACH
Greywater & Rainwater Presentation After a long and tiring week/day Jules was invited to give a very brief greywater & rainwater presentation last Thursday at the Art Center College of Design as part of the City’s ‘Greening Workshops’. With such new greywater systems and using issues we aren’t experts at all. We are on [...]
(Comments Off) EVERY DROP COUNTS
Brac’s Here! Brac’s system captures greywater from showers, bathtubs, and laundry washing machines, and supplies the water under pressure to flush the home’s toilets [or irrigation]. Based upon statistics from Environment Canada, the company asserts that the use of their system will cut the average home’s water consumption and sewage effluent by approximately one third. [...]
(5) BLACKBERRY MAKES RADIO DEBUT
Blackberry steals the show NPR : Calif. Family Lives Off the Energy Grid In Pasadena, Calif., Jules Dervaes and his family have already begun living the change that many suggest is needed to combat global warming. They use appliances that are powered by hand-cranks and even bicycles … Listen to Full Radio Clip- hear Blackberry [...]
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