Allen's Blog, DIY Projects, Featured, Green Living by Allen Lyle
I was remarking on my personal blog that I would likely be a Scrooge this year and not put up a Christmas tree. I received a challenge, shortly thereafter, to build my own tree using recycled materials or scraps from the job site. Not being one to turn away from a creative challenge, I started scrounging around the shop and found a piece of wall paneling that was cut up. It even had the wall plug cut out in it, and had obviously been torn out of a recent remodel. Right away, you could hear the wheels turning in my head, so here’s what I did.
I started by finding a picture of a Christmas tree to use as my design and traced it out onto the paneling. Once I had the design on one piece, I used a table saw to cut a slot halfway through the sketched out tree from the bottom up.
Then, using a jigsaw, I cut out the pattern. Once I had the first piece, I traced its shape onto a second piece of paneling and cut another slot, only this time, from the top down. With both pieces cut out, I spray painted them a nice shade of evergreen, but not an even coat. That way, I had varying shades of green. Once the two pieces were dry, I lined them up in a cross pattern and joined the two pieces together.
What this accomplished was to create a tree in three dimensions! Of course, I realized I needed to cut off the trunk so it could stand on its own.
As far as decorating….it’s all in the imagination. I’m thinking about using aluminum cans, crushed flat to look like ornaments. The best part was seeing Danny walk out into the shop with that all-too-familiar look on his face and say, “Now what are you doing?!?”
Allen's Blog, Green Living by Allen Lyle
Danny and I have just recently returned from the 2008 GreenBuild show that was in Boston. Aside from being extremely cold (highs in the mid 30’s with a 20 mph wind blowing), it was a great trip. It’s always encouraging to see more builders and remodelers grasping the green concept in their business, and there are certainly more offerings to choose from, too. Everything from drywall to ceiling fans to solar-tracking skylights.
But even though I was there to check out all these cool products, my favorite encounter was with a group of 8th and 9th graders who designed the “green school of the future.” They put a lot of thought into it, too, and I have to say their presentation was very impressive. You’ll get to see them in the episode that will showcase GreenBuild.
Of course, one of the major components of any road trip is eating out. Typically, we find a different restaurant for every night, but our show’s director, Scott Gardner, and I wound up eating at the same place three nights in a row! What can I say? It was good. Besides, it was fun just hearing the waitress ask if we wanted any “clam chow-dah.” So, I want to say a special hello and thanks to Ms. Gail at the Freeport Tavern. And I highly recommend the marinated steak tips.
Allen's Blog, Green Living by Allen Lyle
Isn’t it amazing what we do for our kids? My daughter and I are very close. We have days when we’ll do arts & crafts together, paint pictures or just watch television. She’s at that age now where shopping at the mall for “fashion” is fun. Actually, spending daddy’s money is what seems to be her favorite activity lately. The days when we just sit around watching the tube can be very tiring. Last weekend, for example, she wanted to watch The Little Mermaid III….over and over and over…..five times in one afternoon.
Yes…it’s amazing what we do for our kids. A really good thing, though, is to pass along practices of green living. Sure, you can tell them to turn off the water when they brush their teeth and don’t just stand there with the refrigerator door open, but if you can make lessons in green living fun, then you’re ahead of the game.
Here’s a great idea that kids really love. Make a solar oven out of a pizza box. This is such a simple project, and there are plans all over the internet for building one. This is the site I used Solar Now, Inc. While you help your child build this, talk about how “cool” it is that you can cook something with the sun. Ask what else they think the sun can do. Above all, don’t forget to bring along some graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows, because the solar oven is perfect for s’mores!
Allen's Blog, Contest, Green Living by Allen Lyle
This week, Danny and I found ourselves at one of the ReStore warehouses run by Habitat for Humanity. If you haven’t ever visited one of these places, let me encourage you to do so. If you’ve got any remodeling plans, you can get some unbelievable bargains here! I saw several wall-hung lavatories in excellent shape for just $15! Of course, there’s more than just sinks. I saw all kinds of plumbing fixtures, lighting, flooring, doors, windows, paint, cabinets…and the list goes on.
This is a prime example of re-using materials, and the difference between re-use and recycling is pretty simple. Both are excellent practices for saving resources and protecting the environment. Re-using, though, doesn’t require additional energy and expense to re-convert old materials to new, e.g. melting down plastics or aluminum. It simply takes an old item and puts it to use in another location or application.
While it’s true an old door can be taken and re-hung somewhere else, I’ve also seen one used as a new headboard for a bed! In fact, one of the really cool aspects of re-using is the chance to exercise your creativity. The Better Homes and Gardens and Green Works Living Green Tour had some great examples, including an old door converted to a desk and reclaimed lumber and galvanized plumbing pipes made into a bookshelf.
So let’s do something fun. Send a photo of your creative use of old materials to me at allen@dannylipford.com. I’ll choose one of the projects and post it here in my blog. As an incentive, I’ll send you one of Black & Decker’s new Gecko Grip Levels. Heck, just for kicks, Danny & I will even autograph it for you. So go ahead and show me your best re-use project.
