Texas Homesteading

Homemade smores on snow day

2011-01-12T21:27:00.000-08:00

Will My Alternative Energy System Save Money and Be Profitable?

2011-01-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

Even though some people see solar powered energy as well as the utilization of wind generators for power primarily as a way to help saving the environment, others decided to check into these sustainable energy sources for their profitability. Unfortunately, the profitability of these renewable power sources isn't common knowledge, therefore it may be challenging to get a straight answer. Here we are going to check out exactly how solar power and wind turbines could be profitable as powers and why.

Normally there's two different ways generating power could be profitable. The very first is that it will reduce your energy bills. It becomes an option for almost anyone anywhere. The second is when you make more than enough power than you will need, then you can certainly often sell it to your local utility company or government at a nice rate. This often is determined by your region. For example, in Washington state, USA, government entities has decided that they'll buy solar-generated power for a price of $0.15 per kWh up to the year 2014. When the money you make is more than your expenses, then you are making a real profit on your own investment.

Solar leasing is profitable at this time in a very clear way through companies like SolarCity. SolarCity's website, for instance, suggests that a three-bedroom home with a $200/month power bill can knock it down to about $60/month with one of their 4 kW solar power setups. This setup costs $110/month to lease, so the property owner would immediately be saving $30/month. Many organizations that lease this equipment have free installation, and definitely will come uninstall the equipment at no cost when the lease is over too.

Wind turbines are more hard to use to turn a return than solar panels. However, wind turbines can be extremely profitable if you live in an area where the government is giving grants for wind power. In both America and Europe, a lot of the local and national governments will give huge grants and tax credits for people and businesses that have wind generators installed for power.

Because wind generators need strong winds to generate a large amount of energy, it isn't really a viable alternative in as many places as solar panels. Conversely, some areas have strong winds but not a lot of sunlight, so which option you ultimately choose is completely influenced by the surroundings around you. A lot of people could have both possibilities open, even though some people may have neither option available. If you have both options available, solar leasing has the benefit of being a more straight-forward method of obtaining a profit, but wind generators have the advantage that you simply still own the equipment for lifetime.

Author Byline:

Shannon M. Combs contributes articles for the http://www.residentialsolarpanels.org blog, her personal hobby blog centered on ideas to aid home owners find solar installers and learn how to to conserve energy with solar power.

Maddies woopie pies

2010-12-21T16:46:00.000-08:00

Made these today with Maddie after our date. She picked carrot cake whoopee pies to make for everyone.

Mint Candy Bark

2010-12-13T08:15:00.001-08:00

Texas Basil

2010-12-07T18:01:00.001-08:00

Sunflower Buds at homestead

2010-12-07T17:53:00.002-08:00

Late blooming sunflowers

2010-12-07T17:53:00.000-08:00

My first mint propagation

2010-12-07T17:52:00.001-08:00

Started from a cutting in jar of water.

Lady bug pupa

2010-10-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

Found tons of these today.

Gourds growing through fence

2010-10-18T07:33:00.001-07:00

Growing Luffa Sponges

2010-10-18T07:13:00.001-07:00

First gourd

2010-10-18T07:12:00.001-07:00

My first ever gourd to grow.

Mailbox morning glory

2010-10-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

Frog on my lemon plant

2010-10-17T21:41:00.001-07:00

It is getting cold enough at night now that we thought we'd bring in some of the more tender plants. I carried in the lemon tree to see this frog literally open up only one eye- and look at me as if to say.... Really Allison! Can't you see I am sleeping here.

I put the tree back in the garden.

Finished rocket stove

2010-08-14T13:25:00.001-07:00

Just finished the rocket stove!

Battle of the bugs

2010-08-13T16:37:00.001-07:00

It is so hot here in Texas that even the bugs are looking for shade!
Think the preymantis ate the grass hopper after this was taken.

Our first gourd

2010-08-13T00:47:00.001-07:00

Very excited about our first gourd that has started growing!

Jam Jar Labels

2010-08-05T15:07:00.001-07:00

Well it's that time of year when the peaches are ready and it's time to preserve the extras. Not just peaches here in Texas, but also cucumbers, banana peppers and jalapeno peppers.

I am usually tired after the cleaning of the fruit and then the canning process to make fancy labels- I have to confess that most of my labels are freezer tape and sharpie markers.

However, after looking online at all the beautiful labels you can print from you computer I have changed my mind.

Here's a list of free jam jar labels to print online.

Happy Canning!
Allison

Peaches ready to pick

2010-08-04T11:09:00.001-07:00

Homegrown peaches

2010-08-04T11:08:00.001-07:00

Mommy grasshopper

2010-08-04T11:04:00.001-07:00

Peppermint Blooming

2010-07-16T08:04:00.001-07:00

Planted in spring this year from a cutting on the north east corner.
Blooms came out a few days ago. They smell and taste milder than the
mint leaves.

July Texas Cucumbers

2010-07-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

Luffa Gourds-growing luffa sponges

2010-07-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

Texas Sunflowers Are Blooming

2010-07-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Wild Dill in Texas?

2010-07-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Found tons of this growing near the new homestead- trying to identify
if it is wild dill? Sure smells like it. If you know-please reply.

More caterpillers yay

2010-07-06T07:05:00.001-07:00

Very excited to see this little buddy on our fennel plant. Will post
photos once it progresses onto the next stages.

