Five Simple Things

It's another Friday and it's going to be a great weekend.  Unfortunately, we had a bit of a hiccup on Tuesday afternoon.  Jeff was on his way home and his work car took a dive.  Not sure, as of right now what's wrong with it, but I think it's time to look for something new.  We've had the Blazer for about eight years, so it's due for a new one.  We've been looking into getting something for me and letting him have the Jeep Compass, but we'll soon see what's in store.  We had to get it towed home and now it sits in the driveway just waiting for some TLC.

:(

1.  This Picture.

Because even though it was a mess up, it turned out pretty neat.  I took it upon myself to create a heading for my Facebook page, for my blog.  You can see it here.  You can like the blog page on Facebook here, too!  

2.  This Coffee Quote.

Because it was my own quote I made on the Maxwell House Coffee website.  

3.  This Event.

This Saturday, March 27, we will be participating in Earth Hour.  If you don't know what Earth Hour is, it's a great event that helps reduce the pull on the energy resources on the planet.  You can find out more here.  See how we celebrated before.

4.  This Bookshelf Room.

Because one of these days I will have a room strictly for just books and reading.  A small "library-type" room within my home.  This one is a great space and gives me hope that it's actually doable.  Be sure to catch up on all the books posted in the SNS Reading List Page too.  This month's book is "I am Spock" by Leonard Nimoy

5.  These New Listings At The Peppermint Bee Shop.

Gold Dust Silver Pendant ($15)

Silver Block Studs ($6)

Remember, Mother's Day is soon to come!  These two items are on the shop now and can be shipped next business day (M-F).  While you're there, check out the Digital Prints that are available in the shop for immediate download.

Five on Friday; Spark of Loves this Week

It's Friday!  Yay!  It's the weekend!  According to the Dowager Countess though, "what is a week-end?"  I feel like that sometimes this is true.  Ha!  Working constantly and over Saturday and Sunday sort of brings that Dowager Countess thought to mind.

Well, nonetheless, it's still Friday!  And here are the five things that made my week special.

1.  This Recipe:

Source:  http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead

Because we are HUGE Walking Dead fans here in our house and last Friday night's episode was great!  It had some parts in it that were less gruesome than most and Carol really made me chuckle a few times.  During her moment in the weapon's locker, she talked about making more cookies.  I went on a hunt to find out if AMC had posted about them and sure enough, they did!  So funny!  If you're a fan of The Walking Dead, you know how comical this picture is.  I might attempt to make them this Sunday.

2.  These Worksheets:

Because of it being St. Patrick's Day, we sort of had a little Irish fun in the Red Snail Classroom on the seventeenth.  You can see what we're up to, on a classroom blog at:  Rain Valley Red Snails.  Good news!  Our home school desk finally made an appearance.  I'll have photos of that next week.  Can't wait to share it!

3.  This Filing System.

Because it's going to "hopefully" help me get some school papers organized.  Fingers crossed.  You can get this file system here.

4.  These Storm Clouds:

Because they were pretty interesting to watch.  We have been having the sun come out from time to time here lately, but it's also been mixed in with some dark clouds.  These were over our house on Wednesday, but then about 30 minutes later, they were gone and the sun was back out.  I hope that's a sign we are in for better skies here soon.  I am so ready for some summertime sunshine, laying out, and swimming in out pool again.

5.  These New Items at The Peppermint Bee:

Vintage Prom Earrings (Downton Abbey-Inspired)

Captured Blue Moon Ring

These two items are brand new to the shop and are listed for a great price.  Pop over to The Peppermint Bee and see what's been added in the last week.  While you're there, check out the two items listed above and the You are my Sunshine Necklace!

Want to join this linkup every week, then head over the North Carolina Charm and add your blog to the linky.  Share the five things that made your week awesome!

What happened this time last year?

Five on Friday: Spark of Loves this Week

It's another Friday, which means the Five on Friday linkup.
AND it's Friday the 13th!  (Spooky spooky) 
(if you believe in that and all) :)

I have been loving the sunshine lately here and been jotting down random things to do in the yard to get ready for some bulb planting.  Totally waiting for my Daffodils, or Jonquils (depending on where you're from) to bloom around the trees out front.  So ready for spring.  Are you?

Here are the five things that made my week special!

