Day One (Eclipse Road Trip)

 We left today on our Eclipse Road Trip and we took off later than we expected, but it was still a lot of fun taking off and looking forward to exploring places we've never been. We made it to Pendleton, Oregon, and will be sleeping here tonight. The ducks are handling the trip well, so far. 

We mapped out our entire trip on the way there, which will take us through Price, Utah. I am most excited about seeing the place where I was born. It's been on my bucket list for a very long time.

We picked up these solar eclipse glasses before we left. I grabbed as many as I could find. I also picked up a box of 200 piece glow sticks, bracelets, necklaces, and glasses.

The bus looks overpacked, but we are so thrilled to be taking her on a long distance trip for the first time. I'm hoping to get things organized as we go, so it doesn't seem so cluttered. We are also hoping this trip gives us an idea of what works in the bus on trips and what doesn't. We stopped and got a few last minute things. I stayed on the bus with the animals and Hardy was concerned on where Jeff and Skylar went. He kept a watch for them the whole time. One of our big concerns on this trip is whether the animals will be comfortable.

City lights as we approach Pendleton, Oregon. We will stay here tonight and get back on the road tomorrow.

Five Simple Things (March 29)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This find.

We participated in Natural Grocers/Vitamin Cottage Golden Egg Hunt this week. It was their community activity for spring. We were afraid we weren't going to find one, but we went around the corner and Skylar immediately spotted it. Inside was a store gift card for $25. Score!

2. These boxes.

This week two Kiwi Eco Boxes came, and our Mighty Nest Mighty Fix. I am not sure why both boxes came, but I'm not complaining. My favorite thing in the first box is the eye mask. I love these things and with having sensitive skin, so this one was perfect. I've already been using it each night this week. The soap and soap-saver bag in the Mighty Nest box was a hit again this month. I love the smell of these soap from Oars and Alps smells amazing. The light scent of juniper berries is nice and the soap saver bag helps use up every little bit, so it doesn't go down the drain. My favorite thing in the second Kiwi Eco Box is the bath bomb from Renew Bath and Body. It smells amazing!

3. This view.

Selmet has changed so much over the years. It went from a smaller company and everyone knew each other, and one building in the shape of a U, to more buildings, a larger parking lot, and a lot more people. I used to drive there on Jeff's lunch break and spend that time with him, while people walked by that I knew and said hello. Now, I don't like going out there unless I have to. I don't know the people anymore, and the ones I do know are all scattered around that I don't see them anymore. I miss when the company was smaller and everyone knew each other. Jeff doesn't even know half the people that work there now and the company was purchased a few different times now. *sigh* Jeff is hoping to finish up his 25 years there and say goodbye in the next two years. It's a little bitter sweet, to say the least.

4. This "bomb."

I had to circle back around for this bath bomb. The smell is amazing and Renew Bath and Body is a great brand, because they wrap their products in plastic-free material. The bath bomb itself comes in a dissolvable wrap when dropped in water. I definitely will be purchasing more of these bath bombs. I may even consider carrying them in my shop in the future.

5. This haircut.

Skylar had a haircut this week and he was relieved. I love his longer hair and when he goes to get a haircut every two to three months I get nervous that he is going to chop it all off. I'm glad this time he kept it. I think it fits his face perfectly.

One last thing:

I am loving these Petal Sparking drinks-Elderberry White Tea is my favorite. I don't drink alcohol, so these are great for when you want that kick, but don't want to drink. The company is women owned, so that alone is a plus for me. You can get a 12 pack of them here.

Positive affirmations this week:

Have a nice weekend.

10 Ingredient Road Trip Trail Mix

 We have a big road trip coming up in April and I have been making some snacks for us so we don't have to stop as often. This road trip trail mix got its name because it is our go-to no matter where we are going. It works great for camping, hiking, boating, road trips, snacks during the day, and any other time you want a high calorie snack that lasts a while. If you omit the chocolate disks you can substitute them with other forms of chocolate; dark chocolate, vegan chocolate, white chocolate, or even these. Everything in this recipe can be altered to suit your taste, or likes. You can also use more, or less of any of these if you want to taste one thing more than the others in each handful. Either way, it's a great starter recipe to try on your next road trip, or day trip. This is the basic recipe mix that we use.

10 Ingredient Road Trip Trail Mix:

• 1 package (10 ounces) Dandie's Mini Marshmallows

• 1 to 2 cups of chocolate (we used organic milk chocolate disks, but these would be good, too)

• 1 (8 ounce) package dried sweetened cranberries

• 1 to 2 cups (16 ounces) raisins

• 1/2 to 1 cup walnuts 

• 1/2 to 1 cup pecans

• 1/2 to 1 cup almonds

• 1 to 2 cups dry roasted peanuts

• 1 cup cashews

• 1 to 2 tbsp. salt (optional)

Mix it all up and store in an air-tight container or bag. I like to use Stasher bags. (I use the mega bag for this recipe).

Enjoy!

Five Simple Things (March 22)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This doggy.

Always a goofball making us smile every day. He is such a great companion.

2. This yellow.

Yellow just makes everything happier in a dark space.

3. These "eggs."

I found these Eco Eggs this week and I couldn't be happier. Perfect for my coming holiday plans.

