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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

off the grid

I’m always amazed when I cross paths with stories about families who are living off the grid.


… and I’m not talking about the crazies hiding out in cabins in the middle of Montana conjuring up conspiracy theories or plotting some terrorist attack …


But those who have consciously made a commitment to reduce their carbon footprint.


That is one serious commitment.


I don’t even want to think about my very own size 7 and growing carbon footprint …


I mean, if it’s pouring rain … or subzero temperatures … or guitar day …

... is it all that terrible that I drive the kids to school?


A school that is just five-and-a-half  blocks away?  A pathetically short drive that takes the same amount of time to walk to ...


A pathetically short drive that reminds me of those ye olde tales from my grandparents of how they “walked 10 miles to school through a blizzard with no shoes …”


I can only hope that this super duper simple project can be my retribution …


drum_shade_with_twine




It’s my off the grid contribution …


drum_shade_lantern_with_sisal



I took two grass cloth drum shades that I found hanging out in the basement …


drum_shade_with_twine_on_porch


And I tied some twine to the the metal thingies inside and looped it over …


drum_shade_grass_cloth_pendant_light


And clipped a clip-on battery-operated LED light that I found at Home Depot inside …


drum_shade_light_fixture_with_led_and_twine


drum_shade_grass_cloth_and_twine


And then hung them from two old planter hangers that were already hanging around on the porch …


drum_shade_grass_cloth_pendant_light_for_porch


And there you have it …


screen_porch_blue_red_white_drapes


Some off-the-grid screen porch ambiance …


... providing some off-the-grid ambient lighting ...



…to make up for me driving the kids a pathetically short five-and-a-half blocks to school.



You can see more of my screen porch by clicking  here ....


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* Not Just a Housewife * Savvy Southern Style *  Someday Crafts *  The Shabby Creek Cottage *  At the Picket Fence *  Common Ground *  Funky Junk Interiors *  Between Naps on the Porch *
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35 comments:

  1. Shirley@Housepitality DesignsJuly 17, 2012 at 6:04 AM

    I can see the "power grid" of pinterest lighting up the boards from the millions of pinning of those "off the grid" lamp shades. They are fantastic!

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  2. debJuly 17, 2012 at 6:31 AM

    You should absolutely drive your kids to school on rain, snow, or guitar day...it's what moms do!!

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  3. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012 at 6:31 AM

    Sooo cute. I love the shades and the COLORS! :D
    Now you're a role model for those (me) who don't think of these things.
    We (I) need to be more aware of these things.

    Happy you're with us,
    Pam

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  4. Kirby CarespodiJuly 17, 2012 at 6:35 AM

    I prefer crossword puzzle grids that keep me occupied during breakfast. But your lamps are ingenious!!

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  5. Lavender and LinenJuly 17, 2012 at 6:41 AM

    Your space looks so comfortable and sweet! Smart idea!

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  6. thistlewoodfarmJuly 17, 2012 at 7:06 AM

    What a great off-the-grid idea. Saving the world one LED light at a time!

    :) me

    PS I am totally pinning this.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Katie @ Creatively LivingJuly 17, 2012 at 7:11 AM

    I thought us DIYers were the soul of recycling. lol This about how much trash we've saved (wink)

    Great idea!
    --Katie
    @ Creatively Living

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  8. Danni@SiloHillFarmJuly 17, 2012 at 7:36 AM

    Linda, those are just brilliant! What a great way to get a little lighting where you don't have power! Pinned it!

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  9. Jocie@TheBetterHalfJuly 17, 2012 at 7:53 AM

    we switched our house to mainly LED lights. We haven't noticed a huge change in our BGE bill but they last WAY longer! :)

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  10. AnneJuly 17, 2012 at 8:31 AM

    Linda,
    Those are so cool.No can't say we are off the grid.I tried unplugging things when we were not using them.But then it was a pain remembering to plug things back in.But we do recycle.And buying from resale shops is a big way of helping.All those things don't end up in a landfill which helps the environment.
    ((Hugs))
    Anne

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  11. Daniela @Frugal Aint CheapJuly 17, 2012 at 8:42 AM

    that is a super cute idea! When we redo our front porch I am going to do something like this...since we have NO electrical outdoor outlets. not even one

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  12. BlissJuly 17, 2012 at 8:53 AM

    That's a pretty clever idea!

