Sharing Space with My Feathered Friends- by Susan Tucker

"Those damn birds!" That's what I woke up to exactly three years ago this spring - the first spring we spent in our new house.

I couldn't blame my husband for voicing his frustrations. I had also watched as a couple of birds (or was it just one frantic one?) built up a nest in the rafters of our deck roof. At first we thought nothing of it, but as time went by, they (he) would come in and out and in and out, constantly sending the dogs off into a barking rampage. It finally became such a nuisance we resorted to hooking up a power washer to our hose and drowned them out of their home.

Yeah, I know, that was pretty cruel. I still lose sleep over it

Then came the spring of 05, the year we decided to start a family of our own. The little things in life are suddenly viewed from a new perspective. We didn't have the heart to evict them that year. That was the year we experienced life anew as papa and mama built their home in eager anticipation of babies (who came surprisingly sooner than we expected). We sat back in fascination as sweet little bird parents worked hard to bring food to the littlest ones. We got used to their cute little chirping noises - even the dogs had gotten used to it. Then, sadly, after a few weeks they were gone. Our deck felt so empty.

Spring is back again and so are the birds. I told my son the story of the birds this morning and look forward to watching and sharing as the cycle starts again. Right now they're still acquiring the bits and pieces of twigs that will eventually be home to babies. I'll explain how mama and papa want things to be just right, because when their little babies arrive, they'll spend their time finding food for babies to grow and eventually fly out on their own.

If there is one thing that I've learned from the birds, it's that life is short. Pretty soon, my own baby bird will be grown up and out on his own, too. I just want to be sure and experience all the joys that life has to offer while I still have him here to share them with me ... including sharing space with my feathered friends.

Interested in learning more about local bird watching? Click here!

The Spring issue of BCHG is HERE!

Give me a drumroll please .....
The spring issue of Boulder County Home & Garden Magazine has just been published!

It's another beautiful, informative issue that's chock full of inspiration! I particularly like the Container Gardening, How to Decorate Your Garden and Spring Chickens articles. As usual, being a part of this magazine has done nothing to wane my desire for a beautiful lawn.

Be sure to pick up your copy at any of the areas King Soopers, many of the local coffee shops or real estate offices!

If you have a project you need help on log on to our online Resource Directory for a list of local home and garden professionals!

How to Keep Your Budget Intact When Your Kitchen is Being Torn Apart- By Susan Tucker

After living in our new (1968 model) home for a mere 2 days, 48 hours, my husband and I decided we couldn’t cook one more meal in the disgusting, dated kitchen. It was then that our dream kitchen plans were underway.

We began the process just as any couple would: tearing out magazine articles, scouring the Internet, asking around. We had NO CLUE what it entailed or how to get started. Eventually, we consulted a kitchen designer and from there it was just taking it one step at a time.

By hiring a designer, we were able to save quite a bit of money. She connected us with someone interested in recycling their maple cabinets and she coached us on the best places to shop for the best prices. She had a great sense of space and it showed in the design plans she created for us.

We set a goal start date for Memorial Day – my husband is on a school schedule, so we knew we had to get it completed during his nine-week break. In the months leading up to “The Big Day”, we diligently prepared; buying/borrowing equipment and supplies, moving the essentials to our laundry room, building our bank account as well as our friendship “accounts”, and getting mentally geared up.

Clad in old clothes, masks and goggles, demolition day was underway. Two days of demo lead to a vigorous regimen of waking, completing a long list of tasks, eating dinner out (or off the grill) and falling into bed late every night. It was much like climbing a 14’er, just one step at a time.

Thanks to the help of friends and family (my electrician brother flew out from Alabama to rewire and our good friend who hangs cabinets did the obvious) the process wasn’t so bad and we -THANK GOD- got it all finished on time, if not slightly off budget. It didn’t take too much of a toll on our relationship and now we have a gorgeous custom kitchen!


