I would love to get our herbs and spices sorted out in our kitchen – we found out a while ago we have 3 packets of mixed herbs.. fun and games. Another one from the Evil Mad Scientist Labs on how they sorted theirs:
http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/spice

More links will be coming later. Perhaps I should work on getting a weekly thing going on – I’ll decide that next week

Just a couple of links I felt like sharing. Theme: Inspiration

• http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/100-nice-and-beautiful-blog-design/ – Inspiration for the new blog
• http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ – Inspiration for business (Seth Godin’s blog)
• http://unclutterer.com/ – Inspiration for life
• http://eco-officegals.com/ – Inspiration for green business
• http://community.livejournal.com/saucydwellings/ – Inspiration for my future house
• http://nzangels.com/ – Inspiration for my startup
• http://veggiepatchreimagined.blogspot.com/ – Inspiration for my organic gardening

Epic thanks to Radar for the answer:

http://frozenplague.net/2009/11/scoping-by-locales/

I also think that I will put the area including the goods yard in this configuration, that way it will include the shunter shed, turntable and such. Should be interesting to do!

Also, I know I havent done any updates lately. So sue me! I’ll put up some pictures and a life update tonight I hope…

Thanks

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=228686319

Lighting with DCC (the reason I got the LEDs etc.) http://brian-lambert.co.uk/DCC.htm#DCC Lighting

A DCC Lighting Kit HowTo (Where I got the idea from) http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=DCC-Concepts-Light-Module

Modelling of Sodor (Thomas the Tank) http://www.pegnsean.net/~railwayseries/ffarquhar.htm

Model Railroad track plans (Might use the single car turntable on the wharf, perhaps a small engine version…) http://www.building-your-model-railroad.com/model-railroad-track-plans.html

Laying track over baseboard joins http://modelrailway.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-lay-track-over-baseboard-joint.html

I think, for the nerd in me, that I shall have to name one of my trains Ruby. Leave a comment if you get the reference…

This year I am going to try growing my seeds in pots like these (after I run out of my stash of plastic post saved from this year!) http://www.geocities.com/newspaperpots/

Also, I am going to try the native american practice of growing corn, squash and beans together. The beans fix the nitrogen in the soil feeding the corn, the corn serves as a host to the bean as it grows up the stalk, and the squash leaves shade the ground and keep it cool, allowing water to not evaporate so quickly in the hot summer sun. Except that it will be corn, pumpkin and beans. Mmm… beans…

Soon, I will try see if GardenCad works in Wine. If so, soon there shall be pictures, diagrams, dreams… all uploaded to here! Woo!

And finally for today, I have now got a set on Flickr for my garden. It’s at http://www.flickr.com/photos/walker_whanau/sets/72157618993026651/ I’ll post photos to there when I can, but till then, here’s a sneak peek!

Leek closeup

The Blacksmith’s Craft
This book, first published in 1952, aimed to meet the needs of craftsmen, technical schools and apprentices training at the time. Today this book continues to be a valuable resource for those studying and working in the blacksmiths craft.

The Blacksmith’s Manual Illustrated
This version is a reprint of the Blacksmith’s Illustrated Guide, originally published in 1930. The complete text has been reproduced with new pages on temperature and measurement conversions and safety added to the back of the book.

Wrought Ironwork: a manual of instruction for craftsmen
The techniques in this book are shown by sequences of photographs with concise explanations which are intended to supplement instruction on the anvil. It is hoped this clear and practical method will help the smith to achieve the highest standard of work.

Catalogue of Drawings: Wrought Ironwork Gates
This publication of wrought ironwork designs should prove invaluable as a reference and working tool to all those involved in forgework – or interested in the history of blacksmithing

Catalogue of Drawings for Wrought Ironwork
This “Catalogue of Drawings for Wrought Ironwork” is presented in 15 sections. Drawings include door furniture, fire side furniture, lighting, grilles, sundials, sign stands and brackets, and many more.

Catalogue of Drawings: Weathervanes
Over 200 designs for weathervanes are included ranging from the classic cockerel weathervane design to the more whimsical: St George, the mad hatter, pigs, fish, dogs of all shapes and sizes, sailing ships, cars, witches and of course, blacksmiths.

Decorative Ironwork
The information contained in this book is aimed at the specialist ironworker and will assist trainees to gain a better understanding of their craft.

Metals for Engineering Craftsmen
A book written to enhance the small users appreciation and understanding of the structure and properties of metals.

The Thatcher’s Craft
“The Thatchers Craft” deals with the history of thatching, the stage-by-stage construction using long straw, combed wheat or water reed, and has chapters on materials, tools and roof construction.

Making a Saddle
This book sets out to show in simple language and photographic illustration, methods employed in making a saddle – methods which apart from the use of some synthetic materials have remained unchanged for generations.

Making a wheel: how to make a traditional light English pattern wheel
The manual aims to show the process necessary for building a traditional English light wood carriage wheel. It describes the operations in a way which should enable a workman familiar with the use of woodworking tools and techniques to make such a wheel.

Illustrated list of furniture design
An illustrated catalogue of furniture designs dating from the 18th and 19th centuries up to the 1940s.

Wordle is awesome. Easy fun way to make tag clouds. Enjoy this pic – it’s of my blog

update: My CV

In his talk this week, Al Gore spells out his challenge to America: to have 100% renewable energy within 10 years. It’s pretty ambitious stuff, and he says it would require the same kind of national effort that put a man on the moon in eight and a half years. Meanwhile, back in NZ, where we have actually studied the costs of going down this path, we have chosen a 90% renewables target by 2025. Still, the whingers cry it’s too hard and too expensive, despite the research saying that 90% is easily achieved and is easily affordable. And that’s before we factor in the costs of climate change. (Doing nothing)

( http://blog.greens.org.nz/2008/07/18/al-gore-spells-out-the-challenge/ )

Link: http://blog.greens.org.nz/