How the Pandemic is Reshaping Our Living Situation
The following is part of a contributor article I wrote for Food52 / Home52. Click here to view the original piece.
My family has long lived and worked in a small space. Since the onset of the pandemic in our region, I’ve been relieved that the walls haven’t closed in on us. While our worlds have shrunk, our beloved tiny home, thankfully, has not.
We’ve lived in our less-than-400-square-foot cottage in Venice Beach, Calif., for nearly a decade, and I’ve operated my small business from home that entire time. In recent years, my husband and business partner, our preschooler, our two rescue beagles, and I have lived side by side, day in, day out.
On some mornings pre-COVID-19, my husband and our son would pair off to tackle adventures around town, providing me with time alone to write, edit, and consult with clients. Such casual excursions are now no longer an option for those living in large cities.
Getting outside is different here than it is in less-populated towns. The sheer number of people we pass while walking our dogs or biking to conduct essential errands is high enough without risking nonessential activities—most of which are inaccessible anyway. Our beloved local library remains closed. The museums at which we hold memberships have shut their doors. And some local shops are slowly locking up for good.
While our home and its narrow thoroughfare garden are a safe haven that we’re fortunate to be able to continue to rent, our bubble basically stops at the lot line. And, in the long run, that is the problem—not the size of our cherished little cottage.
When my husband and I first stumbled across our house, we didn’t give a single thought to its square footage (or lack thereof). We were drawn to its numerous windows, vaulted ceilings, pocket doors, and functional form. Every single day since, we’ve noted in one way or another just how much we love this spot, and how lucky we are to be here.
Some might see our space as limiting, but in truth, it has expanded our world immensely.
For years we’ve enjoyed the ease with which we could pedal our cargo bike to the beach, walk to the market, and canoe among the ducks and cormorants while waving to our neighbors strolling over nearby footbridges. We’ve delighted in the fact that it never takes more than half an hour to clean our entire cottage from top to bottom. And we’ve learned to dance with and around each other over our worn-out floors in a natural, joyful rhythm.
The decision to live in the sprawling, expensive, and often inconvenient city of Los Angeles is one that our family continued to commit to for the regional and cultural benefits. There is an abundance of public parks and natural retreats, access to museums, close proximity to a never-ending list of live performances, and (mostly) temperate weather that encourages a myriad of daily outings and events, year-round.
Now, abruptly, all of those things are inaccessible. So we’re left wondering what remains. We have no family here, and our friends are scattered throughout the region, each with their own teetering schedules and safety protocols. The question isn’t whether or not our house is too small for long-term sheltering in place. Instead, it's how sustainable is living within this cocoon—regardless of its square footage?
Still, perspective is key. We have a roof over our heads, access to clean water and healthy food, and devices (paired with connectivity) that help us maintain our workload and relationships. In this moment, as throughout our entire lives, the members of this household have benefited from the kind of societal privilege that needs to be acknowledged and paid forward.
For now, we are letting this ever-smaller world guide us. Outside of our immediate bubble, we discover where to donate food, home goods, bedding and funds. And within our immediate bubble, we check in with folks from over fence lines and from rooftops to ask what is needed by all. We swap books and kitchen supplies. We bundle bulk food orders with our neighbors. We now compost together rather than as an individual household. We share the produce we grow, as others share their bounty with us.
Our home is also more functional and appreciated than ever before. From our garden, Adam and I routinely set up our own, miniature nature school and playground for our child, and do so with whatever items are already available to us. When he’s ready to step inside, I swap places with him and my husband, shuffling my office outside, the dogs by my side.
More than a dozen years of living small (here and elsewhere) has taught us how to manage being within inches of one another for months on end. And, for us, these recent months have solidified our love of living simply. We fine-tuned the art of setting up and breaking down pop-up offices and home learning activities long ago, but what is newer to us since being home together nonstop is that most of our household rules and careful divisions of responsibilities are now fully out the door. Mealtimes are fluid. Activities are devised on the spot rather than planned in advance (unlike those early, ambitious weeks in March). Family movie night can be any night. Yet, these sorts of changes have been surprisingly welcome.
What we were not prepared for, however, was the whittling away of the area surrounding us—that expanded world we so deeply relished—and how each step beyond our home and garden now feels like a step into the unknown.
Note: First / key photo by Lucia Doynell.
Manageable Home Learning
Like millions of Americans right now, we are exhausted.
We are fortunate for countless reasons, and we are grateful for even more. Still, we are simply worn down.
Adam and I don’t want West to feel the weight of our fatigue.
At almost 4 years old, he’s ready for some semblance of schooling. But due to the ever-rising cost of pre-school in Los Angeles, coupled with the Covid-19 rates throughout the city, we are not sending our child to classes in the foreseeable future.
In order to give West a preschool-like feeling at the start of the weekdays, Adam and I have been packing themed lessons together at night for our little one to discover and explore the following mornings.
Spoiler alert: We’re not acing it as parents, folks. These are (very) low-lift lessons. I’m trying to be forgiving of such shortcomings, as we’re trying to run our small business in a recession, navigate family life in a big city during the pandemic, and attempt to figure out some major life changes and decisions (more on that later).
Just like with my office, we create a pop-up school space filled with workbook pages (usually from Highlights for Children), books, activities, and tools that support the morning’s theme. The theme is always something very general— like autumn, swimming, space, plants, etc. The obtuse nature of the themes helps us keeps things flexible, and prevents us from having to buy anything new in order to bring a fresh topic to life every day.
I’ve been filling West’s Uashama 100% organic paper backpack and collapsible, washable paper boxes / containers with the on-subject items he and Adam will use throughout the morning while I work.
And around lunchtime, we end up breaking it down for unstructured, open-ended play.
These sorts of mini lessons feel productive and doable. So while they’re not elaborate or innovative, they’re exactly what we can manage right now. And, most importantly, West is enjoying them.
More photos are below for those who are interested. (And while I have your attention: don’t forget to check your voter registration status or register to vote!)
Making a Voting Plan
“To meet the challenges of the climate crisis and preserve all that we hold dear; to retain democracy, social justice, human rights, and other hard-won freedoms in the future, we must part ways with that which threatens to destroy them. Now is the time to make profound shifts in how we live, work, and relate to each other.”