Things I learned along the way:
1) Hire a consultant, designer or anyone that can guide you along the way. Be sure you know UP FRONT what services will be provided and how much it will be (one flat fee or a la carte). Insist upon a written agreement.
2) Get a permit. It’s easy to do through the city.
3) Plan WELL ahead of time – the best way we saved money was by knowing what we wanted and waiting until there was a sale to buy it (you’ll need access to a storage area).
4) Be unabashed in asking for help. Your friends and family will be happy to do so, especially when you throw in things like free dog walks for a year, homemade meals, or anything else you can barter.
5) Think outside the box. Our best purchase were maple cabinets from someone else’s kitchen. They were happy to recycle and we were happy to save $10K.
6) Use local artisans. Our custom hand-blown glass pendant lights are gorgeous and they always generate a response.
7) Go to http://homeandgardenmag.com/resource_directory.html It’s a great resource that’ll help you figure out who to use for what and where to buy.

Until our next project, I’m happily content to search for inspiration while I sit at my new concrete countertop bar!

The countdown begins....

Only ONE month until the Farmer's Market opens!

Get your updates at: www.boulderfarmers.org

I Want a New Yard

My goal this year is to redo my landscaping and I need help. For the life of me, I just can't fathom how some of these brilliant landscapers and gardeners keep track of what to plant when and how far apart and how much water goes where and part sun or part shade .... it boggles my mind!

So, I'm putting a call out there to anyone who might be interested in giving me some advice!

Here is the lowdown: My backyard is a little less than a 1/4 acre and a square. I want a fairly large garden, a space for a kids play area with swingset, and an outdoor "relaxation" area. I have two dogs, a toddler and very little money.

Please email your thoughts or advice to susan@brockpub.com

Brock Pub + BGBG!

I'm happy to announce that Brock Publishing has just finalized a sponsorship deal with the Boulder Green Building Guild. In case you're not familiar with the BGBG, check out their website: www.bgbg.org.

The BGBG is chock full of talented, incredibly responsible business owners who practice sustainability. Many of the members are leading the nation in green & sustainable building. I'm excited to see the growth of this fantastic organization.

Boulder County Home & Garden Magazine offers consumers an in-depth look at the latest in "green" by a member contributed section called Green Builders Corner. Available in print or online. Look for the spring version coming in early April.

For more on green building, sustainable living and more, check out our sister publication, Green Mag. Go online to www.greenmagonline.com

Black Gold: Converting Banana Peels into Spring’s Delightful Soil - by Susan Tucker

I am a consumer … no, really, a CONSUMER. I am truly amazed at how much waste we produce in our household. I’ve been feeling pretty guilty about it, but without taking drastic measures I wasn’t sure what we could do to minimize our footprint. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon the ReSource booth at the Sustainable Resources Fair in Ft. Collins last fall that I found the answer - by way of a beautiful, plastic, black bin.

Ah-ha, composting! Don’t get me wrong, I have heard of composting, and all the glories of it, but figured my thumb was too black to even try it out. However, after a quick chat with the ReSource guy, coupled with an inexpensive price tag, I knew I HAD to get started, and right away!

I set up our newest addition at the back of the house in its own cute little compact spot. I poured over the instructions and promptly got started collecting leaves, twigs and kitchen scraps. As with my million other projects, my husband just stood by – shaking his head, mind you - as I gushed and gushed about how wonderful it’s going to be and how I’m going to take good care of it and how it’s going to be the “best soil ever!”

I’m proud to say that four months and several hundred banana peels into the process my hard work is paying off and I can’t wait for spring! Upon last rotation, I was amazed to see fluffy, beautiful soil beginning to form. What an incredible feeling. And, best of all, our waste is down and my husband is finally seeing an end result to one of my many projects!

If you’re interested in starting a compost pile, please do your homework – there is an art to making black gold. Here are some things I’ve learned:

1) No need for fancy equipment. A large plastic container with holes and a lid will work just fine.
2) Place your bin in the sun so your ingredients can “cook.”
3) There are many materials you can include in your pile (do your research!), but the most important ratio to remember is 3:1 – three parts “brown” to one part “green.”
4) Turn it once a week. I use an old shovel and just get in there and flip it all around like batter.
5) Don’t let it get too dry or too wet. A nice mix of materials can prevent that from happening.
6) And, most importantly, have fun. You’re recycling in the best way you can!

Find out more about composting in the Fall 2006 issue of Boulder County Home & Garden Magazine or at www.compostguide.com.