We got the utility bill recently, and boy, did it look good!
We only used 432 kWh on average for the last 12 months. I believe the “average American family”-whoever they are-uses around 800 kWh a month. Gas consumption for heating and cooking is down, also.
The water usage went down, despite having to water the plants outside. The fact that this has been a very rainy season, and that we have a rain barrel that gives us some free water for the garden
have kept us from using so much from the utility company.

My latest DIY project was a homemade earthbox. You can find the directions here: http://www.josho.com/Earthbox.htm
My Rubbermaid bins came from freecycle, I used an old Ziploc container in place of the water basket, but the tubing came from
the hardware store. Making it myself was VASTLY less expensive than getting it ready-made. The tomatoes I planted in it last week are looking very good.

My birthday is coming up soon, and I am hoping for a reciprocating saw! We didn’t have one when I was making the earthbox, so I used a 1 1/2” bit to make connecting holes around the lid to cut the center out. Necessity is the mother of bloody knuckles.

DH’s old Dockers got remade into a shopping bag this month. I sewed across the legs at the crotch level and braided jute handles that were attached to the belt loops. I gave this to a woman in line in front of me at the store. I really believe that giving things away is a good idea to spread the word on bags.