Rose Cottage Ltd

While much of the world is focused on oil there is a problem looming in the background – lack of enough clean water.

This issue is more at the forefront of my thinking at the moment since this 2011 drought has reduced the level of my 4-acre lake by over half. I am already worried about what might happen to the fish next summer if a huge amount of rain does not fall between now and then.

Many areas of the planet, outside my 7 acres, are experiencing these same extreme conditions. Some who have water, have water not fit to drink. According to Peakwater.org, nearly 3 million people have already died this year due to waterborne diseases.

As usual, some corporate concerns are already plotting ways to control the world’s water supply. Based on the mess they have created with every other resource the planet offers, this is not good news. Find out more NOW by watching Blue Gold:

You can also watch this documentary on Netflix streaming but it is only available until November 2, 2011.

When you think of how fast corporations built a multi-billion dollar bottled water industry where none existed before, a lot of what is highlighted in this film begins to make sense.

While I am worried about the lake level, I am also on 100% well water for my household. My well is much deeper (800′) than that of my neighbors (350′) who have had water usage issues this past summer. Throw a little proposed local fracking into the mix, and none of us may have lakes, ponds, or drinkable water in the near future.

More about well water…

It used to be – back in the “olden days” before the internet, that those living in rural areas did all their holiday shopping either by mail order, by phone, or by a long day’s trip to the nearest urban area or shopping center. Some people love these trips to shopping malls. The more crowds and traffic and waiting in line they do, the more they like it. Not me.

For the past 10 years or so I’ve done nearly all my holiday shopping while sitting right here in my computer chair. I have a better chance of finding true “sale” events online than I do by trying to hit 10 stores, sometimes I get free shipping, and quite often there are membership options on web sites that increase my savings further. Here is a good example…

This “Pate and Crocks” Gift Basket is offered by Touch of Europe.

I find out from the web site that it comes in 3 versions: Basic, Standard, and Luxury…

Contents of the basic version:
~ Small Crock
~ SVP Spreader
~ Henaff French Pate

Standard version contains:
~ 3 different Henaff Pates
~ Crock (ceramic)
~ RSVP Spreader
~ Presented in a basket

The luxury version contains:
~ one additional pate
~ Napkins
~ a package of Albatros mini toasts

I also find out that I can get 5 – 10% off FOR LIFE at Touch of Europe via their Membership Rewards program. Since I have a fair amount of shopping to do, this could mean some very nice savings – in addition to what I’ll be saving on a tank of gas or two.

Here’s “Coming Up Roses” – another of the nearly 100 gourmet gift basket choices from Touch of Europe.

The basket is full of Rose-flavored French gourmet products and yes, you can easily place an order and select different shipping addresses from the Touch of Europe web site…gift giving made painless!

And of course this “Rose” oriented basket did catch my immediate attention!

~ A tin of Abbaye de Flavigny anise candy, with Rose Flower
~ A Jar of Rose Petal jam,
~ French Lychee Rose Hand Cream
~ French Rose Shea Butter soap
~ French Lychee Rose Liquid Soap
~ Lychee Rose Eau de Toilette
~ Rose Petal Confit
~ Rose Petal Syrup
~ Pink Biscuits from Reims in a lovely tin (Great with Champagne)
~ Terre Exotique Rose Petals (for food use)
~ Castelbel Rose Candle in Jar

I could shop for months and never be able to re-create a gourmet gift basket like this to send to friends or family. Fortunately, I don’t have to. Thanks to Touch of Europe – neither do you!

Special – TODAY ONLY…Free Shipping on any order over $75!

Give your local avian “residents” a place to go when cold rain and snow are in the forecast. Consistent access to food, and offering a safe place for small birds, will guarantee lots of these cheerful visitors. Read more about my bird “evolution” since doing things to attract birds to my country property – on the web site…

Here are just 3 of the unique birdhouse products from The Bird Shed.

Huge selections of not only birdhouses, but weather vanes, wind chimes, bat houses, binoculars, and other birding accessories.

Home Bazaar Hobbit House (Green)
from: The Bird Shed

Heartwood – Songbird Suite – Old World Finish
from: The Bird Shed

Home Bazaar Sag Harbor Birdhouse – Blue with Mansard Roof
from: The Bird Shed

Some bathrooms are small – almost like a closet, and some are HUGE. Unless you’ve had your bathroom recently remodeled, chances are there is something in there you’d like to change or update. I’m with you!

Changing out faucets and mirrors is a good way to start small, but if you are ready and willing to make a big change in your bathroom’s vibe, how about changing out that old tub for a newer model?

