turning off the lights.

March 25, 2013
weck jar and wax flower hurricane glass
Over the weekend, James and I celebrated Earth Hour. Maybe celebrate is too joyous of a term. Perhaps I should be saying that we observed Earth Hour instead. That sounds awfully dour. In any case, as we have for the past five years, James and I turned off our lights at 8:30 pm in solidarity with folks around the world who’d like to raise awareness about the state of the planet. The idea isn’t really that people turning off their lights for an hour will save tremendous amounts of energy (though it does), so much as it is to raise awareness about energy consumption in general. It’s kind of incredible how much being without electricity for an hour in the mid-evening can awaken you to your reliance on it. James and I are thinking about instituting regular candlelight dinners. Maybe not every single night, but more often. Romantic + energy conscious. Did you guys participate in Earth Hour? How did you pass the time?
PS. I wrote more about Earth Hour here…including details about making these wax flower candle holders.

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30 Comments

  • Reply megan March 25, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    My favourite part of candlelight dinners at home is it helps hide the mess that I left in the kitchen that I'll have to deal with eventually.

    1
  • Reply Anonymous March 25, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    We lucked out and had homemade (brussel sprout!) pizzas ready just in time to enjoy them by candlelight. Beautiful and delicious!

    1
  • Reply Tanu March 25, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    those images are so pretty.

    1
  • Reply Chloe Moon March 25, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    I had no idea about Earth Hour…I would have participated!

    Ergo – Blog

    1
  • Reply Rebecca Alexis March 25, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    such a brilliant idea. i think my kids would love earth hour more regularly! perhaps I will try it everyday for spring break. xo

    1
  • Reply Harri Davison March 25, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    Gorgeous photos x

    1
  • Reply Inge March 25, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    I didn't participate this year, even though I like the idea. The thing is, we're already very aware of our energy consumption since living here with limited power. After involuntarily spending many an hour in the dark, because I used the electric water boiler while using the oven, to do it on purpose doesn't seem that much fun anymore πŸ˜‰

    1
  • Reply Lauren Ashley March 25, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    How pretty – good for you! We "celebrate" earth hour too.

    1
  • Reply Veronica Funk March 25, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    My daughter & I sat in candlelight at a local Good Earth cafe listening to accoustic music…heaven.

    1
    • Reply Erin March 26, 2013 at 12:59 pm

      That sounds lovely!

      1
  • Reply Portia Hunt March 25, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    I hadn't heard about Earth Hour till now but it's such a good idea! I think that people have become too complacent about energy usage and don't realise the consequences. Regular candlelight dinners sound like an excellent idea – they make even the simplest of meals so much more exciting!

    1
  • Reply Katie Ann March 25, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of earth hour. But I love the idea of scheduling candlelight dinners! Saving energy, motivating me to cook, AND time with the husband? That sounds really, really nice.

    Enjoy your Monday!
    Katie

    1
  • Reply astrid irene natalie March 25, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    I read a book by candlelight, by the end of it I was ready to fall asleep ha.

    1
  • Reply thenerdykatie March 25, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    I would love to try to do this for an hour a week, my family is way to addicted to technology (myself included) it would be good for us & the planet!

    1
    • Reply Erin March 26, 2013 at 12:59 pm

      Isn't it incredible to realize you have a technology tick? We turned off our cell phones…I can't say I didn't reach for a few times, forgetting!

      1
  • Reply Elizabeth March 25, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    Hah, I hadn't heard of Earth Hour, but I guess we do that just about every night anyway. The babe's bedtime is 8:30 and we live in a little house, so we try to keep things dim for him. During the winter we usually just go to bed bc my husband has to be up early. Good for us, good for the environment. πŸ™‚

    1
  • Reply Elizabeth March 25, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    Hah, I hadn't heard of Earth Hour, but I guess we do that just about every night anyway. The babe's bedtime is 8:30 and we live in a little house, so we try to keep things dim for him. During the winter we usually just go to bed bc my husband has to be up early. Good for us, good for the environment. πŸ™‚

    0
  • Reply tinajo March 25, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    We joined as well, I think itΒ΄s a very nice opportunity to reflect. πŸ™‚

    0
  • Reply Cee March 25, 2013 at 7:02 pm

    I didn't observe it this year, but I think candlelight dinners are a great idea are a great idea to save some energy because they're so lovely. Something about the soft light makes it feel very intimate, even if you're only eating cheese on toast!

    0
  • Reply sarah March 25, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    We observed as well, only our candles weren't as beautiful as yours.

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    • Reply Erin March 26, 2013 at 12:58 pm

      well, pretty candles aren't really the point afterall…;)

      0
  • Reply holtkamp March 25, 2013 at 9:22 pm

    i completely forgot about 'celebrating' earth day this year. my brain has been in the clouds since having a baby πŸ™‚ love this idea though!

    0
  • Reply Katie March 25, 2013 at 10:52 pm

    What a lovely tradition. We didn't observe it, but we do eat by candlelight most evenings. Our little ones think it's so cool. (I do too!)

    1
  • Reply jacobithegreat March 26, 2013 at 1:02 am

    I love the idea of weekly candlelit dinners. Romance + less power? I think that's a win.

    1
  • Reply the hedgehog chronicle March 26, 2013 at 2:53 am

    i would love to make these candle holders for my parents 40th anni party! theyre lovely!

    1
  • Reply JC Carter March 26, 2013 at 11:21 am

    I love the excuse for a candle lit dinner. Little things add up.

    1
  • Reply Jasmine Brink-Li March 26, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    I tried to do a candle lit dinner, and my boyfriend walks in, turns on the light, and says "do you want to eat in the dark?". So romantic…

    1
  • Reply Jasmine Brink-Li March 26, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    I tried to do a candle lit dinner, and my boyfriend walks in, turns on the light, and says "do you want to eat in the dark?". So romantic…

    1
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