Simply Summer



Summer is here! I was fortunate enough to start mine off with my kids and grandbabies in simply-summer-1258Florida last weekend and it reminded me of those wonderful innocent summers I enjoyed when I was growing up. Special days of running free at my grandparents farm sitting in the raspberry patch stuffing ourselves with delectible juicy fruits, spending time on the rocky shores of Lake Erie floating under the summer sun in an innertube with not a care in the world, and evenings of family dinners featuring fruits and vegetables that we had helped raise and pick on the farm.

Spending time with the kids reminded me how uncomplicated life can be sometimes if we let it and that the more simple our lives are the more sometimes we can enjoy those special times.

Being Supportive

I heard some disappointing news today - Michelle Kaufman Designs, one of the best green designers has closed their doors. If you have ever seen one of Michelle's designs you wouldn't forget it - they combine beauty, simplicity, form and function into a beautiful green package. This is a woman who saw the future and tried to draw the rest of us to it.

Doing the right thing isn't always the least expensive way to go, but it's still the right thing to do. If we don't support the people and companies that think outside of the box and are willing to give their all to what they believe in we will lose that talent and energy.

Building Green typically has more upfront costs but the savings realized long term can be incredible. Plus the difference we can make in the environment can't be measured in dollars and cents but how do you put a price on the quality of life for your children and grandchildren?

I am bound and determined to make a difference. I've got Michelle's website up on my other computer and just watching the slideshow is motivating me to think about ways that I can make the Home Idea Factory more green and I'm excited! A Whirlpool Sustainable kitchen  definitely in my future and my goal is to use as many local, green-friendly sources as possible.

The thing about Patriot Homes is that they were never afraid to push the envelope and the Weidners always supported what they believed was the right thing to do.