Sustainable Mama: Wino Art::Cork Board

Moving from a hip urban twenty-something to a country mama almost-thirty, I have found a FUNdamental practice in having a tasty nightly reward. Chocolate for some, ice cream for others, but this mama likes a nice glass of Merlot after a long days work. While babe rests her head (or fights her sleep), after the house is clean and laundry is in, I twist the cork (with a sore forearm from lifting a 23 pounder throughout the day) to withdrawl a pleasant adult-like aroma. As the burgundy liquid swishes into the glass of choice for the evening it whispers “good job mama” to my delight.

Some may think that this isn’t a kosher practice, especially when breastfeeding. According to the Quebec government (leave it to the French!) it takes 3 hours for the alcohol levels of one glass of wine, one beer or one highball (not one of each!!) to leave your blood stream completely. According to your baby’s schedule this may affect when you are able to have a drink, but not if you can enjoy one. I understand that some may prefer not to partake at all- and that’s ok! But now ya know this mamas choice.

Others may wonder how I’ve turned this practice sustainable. With ease mamas, with ease. Most, even rural, liquor stores have a selection of local wines. In Canada, most come from the Okanogan Valley (you may find some from Ontario, and other provinces but there is more selection and pleasure for your taste buds if you look at B.C. wines). And if beer is your thing, I’d opt for Quebec, Nova Scotia or B.C. brews. Since the majority of Canadians live so close to the border, U.S. wines may very well be ‘local’ for you too. Beware however, I’ve noticed some of the wine products that appear to be local are a mix of local and imported wines….which is better than nothing, but if you’re gonna make the effort why not go all the way?? Plus, mixed wines generate a feeling of cheapness married to mass manufacturing... but that is just a best guess. You may even have the possibility of buying wine from a local vineyard or wine farmer at a nearby farmer’s market (a little more pricey but totally worth it!)

Oh and there is more friends….check out these nifty chalk boards I made for our family, and another as a neighborly gift (don’t be judgin’- it took a long while to save all these up!) If you’re interested in cork-art you could ask friends and family to save their corks for faster collection and maintenance of a wide variety. The options are unlimited in reusing your corks….a knife holder, decorative frames, baseboards, pin-holders, floor-savers (on bottom of furniture legs), cork-bead curtain, place card holder, garden mulch, Christmas wreath/ornaments, potholder/hot pads, and the list goes on…. And as an added bonus for my fellow list makers- chalk board paint!!