- The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis
In the upcoming presidential election, I’ll be voting (early) for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
For those who think that politics has no place on a blog like mine, you’re mistaken. This blog is about home, and all the topics encompassed therein. It’s about running a small business while raising a family. It’s about community. It’s about the climate crisis and our ongoing role within it. It’s about physical and mental health. It’s about learning to be an antiracist. It’s about discovering how to live regeneratively. It’s about connecting with neighbors, as well as folks from all across the world. It’s about exploring what we can share and how we can share it. All of these topics are directly impacted by politics— now more than ever.
I believe that casting a ballot for the incumbent — or refraining from voting altogether — is a vote for an administration that prioritizes the profit, power and comfort of a select few over millions of lives, human rights, the health and future of our shared planet, and our democracy.
John Lewis wrote that: “The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society.” From your local officials to the Senate to the presidency, it’s important to vote up and down the ballot in every election. But voter suppression is happening in America right now, playing out in old ways and new. With a plan, we can each fight to be sure our vote is counted. And we can advocate for the votes of disenfranchised groups to be counted, too.
Repurposing Bottles Around the Home
One of the DIY-lite projects I’ve long enjoyed is using branches and repurposed bottles to craft space-savvy garden stake vases.
Above: Photo from an East Coast wedding I produced in 2015.
After completing a recent creative project for which I was hired by Wonderful Wine Co., we had some leftover bottles that I decided to repurpose around the house and garden. (Transparency note: this blog post is not sponsored.)
It’s estimated that almost half of a wine bottle’s carbon footprint comes from the production and mishandling of packaging. These particular bottles are made with lightweight glass that requires 20% less energy and 12% percent less water to produce, cutting back this company’s carbon emissions by approximately 26% overall, and making the bottles particularly usable for upcycling projects.
With the help of a few materials + accessories already here at the cottage, we turned the bottles into the garden stake vases, a dishwashing soap dispenser, a candle holder, a nightlight, and a simple vase to prolong the life of a tomato branch that was snapped off by a particularly rude mouse.
Remember: only a small percentage of recyclables actually gets recycled.
So before you chuck something into the bin, explore its other potential uses first.
Additional photos below.
Decluttering & Remaining Clutter-Free for the Long Run (Updated)
Have you ever gone through the process of decluttering and downsizing, only to find yourself slipping back into an overstuffed life a few months down the road? You’re not alone. Every day I receive questions about how to declutter and maintain the results.
First and foremost, I think it’s important to find a dedicated home for everything with which you part ways, as 80+% of donations end up in landfills, and there’s a bunch of privilege wrapped up in the concept of decluttering in the first place.
Secondly, before you declutter, I’d recommend pledging to stop the influx of new, unnecessary goods after doing so. Otherwise the cycle repeats itself, which is no good for your space, wallet, the planet, and the disenfranchised populations who statistically live closer to landfills and toxic manufacturing and waste facilities.
Finally, if an item no longer works for you and can be put to better use with someone else, then letting go is a gift for both parties! I’d suggest asking yourself what purpose(s) each piece serves if any, and then take it from there responsibly.
With that, here are some easy tips for remaining clutter-free for the long run.
Avoid Triggers
Identify your more reckless spending triggers, then take care to avoid them. For example, do you find yourself buying items off social media links or major retail sites when you’re bored, stressed or unable to sleep? Tuck the phone away and pick up a book, meet a friend, or take a walk instead. Do you buy junk at the airport during layovers? Bring your own snacks, bottles and entertainment with you, and don’t even step foot in the shops within the terminal.
Pause Before Purchasing
When online shopping, challenge yourself to wait at least 24 hours before checking out. Chances are you’ll realize that you don’t actually need all (or any) of the items in your cart.
Get One, Give Two
If you do commit to acquiring a new item, try giving away two items in its place. Keep in mind that it’s important to find a dedicated home for everything with which you part ways, as 80+% of donations end up in landfills.
Reduce Opportunities for Impulse Purchases
Once you’ve swapped your common disposable goods (such as paper towels, cotton rounds, cleaning supplies, diapers, and tampons) for reusable options, you’ll have far less shopping to do. And with fewer trips to the store, you’ll have fewer opportunities to make impulse purchases.
Decline Freebies
You don’t need to accept every free item and bit of SWAG dangled in front of you. Just walk away, or use the magic words: “No thank you.” If you still somehow end up with freebies of wellness products or clothing that can be of use to organizations in need, leave the goods sealed/unopened and donate them as soon as possible.
Donating Gifts
If someone gives you a gift you can’t use and/or don’t like, shake off the guilt and donate it immediately. It doesn’t do anyone any good for the thing to rot away in a box under your bed. Pay their generosity forward by regifting the item(s) to a fitting non-profit, local school, etc.
Ask Qualifying Questions
Before you purchase a new object, ask yourself the following questions— you might be surprised by how few items actually clear these hurdles to earn a coveted place in your home:
Do I already own something that serves the same purpose as this new item?
Was this product produced ethically and with sustainability in mind?
Can this piece multitask? (Of course this question doesn’t apply to all goods, but it can apply to many. Multi-functional pieces will reduce the number of items you need in your home, saving you money and reducing your footprint.)
Where will this item be stored when NOT in use? And do I have the space for it?
Lastly, if the piece(s) you’re considering pass all of the questions above, then ask yourself: Is there a vintage or handmade option of this item that I can find locally instead?
You can do it. For your sanity, for your wallet, for your home, for your busy schedule, and — above all — for the planet.
First/key photo from the cottage taken by Lucia Doynel.
The Leaf Blower
We have five Ficus trees in our tiny garden. For most of the year they’re easy enough to manage, requiring very little water, and a professional trim twice annually. But during the summer they drop pods. (Lots of them.)
When Sophee was a puppy she began eating the pods, which are toxic to dogs. After much discomfort on her part and worry on ours (along with lofty Los Angeles veterinary bills), she recovered. But we were left wondering: do we get rid of these beautiful trees? The only substantial trees on this lot? The trees that provided us with shade and privacy? The trees that make an otherwise pale space pop with life? The trees whose branches sway in the coastal breeze and gift us with one of the Earth’s most beautiful sounds? Or can we find some way to deal with the pods annually without them poisoning our sweet rescue beagles?
… Should I buy a leaf blower?
Thankfully, as she matured, Soph learned not to eat the pods. As with the grapes that occasionally drop from their vine, the dogs seem to inherently know to steer clear of them.
Over the nine years here, those Ficus trees have grown. And grown.
With (blissfully) more tree comes (not-so-blissfully) more fallen leaves. They aren’t those gorgeous, wide, orange leaves that herald in the changing season. Instead, they’re the little, cracking leaves that flood our pea gravel pathways within hours and make everything feel a bit chaotic in this compact footprint.
