Friday, April 25, 2008

Often in the evenings I find myself craving something refreshing to drink, but alcohol and caffeine are out and I don't like soda so I wind up drinking plain old water or juice and still wishing I had something better to drink. When I saw Ina make her California Iced Tea, I thought that sounded perfectly refreshing, and easily adapted to be caffeine-free as well. Emma and I made some yesterday and, I was right, it was just what I was looking for. Steve told me it's not anything new and it's also known as an Arnold Palmer, but for me it's new so I am still excited.Another thing about which I am excited is my new clothesline. When we moved here, there were two clothesline poles in our yard but no line on them. I've mentioned to Steve a few times that I'd like a clothesline but he thinks they are trashy (which might be about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard) and I haven't been too eager to go in our backyard the past couple years anyway due to the crazy amount of snakes we have, so I just let it drop.This year, in part because of my newfound bravery, I decided to go ahead and put one up. I've been using every warmish, sunny day so far to dry things on the line, and I love to look out the window and see my stuff blowing in the breeze. The trouble with hanging things on the clothesline is that most things become stiff and crunchy when dried that way. I'd like to be able to say that I'm earth-friendly enough to use scratchy, crispy towels instead of the soft and fluffy ones that using the dryer gives me, but I am not quite that committed yet. For now at least, I am happy to dry my sheets and diapers out in the sunshine.

9 comments:

Mamaperreca said...

WOw. Your diapers look like a rainbow! I love it. I am going to get one of those retractable lines this summer. Our Homeowners rules say you can't have a clothes line, but if it is one that comes down I think I can get away with it.

Kitty Mommy said...

Dry stuff on the line and then pop 'em in the dryer for A FEW minutes...you can use a "no heat" setting if you've got it. A few minutes gives them the soft dryer feel but with way less energy! Tossing in a couple of (clean) tennis balls can also help soften in a shorter time!

Kitty Mommy said...

Oops...didn't mean to shout "a few"...the baby was hitting the caps lock button and I didn't catch it until it was posted!

Anonymous said...

I never thought I would hear you say you are excited about a clothesline! I also love the pictures of the diaper rainbow. Why would subdivisions outlaw clotheslines, which are both thrifty and good for the environment? With all the Earth Day publicity this week, I didn't hear a single mention of clotheslines!
Mom

Shawn said...

Yum that sounds wonderful! It is so wierd I miss washing and drying those diapers and I love that picture of them :) Great way to save on energy too!

Mary Beth said...

Sarah, I love your new diapers so! Oh how I wish I had consulted you before my diaper debaucle! Anyway, congrats on the clothesline and I love lemonade/iced tea too.

Hamons said...

Your tea looks yummy and your diapers are so cute all hanging up to dry. Maybe not everyone's laundry is as cute as yours. You've inspired me to get our clothesline back up and running =) My mom says the same thing as yours - that she never thought she'd hear me say I'm excited about a clothesline!

Allison said...

Your diapers are very colorful blowing in the wind. I think I'll look at your link for the lemonade drink. We had some homemade lemonade this weekend that was wonderful.

Marcia said...

The diapers on the line are a great photo. I love to hang things on the clothesline and am determined to make a clothespin apron this year. I usually fluff my laundry in the dryer for a few minutes too to soften things up. Enjoy the Sunshine and nice breezes.