How is your garden? Go on, brag! Please! Inspire me to spend the time in my backyard garden by sharing your garden’s story. My story is one, unfortunately this summer, of invasion and neglect. The deer continually eat the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. That mystery fungus, or maybe it’s a mold, swallowed the bell peppers. Of course, the basil and rosemary are thriving, and one little lonely pepper. Certainly no recipe from the backyard garden will be gracing our dinner table soon.

Perhaps next spring, I will be outside without a baby riding along in the Bjorn, and I will be able to play in the soil more. Until then, I will begin researching seeds and local nurseries. Abide-A-While is currently the most convenient to my home. Where do you purchase your gardening supplies?

I hope to read about your garden, its defeats and victories. My boys, one of whom remembers last summer’s harvest, has inquired as to why the garden is empty. I have only promised to spend a little more time on our garden, as I do believe a functioning garden belongs in the yard. But I won’t promise to make a concerted effort to keep out the deer. I still enjoy the sight of them, but I do wish their tummies were full after eating all the flowers from the perennial gardens!

Jacki Baer is the founder – I wouldn’t guess her age, but I would guess she has the energy of a woman in her thirties. Jacki is passionate and meticulous. Zoe and I loved getting to know her and her organization. To witness her informing inquiring patrons that Fields for Families delivered over 80,000 pounds of fresh produce to the needy was truly inspiring.

There are many volunteer opportunities available, from gleaning the fields with your kids, to chatting about their cause with friends. This Tuesday, June 30, Whole Foods is donating 5% of their total sales for that day to Fields to Families. Stop by the booths at local farmer’s markets too, check their blog often, and take notice of this non-profit, I hope it grows (I couldn’t resist.)

Hope to see you in the fields!

Last week, my children and I had a wonderful time riding the Dash around the Charleston Peninsula. I had studied the route map earlier in the morning and figured with three young ones in tow we’d be lucky to catch a ride. It wasn’t luck that helped us, it was the fact that it’s so easy to use!

We trekked through the South Carolina Aquarium and observed the penguins eating their breakfast. Afterwords, as we walked around the fountains, up drove the Dash. The driver was friendly and accommodating (of course, this is Charleston,) he answered my questions and assisted me with the stroller. We were the only passengers. The boys loved the ride to the Visitor’s Center, then we played at the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.

The bus stops around the Visitor’s Center are outfitted with benches and shaded by shelters, there are also fountains for entertainment. A posted map might be helpful, but we waited with enthusiasm. This stop was busy with tourism. We then boarded another Dash, another friendly driver greeted us with a cool ride to Waterfront Park, then one more Dash back to the aquarium.

That afternoon, my three year old drew a picture of us riding on the “trolley” through downtown. It truly was easy and fun. The fare was $1.50 for myself, which is definitely worth an air-conditioned ride from site to site while relaxing and chatting with my kids and visiting families (instead of focusing on narrow roads, cyclists with no lanes, sink holes, parking, college kids, let alone tourists!) Thanks CARTA, we will ride the Dash again and again.

Zoe is now two months old, and very busy making wet messes in her diaper. It took about two weeks for the diaper to fit properly. The potty diapers are so easy to flush. Now, the poo-poo’s are an entirely different story. Yes, it can be a very messy ordeal. Yes, sometimes I immediately toss the inserts into a diaper Dekor, which uses biodegradable bags. Yes, the white liners are stained, but rarely a leak outside the liner. Because her poo’s are still so wet, I am looking into using cloth inserts in the gDiaper.

The gross factor rarely bothers me, it’s my baby’s poo, and until foods like the grape enter her diet, I am not gagging. I have never had a problem with the velcro tabs, though there was an improvement added about two years ago. I have only clogged the toilet once, though I believe the culprit was a rogue wipe.

I write this with the hopes it won’t be too gross for anyone (Chad included.) I do try to save the wet inserts for times when the toilet already needs to be flushed. With my three year old going potty every fifteen minutes, it seemed prudent to combine flushes!

I do not mind the extra effort, I wanted to have children and feel a responsibility to lessen their impact. The time it takes to prepare for a day with gDiapers is minimal, certainly a drop in the bucket compared to how much time it takes for the disposables we use to decompose.

Certain occasions do seem to be better suited for disposable diapers: sitters, grandparents and daddy times, along with travel. For these times, we choose Seventh Generation diapers. I also have learned that the while gDiapers are manufactured in China, the inserts are made right here for us in the U.S.

I do think that gDiapers are the best choice for babies’ bottoms and would love to see more around town. One can order them online, or purchase them at Earth Fare and Dwell Smart. Did I mention she looks super cute in them too?

Hmmm…all that spooky fun can cause a lot of consumption and waste. Chad and I found some ways to manage our haunting excesses, and I’m certain we could always be doing more.

Buying local pumpkins was a cinch. Boone Hall Farms, hosts a Fall Festival with one of my boys’ most favorite places, their pumpkin patch. For five dollars, your kids will also love the jump castles, mazes, goats and tractor ride (check out all that bamboo!) This fun filled event is a mere 2 miles from our home. I’d love to hear where you all are buying your locally grown pumpkins.

Then the carving fun begins. Chad and I are looking forward to composting our pumpkins again this fall. From the pulp to the seeds to the sorry rotten faces jack-o-lanterns become, all will be put back into our own gardens.

We try to reuse our decorations, Chad does a great job organizing the crafts we’ve created or purchased, packing them all away for the year. After four years, most of our spooky fanfare appears new. We did, however, make one trip to a Halloween shop – the mad scientist supplies have proven worthwhile. Anyone need a potion?

