Outdoor lighting for the unique at heart

Rather you live in Augusta GA or Hilton Head SC Dalzell Design Landscaping is committed to ensuring the best quality to out clients that love the best things in life. Celebrate, another year with a complete make over of your back yard with outdoor lights. Security for your largest investment. Safety for your family, and beauty, even at night as your low voltage lighting illuminates your back yard, patio and deck.

You never have to take the party indoors, as you can have Dalzell Design create you an outdoor kitchen for your meals, outdoor fire place for your comfort on the cold winter months, and outdoor lighting to keep the mood just where you want it.

Give us a call now to set an appointment: 706-623-3440
24hours a day.

15% off of hardscapes.

Call Will now for a free quote: 706-623-3440

We also are now serving the following areas:

Martinez GA, Belvedere SC, North Augusta SC, Harlem GA, Beech Island SC, Evans GA, Grovetown GA, Hephzibah GA, Savannah GA, Hilton Head SC, Columbia SC, Athens GA, Irmo SC, Edgefield SC, Greenville SC, Aiken SC, Lincolnton GA, Bluffton SC, Greenwood SC, Thomson GA, Waynesboro ga, Statesboro GA, Appling GA, Lexington SC, Augusta GA, Atlanta GA, Athens GA, Macon GA, Orangeburg SC, Batesburg-Leesville SC, St Andrews SC, Burton SC, Hendersonville SC, Allendale SC

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Technorati Tags: backyard lighting, led outdoor lighting, low voltage outdoor lighting, modern outdoor lighting, motion sensor outdoor lighting, outdoor deck lighting, outdoor lighting, outdoor lighting ideas, outdoor lights, outdoor patio lighting, outdoor patio lights, outdoor string lights, outdoor wall lighting, outdoor yard lighting, patio lighting, patio lights, Solar Outdoor Lighting

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If you would like to view our outdoor path lighting collection, please visit our site here: http://www.build.com/index.cfm?page=search:browse&categoryID=58911&source=smyt_pathlightidea

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First, learn about the different types of lighting you can use to spruce up your landscape. Try spotlights for smaller areas or floodlights for a wide general area. Also, think about adding entrance lights, patio lighting or path and walkway lighting. If you want to try more dramatic lighting, add uplights beneath trees or statues. After you have thought about potential types of lights, you need to decide whether you want to use solar or low voltage lighting. Use solar if you are lighting for more of an aesthetic feel or use low voltage if you are more concerned about safety and security.

After you have finished planning and deciding, it is time to install. Assemble the lights you will be using first, then use an edger or shovel to dig a place for the lights and cables. Once this is complete, connect the lights together and push the fixtures part way into the ground. Put the cables into the ground and attach to the power pack. Connect the power pack, turn everything on and make sure everything is working correctly. Finalize your lighting by covering the cables with mulch or grass and set any lighting controls. Now you can enjoy your newly installed landscape lighting!

To learn more about outdoor lighting and to find other informative how-to videos, visit http://www.Lowes.com/Videos

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Cooking packs a wallop in terms of health and environmental impact in the developing world: I’ve seen the numbers time and time again as I come across new appropriate technology for addressing that impact. Various social enterprises have played with clean, efficient cookstove models to address respiratory disease and deforestation that results from cooking with wood. I’ve been fascinated by these approaches: from rockets stoves to cogeneration concepts, there’s been a lot to admire on this front… and not just because these ideas are environmentally sustainable, but also address the economic impact of cooking in the developing world.

Of course, a stove that required no fuel would be perfect: no carbon emissions, no time devoted to gathering wood or working to earn the money to buy other fuels, no fine particulates that make people sick. The Wonderbag, a creation of South African social entrepreneur Sarah Collins, doesn’t eliminate fuel, but it does cut its use: once a pot of food reaches the boiling point, it can be placed in the insulated bag to keep cooking without burning any more wood or gas. When paired with a clean cookstove, I’d guess the resource savings would be tremendous.

