Rose Cottage Ltd

Here’s my Top Five “Wishes” for outdoor living spaces Summer 2012…

This 32 Inch Weather Resistant Outdoor HD Television is suitable for permanent installation and use outdoors.

The television’s internal components are integrated into an all-weather exterior that repels rain, dirt, insects, and harsh outdoor conditions. Unlike common televisions that lose picture quality due to glare, this television has a 31 1/2″ active-matrix TFT screen with an anti-reflective window that provides indoor-quality viewing outdoors in shaded daylight. Capable of 1080i HD performance, the high-resolution screen generates an 1,366 x 768 pixel image with a sharp contrast ratio, and is protected by a scratch-resistant, contrast-enhancing window.

Also available: 46 Inch Weather-Resistant Outdoor HD Television

Keep the “cool” in Summer with the
Evaporative Misting Fan that emits evaporative mist to cool ambient air temperature by as much as 30F. Three patented nozzles create microdroplets of mist that feel dry to the touch and evaporate instantly, creating a fan-driven, cooling mist that won’t dampen surfaces.

The 16″diameter fan oscillates and its blades adjust from 930 to 1,220 rpm to cool up to 200′ square on a deck or patio. Because flying insects typically avoid wind and moisture, the fan also helps reduce these outdoor nuisances.

I’ll admit – I wanted this set last year. At less than $600 – it really is good value!

The Gateleg Patio Table And Stowable Chairs set has six chairs that stow under the tabletop for unobtrusive storage.

The tabletop leaves fold down and the folding chairs stack neatly between the table legs, allowing the entire set to be stored in less than 9′ sq. of patio space. The weatherproof set is made from Brazilian eucalyptus that’s 30% harder than mahogany and its natural oils and tight grain prevent damage from rain, mold, and termites. The oval tabletop provides ample room for six adults and the chairs’ backrests and seats provide comfort and stability.

Left alone, the wood will develop a unique silvery gray patina, or it may be oiled to retain its original appearance.

Also available: Trestle Patio Table and Stow Away Chairs

If you’re a summer reader like I am, this would make things a whole lot more comfortable…

Recommended by physical therapists, this
Ergonomic Lounger provides optimal support and comfort while you lie prone or supine. The lounger has three pillows engineered to relieve spinal pressure and provide support at stress-prone points on the body.

The sloping headrest has a massage-table style face opening that allows you to lie prone and read in comfort without cervical hyperextension or neck strain. When you are lying in a supine position, the headrest pillow supports the neck from behind, creating a gentle stretch for the vertebrae to reduce stress and pressure on nerves and disks. The lounger can be manually adjusted to six different positions and the lower portion folds down for use as a beach chair.

This Cold-Maintaining Stainless Steel Drinkware set helps maintain the original temperature of chilled beverages. In tests, the glasses’ dual stainless steel walls prevented ice from melting 45-105 minutes longer than single-wall plastic, ceramic, or glass cups. The 18-8 stainless steel will never break like glass and won’t develop bacteria-harboring pits or cracks like plastic.

The 12-oz. capacity cups have a brushed exterior and weigh only 8 oz. each for practical, everyday use. Dishwasher safe. Set of Four.

Here are a few more reasons to be concerned about “fracking” – the latest and alleged magic bullet portrayed as some sort of solution to the high cost of energy.

+ Government auditors say federal officials know nothing about 240,000 miles of pipelines that carry natural gas released through the drilling method known as fracking, and need to step up oversight to make sure they are running safely.

+ Nationwide, there are about 200,000 miles of gas gathering lines and up to 40,000 miles of hazardous liquid gathering lines in rural and urban areas alike, ranging in diameter from about 2 to 12 inches. But only about 24,000 of those miles are regulated, according to the report. (Only 10% are regulated)

+ The industry is not required to report pipeline-related fatality, injury or property damage information about the unregulated lines. PHMSA only collects information about accidents on the small subset of gathering lines that the agency regulates, but that data was not immediately available Thursday.