Should I buy a leaf blower now ?
Confession: I did buy a leaf blower. (Pre-pandmic, of course.)
It sat on the stoop in its box for a few days. I’d glare at it from my makeshift desk on the kitchen counter and shake my head at it (and myself). Eventually, I decided to return it, unopened, and embrace the leaves instead.
Not only are the leaves helpful with balancing out the matter in our compost tumbler, but they’re also a small part of the natural world that we get to experience here in our tiny patch of land that was once dry, cracked earth.
The soil is becoming healthier. The butterflies and ladybugs and bees are growing in numbers. (So much so that we set up a bug hotel so that some of them hopefully stick around in the winter.)
How lucky are we to shuffle through these little reminders of a regenerated, tiny plot of land? Particularly now, as the light indicates that the summer is coming to a close, but the heat has yet to ease up, so the shade from the trees is deeply appreciated.
On a recent morning, I needed to clean up the walkway to record a video for a client. I began picking up the hundreds (thousands?) of leaves by hand. I could’ve borrowed our neighbor’s rake, but they’re not that much more effective on gravel, and I thought to myself: You’re always trying to slow down. Here’s your chance.
While I was out there, West joined me. We made a game out of gathering the leaves, filling up as many baskets from our rack on the stoop as possible.
He loved it.
I loved it.
It was slow.
It was simple.
No emails. No phone.
Just our hands and the leaves.
Everyone’s life is complicated enough as it is right now. If someone decides to buy something that makes their everyday feel a bit saner, I’m not here to guilt them for it. But in this context, the leaf blower experience was a good reminder for me that this (largely plastic) item was just one more item I could go without. And in going without, I got a whole lot more in return.
Repurposing & Recycling Leftover Paint
PSA Time: If you have leftover cans of paint sitting around after buying too much for a project (like we did after repainting our interior 2 years ago), you can take them to be safely and responsibly recycled for free.
In parts of the United States where the non profit PaintCare operates, households, businesses, and individuals can take their unwanted, leftover paint to a drop-off site. From there it is sorted and managed for reuse, recycling, energy recovery, or safe disposal.
There’s even information regarding their protocol for managing their services during the COVID-19 outbreak on their site.
Visit PaintCare.org to learn how to:
Estimate and buy the right amount of paint for future projects
Store your paint wisely to extend its lifespan
Discover fun projects for using up leftover paint
Donate your paint to organizations that might need it
Recycle your leftover paint
Note: This blog post was not sponsored, but the corresponding Instagram post was paid for by PaintCare. The Tiny Canal Cottage donates a portion of our earnings from paid partnerships to The RightWay Foundation.
Back to School & WFH: Working & Studying in a Small Space
Post Summary: How to establish and maintain more efficient practices for working and schooling from home in compact quarters with a partner, roommate and/or kid(s) ever-present. (View a related 15 second video here.)
As the new school year approaches and folks around the globe are settling into the idea of potentially working and schooling from home for the long-haul, I thought it might be of assistance to some if I shared this updated post about how we managed our live/work/daycare/school practices here in our small space.
Below are several accessible tips I’ve learned over the course of a dozen years of operating a business full-time from small residences, including some newer points that I’ve adopted in recent years since my husband began working from home, and our son has grown from a baby to a toddler to a preschooler.
It’s my hope that these ideas will help you work and study effectively from a small house or apartment, whether you have dedicate space for a home-office and a home-school, or if you’re creating pop-up spaces.
Keep in mind that some days will undoubtedly be more challenging than others— there’s no magic solution to this juggling act. But the privilege of working from home during the pandemic is something to acknowledge and keep in perspective. So many people are out of work across the globe, and medical professionals, delivery personnel and workers tied to essential businesses are putting themselves at risk to keep the rest of us safe. Staying home— even if it’s not your preference— is important for our communities, so let’s make it work.
Make your bed
Studies show that people who make their beds tend to be more productive. But in a small space, I think that making the bed is doubly important. With limited square footage, the bed can become a useful surface for random tasks throughout the day, such as sorting/filing/printing papers.
Carve out time for self care
Whether it’s as simple as brushing your teeth and taking a shower— or more involved, like doing Yoga, making coffee/tea/a smoothie, putting on makeup if that’s your preference, and/or taking your pets for a (responsible!) walk, make sure to carve out time in your morning before work to accomplish the things you’d normally do before leaving your home for an office job.
Get dressed
I know this is often recommended to the point of exhaustion. Still, it really is helpful— even if you’re not on Zoom / FaceTime meetings during the day.
Set up a pop-up workspace (if you don’t already have a dedicated one)
If you have a dedicated desk or dining table, fantastic. If not, create a pop-up workspace. Depending on your living situation, this might mean converting an end table into an office, employing a collapsible bistro table, or using a lap tray in bed. Whatever it is, set yourself up with the tools you’ll need throughout the day, so that you won’t loose your train of thought or productivity by having to get up and find supplies (and thus risk getting distracted) while you’re in a positive workflow. If possible, set up shop by a window, or place a mirror nearby to reflect the natural light from the closest window. It can be emotionally beneficial to get some exposure to nature and/or your community while you work.
Clock-in
Set a time to start and stick to it. I believe this is why I have been so productive at working from home over the past dozen years. When I first began working remotely, I had a client with whom I had to check in every morning at 8AM, and that obligation provided a me with a sense of formal structure, much like a standard office does.
Set your phone timer for scheduled breaks
When you’re working from home, it can be tempting to hop up and take care of chores around the house. Overall, it’s a great gift to be able to check off your personal to-do list while simultaneously addressing your professional duties. But the reality is that this can be distracting and derailing. Instead of succumbing to the urge to steal random moments to manage chores, set timers on your phone to coincide with the times of day you’ll likely need a brief break to stretch and use the bathroom. At those intervals, allot an extra handful of minutes for calling a friend, getting a snack, doing the dishes, watering the plants, tending to personal matters, etc. Let your parter / child / roommate know when these breaks are scheduled so you can touch base or get out of each others way if needed. When your timer sounds again to signify the break is up, back to work.
Try earbuds or noise-canceling headphones
Whether you prefer to listen to music, need silence, or simply can’t stand another minute of your housemate’s keyboard clacking, invest in a pair of earbuds or noise canceling headphones if possible.