Allen's Blog, Safety and Security by Allen Lyle
Today marks the 29th anniversary of Hurricane Frederic striking Mobile. I remember this storm very well. I was working at Walt Disney World and took off work and drove straight to Mobile. This was the most damage I had ever seen from a storm. Ten years earlier, it was Camille. We were without power for at least two weeks and there were about 16 trees down in the yard.
Today, we’re watching Hurricane Ike on its way to Texas. Even though the storm is far south of Mobile, we’re still feeling some effects. This is my back yard right now. You should be looking at a dock, but the water has already climbed the bulkhead and is sitting in the yard.
I’m bringing this up, because once this storm makes landfall, there will most likely be a lot of people in need. One of the things I’m very pleased about is how we, as Americans, rally behind each other in times of need. The outpouring of generosity following Katrina in 2005 is proof of that. I imagine there will be some disaster relief needed after this weekend. So keep your eyes and ears on Texas, and if we need to, let’s sound the rally cry once more.
Allen's Blog, Diseases & Pests, Safety and Security by Allen Lyle
As promised, I wanted to tell you about Danny’s use of celery juicing in an upcoming Thinking Green segment. Believe it or not, this really works. I know because I tested it. This is all based on a study done in Thailand using celery extract to deter mosquitoes. Nonetheless, I have to admit it was pretty funny watching Danny smear celery juice on his arm.
The thing is, these segments are limited to only 50 seconds in length, so it’s hard to get all the pertinent information out sometimes. I wanted to take a moment to clarify this process. The celery extract will work for a very short time. Certainly, you can juice the celery stalk and rub the liquid on yourself using a piece of cloth. If you use it in a spray bottle, though, do NOT just pour it directly into the bottle. You’ll need to strain the liquid at least two times to remove the excess pulp. Otherwise, it will clog the spray bottle and make it useless. I just used an old piece of cotton cloth from a torn tee shirt.
The lemon eucalyptus oil works a lot better. The product I have is called Repel, and I picked it up at a local Walgreen’s. Be aware, though, that it creates a tingling sensation on your skin, almost to the point that it feels like it’s burning. You’ll also have a very unique smell that others will comment on. Still, I’d much rather go through that than to rub a DEET infested treatment into my pores.
Allen's Blog, Safety and Security by Allen Lyle
One of the joys (add sarcastic tone here) of living along the Gulf Coast is contending with hurricanes. Don’t misunderstand…I love living here! But these storms are just downright inconvenient!
This week we’re watching Hurricane Ike, a potentially dangerous storm that could make its way to our area. Let me take this moment to remind any of you who live along the coast to prepare NOW for a hurricane. Putting together a disaster preparedness kit is just good sense, and you don’t want to be doing this at the last minute. I realized about a day or two before Hurricane Gustav was coming that I wasn’t prepared, so I was at the grocery story at 6 a.m. stocking up.
So, what should you include? Take a look at our article on Preparing for the Worst for a list of everything you’ll need.
Allen's Blog by Allen Lyle
We’ve got a great 11th season ahead! Danny and I—along with our show’s director, Scott Gardner, and our videographer, Jasen Lingle—just returned from a trip to Des Moines, Iowa, to visit the headquarters of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. We’re devoting an episode to their Home Improvement Challenge, and I can’t wait for you to meet one of the winners. Jacqui Norman from Ames, Iowa, was an absolute joy! She remodeled her bathroom with some very unique twists!
Allen's Blog, Lawn and Garden, Organic Gardening by Allen Lyle
Can you believe we’re starting the 11th season of Today’s Homeowner? I’ll try to keep everyone in the loop about some of the behind-the-scenes happenings as well as some additional tips and tricks along the way. Road trips are always chock full of stories, too, so stay tuned for the inside scoop.
The big news as we kick off the first show of the season is…I’ve got worms! A new feature in the show is our Thinking Green, and the first topic is about composting. Now, keep in mind, I’m a southern Alabama boy who thinks the only good use for a worm is bait. I live on the water and can walk out and snag a decent sized bream and fry it up for one of the best-tasting meals on the planet. But, I have to admit, I did a lot of researching on the web about composting, and every place I turned mentioned the benefit of including red worms in your compost pile.
Well, just reading it didn’t convince me, so I ordered some worms on the Internet at a place called Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm (oh yeah, you heard me….I ordered worms). We used a few for Danny’s on-camera and I put the rest to the test. I actually have them in a 5-gallon bucket and started adding dead leaves, grass clippings, egg shells (I make some really great deviled eggs!), the remnants of my tomato plants, even the pulp of apples and carrots after I juiced them. I’m here to testify to you, those worms are amazing! They definitely speed up the process, and the worms must be pretty happy about it, too, because they’re multiplying.
Remind me next week to tell you about Danny’s adventure with juicing celery. I’d love to hear from you if you have a question or comment about anything you see on the show. Be sure to keep tabs on my blog. I’ll let you know when and where we’ll be as we tape across the country.