So industry “officials” run around with State Governors – trying to convince them that this is going to bring so much revenue to their state. Some are ignorant enough to just stick their hand out without checking the facts. When residents ARE negatively impacted by fracking later – like some in Pennsylvania who can no longer use the water at their own home, the industry will make the residents PROVE that fracking caused the problem. This will be just fine for residents who can now not only NOT drink or use water at their homes, but who happen to have $500,000 or so dollars lying around to initiate the lawsuit it will take to prove it.

Read the full article

Rose Cottage Ltd is taking part in the NCCN fundraising campaign with a big focus on Earth Week – April 16th – April 22, 2012. If you can donate $5 or $10 towards making sure US residents and North Carolina residents get unbiased facts regarding hydrofracking, it will make a better planet for all of us.

Well, I’ve had about 1 day so far since the first day of Spring on Tuesday, that it didn’t feel like mid-summer instead. I’ve already pulled a tiny tick from its biting location, have seen a snake or two around the property, and have closed windows and turned on the A/C to combat heavy pollen.

Time to check my Neem supply for 2012…

There is a Botanical Outdoor Spray. You’ll want a bottle of this on hand if you plan to do any walking, hiking, working in weeded areas, in fact, for almost anything you do that puts you in or around tall grass. If you don’t use one of these products beforehand, chiggers WILL find you.

If you prefer, there is also a gel product – same effectiveness.

If you get chiggers – sometimes they come out earlier than anyone can predict, apply the Neem gel or spray – immediately! It may take a day or two, but it will kill the chiggers and keep them from spreading everywhere.

I posted a product article and link on this in May 2011 so things are happening earlier this year due to the warmer-than-usual temperatures. This year I’m posting in March. In June and July last year, many people were out looking for a product to repel chiggers – too late for most unfortunately.

Shipping is fast from Neem Tree Farms, but don’t push your luck. The product is around $14 per bottle and worth having at your home – before you need it.

Don’t forget your pets! CoCo has, in the DBN, (Days Before Neem) experienced a bad itching attack that I KNOW was chiggers! If you’re taking your dog with you on walks and hikes, don’t forget to protect them as well with Neem Pet Care.

TGIF!

Okay – an evening early but you get the point!

Last year’s resin birdbath didn’t make it too well through even a mild 2011/2012 Winter. This year’s selection will not have the same problem.

The resin birdbath developed cracks near the base early on – making it a chore to keep it full of clean water. Repeated attempts to repair the cracks were temporarily successful at best. Sometimes you just need a better product. With temperatures expected in the 90s sometime this coming week – this was good timing for the birdbath solution.

This heavy concrete model is also not going anywhere on days when the winds coming from the adjacent open pasture can meet or exceed 50 mph during Spring and summer storms.

These 2 sweaters and Aran sweater vest were some of the most popular products on the Rose Cottage Ltd blog in 2011. The good news is, all 3 are on sale right now from Hammacher Schlemmer!

Cooler evenings are not past us just yet and a nice warm sweater at great savings is always a good thing!

Was $129.95 – now only $79.95! Huge savings!

The Dingle Peninsula Fishing Sweater provides the same exceptional warmth and durability required by fishermen plying the waters of the Dingle Peninsula. Traditionally synonymous with Ireland’s fishing trade, this crew-neck sweater is knitted in County Kildare from 100% wool with a generous rib stitch, forming a naturally lofty cable pattern that keeps out the cold while evoking a centuries-old Irish maritime motif of a wish of safety and good luck for fishermen. Its suede shoulder and elbow patches are faithful to the self-reliant, resourceful nature of the country’s fisherfolk, who were known to sew patches onto their “jumpers” for reinforcement against the wear and tear of hauling ropes and nets over the shoulders.

Was $149.95 – now only $59.95! Quantities limited!