    ~Bliss~

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  13. ANNEJuly 17, 2012 at 8:54 AM

    LOL! My contribution is a string of battery powered led twinkle lights shoved into a one cup mason jar and crammed into a boat lantern.

    Tah dah!!!! I'm off the grid too!!!!

    xox

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  14. pam {simple details}July 17, 2012 at 9:02 AM

    Too clever!! I never thought of myself as an 'off-the-grid' type, but my solar chandeliers are sort of similar!

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  15. Eclectically VintageJuly 17, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    Next thing I know, I'll hear you moved to a little log cabin with no electricity where you grow your own veggies and keep chickens and goats and sheep!

    It all starts with a little solar power - watch out!

    Love these - pinning them.
    Kelly

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  16. Amy@BuffaloRoamJuly 17, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    Fancy AND cute. Win!

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  17. Nelly@DGInnovationsJuly 17, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    SMART SMART SMART!!!! Loving that! It could be done in so many ways...like using chain for an industrial look...Thanks for sharing!

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  18. Amy of While Wearing HeelsJuly 17, 2012 at 12:48 PM

    Brilliant...as usual, Ms. Size 7 shoe :)

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  19. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomesticationJuly 17, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    Look at you going green! Don't go too far off the grid or we wont be able to find you! :)

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  20. Whitney @ drab to fab designJuly 17, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    So clever Mrs. Green!! There are so many ways you could go with this!

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  21. Jaye @ Just Tryin' To Make Cents of it AllJuly 17, 2012 at 7:08 PM

    That looks fabulous! And what a great idea! I would love to see pictures of how it looks in the evening, although not sure that would be an easy photo to take and really do it justice. All the same - great job! I can't wait to go to my fav thrift store and pick up some shades! There are some amazing projects in blog-land for those babies!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012 at 9:04 PM

    Love the lights!! Must be quite romantic <3
    I drive my non-driving adult son with autism to guitar in bad weather, maybe 1/4 mi. from home. Hope that doesn't cancel out my recycling, energy-conserving efforts :-)
    Janet

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  23. NanaDianaJuly 17, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    YOU ARE ONE SMART COOKIE! I love it and you did a great job. Blessings- xo Diana

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  24. Tina@WhatWeKeepJuly 17, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    Very smart idea, Linda!
    Remember them when you have a power outage, too. :)

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  25. MichelleJuly 17, 2012 at 11:14 PM

    I just want to hang out on that porch. So lovely. :)

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  26. Lynn WoodJuly 18, 2012 at 12:33 AM

    What a great idea, you a just full of them! I find that I look forward to your posts even more now that we don't get to hear from you everyday!

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  27. Katherines CornerJuly 18, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    loving your off the grid style xo

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  28. Heidi @ Decor & MoreJuly 18, 2012 at 9:28 AM

    GREAT idea! Love your ingenuity, Linda. And sometimes it's just easier to drive. Just sayin'... :-)
    xo Heidi

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  29. AllyJuly 18, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    Ha! Awesome idea - it's neat how they kind of hover there in space...like ufo's.... I'm incredibly inspired by this diy project, in spite of the abduction memories it's bringing back.... Kidding.

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  30. JOY 2 JOURNEYJuly 18, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    Linda ... ummm just thought you should know it wont help your carbon footprint but it is way more than a GREAT idea! I know what you mean about how we do things, like drive a couple blocks when we should walk but ... sometimes we do. I think I feel a bit guilty now! :)

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  31. DebbiedoosJuly 18, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    Always a clever thinker you are Linda. Looks awesome!

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  32. Merri JoJuly 19, 2012 at 12:12 AM

    Seriously CUTE & CLEVER, Linda!

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  33. RoeshelJuly 20, 2012 at 10:57 AM

    You're brilliant! Love these! Great idea, Linda!

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  34. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleJuly 20, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    Those look great and so does the porch.

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  35. ChristieJuly 21, 2012 at 12:44 AM

    Thank you for posting this! I've been wanting a light over my kitchen table but I am not a big fan of the swag cord running up the wall ... A much cleaner look and probably more light then christmas lights. Can't wait to try it! ~ Christie

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