How does this work? Essentially, thermal mass: the Wonderbag uses polysterene balls as insulation in the bags themselves, which hold the heat from the cooking pot. It can do so for several hours, turning a standard Dutch oven into a slow cooker… all while cutting emissions. Collins estimates that the Wonderbag “has already saved enough CO2 emissions to travel the globe 9,452 times…”

Want to see how it all works? Check out the video on bringing the Wonderbag to Rwanda on the company’s website. No doubt a simple invention like this would be great for American outdoorsy types (who can afford a $65 bag); for women and children in the developing world, it’s another lifesaver.

via yesterday’s Green tech finds post at SUNfiltered

Image credit: screen capture from “Wonderbag in Rwanda” video

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Almost exactly five years ago, I took at look at Transcendentist, a Berkeley based “green dentistry office” that combined environmental responsibility with a very different approach to patient care. Rather than the typical clinical approach, the founders of Transcendentist created a spa-like atmosphere… complete with foot massages. Even then, the idea was taking off: nothing like a little calm to take the edge off of that fear of the dentist thing.

Now, five years later, the concept has gone national (in part because of the work of Transcendentist founders Ina and Fred Pockrass)… so, yes, you can even find eco-dentists here in the Midwest! In Chicago, the hub of all things green in the region, the ORA Dental Studio has really picked up the concept and run with it. Not only do they offer what is now the typical combination of Earth-friendly dental equipment in a relaxing atmosphere, but they do it in a certified green building: their Wicker Park location has received the LEED Gold designation “for its eco-friendly and high-performance design, construction and operation.”

Designed by Chicago-based green architects 2Point Perspective, features of the new space include:

• Motion-sensor lighting, with all lighting consisting of LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures and Energy Star appliances
• Doors made of recycled resin
• Low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint and flooring
• Reclaimed cabinets
• A high-efficiency mechanical system (Once installed, the system worked even more efficiently than originally envisioned, enabling ORA to surpass the LEED Silver rating it originally sought and achieve LEED Gold.)

And, as you can see, it’s also gorgeous… I probably won’t be taking a trip to Chicago for a teeth cleaning, but it’s tempting. If you are in the area, ORA Dental Studio is celebrating with specials on both routine visits (cleanings and such), as well as teeth whitening at the new LEED-certified office.

Use an eco-dentist? Tell us about it…

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“I love to upcycle because it’s in my practical, frugal nature to get the most out of what I purchase,” said Andrea. “I also think in our throw-away society, anything we can do to eliminate landfill waste creates a healthier environment and a healthier us.”

This sweetheart of a project is perfect for scraps of fabric, felt, paper or other materials which can be stitched together using a sewing machine. You’ll also need an iron, scissors, thread, a sewing machine and liquid seam sealant/fusible web (optional) to complete your garland.

How to Make a Valentine’s Day Garland from Scrap Fabric

1. Gather your fabric scraps. Pinks and reds are great choices to make a traditionally Valentine’s themed garland, but whites or non-traditional colors would work well too. (Designer note: If needed, iron your scraps to remove wrinkles and creases.)

2. For each scrap iron a fold in the material approximating the width of half of your heart. In this project, it doesn’t matter whether you iron with the right- or wrong- sides together. Like so:

3. Next, using fabric scissors cut out half a heat shape. If you prefer uniform hearts, create a cardboard template first. Andrea did this free hand for a more relaxed feel, and varied the heart lengths between ½” and 1½”.

4. After you cut out each heart, press it flat with your iron. If you want to completely eliminate the crease, you may need to spritz it with water.

5. This next step is optional, but helpful for fabrics with a loose weave and/or ones that look like they’re fraying after you cut out the heart shape. Dip the tops of the hearts into some liquid seam sealant and lay flat to dry. Or, if you’re using fusible web, iron it to the back of each heart.

6. Once your hearts are prepared, arrange them in a pleasing pattern. The designer chose to randomly vary the sizes and colors, but if you prefer a more formal look, try a repetitive pattern either with the colors and/or heart sizes.

7. Now for the stitching. Andrea threaded her machine with a light pink thread, but white or red would work as well. Make sure you leave enough of a tail (about 2-3”) at the beginning of your string so it can be tied or taped to something when you’re finished. With your presser foot raised, place your first heart under the needle, bring the needle all the way down and lower the presser. Using a straight stitch, begin stitching your hearts together – the stitches should go through the top ¼ of the heart and leave about a ½’space between each heart.

