Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and trade car horns for the serene sounds of nature on a farm stay near Mudgee, just a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney. As you journey, the scenic route provides a therapeutic balm for your muscles and nerves, allowing you to unwind to the rhythm of your favorite music while marveling at the beauty of Lake Windamere. Upon entering the 250-acre property at the base of Mount Frome, you’ll encounter a picturesque scene of deer, cows, sheep, and goats, giving you a warm country welcome. Continue reading “On This Farm You Can Sleep in a Converted Silo” »
Archaeologists working in the canyons along the Colorado-Utah border have uncovered what is believed to be a previously unknown spiral calendar carved and used by the Ancestral Pueblo people. Led by Polish archaeologist Radosław Palonka of Jagiellonian University, the team made the discovery near Castle Rock Pueblo in the Mesa Verde region. The Ancestral Pueblo people inhabited the village in the 13th century and were known for their cliff dwellings, circular kivas, and cliff drawings. The newly discovered petroglyphs, including spiral carvings up to one meter in diameter, were found about 800 meters above the cliff settlements, suggesting the creators may have used them for Continue reading “Ancestral Pueblo Carvings Discovered in the Southwest May Have Been a Calendar” »
Cécile Davidovici, a French artist, collaborates with film director David Ctiborsky in a mesmerizing series titled La Vie Silencieuse, which translates to “The Silent Life.” In this collaborative effort, still-life scenes are transformed into intricately embroidered masterpieces. The process begins with Ctiborsky creating 3D models of each scene, serving as the foundation for Davidovici’s exquisite embroidery work. Inspired by the still lifes of Italian painter Giorgio Morandi, known for his ability to evoke a sense of vibrational silence in his compositions, the duo captures a similar essence in their embroidered scenes.
The result is a stunning array of objects rendered with meticulous detail and a captivating use of color.
Cécile Davidovici developed her distinctive thread painting style through years of experimentation, particularly turning to embroidery as a form of creative expression after her mother’s passing. Explaining her connection to the medium, Davidovici notes, “Making art pieces I can touch was a game changer.” Her passion for tangible creations is evident in her growing portfolio, where she skillfully translates still lifes and figurative portraits into tactile masterpieces that mimic the brushstrokes of traditional painting.
La Vie Silencieuse showcases the duo’s ability to fuse digital modeling with handcrafted embroidery, resulting in an innovative and visually striking series that pays homage to Morandi’s artistic legacy.
To explore more of Cécile Davidovici’s captivating embroidery projects, you can follow her on Instagram for updates and insights into her latest creations. The artist’s ability to infuse life and texture into her embroidered works adds a unique dimension to the timeless art of still lifes, bringing a contemporary and tactile quality to this traditional craft.
Krishna Cow Sanctuary in Hawai’i offers a unique and heartwarming experience for animal lovers seeking cuddles with cows. The sanctuary, situated on the Island of Hawai’i, is home to various bovines, including bulls, steers, calves, and retired mother cows. For a fee of $20, visitors can enjoy “cow cuddle therapy” by getting up close and personal with these surprisingly affectionate animals. The sanctuary emphasizes that all proceeds from these interactions Continue reading “You Can Cuddle Some Cute Cows at This Unique Sanctuary in Hawai’i” »
As winter sets in, it’s crucial to prioritize home maintenance tasks to ensure your living space remains in optimal condition. One of the primary tasks during the colder months is pinpointing and plugging air leaks. Hunt for drafts around windows and doors, as these can significantly contribute to heat loss. Additionally, assess the insulation in your attic to ensure it is sufficient to keep your home warm. Consider scheduling an energy audit to identify areas where energy efficiency can be improved, ultimately leading to a more comfortable and cost-effective winter season.
To prevent the risk of burst pipes, take proactive measures. Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas of your home, such as the basement or crawl spaces. This can help avoid freezing and subsequent pipe damage. Be vigilant about potential floods, especially in areas prone to heavy precipitation or snowmelt. Check the condition of your roof and gutters, ensuring proper drainage to minimize the risk of water damage. Act promptly to address any leaks or weaknesses in your home’s structure to prevent potential flooding issues.
