Blissful

A new store has opened in Encinitas and after only one week it is proving to be one of the hottest new places to find amazing, unique pieces for the home and garden!!  From benches and mirrors made from reclaimed teak boats from Bali to handmade local jewelry Bliss 101 has something for everyone.

The first shop to open in Encinitas' new Pacific Station they are located right next to the soon-to-come Whole Foods and behind Barracuda Grill.
Head on up to Encinitas and check them out!!

NASA article about turf

Check out this great article written by a NASA scientist! It's a few years old but what it covers is pretty up to date. Did you know that turf is the single largest irrigated "crop" in America, more even than corn?


While she notes the obvious about the impact of lawns on our water supply she does note that it is useful for carbon sequestration which is being used as an argument by the turf industry for why lawns are actually environmentally friendly. Unfortunately they don't mention that ALL plants sequester carbon and the overall surface area of leaves from a 5x5 drought tolerant shrub is probably at least if not more than a 5 sq. foot patch of lawn and it takes less water, less maintenance, and doesn't need fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides to thrive!!

Check out the article here.

Build a Birdhouse for Audubon!



Tozio Azumi Recycled Catalog Birdhouse



Design and build a signature birdhouse, bathouse or birdfeeder to donate to the Buena Vista Audubon Society's 1st Annual Birdhouse Auction and Fundraiser, scheduled for February 26, 2011, from 4pm to 8:30pm. The unique birdhouses, bat houses and feeders will be auctioned off at a silent auction which will be held at the Nature Center at 2202 S. Coast Hwy, Oceanside.  Funds raised by the auction will be used to increase educational programs, maintain the Nature Center, and help in the on-going efforts to build public awareness and appreciation for our lagoons and the animal and plant life they shelter.

3 prizes will be awarded for the top 3 houses/feeders as voted on by those in attendance.

 If you are interested in donating a house or feeder to this worthwhile cause, you can download a registration form at www.bvaudubon.org and send it in, pick up a form at the Nature Center at 2202 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, or you can just reply to bvlagoon@gmail.com. The deadline for registering was January 15, 2011, but it has been extended to February 19, 2011.