Consider a curtain or screen
It might be worthwhile to use a makeshift curtain, accordion screen or a room divider of some sort to cordon off your work zone. (There’s plenty more about this topic in my book, Small Space Style.) Beyond adding a sense of privacy, this can provide physical and symbolic boundaries for those with whom you share your home. It can also keep your eager eyes in check when they’re tempted to wander over to the snack shelf or laundry pile when they should be focused on your work instead.
Practice In-House Texting
This might seem absurd in a small home or apartment, but consider texting your partner/roommate/etc. or asking them to text you if something needs to be discussed. That way you will see the text when you choose to look at your phone and can then respond accordingly, rather than being yanked abruptly from a focused moment. (Adam and I often do this, even though we live in under 400 sqft… it works.)
Explore storing your administrative supplies in more than one area if you’re feeling cramped
While it’s handy to keep your must-haves within arm’s reach (as mentioned in tip 4, above), you don’t need to cram ALL of your supplies into one area in your small home office. If you rarely use a printer but have one, perhaps store it somewhere else so that you don’t feel like your work zone is taking over your home. (Examples of this can be found in the IGTV video linked at the start of this post.) Same goes for bulky files, business tools, etc— especially if you’re sharing them with someone else in the home. Spreading accessories out will aid with storage, but it will also allow all parties to use the same items throughout the day without distracting each other when crossing zones to borrow this-or-that.
Temporarily delete apps that distract
If you’re tempted to check non-essential apps on your phone, consider deleting them during the work day, and reinstalling them after you’ve “clocked out”.
Clock out
Just like clocking in, a clocking out routine can be useful for maintaining a live/work divide. Stow office items until the next work day, freeing up your home for personal activities and family time.
The night before, set up an activity for your kid(s) for the morning
If you’re feeling like the mornings are too hectic, analyze why. Do your kids need something to keep them safely occupied while you go about your self care routine and/or prepping your workspace? Perhaps plan and set up an activity for the morning that will keep them happy so you can stick to your schedule.
Prep Meals
If you find yourself hanging out in the kitchen more than you normally do, perhaps prep your meals and snacks in advance. This can prevent wasted time, and while potentially encouraging a healthier diet since we all need to keep our immune systems in check while this virus circulates through our communities. Not only that, but preparing food in advance is a wise way to ration food within your household, limiting possible exposure from potentially avoidable grocery shopping trips and/or deliveries.
Remember: We’re all in it together. You’ve got this.
Select photos by Lucia Doynel.
The Privilege of Working & Studying From Home
Post summary: How to advocate on behalf of households with no access to internet connectivity or devices.
My next blog post will be about working and schooling from home, and I wanted to preface it with this:
As families around the country struggle to adapt to the challenges of working and schooling from home around the clock this upcoming fall, some do not have the necessary tools for online learning and productivity. Across the country, many students and families have limited or no access to adequate internet connectivity and dedicated devices.
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund called upon internet service providers that affirmed their commitment to racial equity this summer to help hundreds of thousands of students of color as countless schools transition to online learning.
Those who feel inclined can take action by writing to and/or using social media to tag Internet Service Providers and demand that they do their part to make certain that this nation’s schoolchildren receive the education they deserve.
Here are some of the requests outlined by the LDF that I am demanding of our ISP:
We insist that our ISP works with local school districts to determine what is needed for underserved families in regards to connectivity and accessibility.
We request that the providers offer free internet to households with school-age children for the upcoming/current school year, and ensure that the service provided is strong enough to support multiple family members streaming classes at the same time.
We ask that the ISP forgive any customer arrears that prevent families with children from accessing the internet.
We demand that the service provider makes their accessibility options known by advertising the access to these services widely and aggressively through flyers and U.S. mail for families with no phones, at school pick up sites, and through phone calls and emails, and ensure that materials are translated and accessible for non-English speakers and people with disabilities.
From the The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund:
Any plan to educate America’s children that includes distance learning must address the fact that countless children will be left without educational access unless we undertake an aggressive effort to ensure access to computers and free high-speed internet connection for every family with children. As the new school year approaches, we ask that internet service providers act on their commitments to addressing structural inequalities and racial injustice by taking the series of actions outlined in our letter to help ensure that our nation’s schoolchildren receive the education they deserve.
Access to the internet and technological devices has been limited for many students of color throughout the duration of the pandemic – and it only stands to worsen as COVID-19’s socioeconomic implications continue to unfold. In April 2020, 54% of Latinx broadband users and 36% of Black users reported worrying about their ability to pay bills over the next few months, compared with only 21% of white users. As pandemic-related government moratoriums on evictions, foreclosures, and utility shutoffs begin to expire and federal unemployment benefits end, many families will soon face more monthly bills and be forced to prioritize immediate necessities, like running water and shelter, over internet access. Children should not be cut off from distance learning simply because their parents cannot afford an internet bill or because rural communities have been forgotten in the age of internet reliance and necessity.
Moreover, this pandemic-induced financial strain comes while many school districts have announced that they will be offering at least some form of distance learning for the foreseeable future — or requiring students to work remotely altogether. Therefore, as the 2020-21 school year approaches, access to online learning remains one of the most pressing needs for students and families of color. While some school districts have distributed devices to their students or encouraged local businesses to open hotspots, these measures are not nearly enough to meet students’ needs.
As a result, LDF is calling on internet service providers to act on their stated commitments to racial equity by expanding their coverage areas and providing free internet access and technology to low-income and communities of color.
Internet service providers must act swiftly to implement these measures to ensure that all students have the tools to succeed in the coming school year. As an organization deeply familiar with the challenges that face schoolchildren of color and their families face when it comes to achieving a quality, integrated education, we recognize that the digital inequities in this country represent a pressing racial justice issue that must be remedied in order to guarantee students’ equal access to quality education.
A Different Sort of Slow Summer
Folks are always saying that they want a slow and simple life. I think it’s one of the reasons why tiny house + camper living have held the attention of the public in such a tight and tantalizing grip in recent years— the promise of a pared-down life filled with fewer avoidable stresses. The appeal of more time and less noise.
But, as one of Small Space Living’s most enthusiastic cheerleaders, I must say: right now, there is no such thing as slow (at least in the relaxation sense of the word) or simple, no matter the size of your home.
Those who are looking out for one another are either sheltering in their homes for their fifth month, or working in essential positions at their own great risk in order to keep our communities healthy and fed. And while being home is an immense privilege, it’s also an enormous challenge. Even with just one child, the days are exhausting for parents. And as a small business owner, a wave of overwhelm floods every minute of every workday.