Give your oven a fresh start before the holiday cooking season kicks into full gear. Perform a thorough cleaning to remove built-up grease and food residues, ensuring your oven operates efficiently and safely. Winter is also an opportune time to address outdoor concerns. Act now to prevent potholes in your driveway by filling any existing cracks and applying a protective sealant. Additionally, consider upgrading to a plug-in generator to have a reliable power source during winter storms or power outages. These winter home maintenance tasks collectively contribute to a well-prepared and resilient living environment during the colder months.
Approximately 25 years ago, designer Lisa Moody had a small garden that eventually took a backseat to raising her children and growing her business. Now, with her children older and her passion for gardening rekindled, Lisa, along with her husband, decided to invest in their garden project. Living on an acre of land in North Surrey, B.C., about an hour from Vancouver, they installed raised beds and, inspired by a trip to Sweden, decided to add a greenhouse and chicken coop to their property. Continue reading “This Dreamy Scandinavian Greenhouse Is Also A Chicken Coop” »
Embarking on a DIY duck coop project over the last 6-8 weeks, the hardworking creators are excited to reveal their masterpieces. The duck run is ingeniously attached to a shed, offering a convenient location for access to fresh water and food, especially when the shed transforms into a she-shed or garden shed in the future. Continue reading “Start to Plan in Time for the Warm Season With This DIY Duck Coop” »
The summer of 2023 marked a significant turning point for grid batteries, showcasing their increasing importance in ensuring grid reliability and resilience. According to data from the American Clean Power industry group and Wood Mackenzie, the second quarter of 2023 saw the highest-ever new grid-storage capacity installations by battery developers, highlighting a rebound from previous quarters affected by COVID-related supply-chain constraints. Concentrated in California and Texas, these installations played a crucial role in supporting the grid during extreme weather events, preventing blackouts, and demonstrating the technology’s effectiveness. In Texas, grid battery capacity surged from 275 megawatts in 2020 to 3,500 megawatts by the summer of 2023, a remarkable 13-fold increase in just three years. The state’s reliance on grid batteries played a pivotal role in avoiding blackouts despite setting 10 records for electricity demand during the summer. Similarly, California, which has been a pioneer in grid battery adoption, increased its grid battery capacity by a factor of 10 in the last three years. Batteries now contribute 7.6% of the nameplate capacity for the power system overseen by the California Independent System Operator.
While these developments underscore the positive impact of grid batteries, challenges such as safety concerns, exemplified by storage plant fires in New York, highlight the need for careful management and regulation in the growing battery fleet. The rise of grid batteries reflects a broader shift toward cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. While the clichéd understanding is that grid batteries store clean energy for periods of low renewable generation, the reality is more nuanced. Batteries contribute bursts of power at crucial moments with rapid response times, playing a role akin to fossil gas peaker plants in responding to high demand. As lithium-ion batteries currently have limitations on sustained discharge durations, ongoing efforts to commercialize long-duration storage technologies are underway to further enhance the capabilities of grid batteries and support the transition to clean energy. The success of grid batteries in addressing critical reliability challenges positions them as key players in the evolving energy landscape.
The surge in interest in alternative housing solutions in recent years has fueled a growing fascination with minimalist, off-grid living. Among the various unconventional dwellings, container homes have emerged as a popular choice, blending the stability of brick-and-mortar structures with the mobility of more transient homes. These homes, constructed from repurposed shipping containers, offer advantages such as easy assembly, reduced costs, and the possibility of do-it-yourself projects. While container homes may come with some limitations in terms of layout, their ability to be moved on a flatbed trailer and set up quickly with minimal ground preparation makes them an attractive and sustainable housing option. The River Forest Lookout serves as an outstanding example, showcasing how creativity can transform a standard container into a unique, completely off-grid escape.
Situated in Epworth, Georgia, the River Forest Lookout defies conventional notions of container living. Comprising two containers suspended 60 feet above the forest floor, it can be more accurately described as a “container tower.” The containers have been ingeniously converted into distinct living spaces, with one container serving as the bedroom, kitchen, and lounge, while the other functions as a full bathroom. Both containers boast floor-to-ceiling glazing, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. While the mobility aspect is lost in this transformation, the River Forest Lookout exemplifies how innovative design can turn a container into a comfortable, visually stunning home for two people, offering a unique and serene living experience high above the forest canopy.