1.  This homemade solar oven.

 

Skylar and I have been having a little fun with the sun lately.  We created our own solar over and cooked, well baked, some chocolate chip cookies by power of the rays.  It did get up to about 70 degrees on a few days here lately, so it was perfect to bake them.  If you don't know how to make one for yourself, it's rather easy.  Use an old box, a pizza box works great, and line the entire box with aluminum foil.  Cut a small square, about the size of a sheet of notebook paper cut in half, and cover that with plastic wrap.  Then, place a cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil inside the box and place in your items.  It takes about four-six hours, depending on the amount of sunshine hitting your box, for the items to cook, but it sure is a fun project for kids to learn about solar energy.  This was a great learning tool for the Red Snail Classroom this week too!  If you do make a solar over, please share with us your photos.  We would love to see them!

2.  This old photo of the town (Lebanon, Oregon).

It's interesting stumbling upon old photos of the town that I live in here.  I didn't grow up here, but it's still fun to find old photos of the place.  This is a picture of a street called Vine Street here.

3.  These clothes.

        

I am slowly, in the process, of getting the clothing situation under control here.  It's a slow process, but I've actually found a lot of things I forgot I had.  I have let go of a lot of shoes, and who needs 42 handbags and purses?  I mean, really?  I've been following a lot of the advice of Erin Boyle over on Reading my Tea Leaves.  For what it's worth, it honestly is helping us.  I'll share an updated photo when it's all finally been conquered.

4.  Learning how to make Pine Needle Tea.

 

I've been learning about the benefits of pine needle tea lately, from Practical Primitive.  Pine Needle Tea contains *4-5 times the Vitamin C of fresh-squeezed orange juice, and is high in Vitamin A. It is also an expectorant (thins mucus secretions), decongestant, and can be used as an antiseptic wash when cooled. So not only does it taste good, but it's good for you!*

5. These necklaces.

 

Because they are new additions to The Peppermint Bee Shop.  You can pick these up in either the charcoal black color, or the true silver color for only $15.  While you're there, check out the Lucky Shamrock Necklace and the Gold Star Apron.

Want to join this linkup every week, then head over the North Carolina Charm and add your blog to the linky.  Share the five things that made your week awesome!

And you're in luck this week, Christina is doing a giveaway over on North Carolina Charm this week too!  So rush over and enter and link up with us!

What happened this time last year?

Touring the Bonneville Lock and Dam

During our road trip to ride on The Polar Express, we stopped into the Bonneville Lock and Dam to have their tour.  It was fascinating to see how water can produce electricity and we even got to see a 75+ year old sturgeon named Herman.  Here's a little recap of our "Dam Tour."

A wonderful view of the Columbia River was right outside our hotel window.  We arrive there at night, so we didn't see the view until the next morning.  It was amazing!  We also were chosen for the Flat Stanley project for my nephew in Arkansas, so we took Flat Ryan everywhere on our road trip. 

The Bonneville Lock and Dam was named after Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville. 

The fish ladders that the salmon swim up to go over the dam and travel along the Columbia River.  They actually have someone in a room under the water counting the fish as they travel these fish ladders.  It's pretty interesting.  (Notice Flat Ryan?)

The giant turbines.

Skylar got to be one of the kids that were parts of the turbines for the dam on how water electricity gets to your home.  The Park Ranger gave Skylar the "powerhouse" as part of the display. 

The cycle of water and electricity.  Proudly displayed under the American Flag.  

Flat Ryan checking out the Giant Turbines.

Park Ranger Paul showed Skylar and Flat Ryan around the Powerhouse at the Bonneville Dam. He said he knew all about the story of Flat Stanley and he was impressed with Flat Ryan's raincoat.

Skylar is into film lately and he likes to film all of the travels we go on.  He actually has a YouTube channel and you can check it out HERE.

The look at the Bonneville Dam from afar.

The view of the Bonneville Dam and Hydro Propeller displayed at the dam.

The Electric grid at the Dam.  It's so weird to think that electricity is so close to water.

Jeff showing Skylar the train that was traveling on the other side of the highway.  We are actually standing on top of the fish ladders at this point.  We are on the very top floor of the visitor's center at the dam/ the roof (perhaps, it could be called).

Driving over the top of the dam to leave.  You literally travel along some train tracks that used to be used.  They are not in service now days.

The gates of the dam that regulate the water flow.

After the dam tour we went to visit Herman the Sturgeon.  He is over 75 years old.  Flat Ryan got to get a selfie with him.  

The coolest license plate was in the parking lot when we were leaving too.  Whoever drives this car is clearly a "Sheldon Cooper" fan.

I even picked up some new stickers for my car while in Hood River.  These will be nice additions to my ever growing travel collection on my back window.  

You can find out more about the Bonneville Lock and Dam here.

What happened this time last year?