This is why our garden-to-kitchen-to-garden habits throughout the summer have been so valuable to me. (Related post: Small Space Gardening to Reduce Anxiety.)
Above: Straw & jar lid from Simply Straws. Jar by Ball.
When we need a momentary a break (from running the business, from parenting around the clock, or from the daunting realities we’re facing as a country), we find ourselves shuffling between the small kitchen and tiny wrap-around garden here a the cottage.
The garden and kitchen have begun to blend together as we clip fruits, vegetables and herbs, tote them inside, prep them in one form or another, then return outdoors to enjoy whatever we’ve made as we escape the heat while beneath the vine canopy. (Related post: Our 2020 Grape Harvest.)
Our neighbors have been making sweet grape juice (which we add to our sparkling water) from this year’s Concord harvest.
Above: Vegan Khala & Co food wrap (to replace single-use cling) drying on the rack.
Meanwhile, Adam has started making jam to accompany his weekly batches of sourdough bread.
Above: Adam’s freshly baked bread.
They’re little indulgences that offer impactful satisfaction. They help us— for a moment— regain that feeling of slow and simple. (The good kind of slow.)
Above: Cherries from our weekly CSA box, piled into a handmade ceramic tumbler by Daniel George of Flying Uke Designs.
New Mini Consultations
In recent months, dozens of folks have reached out to me to express their frustrations over being unable to find a comfortable rhythm while working, educating and juggling life from their small spaces around the clock during this pandemic.
It’s tough, my friends— there’s no way around that. Still, working from home is a privilege we need to acknowledge and make the most of.
So in response, I’ve been offering weekly Q&A sessions on my social media channels. They’re hugely time consuming, but I tackle them as often as I can with the intention of providing some support to our online community in this unique time.
Since there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to each question, I’ve also launched a new mini consultation service, which can be accessed here.
Via this service, I’m now available to offer video replies to questions that are personalized to specific spaces and situations, such as:
What are some ways I can adjust my particular small space to accommodate a baby? (Snap and send a photo and I’ll take a look and offer my feedback.)
How do I minimize clutter in this specific area of my home? (Snap and send a photo and I’ll take a look and provide suggestions.)
How can I make my rental space look/feel bigger on a budget?
My hope is that this provides readers with some useful assistance in a difficult time, while also supporting our small home and business.
Select photos by TinyLicious.
Convertible Desks for Small Spaces
Over the years, I’ve learned that versatility is essential for a home-office in a small space.
Can a nightstand also serve as a desk? Can a convertible standing table function as a workspace by day and a dining surface by night? Can a folding table tuck away entirely on the weekends?
There really are so many great options — explore more via my book, Small Space Style.
Small Kitchen Storage
Do you have a small kitchen? Don’t overlook valuable storage space that could be hiding in plain sight — like the top of your fridge.
Small Space Gardening: Our 2020 Grape Harvest
This week, we harvested our first batch of this year’s concord grapes grown on the Cottage vine.
Out of our 9 years here, 2020 has has yielded the most usable grapes for us.
The increase is due to the post + cable system we installed in the back garden in 2019.
We added the wires primarily to support the red trumpet vine and establish a living canopy for privacy and shade. I didn’t expect that the grapevine would reach so far along the cables and sprawl across the yard, but luckily it did.
In previous seasons, the grapes grew primarily along the fence line, granting easy access to the summer raccoons, squirrels and mice. But the animals seem to have a hard to time reaching the hanging clusters, so the fruit has been allowed to ripen completely without interference.
Above: The grapevine in July 2014.
Below: The grapevine in July 2020.
Adam, West and I picked the first clusters off the vine together.
Thankfully the StanLee and Sophee seem to instinctively know not to eat the grapes, which are toxic to dogs.
View my recent related post: Garden aprons for the family
Even after filling this basket entirely, it looked as though we’d barely made a dent in this year’s bounty.
Above: Wearing Eileen Fisher, which I’ve found to be particularly comfortable during my fertility journey.
After clipping the first round of concord grapes, Adam turned them into jam.
We’ve enjoyed jam, juice and sorbet from the cottage vine for years, but until now it was always thanks to our next door neighbors, Kevin and Donna, who harvested the grapes across both properties.
Using Kevin and Donna’s recipe (and several of their kitchen tools), Adam kicked off our first canning experience.
A few hours later, we had our first batch of sweet, sticky cottage-made jam in-hand. The process is a bit messy for a tiny kitchen, but more importantly it’s satisfying and almost meditative. And despite turning a fair number of wooden kitchen tools purple, I’d say our first foray into canning was a delightful success.
I’m interviewing Kevin & Donna about the grapevine’s history and their maintenance practices, and I’ll publish that follow up post soon…
100 Days Until the Election - Get Yourself and Others Ready to Vote
“The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society.”
- Rep. John Lewis
The election is just 100 days away. Now is the time to make sure you are registered to vote, and to remind your friends and family to check their registration too. (A reminder from a friend makes them up to 2X more likely to vote.)
Register to vote, check your status and sign up for election reminders / news via When We All Vote and I Am a Voter.
Make your voice heard.
Traveling Lightly as a Family
A recent Q&A I worked on with Steamline Luggage (discussing topics ranging from working from home to road and air travel with a young child,) is now live on their blog. In conjunction with the interview, Steamline has offered our community a promotional code for 15% off their gorgeous luggage, which we’ve both used at home and on-the-go for years. Use WLM15 for a discount, now through August 20th. A sampling of the exchange is below.
Q: We know you cut down on air travel to cut down on your carbon footprint; tell us more about that and how you still embrace road trip travel?
A: Flying less often is such a simple way to significantly cut back our negative impact on the planet. (A single cross-country flight here in the US represents about 1/18th of a person’s annual carbon emissions!) So while our small business and family hasn’t cut out air travel entirely, we’ve certainly decreased the number of trips we take by air. We’re only flying for rare/unique business occasions, or to be reunited with family after long stretches of time apart. As far as road trips are concerned, we’re staying close to home. Luckily SoCal is rich with mountains, deserts, old-growth forests, and vast beaches. In just a few short hours, we can be transported to so many breathtaking places. Plus, we live in a tourist destination— we might as well stay home and enjoy it.
Q: Back to your carbon footprint—the way you are cutting it down in terms of travel and at home is really admirable. What are some good “hacks” for greener travel?