This WWII Mechanic’s Sweater is reminiscent of the original A-1 mechanic’s sweater worn by USAAF ground crews during World War II. Favored for its overlapping v-neck that pulled easily over mechanics’ overalls, it was originally made from worsted wool, but this one is improved by using 100% cotton for comfort. Like the original, it uses a rib-and-rack weave on the cuffs and waistband that provides a relaxed fit, allowing ease-of-movement, one of the reasons it was worn by wartime mechanics as well as the pilots they supported. Enhanced for modern wear, the sweater includes suede elbow patches for durability and a button-down shawl collar for locking out the cold.

Over 50% Off! Was $129.95 – now only $59.95!

This Irish Aran Sweater is a machine-washable sweater vest knitted with a traditional Aran design that originated in the early 19th century among the fisherfolk of Ireland’s west coast. The vest’s tight cable, honeycomb, and basket stitch patterns evoke images of the fisherman’s rope (a sign of safety and good luck when fishing), just reward for hard work (like the hardworking bee), and the fisherman’s basket (hopes for an abundant catch). It is made in County Mayo in the country’s northwest from the fleece of Merino sheep, renowned for its durability, water resistance, and insulating properties.

Just stay away from the nest. This doesn’t require all this useless activity – and a video news report…

Ganders WILL attack if you get too close to their mate and/or her eggs on the nest. Use your brain, pay attention to signs the gander is agitated, give them some space, and you will never have a problem…

I guess a week’s worth of well above normal temperatures have a few construction projects starting a bit early this year.

This particular goose chose this same spot last year for her nest. She was successful so, being a mother looking for a place to nest for 2012 – here she is again. I noticed her walking around the area last weekend so threw a few handfuls of straw and dead leaves in the spot. As you can see, she’s quickly put them to good use.

Her goslings were born May 19th, 2011 so as I mentioned, I think she’s about 2 weeks early this year. I’ll follow her progress and hope she has a successful “season.” Since this location is about 10 feet from the back of the house, I guess she’s decided close proximity to humans is safer for her than a more isolated location where fox, raccoon, and other wild animals may invade her nest.

There are currently about 4 pair of geese having territorial issues around the lake for nesting zones. It will be interesting to see who wins the war for the other prime spots, which locations they choose, and how successful they are at keeping the nest safe…

UPDATE: Just found last year’s calendar and nesting 1st day in 2011 was April 11 – well ahead of schedule this year as I thought.

Even though the calendar says we’re only 5 days away from the first day of Spring, and it’s nearing 90 degrees today in North Carolina, parts of central Florida had a brief and condensed version of “snow” just yesterday evening.

For anyone who has never been in a hail event – here’s a quick look!

And then it got worse!

I guess if you spend enough time around people with deep pockets who dangle the words “jobs” and “energy” and “gas” in front of you, if you aren’t paying enough attention, you can be “persuaded” to do something stupid.

Well, I can’t, but apparently that’s exactly what happened to North Carolina’s Governor Bev Perdue after a dog-and-pony show to the State of Pennsylvania. Read the full story here.

“From what I saw, fracking can be done safely if you regulate it and put fees in place to have inspectors on the ground,” she said. “I think the challenge for us will be to determine the capacity of our supply and whether the folks who live in this community are willing to move forward.”

“Move forward?” You mean forward as in ruining drinking water? Potentially fracking in areas where over 90% of residents live 100% on well water?

And that’s a lot of “ifs” Bev. The same lack of inspectors for other things like mines, quarries, coal plants, etc., etc. are already a problem in North Carolina. Now we’re supposed to believe that “inspectors” will stop things inherently wrong with fracking.

Bev made this decision like so many others – it won’t be in HER backyard, or in HER neighborhood.

Rose Cottage Ltd is taking part in the NCCN fundraising campaign with a big focus on Earth Week – April 16th – April 22, 2012. If you can donate $5 or $10 towards making sure US residents and North Carolina residents get unbiased facts regarding hydrofracking, it will make a better planet for all of us.