While Chad and I will be wearing old costumes again this year (he’s really devoted to Obi Wan), our boys do have brand new costumes. Perhaps we should have visited Goodwill for the Thomas the Tank costume, but it’s a special moment when a little guy opens his new costume.

I also cannot resist handing out candies to our neighborhood trick-or-treaters. I thought about more practical reusable hand-outs, such as pencils, but I believe the whole family would protest, loudly. Maybe next year, when chocolate is easier for me to resist!

My biggest disappointment was my lack of a voice in planning the school party, even though I volunteered. I will try not to grumble about the fancy designer Halloween paper plates, napkins and cups our school children will be throwing into trash bins. I suggested one stack of Seventh Generation supplies to last a school year full of little parties. I guess my idea wasn’t cute enough. Again, I will try not to grumble.

My boys are counting the days until Halloween, and I look forward to answering the door to little pirates and princesses. Don’t forget, there is no reason to buy a pail or sack for collecting all those goodies. An old pillowcase has been my favorite Halloween bag since I was dressed as a tiger shouting, “Trick or Treat!” Have a safe and spooky Halloween!

1. Vinegar is as old as dirt. Not really, but vinegar has been a part of human life for 10,000 years.
2. Hippocrates used apple cider vinegar for its many healing properties.
3. 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of water, and a squeeze of a lemon equals the best household cleaner I use.
4. Vinegar is a great antibacterial agent, with a pH lower than 3 – organisms don’t stand a chance.
5. Vinegar is incredibly versatile.
6. Vinegar is cheap – about $1.25 for two liters.
7. I can purchase vinegar just about anywhere.
8. Vinegar has its own institute and its own book.
9. I love a good fresh salad topped with a balsamic vinaigrette.
10. The volcanic action of vinegar plus baking soda is simply a childhood classic.

Currently, there is an old Seventh Generation spray bottle filled with 1 part vinegar, 1 part water, and a little lemon waiting for use everywhere in this house! Vinegar is one easy answer for ways to make one’s home a little more green.

It is reassuring that a regional, but large, grocery store is utilizing the farms here in the Carolinas. The shipping required for our daily diets is costing us more fossil fuel and energy use than we dare to realize. Buying local is an huge step towards lessening our environmental impact.

Other than Whole Foods, I’m not certain if this trend is offered at other chain grocery stores. I chose this Harris Teeter because it’s located three miles from home, but mostly I tend to stick with Whole Foods for stocking our pantry and fridge (apples from North Carolina, hooray!)

As I learn how to adjust our menus according to what is in season, I’ll have to admit I’m not perfect. At seven months pregnant, those clementines from Peru look like the best candies known to man. I give in, here and there, but continue to try and shop for foods with little or no packaging and lesser miles traveled.

Here are some local food links:

• Lowcountry Local First
• Fields to Families
• Boone Hall Farms
• Edible Lowcountry
• Mount Pleasant Seafood

Local farmers markets:

• Charleston Farmers Market
• James Island Presbyterian Church Farmers Market
• Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
• North Charleston Farmers Market
• Stono Farm Market
• Summerville Farmers Market
• Whole Foods Market

He didn’t want to chat for long – said he wanted to keep his heart rate elevated. I think I surprised him by stopping and thanking him. Not too long after, I spotted another obvious marathon man jogging capably and smartly with a plastic bag. I wondered if he, too, was picking up litter. Sure enough, I watched him stop briefly to put a discarded item in his bag.

Then I remembered the fabulous internet! I’ve read the Adopt-a-Highway Program signs, but what can individuals do to make a fighting difference against litter? I began with Keep Charleston Beautiful, a division of the Parks and Recreations department composed of community leaders appointed by Mayor Joe. An annual clean sweep week seems to be their most hands-on offering.

I was impressed with Palmetto Pride site, especially their list of programs and contacts. They also list a lot of ways to become involved, and local contacts.

South Carolina Litter Control is a non profit association, currently and actively seeking sponsorship. They have a partnership with Palmetto Pride, and work with local officials and concerned citizens to fight the litter fight.

I will continue to check these sites, hopefully join in a beach sweep. If you know of other efforts, I would like to hear about them. My spare time is rather limited right now, so I will join Steve and marathon man in a personal mission to clean up our area. Every litter bit counts!

We have lived in our neighborhood for 8 years, and I have never heard of any sort of accident with the school bus. Bus #206 picks up the children from this neighborhood only. It stops at the end of our street, every morning and afternoon, right on time.

Belle Hall is a mere 2.5 miles from my garage. I can’t bike myself (six months pregnant), a five year-old, and a two year-old along Long Point Road at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. I do not want to drive to that school 4 times day. 50 miles a week— back and forth — idling with all my neighbors is totally unacceptable. I don’t want to be wasting fuel unnecessarily and releasing more toxins into our atmosphere.

However, he is also only five, it’s a long day away from home, and he has only visited his new school three times. The thought of him becoming lost around those pods is worrisome. Wait a second, he is five! He knows his address and phone number. He knows where the bus stop is. He knows how to line up in a line and follow. He knows his bus number is #206.

Chad will take him the first few days, maybe weeks, on his way to work. Eventually we will wait for the bus in the morning too. After his first day of school, he will line up and ride his bus home. I will be waiting with proud tears. I hope to be able to tell my girlfriends that he loves his bus rides, maybe influence a few to give it a try.

We’ve been waving and watching that bus for five years now – he’s ready to climb up those steps!

So, while my little guy rarely complained over wet GDiapers, he definitely appreciates his undies. Graham has been willing to don thin cotton, and keep it dry.

Just another great reason to give up disposable diapers.