A: Less than 20% of the population has ever been on a plane, yet the negative environmental impacts of air travel affect the entire planet. So if you are in the privileged position to be able to fly, challenge yourself to do so less often. When you do have to travel by air, little modifications can help, such as flying coach, packing light, bringing a reusable coffee/water bottle to fill after security, shutting the window shades when instructed by flight attendants, financially offsetting carbon emissions via a trustworthy source, and routing directly whenever possible. Additionally, while on-the-go, skip the disposable goods (marketed for “travel” or otherwise) at the airport, in the sky and while at your destination by opting for reusable / washable / refillable alternatives. Additionally, educate yourself in advance of a vacation, and consider how tourism is impacting the local community and infrastructure of the community you wish to visit. Confirm that it has the capacity to sustainably manage tourism.
Q: Little West is so gorgeous! And a fun age. Has having a child changed the way you have travelled thus far, what you would like to see, or how far from home you are most comfortable going? And regarding your road trips, what is your biggest travel tip for traveling with a kid for long car journeys?
A: Traveling with a little one can, of course, be a bit of a challenge. (“Please don’t put your mouth on the seat-back table, West!!!”) But it’s also an immense joy. West has flown over both the Pacific and Atlantic at this point. No journey is too long or too short— it all just takes a bit more consideration than it did before, and that’s quite all right. For road trips (and at home), we rely heavily on children’s audio books! (West is wildly in love with Sarah & Duck via the Pinna app.)
Q: Although we are all getting more comfortable in our little bubbles while we socially distance, we remain deeply interested in the connections we make with people with whom we mightn’t have much in common when we do leave our home spaces. In terms of past trips, can you recall one of the most meaningful exchanges you've had with someone while traveling? Both/either on the road or at your destination.
A: I enjoy staying in actual, old-fashioned Bed & Breakfasts. They lead to so many more human moments in otherwise highly curated experiences. When visiting our home away from home, Belcastel (Aveyron, France), I'm always moved by the little things… like a local grabbing us a head of lettuce for our dinner from their garden, or business owners opening up their kitchen after-hours to provide us with bread and wine. I ache for our late night dances by the river there, and to hear the villagers sweetly laugh at us while we huff-and-puff our way up the steep hills (paved with medieval cobblestones) as we slip out the backs of our sandals and wipe sweat from our sunburned faces. Sigh…
Q: As a small business owner who’s influential on social media, what does this look like when you travel? Do you ever find the need to power off—and if so, how do you do this? What role do social media and communications play on your trips?
A: I rarely power down when out of town, but I don’t think that has to be a negative thing, depending on how it’s executed. Though it certainly has taken me years to figure out how to most efficiently navigate work vs play while on trips, and remember to look up and breathe.
I’ve found that, for me, sharing compilation posts and videos across my blog and social channels AFTER the trip allow me to focus on living in moments (and capturing them as I naturally would anyway), and then I can edit my footage and imagery on the journey back home while my son is occupied with an audiobook or with my husband. While on the trip, I do feel that it’s important to share a bit about the environmental toll our activities take (or don't take), in realtime, as it draws awareness to the impacts of travel, and sparks some productive conversations on ways that we can all be more responsible, and mindful of our actions and footprint.
Q: How do you generally plan or design your trips? Do you build around visiting loved ones / people or certain places or things?
A: We have no family here in LA, so we tend to “use up” most of our travel time and money on visiting family members elsewhere. But when we plan a trip based on a place itself, we always overlap it with business in some substantial capacity so that we can better justify the journey and expense. (And when traveling by car, we are much more flexible with planning in general.)
Q: We really appreciate your candor and advice re: WFH challenges, such as how you said, “Even though I can’t work uninterrupted for more than a 30-60 minutes at a time, I do try to practice helpful habits like separating myself from the rest of the family, clocking-in for the task and clocking-out when it’s completed, and having necessities and comforts within arm’s reach (and notifications off) so I’m not sidetracked.” SL founder Sara Banks is a mother of four boys (4 mo.-7 yrs) and is attempting the same! She has noticed how the practice is similar to her travel mantra of “slow down, look up”, i.e., powering on or off (not both!), being present, and single-tasking well over multitasking poorly. Do you think these disciplines have the potential to improve home and travel life in our post-COVID-19 world?
A: I certainly hope so. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we remember and honor such findings, rather than fooling ourselves back into believing that we have to do everything… perfectly… and all at once. It’s okay to be the tortoise rather than the hare if that’s what it takes to cross the finish line with integrity and peace of mind.
Q: Your sentiment also really resonates that, “This is a time for heightened flexibility, compassion and patience— with others, and with ourselves." Sara has also been contemplating the virtues of communal care versus self-care. Do you think we might come out of this with a more neighborly, less-judgemental world?
A: I think that communal care is crucial to a healthier tomorrow. In becoming more connected and reliant upon localized and collaboratively-managed resources, we can potentially alleviate much of the burdens carried by our planet, and better provide for everyone — not just those who can afford it. This time has also been a loud reminder of what jobs and skills are most necessary (and thus should be respected and compensated accordingly) to keep our communities safe and functioning.
Q: Lastly, you seem to use space so cleverly and never seem to have too much of anything around, but just enough that you can highlight things you use. Does your use of space apply to how you pack? What are some essentials you might bring with you, and do you tend to be a light or heavy packer? Any tips for packing for kids?
A: We tend to be easygoing and toss things pell-mell into the car when on a road trip. But for air or train travel we’re highly organized and minimal, typically sharing one suitcase and limiting ourselves to 2 carry-ons so we still have hands free to hold each other. Since we have a straightforward and simplified relationship with “stuff” in our house, it’s now fairly effortless to translate that into our packing system and routine. On a more detailed sidenote, West’s favorite activity is reading books, so we take a small stack of slim and lightweight paperbacks in our carry-on, and then we always try to visit the library wherever we go. A library can be such a fantastic window into a community’s personality!
My Fertility Journey
Content alert: This post contains frank and personal stories concerning the process of trying to conceive and stay pregnant.
Yet another month gone by, and I’m still unable to become (or remain) pregnant.
We’ve now been trying for a year and a half. At first, I began the journey with optimistic caution. At 34 years old, we conceived West on the very first try, and it was my first pregnancy ever. The entire experience — including labor — was positive. I knew then how lucky I was. I know it still. (More on that further down in this post.)
