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What simple (and dorky) things I wanted for Mother's Day: My breakfast on the patio was yummy. And I asked for a clothesline. We were planning on building a wooden one but hadn't come across the right scraps of lumber. My mom gave us two old clothesline poles she's not using, so Brian put them in the ground for me this morning and I strung the line soon after. This solution was easier though not quite as pretty. But REUSE (n.), baby. It's a good thing.
I'm not kidding myself that I'll line dry all of our clothes. A few loads a week is all I'm shooting for to save a little energy and money. But really, it was so enjoyable that I don't think it will be difficult. Hanging a basket of wet laundry on a warm breezy morning while the kids holler and run through the sprinkler. Ahhhhh.
Now it's time for an iced coffee in the shade.
**quick update: It took me about 20 minutes to download those pictures from my camera and write this little entry. I took my coffee out to watch the clothes blow around and they were already dry! **
Comments
I'm glad to see that works. I was skeptical about it in KC. We've had a rug hanging on our deck for about a week that keeps getting rained on before it dries out!
Happy Mother's Day!
Posted by: amy h | May 13, 2007 3:35 PM
A clothesline is something I am really looking forward to having someday. I mean a real LINE, not just a drying rack outside, which is all we can do in our little condo. Years ago -- probably 7 or 8 -- Martha Stewart Living featured a wooden clothesline that could double as a hammock. Ever since that time, I have been dying for one!
Anyway, happy mama's day, sweet Alicia! My day has been good, though the looming stress is really hard to ignore.
Posted by: Grace | May 13, 2007 4:54 PM
woo hoo! i just asked fatty for the same thing...not sure where to put it just yet, but it is definitely on the to do list.
happy mother's day alicia!
Posted by: erin | May 13, 2007 4:55 PM
i love the whole slowing down and walking outside, noticing the breeze, etc. not to mention the fact that it is like having an ever changing canvas outside your window. :) xo
Posted by: shari | May 13, 2007 6:55 PM
I'm so jealous. We are not allowed to have a clothesline, I would love one.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | May 13, 2007 8:01 PM
What a wonderful addition to your yard! I've been wanting a clothesline forever (forgetting bad memories of what I considered forced labor in my youth, hanging out the wash), but so far I'm just dragging the drying rack out into the back yard. Someday I hope to have a nice one like yours! It's amazing how quickly line drying goes on dry days!
Posted by: Amanda | May 13, 2007 8:13 PM
When we lived overseas we had all sorts of drying racks for clothes drying. Really it is the way to go. You have inspired me to re-visit the clothes line! I'm glad you stopped by today! That message was truly meant for you. Thank you so much for your encouragement! You are so warm and gracious!
Posted by: Cindy | May 13, 2007 9:13 PM
Lucky!
I'm still looking for a clothes line to fit in the backyard. I'm with you- it's such an easy way to save energya and a little money.
Happy Mother's day.
Posted by: Michelle | May 13, 2007 9:36 PM
Happy Mother's Day Alicia! It's quite odd to me how clotheslines have been popping up on blogs because that's how we dry our clothes all the time. On clothes lines, bamboo poles and hanging racks. We bought our first dryer last year to help us deal with the humidity during the rainy season and it seems to wear out the clothes, judging from the amount of lint and whatnot collected after each load. I'm glad you re-discovered the joy of having a clothesline.
Posted by: erin | May 13, 2007 9:36 PM
What a great idea to ask for a clothesline for Mother's Day! I wish I would have thought of that! I've been trying to get my hubby to put one up for me...
Posted by: Amber | May 13, 2007 9:48 PM
There is nothing better smelling than line dried in the sun, laundry. Except maybe my babies fresh from the bath...
Oh yeah, where did you get the white cotton (?) shirt hanging on your faulous line?
Posted by: Bex | May 14, 2007 5:07 AM
Oh, I am so excited! Our new house in KC has a clothesline, and I was going to use it as well. Nice to see the clothes dry so fast there!
Posted by: Rachel | May 14, 2007 8:04 AM
Hip hip hooray! Oh, that warm/later hot Kansas breeze. It'll do the trick every time.
Posted by: Amy | May 14, 2007 8:10 AM
Yay for you! I'd love a clothesline if our yard was fenced in. We're on the corner, so there are LOTS of views of our yard. I'm a little skiddish about the whole neighborhood seeing our underware! When we get a privacy fence, I'll get a clothesline. While growing up, most of my clothes were line dried, so it brings back lots of memories.
Posted by: beki | May 14, 2007 8:58 AM
I hang my clothes on the line every week...weather permitting. I'm just doing my little part to save the world. And I like the smell of them and the way they look on the line...heehee!
Posted by: Lynn | May 14, 2007 9:23 AM
yay! i have been putting out all my big things, or i should say anything but sizes 12mo to 4T. it brings back so many memories for me. enjoy the breeze! happy mothers day!
Posted by: hannah | May 14, 2007 9:37 AM
Love the clothesline. I'll have to wait for the pollen count to come down before we can start using our again. Too many seasonal allergies.
Posted by: lera | May 14, 2007 11:54 AM
perfect! i have been (not so) patiently waiting for d to clear off our side yard (great southern exposure) to install a line. it just makes so much sense! your captures don't help my patience any! xo
Posted by: tracy | May 14, 2007 12:59 PM
I love your clothes line. Sadly our new house doesn't have a big enough yard for one. One day!
Posted by: erin s | May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
How wonderful! I wish I could put up a clothesline here :)
Posted by: Felicia | May 15, 2007 5:13 AM
I love your clothesline! I can't wait to have one someday, but it just doesn't work where we live now since we have no yard.
Posted by: Chara Michele | May 15, 2007 10:55 AM
Your clothes line is beautiful and so earth friendly. I wish I had the energy to save some more energy.
Posted by: Marisa | May 15, 2007 2:31 PM
i MUST have one of those!! love it too much!
Posted by: Heidi | May 16, 2007 11:19 AM
i have been trying to think of the how and where of putting one up at our house... for now, i'm just going to go ahead and dream after yours!
Posted by: melissa f. | May 17, 2007 5:17 PM
those are sweet and simple gifts. growing up in argentina, all the clothes are dried outside. it brings back nice memories.
Posted by: Veronica TM | May 20, 2007 11:03 PM
Yay, clotheslines! My favourite things in the world. This Spring, we doubled the length of our line since we had to have a tree removed. (Pictures here: http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2007/05/clothesline.html ) Now I can fit two full loads of laundry on at a time! So I totally understand your excitement. :) Happy laundering!
Posted by: sherrieg | August 8, 2007 8:08 AM