A good guide for this is as you finish stitching a heart and it reaches the back part of the presser foot, thread your next heart into place to be stitched. This probably sounds a lot more complicated than it really is, but if you’re unsure, try a few practice hearts until you’re pleased with the results.

8. Here you can see what the hearts look like when stitched together. Notice where the thread line lies on each heart – this is important as a lower thread line will cause the hearts to flip upside down when you go to string them up.

9. When all your hearts are stitched, cut the threads, again leaving a 2”-3” tail.

10. If this is a gift, or when you are ready to store them, wrap the strand around a piece of cardboard –food/cereal boxes are perfect for this – to prevent the string from tangling. If you’re gifting this string of hearts, consider decorating the cardboard holder and/or writing a special message to the recipient.

Saved by Grace Designs is an online shop handcrafting beautiful and practical creations like cherry pit packs, apparel, accessories and so much more from Upcycled materials. Andrea, the shop owner, strives to use minimal and environmentally friendly package for all her items. She loves doing custom orders because “the best way to keep something out of a landfill is to tailor an item exactly to a person’s tastes”.

Please note that a portion of the proceeds from each sale at Saved by Grace Designs is donated to causes working to alleviate the suffering of women and children. For every purchase made from the shop between now and February 20th, Andrea will include a SweetHeart Love String of 14 hearts as a special gift along with your purchased item.

If you’d like to stay updated on the latest blog posts, new items added to the shop, announcements, discounts and special offers, you can find Andrea on Twitter and her blog.

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Flooding on Arkansas' White River

By Janet Larsen and Sara Rasmussen

The global average temperature in 2011 was 14.52 degrees Celsius (58.14 degrees Fahrenheit). According to NASA scientists, this was the ninth warmest year in 132 years of recordkeeping, despite the cooling influence of the La Niña atmospheric and oceanic circulation pattern and relatively low solar irradiance. Since the 1970s, each subsequent decade has gotten hotter — and 9 of the 10 hottest years on record have occurred in the twenty-first century.

Each year’s average temperature is determined by a number of factors, including solar activity and the status of the El Niño/La Niña phenomenon. But heat-trapping gases that have accumulated in the atmosphere, largely from the burning of fossil fuels, have become a dominant force, pushing the Earth’s climate out of its normal range. The planet is now close to 0.8 degrees Celsius warmer than it was a century ago. Hidden within annual averages and expected variability are startling instances of new temperature and rainfall records in many parts of the world — weather extremes that would once be considered anomalies but that now risk becoming the new norm as the Earth heats up.

Worldwide, 2011 was the second wettest year on record over land. (The record was set in 2010, which also tied 2005 as the warmest overall.) Heavier deluges are expected on a warmer planet; each temperature rise of 1 degree Celsius increases the amount of moisture the atmosphere can hold by about 7 percent. Higher temperatures also can fuel stronger storms.

Weather-Related Natural Disasters… Worldwide

Brazil started the year with the deadliest natural disaster in its history: in January, a month’s worth of rain fell in a single day in Rio de Janeiro state, leading to floods and landslides that killed at least 900 people. That same month, flooding in eastern Australia covered an area nearly the size of France and Germany combined. Overall, it was the third wettest year in Australia since recordkeeping began in 1900.

The most expensive weather disaster of 2011 was the flooding in Thailand in the second half of the year, which ultimately submerged one third of the country’s provinces. At $45 billion worth of damage — equal to 14 percent of Thailand’s gross domestic product — it was also the costliest natural catastrophe the country ever experienced.

In October, more than 100 people died as two storms — one from the Pacific and the other from the Caribbean — pounded Central America with rain. In western El Salvador, nearly 1.5 meters of rain (almost 5 feet) fell over 10 days. And in December, Tropical Storm Washi hit the Philippines, creating flash floods that killed more than 1,200 people.

The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season had 19 named storms. Hurricane Irene brought extreme flooding to the northeastern United States in August, with total damages topping $7.3 billion. The year was the wettest on the books for seven states in the country, while it was among the driest for several others. Although the extremes appear to balance out, making for a near-average year, in fact a record 58 percent of the contiguous United States was either extremely wet or extremely dry in 2011.