In the past 18 months, I’ve had:
negative and positive pregnancy tests
bleeding that my doctor and I suspected was implantation bleeding (which I experienced with West)
months with no periods
months with weeks-long bleeding
normal FSH levels / test results for my age
hormonal & physical fluctuations
I’m sure that there have been a few months along the way during which we missed my ovulation window. I routinely wore an Ava bracelet to track my cycle, but life still gets in the way sometimes, and that’s okay. (Click here to view my post about intimacy in a small space.)
But the mental and physical rollercoaster of trying to conceive (and the unsuccessful starts) takes a toll of sorts. There are the changes in the body (some visible, some not), the extra careful monitoring of everything consumed, the dramatic dips in energy, and, ultimately, the heartbreaking disappointments.
I’ve modified my diet, the contents of our medicine cabinet, and even my wardrobe to accommodate the ride. I now sticking almost entirely to clothing that adapts comfortably to the dramatic waistline inches gained and lost over the months, including pants that accommodate the fluctuations while still being appropriate for business video conference calls and bike rides with my son and dogs at a moment’s notice. (This might seem like a silly detail, but every single time I get dressed I’m somehow reminded of my inability to get or stay pregnant, as well as the need to keep my company going during this pandemic while also still being present with my family. To me, it’s a meaningful consideration, even if it’s a minor one.)
It’s a challenge to discern which emotions are a result of my fertility journey, and which are a result of the pandemic, running a small business, and renting in an expensive city. It all adds up to a tangle of anxiety.
I’ll keep my head up, even during the days that are particularly draining and bleak. Our little family has so much privilege, along with everything we need— we have to pay that forward.
It’s my duty to focus daily on being an anti-racist, raising a feminist and anti-racist child, advocating for voting rights, and fighting for human rights and environmental justice every step of the way.
Throughout my pregnancy and on the day I was ready to deliver West, I had the privilege of safe and respectful maternity care. It wasn’t perfect— there were points at which I believe the hospital got it wrong. For example, some of the medical staff tried to hurry me into having a Caesarean section since my contractions didn’t progress quickly after my water broke, but I had access to a doula team that advocated hard on my behalf for a vaginal delivery without an epidural. This sort of access, along with the opportunity and space be heard, and the successful outcome is by no means a given for every woman in America.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that “Black mothers in the U.S. die at three to four times the rate of white mothers, one of the widest of all racial disparities in women's health.” (NPR)
According to Every Mother Counts: “Chronic stress and systemic and interpersonal racism contribute to a higher risk of complications and death for women of color. The number of women who die giving birth in America each year has nearly doubled in the last two decades, and over half of all maternal deaths in the U.S. can be prevented.“
My fertility journey includes working towards dismantling the systemic racism that robs Black women and women of color from potentially having the same wonderful experience with their baby/babies as I had with our lil’ West.
The fight for equitable maternity care is one to engage in every day until quality healthcare is accessible and provided for all mothers. And as for my physical struggle to conceive… well, I’m 39, so it’s still very much within the scope of possibility, but I’m coming to terms with the fact that West might never have a sibling beyond our pups, StanLee & Sophee. (For reasons I’m not yet ready to discuss publicly, we aren’t currently considering IVF or adoption.)
Just when I start to feel overwhelmed with disappointment, West intuitively swoops in and reminds me of my overflowing gratitude for this lil’ family, home and life.
What's Next For Our Family? (Updated)
The following is an updated version of a blog post I published in February of 2019.
One of the questions I’m asked the most often is: What is the plan for when West gets older and wants more privacy? And do we need more space if I’m able to have a second child?
The same sort of questions popped up time and time again when I was pregnant with West— everyone asked us when and where we’d be moving. But we took things day-by-day, and it all worked out better than we could’ve ever imagined. That’s how I want to live— planning wisely the realities of life, but also allowing the future to unfold naturally as we navigate the present. That way, when the time comes, we will know what we need and why, rather than acting half-heartedly (and perhaps wastefully) on predictions.
People make all sorts of living situations work for them and their families, whether by choice or necessity. Diverse lifestyles and homes are all around us, but they’re rarely integrated into entertainment in a way that makes them seem like anything other than a problem or a quirky novelty.
I don’t expect that the issue of space itself will inform any of our family’s decisions making at this time. Instead, the main factors that I expect will determine how long we end up staying in our tiny cottage are financial and family related.
We rent, and we have no family in Los Angeles. While our home and garden have been an exceptionally wonderful spot to Shelter in Place, renting and trying to keep a small business afloat in an expensive city/state during the pandemic heighten insecurity. Plus we miss our families terribly.
We love and appreciate our home and garden more than ever, and are in no rush to leave. But lately I do find myself dreaming of a slower, quiet life, more land, four seasons, and better access to our family… and I wouldn’t mind a fireplace and a tub. When the time comes, I suspect we will look for a place with two bedrooms, or at least a little “extra” space in which to creatively craft a second bedroom. But we’ll deal with that when the time comes. (I want to share some of the places we have in mind, but that’s for a later post…)
When we decide to go, I’ll be sharing the entire process here, as you have supported us tightly throughout the years. But as we move through our current (9th!) year in the Tiny Canal Cottage, I hope we are able to bring you as much joy as you continue to bring us. Thank you.
Summering in a Small Space during the Pandemic
After 4+ months of staying Safer at Home, most of our household rules and practices are now fully out the door.
Above: West watching friend Shavonda Gardner during an IG Live.
Mealtimes are fluid.
Activities are devised on the spot, rather than planned in advance (unlike those early, ambitious weeks in March).
Laundry day is any day.
And Adam and I are much more likely become distracted and randomly get absorbed in read articles and updates on our phones, rather than delaying until West is asleep at night like we used to.
Above: West wearing a child-sized mask, handmade at Late Sunday Afternoon in Venice.
I am still working full time, while Adam and West are, of course, still unable to take the local adventures they used to.
Above: Adam Winkleman and West enjoying the remains of what was once an epic pillow fort.
Those field trips once allowed me to focus uninterrupted on my job for valuable chunks of time throughout the day. Now we have to get a bit more creative— a challenge we’re (thankfully) all still into.
(Click here to read my Tips for Working Effectively from a Small Home / Apt During the Pandemic.)
We haven’t gotten West any new toys (except an oversized crane that we’d ordered way back in winter) since the very start of the pandemic.
As such, we’ve been doing things like draping oversized linens from the vine canopy as part of an obstacle course, writing letters to friends and mailing them via a city post box (and discussing absentee voting when we do so), and setting up museum exhibitions throughout the house. (This is something West came up with on his own. He gives us slow-guided tours of the works on display, which range from rocks to dolls to pieces of hardware.)