Bathtubs come in all shapes, sizes and colors. From a simple block of porcelain to a fancy, jetted tub with a rainfall shower, tubs are as unique as the people who buy and use them.

Just the two styles shown here prove that.

Homeclick is a great place to start if you’re in search of a new bathtub. Free shipping on items over $199 and NO TAX (for now) mean big savings for you.

This Elizabethan Classic Bathtub in Weathered Copper which granted, is one of Homeclick’s top-of-the-line tubs, would cost me over $350 in sales tax – alone. Shipping costs will still apply if I buy it local since I can’t get it into the back of my Mini Cooper.

I’ll shop Bathroom Products @ HomeClick.com instead, and my major worry is that my bathroom is big enough to do this tub justice!

No telling how long the “no sales tax” thing will last – best to take advantage of these offers while you can…

Have a safe and happy weekend!

No time like the present if you are interested in testing and improving your body’s pH levels.

pHion Booster, Alkaline Water System – Buy One, Get One FREE! Code: FALLBOOST

Want to find out more about pH and what it can mean for you? Here’s a great place to start!

This is a good thing to do for yourself before the holidays arrive when over-eating and liquid “celebrations” can stress the body even more than usual…

More info and a pH chart for you on the web site…

People who live in an urban or even suburban area have less to ponder than rural-dwellers when it comes to weather and walking.

I had a visitor to the lake and its 7 acres this past Spring who was constantly challenged by my property with its lack of sidewalks. There is also a big difference between someone who is “going out for a walk” on concrete and asphalt versus someone who is walking in the woods with uneven terrain, downed trees to maneuver, and maybe a stream or two to jump.

Every year about this time I start thinking about work I want to get done during the cooler season – when snakes and ticks will be “away,” and also begin thinking about the numerous trips out to fetch wood to feed the wood stove. Time to do a boot check – 2011. Off to Tractor Supply!

Here’s my choice for 2011 – the Ariat H20 Ankle Height Terrain Boot. You can read more about them on the Ariat web site, but I can tell you I paid around $30 less than Ariat’s advertised price.

These Ariat Terrain boots are waterproof with a moisture wicking lining to keep them dry inside and out. Supportive ATS™ technology. EVA midsoles and Duratread™ outsoles handle the hard trails with ease.

I am ready for Winter! In fact, I took them out of the box as soon as I got home, worked in them the rest of the day – and am VERY PLEASED at how much support they provide. Any boots you can do this with the very first day are worth their weight in gold!

I got lucky when a Tractor Supply Co opened in my nearby town end-of-last year. This particular model boot is not available online from Tractor Supply but many others are and right now all leather boots are on sale with 15% off. Good timing!

I never played darts until I spent 3 years living in New Zealand. It didn’t take long to figure out that unless you entered a pub with your own darts, you were probably a “Yank” and had no clue about how these games are played. They were right, at first. By the time I left New Zealand I had my own, weighted darts, and while I was not to be feared by the locals, I was at least respected as a serious player. And guess what? It was FUN!

Darts, for those who have never ventured, can become quite addictive, especially as you see your skill improve and learn that there are some very interesting dart games to be played. A dart board could be a great addition to a game room and can provide hours and hours of pretty cheap entertainment. Set up your own Winter tournaments for those like me with a competitive streak!

Here are some dart cabinets with a bit of style.

You’ll also need a dartboard like the Halex Tournament Bristle Dartboard, some darts (Viper Black Mariah Steel Tip Darts (22-Gram), and maybe a Book of Darts “challenges.”

Although throwing sharp, pointy projectiles may not be recommended for the really young, I’ve seen 10-year old kids with their own darts get pretty darn good at it! Great for hand-eye coordination and for kids who maybe aren’t the husky, football-in-the-backyard types!

Parental supervision is REQUIRED! Dartboards aren’t babysitters like computers and TVs…

Things run a little differently around here than from the children’s game of “Duck, Duck, Goose.”

This little male wood duck seems to have lost his own group of flying travelers and has hooked up with a sub-group of about a dozen geese. I watched to see if he was at all intimidated by the larger birds – NOT! He sort of follows along like an unwanted party guest, but has no problem doing a little “goose-chasing” if any of them get too close to his personal zone!

I get the feeling once and awhile that I have the benefit of live cartoons out my window view to the lake. Beats the “cartoons” that pass for real news most days…

Update from yesterday’s post and good news – the cyclist is fine and the antelope just went on about its business of grazing!