Drought conditions in Somalia

Indeed, as is expected on a hotter planet, while some parts of the globe were overwhelmed by rain in 2011, others were distinguished by dryness. A severe drought in the Horn of Africa that began in 2010 devolved into a crisis situation in 2011, characterized by crop failure, exorbitant food prices, and widespread malnutrition. Exacerbated by chronic political instability and a belated humanitarian response, the death toll may have exceeded 50,000 people.

Back in North America, a drought that began in late 2010 and worsened over 2011 led hundreds of farmers from northern Mexico to march to that nation’s capital in January 2012 to draw the government’s attention to their suffering. Nearly 900,000 hectares of farmland (some 2.2 million acres) and 1.7 million head of livestock were lost due to the dryness — the worst in Mexico’s 70+ years of data collecting.

Scorching heat, drought, and wildfires across the U.S. Southern Plains and Southwest caused farm, ranch, and forestry damages that exceeded $10 billion in 2011. Wichita Falls, Texas, experienced 100 days over 100 degrees Fahrenheit — far more than the previous record of 79 days set in 1980. Oklahoma and Texas had the hottest summers of any states in history, breaking by a wide margin the record set in 1934 during the Dust Bowl. James Hansen, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, writes that the likelihood of such extreme heat waves “was negligible prior to the recent rapid global warming.” Texas also had its lowest rainfall on record. Invigorated by the heat and drought, wildfires burned across an estimated 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres) in the state.

How Hot Was 2011?

For the continental United States, summer 2011 was the second warmest in history. Nearly three times more weather stations hit record highs than lows in 2011, in line with a trend of increasing heat extremes. Whereas in the middle of the 20th century there were close to the same number of record highs and lows — as would be expected absent a strong warming trend — in the 1990s highs began outpacing lows. In the first decade of this century, there were twice as many record highs as record lows.

Worldwide, seven countries set all-time temperature highs in 2011: Armenia, China, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Republic of the Congo, and Zambia. Interestingly, Zambia also was the only country to experience an all-time low temperature when it dropped to -9 degrees Celsius (16 degrees Fahrenheit) in June. Kuwait experienced the year’s highest temperature, with thermometers measuring a searing 53.3 degrees Celsius (127.9 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth during the month of August. Even more threatening to health than daytime highs are extra hot nighttime minimum temperatures, which do not allow any respite from the heat. The world’s hottest 24-hour minimum ever — 41.7 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) — was recorded in Oman in June 2011.

Even the Arctic had a notably warm year, with the 2011 temperature a record 2.2 degrees Celsius (4 degrees Fahrenheit) above the mean for 1951–80. Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost U.S. city, spent a record-breaking 86 consecutive days at or above freezing, far more than the previous record of 68 days set in 2009.

In fact, over the last 50 years temperatures in the Arctic have risen more than twice as fast as the global average, melting ice and thawing permafrost. Arctic sea ice has been shrinking more rapidly, falling to its lowest volume and second lowest area on record during the 2011 summer melt season. With the summertime ice loss outpacing wintertime recovery, Arctic sea ice has thinned, making it increasingly vulnerable to further melting. Scientists expect a completely ice-free summertime Arctic by 2030 or even earlier.

As the reflective ice disappears, it exposes the dark ocean, which more readily absorbs solar energy, further warming the region. This sets forth a climate cascade, accelerating ice loss both in the ocean as well as on nearby Greenland, which contains enough ice to raise global sea level by 7 meters (23 feet) if it completely melted. The warming also thaws Arctic permafrost, releasing carbon dioxide and methane, further accelerating global warming.

Even without fully incorporating such climate feedback, models show that continued reliance on fossil fuels could raise the global temperature by up to 7 degrees Celsius (over 12 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of this century. Such an elevated temperature would amplify temperature and precipitation extremes enough to make the weather events of recent years look tame in comparison. Only a rapid, dramatic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions can hold future temperatures in a range bearing any resemblance to what civilization has known.

Images credit: USFWS/Southeast at flickr under a Creative Commons license;  Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) at flickr under a Creative Commons license

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I never knew how to upcycle them, so I never tried. But I recently came across some really cool ideas that I now plan on using on the huge number of spent gift cards I have in my wallet following the holidays. I would encourage you to do the same, or come up with your own.

