A nice mother and daughter Friday

I have been working a lot lately so took the chance on Friday to spend some time with our littlest.  We visited the library and got some books, played in some open space, had lunch with Dad and then visited one of our local op shops.

outside the library....

running....

picking flowers for Mum....

We found some "new" warm PJ's for Mum and the kids... some for this year plus a couple for our littlest for next year when she is bigger.

But my favourite find was a long pure wool overcoat.... just what I will need for my Saturdays over winter watching the boys play soccer.

My 10 point Green Home Office Pledge

I work from home a lot .. preparing for teaching and coordiniating local Landcare activities.  While working from home helps to reduce impacts associated with commuting daily and I am able to prepare my own lunch rather that purchasing lunches etc - I am horrified at the amount of office supplies that we go through in an office.  I guess this is bought about by the fact that we purchase and dipose of all of these materials.

We have already implemented a few things around the house to try to make our home office activities more sustainable.  We keep all our used one-sided and we reuse it or the kids use it for drawing.  Our paper that is used on both sides goes in a box to be shredded for bedding for the chooks - and then into the compost and finally into the garden. 

I have made the kids go through their pencil tins at home to get pencils for school rather than buying new packets of pencils. 

But we recognise that there are many more things that can be done.

I researched Office Sustainability Pledges on the internet and  found a range of good ideas - have a look at these - pledge by Harvard University, the Philadelphia Green Office Pledge and  the Australian National University runs a Green Office Program.  At the Australian National University ANUGreen (Sustainability Office) also have some great case studies of what is being implemented across the a range of departments at the University. 

So I have made a 10 point Green Home Office Pledge to make our home office activities more sustainable.

1.  Use once-used-paper for drafts where possible and ALL note taking.

2.  Use environmentally responsible paper with at least 50% recycled content.

3.  To double side and reduce paper use when photocopying/printing.
4.  To provide more resources as electronic copies thereby reducing the amount of paper used in the first place.

5  To refill printer cartridges rather than buying new cartridges and to recycle any old cartridges that cannot be refilled. NO cartridges to be sent to landfill.

6. To manage power consumption better.  Switch off appliances when not in use and activate power save mode.  Turn off lights when we leave the room and only have as many lights on as you need.

7.  To subscribe to or use green power (renewable energy supplies).

8. To replace the halogen downlights in the office with a more efficient compact fluorescent or LED options.
9.  To offest any mileage that I undertake through work realted activities.
10.  Where possible buy pens, pencils and textas that are either made from recycled materials or are recyclable.

What do you do in your office or home office to make it more "green"?

Are you willing to join the 10 point Green Home Office Pledge as well?

Sampling the local wines, cider and beer

I have been working too much over the last fortnight - family life is struggling - the house is a mess - but it was nice to come home last night after two intense days of teaching plant identification and enjoy some local wine.

We are part of a wine syndicate the Dad's work which gives us access to a great range of Australian wines.  We have ordered wines seasonally for the last 5 years or so - but for our last order I decided to reduce our wine syndicate order and source some of our local wines, cider and beer.  It has been a worthwhile choice and we will continue to sample from the wide range of vineyards around Orange - this has truly been a great spin off from our relocation to Orange a few years ago.

I thought it appropriate to mention some of our local bargains and great drinks we have found to date.

Starting with bargains - Totally Local sources local clean skins to put their stickers on - for around $10 a bottle these are a bargain.

Being in Orange however we have enjoyed exploring the local Sauvignon Blancs and cider.

My favourite local drop at the moment is the Brangayne Sauvignon Blanc and Mayfield Vineyard's Icely Road Sauvignon Blanc.  With the large choice around Orange we are still sampling the local produce and I am sure their will be more favourites put on my list.  We have also been enjoying some of the local apple ciders produced by Small Acres Cyder.

Dad enjoys a wide range of local reds - some of his favourites being from Word of Mouth on the slopes of Mt Canobolas and Printhie near Molong.

Within the 100 mile diet radius of Orange we are also able to pick up locally brewed beer from the Mudgee Brewing Company. 

Do you have a favourite local drop?