Solar Power rss

PTF’S HOME SOLAR PROJECT FEATURED IN KIDS BOOK(3)

February 6, 2009

Back in 2003, we self installed 12 solar panels on our garage roof. The City of Pasadena solar rebating us 2/3rds of the cost.  This was something that we couldn’t pass up!  They made solar affordable to common resident.  By producing our own green power, it was one more step in making the urban homestead more [...]

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SOLAR POWER


Posted by Anais Dervaes | October 4, 2008

click here for more videos like this Correction: Justin meant to say our energy bill is $15 for per billing cycle which is every TWO months.

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ANOTHER SHINY SOLAR OVEN


Posted by Anais Dervaes | September 21, 2008

FACT: every day the sun shines, an equivalent of 4.25 TRILLION barrels of oil falls on the US alone in the form of solar energy I have a confession, I been addicted to solar ovens ever since we built our first cardboard, aluminum oven back in the days — 1990 to be exact.   Yep, we [...]

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WATT THE HECK?


Posted by Anais Dervaes | February 20, 2008

 12 self installed solar panels sit ontop of the urban homestead’s garage We were shocked to see that last months power bill was double that of last January. Actually we were downright dumbfounded, how on earth could that be? I mean we hadn’t gotten “power hungry” and purchased any new plug in devices or appliances. I [...]

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THIS & THAT


Posted by Anais Dervaes | September 5, 2006

Late summer garden Labor Day Monday was just like a typical day here on the urban homestead – “labor” in the garden, in the kitchen, on the computer, and on the roof. Well, except for taking a break for a few hours when a LA Times staff writer was here doing a story for an [...]

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BUSY


Posted by Anais Dervaes | May 28, 2006

Solar shower & sun oven Sorry for the lack of postings this week. It’s been just too nice outside and too many things to do around the urban homestead.    The guys are working on the last phase in the expansion of the animal enclosure. Now that the sun is out, we re-foiled the solar oven [...]

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CRAZY CATS


Posted by Anais Dervaes | May 2, 2006

Cat in the bunny’s home, Ringo sleeping on a carpet of thyme, & Cassidy being naughty Cat Stevens (the tabby) loves to go into the animal enclosure to hang out with the ducks, chickens and rabbit. Now, for some reason, he loves to climb into Sierra’s (our rabbit) hutch and sit in her bed. Silly [...]

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BOOHOOO


Posted by Anais Dervaes | March 29, 2006

GASP! Our fave, natural toothpaste (“family”) company sells out to a mega company, corporation ! I guess that means we’ll have to find another toothpaste brand or perhaps this should propel us to make our own. It’s not that hard to make your own using simple ingredients you can find in your kitchen cupboard. Making [...]

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“ACT OUTSIDE THE BOX”


Posted by Anais Dervaes | January 4, 2006

We hear so much these days for us to “think outside the box.” But then what? Jules has for years come to a conclusion that it’s time for us to “act outside the box.” Thinking outside the box is one step, but now it’s time for our to put our thoughts into action.   It’s [...]

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BERRY DELIGHTFUL


Posted by Anais Dervaes | May 6, 2004

Tasty treats are ripening in the garden — plump black blackberries and luscious red strawberries. JM & I plan to whip up some tasty treats over the weekend. REPRIEVE Thankfully, we’ve got a teensy break from the heat  – one expects it in summer, but this early? Should continue to be cooler for the next [...]

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