String Picks

Super cute and easy to make yourself, these picks for guitars and other string instruments are a great idea. The plastic density of most cards might be a little thin and overly flexible for good use, so you might want to think of using a trace to make two identical drawings before cutting them with an exacto knife, and then attaching the two for something thicker.

Make sure to use an adhesive that is well known for binding plastic, such as industrial strength plastic repair glue, including Henkel or Scotch Grip.

Photo Frame

This simple picture frame took a basic frame you can buy from any craft store, and then cut expired credit cards up into small squares to attach around it. The designer seemed to own quite a few cards, but upcycling is a great way to save money to help pay off credit card debt. A win-win situation! This would be a perfect project for after the holidays, since most of us have a large number of gift cards by the end. Especially if you are like me and impossible to shop for.

Spiral Notepad

Starbucks gift cards tend to be more attractive than most. This Etsy seller took advantage of that fact by taking used cards and turning them into these adorable little spiral notebooks with a closing band. As they point out, the pads are pretty durable and so easy to keep with a purse or pocket without damaging it. It wouldn’t be hard to decorate your own.

Mosaic Art

This Etsy user makes cute, custom mosaics using old gift and business cards, all set in wooden frames. They are complex and interesting, and show what you can accomplish with a little creativity. Most cards are so colorful and varied that you could easily create your own to hand on the wall or put on a desk, maybe even gift to someone close to you.

Bracelet

My favorite idea, simply because I love upcycled jewelry, this is an easy bracelet that can also be applied to other pieces of jewelry such as necklaces. You simply create little plastic disks from the card and connect them using split rings and end with a lobster clasp. They have full instructions here and a list of necessary tools.

There is no reason to throw out those plastic cards when you are done with them. Just use one of these handy ideas for upcycling, and keep the landfills free of plastic it can’t naturally break down.

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So what can you do with an old shipping container? Start an indoor farm? Build a mobile strip mall? These are just a couple of the more unique ideas I’ve come across; there are many others.

This weekend, while reading Fast Company‘s interview with Jason Aramburu, the CEO of re:char, I was struck by (among other things) the company’s design for a shipping container-based factory for its “Climate Kilns” (“a small pyrolysis system capable of generating biochar or fuel charcoal”). The idea’s ultimately very practical: according to Aramburu, “In places like rural Africa, it’s really hard to import and transport finished goods efficiently,” so the social enterprise start-up decided to create a mobile production space for its signature product that could be moved to the places where re:char would sell its kilns.

So. how do you turn a shipping container into a factory? re:char’s CTO Luke Iseman did a presentation at Austin’s Dorkbot in December, and shared it on the company blog (where you can also just look at his slides if you prefer):

The company is still working at getting one of these up and running in Kenya, but it’s a really intriguing model of reuse (which makes sense: everything this company does seems based on reusing “waste”). If you’re so intrigued by the biochar concept that you’d like to try making you’re own, re:char sells both complete Climate Kilns, or DIY basics (plans plus the pyrolyzer) on its website.

So, whaddaya think? Share your thoughts with us below.

via Triplepundit and @costrike

Image credit: Luke Iseman at Slideshare

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Read through, and take a look particularly at the potential for self-adjusting glasses: these strike me as having real potential to not only serve the vision needs of many around the globe, but to also cut back on the resources that go into new glasses for changed prescriptions.

Of course, we’re always interested to know what you think.

Image credit: Mezzner

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Most of us probably had similar reactions when we discovered the fact that the stinging nettle plant is not only edible, but even commonly eaten in other parts of the world: “Doesn’t that hurt?” No, apparently: cooking takes the sting out of the nettle, and the plant is commonly used in soup and tea.

But given that cooked stinging nettle is compared to spinach, it makes sense that there’s much more you could do with this wild plant. While I’ve never eaten nettle (that I know of), I’ve become intrigued lately with the notion of foraging… and stinging nettle is readily available almost everywhere in the early Spring. After a little digging, I also discovered this plant is really versatile, and works in recipes from a wide variety of culinary traditions.

How to Forage for Stinging Nettle

Generally, you can’t pick nettle up at the store; you have to go out and collect it yourself. For an overview of how to forage for nettle, check out our sister site Eat.Drink.Better’s guide to the topic.

