Olive Oil Lamps

I found the coolest DIY project that provides light at a fraction of the cost of candles or traditional oil lamps. Olive oil lamps, made using wide mouth canning jars are safer, since the flash point of olive oil means you are more likely to make a mess if the jar spills than you are to start a fire, and that is a wonderful advantage over other oil based lamps and candles alone!
Using a pint size canning jar, fill it with an inch or so of olive oil, float a wick and light. it is that easy. You can experiment with ways to float a wick and some folks like to add a layer of water in the jar before adding the oil, that ensures the flame will be put out when the fuel is exhausted.
There is a complete discussion and directions here: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/Make-Olive-Oil-Lamp.aspx
I plan to try these out, as they look easy, economical and could come in really handy this spring when the storms knock out the power.
I will post pictures and info when I make them to share my own experiences, and I hope if you try this you will let me know how yours come out.
In other news, the garden planning is underway. I want at least two gardens outside, one for salad veggies and herbs and the other for veggies I want for my family.
There are so many decisions to make, this year is the first in a long while of gardening on a scale like this so I don't plan to have everything I hope to have in the coming years. I will start with the basics for me which are: sweet corn, tomatos, cucumbers, squash, peppers and green beans in the major garden and carrots, lettuce, cabbage, and turnips in the smaller garden with sage, oregano, basil and dill among the winners in the herb department. I am also planning to add garlic to the mix in the fall when I plant them for the first time, but that is a ways off.
As I look out at the yard and imagine the gardens growing, the chickens clucking and my son playing I am happy knowing that by doing some simple things like the ones here I can help us get healthier and reconnect with the land that we depend on to survive.