Parsley butterflies have hatched

2010-06-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Re: Apricot tree

2010-05-18T16:26:00.001-07:00

On Mon, May 17, 2010 at 10:53 AM, Allison Ray <allisonray@gmail.com> wrote:

Sent from my iPhone

Re: Close up apricots ready to pick

2010-05-18T16:25:00.001-07:00

On Mon, May 17, 2010 at 10:54 AM, Allison Ray <allisonray@gmail.com> wrote:

Sent from my iPhone

Apricot almond muffins

2010-05-17T08:56:00.001-07:00

Apricots preserved in syrup

2010-05-17T08:54:00.002-07:00

Close up apricots ready to pick

2010-05-17T08:54:00.001-07:00

Apricot tree

2010-05-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

Jelly doughnut muffins

2010-05-10T06:45:00.001-07:00

My very thoughtful family gave me 1 mix, 100 muffins cookbook for
mothers day.

These jelly doughnut muffins were super easy to make and tasted great.
What a fantastic way to use up jelly. You could also make some up and
freeze them.

We made ours with an assortment of jelly, jam, and preserves.

99 more to go.....

Home Made Simple TLC New Show Casting Call

2010-05-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hi Allison,
I stumbled across your page as I was searching for Dallas sites. We are looking for families in the Dallas area, could you post this for your members? Or even consider it yourself. If you have any questions, give me a call. Thank you!

I am casting women for TLC's exciting home show, "Home Made Simple"! I am looking for married couples who own their house and would like for our chef, decorator, and handyman to spruce up their home. Below is the casting call info. If you could post it in your group that would be great! Thank you!Tai HansonDiscovery StudiosCasting Associate310-734-3455 Do you own your own house and need to make it feel more like HOME? Casting married couples who want their home to reflect their lifestyle. If you want to add more style and comfort to your home and don't know where to start, then this is the hit home show for you! TLC's "Home Made Simple" is now casting its 7th season and looking to help families tackle their domestic challenges. Our expert chef, designer, and handyman will help you create easy living by sprucing up décor, tackling simple handyman projects, and creating quick, easy meals for the family! EMAIL your name, contact number, and picture to tai_hanson@yahoo.com

Tai HansonCasting Associate "Home Made Simple"Discovery Studios 962 N. La Cienega Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069(310)734-3455

If you have questions/concerns, please contact our casting director Chad Hillman at chad_hillman@discovery.com

Huge strawberries

2010-05-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

Well strawberries are officially in season. Look at the size of these.

May Texas rainbow

2010-05-03T18:04:00.001-07:00

Poison Ivy?

2010-04-28T06:08:00.001-07:00

If anyone knows if this is poison ivy please email me. It is all over
the side of the yard at our new homestead?

Thanks Allison

Black Bird Flock

2010-04-28T06:04:00.001-07:00

A huge flock of black birds flew into our yard.

Making homemade icecream

2010-04-22T16:34:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK9nBK644As

Sent from my iPhone

Ducks for sale Mckinney Trade Days

2010-04-11T20:35:00.001-07:00

Rooster for sale at mckinney trade days

2010-04-11T20:34:00.000-07:00

Italian Easter Bread

2010-04-10T21:30:00.001-07:00

As close to Ma LaRosa recipe yet. Very excited at the progress we made
this year duplicating the recipe.

Firewheel Farmers Market Saturday Feb 13th

2010-02-12T08:10:00.000-08:00

FYI - the market this weekend is on but because of the snow, it has moved indoors. Look for the signs if you get turned around. It has been moved to the first floor of the buildings at the north end of the Park (next to the playground)

Parkside At Firewheel
305 River Fern Ave
Garland, TX 75040
Every Saturday, from 9am to 2pm

North Texas Farmers Market -List Updated Weekly So you can shop locally or try to sell your products.

Restaurant Garden in Austin

2010-02-11T07:12:00.000-08:00

Blizzard 2010 Gaithersburg, MD

2010-02-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

New photo Mara sent yesterday- OMG look at all that snow.

Maddie's cabbage from the Farmers Market

2010-02-07T10:06:00.001-08:00

February Gardening in Gaithersburg, MD- Nope!

2010-02-03T07:45:00.000-08:00

My sister Mara lives in Gaithersburg, MD and just emailed me this photo of the front of her home. The snow is just beautiful!!!

It is really interesting to me that in Gaithersburg this week they have tons of snow and yesterday it was about 45 here in Texas. Yesterday I planted 4 fig trees (on the southern side to protect them from wind) and 3 blueberry bushes in pots (they do not like our high acid soil).

Strawberry Container Garden

2010-01-29T14:42:00.000-08:00

These strawberries I purchased before Christmas from Walmart Garden Center. They have been kept inside the patio greenhouse.

Some have some really beautiful strawberry flowers. Anxious to see how they do.

The strawberries are planted inside of self watering containers- love them!

Early container garden

2010-01-28T14:38:00.000-08:00

Planted these a few days ago. It's the beginning of our container garden for 2010. Since we are in North Texas and the soil is almost all clay, we are going to use containers and raised beds this year. The first containers have strawberries and the last container has broccoli.

Pop up greenhouse arrived today

2010-01-27T19:12:00.001-08:00

Can't wait to set it up tomorrow and try it out. Hoping it will help
extend our growing season.

Starting tomatoes outside in greenhouse

2010-01-26T14:33:00.000-08:00

Starting Burpee Everlast Tomatoes and Burpee Sweet Salad Hybrid Tomatoes. Trying out the new back porch greenhouses.

Starting alpine strawberries

2010-01-25T14:32:00.000-08:00

Bought these little Alpine strawberry seeds online. They are supposed to be good container strawberries. Started them today anxious to see how well they do in comparison to the strawberry plants I picked up. Time will tell.

Starting Tom Thumb Peas

2010-01-24T14:31:00.000-08:00

Starting Tom Thumb Peas to grow in containers on the back porch. I have never grown these before so not sure how well it's going to work. We will see!