7 Nettle Recipes

OK, so now you’ve got all those nettle leaves; what do you do with them? If you’re not feeling the soup or tea recipes above, try one of the following:

Nettle pesto: Once you’ve got you nettle leaves blanched, you’re about halfway there with this easy non-traditional recipe for the Italian spread.

Nettle Aloo Saag: Like Indian food? This staple side dish is also pretty simple. (via The Kitchn)

Pasta with Nettles: Start craving lighter food when the weather warms up? This pasta dish with nettles, sorrel, and lemon sounds perfect for a Spring or Summer dinner.

Nettle Risotto: Yep, lots of options on the Italian-inspired front. Lots of directions for Hank Shaw’s recipe, but about half of them are for preparing the nettles. The folks at Marquita Farms have a couple of other options for this dish (plus others).

Nettle Rarebit: Or rabbit if you prefer.

Nettle Haggis: I always think of sheep’s stomach when I see the word “haggis,” but this recipe is free of that rather unpleasant element of the traditional Scottish dish.

Nettle Lasagna: Paul Wheaton of Permies.com records Jocelyn Campbell making foraged vegetarian version of this classic Italian baked favorite.

Know of other interesting ways to cook these edible weeds? Share them with us… if they look good, I’ll even add them to the post.

Image credit: Pokrajac at Wikimedia Commons under a Creative Commons license

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There are many great and pleasantly simple ways to conserve water usage at home. Want to save an extra 50+ gallons of water each and every day? Here’s one way you may not have considered before: take a navy shower! No, you don’t need to shout “yes, drill sergeant” or drop and do fifty push-ups at any point in this process. It’s actually one of the better ideas to come out of the military…

A navy shower is a method of showering that originated on ships at sea, where freshwater supplies were frequently in short supply. The idea is quite simple: Turn on the water and rinse, turn off the water and scrub down with soap, and then turn on the water once again to clean off the soap. Really, that’s it.

Simple Home Water Conservation

Instead of having the water run for the entire duration of the shower (which is ultimately very wasteful – you’ll be no cleaner for it, believe it or not!), the shower is on for a mere two to three minutes.

Need more convincing? Amazingly, the average 10 minute shower requires 60 gallons of water. That’s 240 gallons of water for a family of four, just to shower once each day! A navy shower, however, can use as little as 3 gallons! To make the argument even more convincing, this resourceful individual did the math to calculate how much money that simple change would save you.

Combined with a low flow showerhead, you’ll be on your way towards greater water conservation at home!

Image credit: flickr via Squiggle

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Jes MaHarry has been a creator of sustainable, hand-crafted jewelry collections and a leader of mix-media design for more than two decades. Collectors and customers alike are drawn to Jes’ signature style of “finding perfection in what is imperfect” and combining unlikely pairs of raw and refined resources to make one-of-a-kind pieces.

Jes and her team of local artisans use only environmentally and people-friendly materials like reclaimed and recycled metals, conflict-free stones and non-treated gems, beads, feathers, shells, etc. in their collections. Her newest design is limited edition leather cuffs made from recycled horse harnesses and totemic charms.

Every handmade piece is created as an extension of Jes’ heart, and many are chosen as part of the Jewels of Kindness program which helps to bring goodwill to charities ranging from animal to human rights to environmental issues. Charity and special event organizers are welcomed to contact Jes’ studio for potential fundraising opportunities.

Jes MaHarry

“With all the goodness that fills my life, I am always looking for ways to give back and create uplifting change,” Jes noted on her website. She added, “After all, what is the point of this life without exchange, without being able reach out to each other in a time of need?”

The latest expansion of Jes’ clothing, fragrances, body oils and accessories lines have given her more avenues to be more eco-friendly and socially responsible. Her locally hand-sewn clothing is produced from 100% organic fabrics and dyed using low impact natural pigments. Her line of oils and fragrances are mostly derived from wild or organic plants, and the accessories are adorned with recycled and reclaimed glass, cardboard and solid pine.

You can create your own collection of Jes MaHarry’s handmade, eco-friendly creations by visiting her website and social media pages, finding her jewelry in the Sundance Catalog, and/or in boutiques near you.

Images courtesy of Jes MaHarry

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