Category Archives: environment

Train of Thought: Heavy Cream

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Bettina Colonna Essert

It’s 2012. Less than a month before the world ends. Do I believe that? Well, I’m not sure. Honestly, I am a little bit concerned. I don’t want the world to end. I don’t want electricity to end. I want … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, suburban homesteading, weird stuff | Leave a comment

Honey for Seasonal Allergies

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Bettina Colonna Essert

There’s a lot of talk about using honey for seasonal allergies and I’m here to tell you that it’s working for me. The bees may be able to help you very specifically with allergies to local pollens. If you’re allergic … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, bees, environment, gardening-organic biodynamic natural, health and well-being, herb/herbalism, honey bees, suburban homesteading | Leave a comment

The Saga of the Liver

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Bettina Colonna Essert

For years now my husband has been consuming a commercial brand braunsweiger. He eats. I bitch. Finally, last week, we had a light bulb moment. Thanks Oprah. He is eating crackers slathered with the pink putty-ish substance and I’m all … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, chickens, environment, family, health and well-being, Mark, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Clean, Green..and oh! What a Sheen ;-)

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Bettina Colonna Essert

This is a repost from several years ago. We have used these cleaning products exclusively, excluding my husband who thinks only chemicals actually make things clean. Fortunately…or not…he rarely cleans anything. Often people ask me for my cleaning products recipes, … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, health and well-being | 1 Comment

Suburban Homestead Update

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Bettina Colonna Essert

It’s Spring and we’ve been busy doing the obvious springtime things: tilling; amending; spreading compost; mulching; planting; getting bees. Getting bees? Yes! Mark has been a busy bee himself and totally obsessed with bees and, to be honest, bigfoot. Bigfoot … Continue reading →

Posted in chickens, environment, Four Oaks, gardening-organic biodynamic natural, herb/herbalism, honey bees, suburban homesteading | Leave a comment

Bathroom Reno Update

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Bettina Colonna Essert

This is our shower. Our shower in our bathroom that is almost finished after months of excruciating work and expenditures and sleeping in the living room and sharing a shower with the children. This is the shower portion of our … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Four Oaks, renovation/retrofitting | 3 Comments

The Preacher and His Wife

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Bettina Colonna Essert

I think this is the same mallard pair who hung out all of last winter. I love looking at Preacher Man’s white clerical collar and his wife’s dowdy brown dress 😉 Fall here signals a change from looking to the … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Four Oaks, photo post | 1 Comment

Southeastern Women’s Herbal Conference

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Bettina Colonna Essert

What a lovely experience. My two daughters, Eli/21 and Minerva/9, attended the SEWHC in Flat Rock, NC during the first 3 days of October. We were overjoyed to get a vendor’s booth (our first ever!) and to be able to … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, Alchemy Redefined, environment, festivals, herb/herbalism, Twisted Rainbow | Leave a comment

Being Martha

Posted on October 9, 2010 by Bettina Colonna Essert

Sometimes in the midst of trying to ‘Live Fair’, I get lost. I as in me. The me who likes pretty things like flowers and nice skirts and good mascara. I become slovenly hippie woman and don’t buy flowers, much … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, children, container gardening, environment, Four Oaks, health and well-being | 3 Comments

First Thing in the Morning

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Bettina Colonna Essert

The girls and I are headed out of town for a few days and the fellas will be holding down the fort. I’m leaving you with a few photo posts, beginning with this guy. I love waking up here.

Posted in environment, Four Oaks, health and well-being, photo post | Leave a comment