Adam and I are also relying heavily on the Pinna audio app throughout the days. Pinna offers ad-free podcasts, audiobooks and more, helping us keep West entertained without a screen while my husband and I manage our small business.
West listens attentively to his long-time favorite series, Sarah & Duck, or his new obsession, Quentin and Alfie's ABC Adventures.
Above: Quentin and Alfie's ABC Adventures on the Pinna app— our go-to for ad-free podcasts and audiobooks for our 3+ year old.
He’s so enamored of the Pinna segments that not only will he listen to them for long stretches of time while playing inside or outside with blocks and trucks, but he also drops a portable speaker in his wagon to listen to the stories on-the-go as we all take the dogs on their walks. (Use this link and the promo code: PINNA3MONTHS for 3 months of free listening.)
Above: A borrowed library book via The Libby Ap (featuring an illustration by Christian Robinson, and a copy of Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi.
Other activities we’re still regularly doing with West include:
Reading for about 2 hours each day. In order to expand our collection of books, we downloaded the Libby library app.
Biking in the early mornings (before the heat and crowds set in).
Watching episodes of Sarah & Duck or Puffin Rock with our mini projector
Checking on the fairies’ house and using a pulley to transport foraged supplies their way.
Listening to Pinna audiobooks / stories while playing with trucks, building blocks/tiles, train tracks, etc. (Visit this special link and use the promo code PINNA3MONTHS for a free 3-month trial.)
“Painting” the fence with water
Bubbles
Cooking, baking, cleaning and laundry as family games
Dance parties
Building forts (on the couch, with a tablecloth tent, and with play silks / scarves)
Window darts (these are plastic, but I’m glad we have them—- they’re fun for the whole family and we use them constantly)
Running around the house and yard with the pups
Art class (stickers, simple crafts, color pencils and crayons, paper planes, etc)
Gardening, Farmstand harvesting and monitoring, and careful watering of the indoor/outdoor plants
Puzzles (we only have 4-5 small ones, but they’re enough)
Basketball
Video / Portal calls with family and friends
Chatting over fences and through windows with our neighbors
“Fishing” in the main room or garden
Switching up meal and snack formats in the PlanetBox for in-home picnics
Meanwhile, Adam and I have an ever-growing stack of books we’re eager to read. I ordered some for my e-reader, some from author’s sites, and others through Elizabeth's Bookshop & Writing Centre (fulfilled via bookshop.org). A percentage of all sales from Elizabeth’s goes to The Loveland Foundation to support their mission of making mental healthcare accessible for Black women and girls. West goes to bed around 9:30, so it’s around then that Adam and I finally get to open pages and read.
At this rate, I imagine it will take us quite a while to get through our current reading list. But it’s lifelong work, this learning and unlearning.
And as for the summer, I’m all for foregoing traditional activities in order to keep members of our communities safer, figure out ways to make our planet healthier in this crucial decade, and to take meaningful actions to rectify inequalities throughout our country.
Composting in a Small Home and Garden (An Update)
“Landfills continue to be built in disenfranchised communities. Food deserts continue to be prevalent in disenfranchised communities. Climate change continues to be felt the most in disenfranchised communities. Taking ‘sustainable action’ means taking action to create a greener, cleaner world for everyone. Reducing food waste and regenerating soil are two of the best ways to help reverse climate change. Composting does both.” - Compostable LA
HOW WE STARTED OUR COMPOSTING JOURNEY…
More than a year ago, we began our composting experience here at our lil’ cottage in the city in order to divert our organic materials from landfills. (Food waste is one of the largest component within landfills in the US, and it releases potent methane— a greenhouse gas.)
In the kitchen, we use a countertop bin that we fill up throughout the day before routinely pouring it into our 33 gallon Jora Composter tumbler, which sits in our back garden.
We eat a vegetarian diet, composed primarily of plant-based ingredients. Between those scraps and the greenery from our yard, the tumbler filled up quickly. But even in its compact format, it was still large enough to accommodate most of our green output.
When the tumbler needed a little time to break down its contents, we relied a touch more on LA’s “green bins" — the city-issued, outdoor containers reserved for yard clippings, branches, flowers, a variety of grasses, leaves, and fruits + vegetables from any source that have NOT been prepared for consumption and have NOT been partially consumed.
TROUBLESHOOTING
It took Adam a while to strike the right ratio of green vs brown materials in our tumbler. The contents immediately became to moist, as we had more kitchen scraps than brown matter. So Adam relied on weekly supplements of wood shavings to balance out the contents. But the shavings had to be purchased, and were packaged in plastic, which completely counteracted the positive impact we were trying to have. So after using one bag and getting the contents of the tumbler to dry out to a moderate level, Adam replaced the shavings with dried, fallen leaves rounded up from our garden. (He does this every Sunday after he tends to our two Lettuce Grow towers.)
We quickly learned not to toss anything in the tumbler that isn’t truly organic matter. We avoided adding products / materials that claimed to be “backyard compostable, as they can be problematic. (If you’re new to composting and/or want to be an informed consumer, I’d recommend doing some research on “biodegradable” vs “compostable” vs “backyard compostable.”)
At the end of spring / start of summer, we were able to use some of the compost in our lil’ porch garden, and throughout patches of the yard. We did this gradually and carefully, as we weren’t confident that the dogs wouldn’t start sniffing around in the soil and digging everything up. Luckily, that didn’t happen.
COMPOSTING DURING THE PANDEMIC
Since Sheltering at Home for over 4 months and preparing nearly every meal here during that time, the scraps became too much for the tumbler.
We explored options for a residential compost pickup service, and discovered that our home is located within Compostable LA’s service area, so we enrolled ourselves (along with our next door neighbor) in their services as a way of managing the overflow of scraps from the tumbler.
Here’s a list of what can and can’t go in a Compostable bin:
The service starts when Compostable drops off a clean bakery bucket to live out its new life as a short-term residential compost storage bin. Once a week, Compostable delivers / exchanges the buckets, and transports the food scraps to their nonprofit partner, LA Compost. Compost is used in members’ gardens and sold to urban farmers.
This is one way in which we’re putting our consumer activism to work.
*Source: The NDRC
Select photos by Lucia Doynel
To donate a box of organic fruits and vegetables to Angelenos within food deserts, click here to buy a box for $32 + delivery to be gifted and delivered by the non-profit Suprmarkt. (Please explore the drop-down menu and sidebar options for full customization and pricing.)