4. This rice.

We didn't actually buy this, but we did buy a huge bag of organic oatmeal. I challenged Skylar to picking them all up, and he did. Ha!

5. This friend.

He made the list twice this week for being such a good boy. I spent a lot of time with him over the last few days because he hasn't been feeling that great. The neighbor's dog and him smell each other through the fence and I think their dog is sick. Hopefully, it's something mild, but he is on antibiotics and a soft diet and so far it's been going well.♥

One last thing:

I recently discovered Sky Organics Greek EVOO and I love it! I've been using their petroleum-free jelly, rosemary hair oil, tinted lip balms, cocoa butter, cotton swabs, mud masks, etc. for years and I love them. They are a go-to brand for me always. But, finding out that the same company covers olive oil is a great find. I highly recommend this brand and everything they carry.

Don't forget to get an olive oil bottle spout either. The one pictured below is top notch. It is easy to use and keeps dust out of the bottle top. The silver is great, but it comes in other colors/metals, too.

Positive affirmations this week:

Always, always build people up. Never tear them down. Tearing others down is why we have such a divide between people anymore. Kindness is free and supporting others is free. There is absolutely no reason to say, comment, or even think negative thoughts about people that are just doing their best. There are a lot of people that think that when they see something they like, or when others are doing well, that they can't tell them. Stop that! Tell them how great you think of them and support them. Life is short. Don't add to the negative, be the positive that people seek out. And most of all, compliment yourself in the process. You and others deserve your love.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (March 15)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This cleaner.

This Mighty Nest Mighty Fix was a new one for me. I've seen toilet cleaner that are sheets of cleaner in a concentrated form, but I've never used them. Tru Earth is such a great brand, too. I am pleasantly surprised at how well this worked. I will definitely be purchasing more from Mighty Nest in the near future.

2. This chocolate.

Dr. Bronner's always has a great message to spread on all of their products. And FYI, this chocolate is amazing!

3. This kid.

He takes his test today to graduate with his GED and we couldn't be prouder of him. After this he will begin his first year of college. Things are moving in his favor and we are here to support him every step of the way!♥

4. This food.

 

Tacos and waffles. The best breakfast and dinner always.

5. These powders.

A new delivery this week to supplement my supply. Your Super has some of the best super greens and health powders. I highly recommend them all, but the Magic Mushroom powder is amazing!

One last thing:

This waffle maker is always a big hit around Valentine's Day, but we love to break it out on random occasions and make heart-shaped anything. Waffles, eggs, hash browns, even cookie dough, and brownie mix works great in it. We love it!

DASH Mini Waffle Maker Machine

Positive affirmations this week:

Practice not keeping generational trauma and abuse a cycle with your own children. Letting your own children tell you when you are hurting them with your physical, verbal, or emotional abuse is a step in the right direction. Talking things out before they get to a point where you can't "fix" the damage is something that helps heal family issues. There are a lot of adults that feel they will never be able to heal their past abuse and trauma because they family member that caused it is no longer around. Don't let you cycle of abuse continue without first making an effort to repair it. Love you children more than your ego and pride.

You can do this!🌈

Saint Patrick's Day is this coming Sunday (March 17, 2024)🍀

An Irish Blessing:

"May peace and plenty bless your world with a joy that long endures.

And may all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours."

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (March 8)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This plant.

Keeping it contained to a flowerbed was the best decision. This is a Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’ and when kept trimmed back it makes a great shrub for blocking, but it left to grow, it will take over. It would work great as a privacy shrub to block a neighbor, or bordering a shared fence.

2. This weather.

We have been having some interesting weather here in the Willamette Valley. 

3. This city.

Portland, we love you.

4. This kitty.

Silly little kitty, but a nice distraction while getting our taxes in order.

5. This strain.

I currently take CBD once a day and I found these this week from the same brand. With THC products being legal in the state of Oregon, it's nice to have options that pack a stronger punch for anxiety and PTSD. Each gummy is 10mg and the flavor isn't too medicinal either. They are a good option for helping relax the mind, especially at night when my mind is rampant.

One last thing:

This is one of the best brands to give you whiter teeth without tearing up your enamel. The entire brand line is great. I highly recommend it. The kit above is the Lumineux Kit includes Whitening Strips, Whitening Pen, Mouthwash, Toothpaste and Toothbrush.

Positive affirmations this week:

Have a nice weekend.

End of February 2024 (1 Second Every Day)

 

Five Simple Things (March 1)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This moon.

The view from this window gives us a feeling of being whole with the phases of the moon. It shines through in such a way that makes us forget the hurt, and negativity of the world. It's a positive mental flush, in a way. It reminds us of how small we all are in this universe and there isn't anything that is out of our control that we need to get upset about, or lose sleep over. We are all going to be okay.

2. These papers.

It's the time of year again.

3. This kid.

 

He loves trains. Ever since the first time I bought him a wooden Thomas the Train and wooden track he has loved them. I am so happy I gave him that love of trains to get him started. He can tell you about trains from the west coast to the east coast and it's information about them from the front to the back. It's incredibly impressive.

4. This water.

We fill out water bottles every two weeks, and sometimes once a month. We fill them at our local food co-op through a filtered machine inside their building. We have about 10 bottles, three and five gallon. We also have a filtered water machine at home that the bottles fit on. Our water task hopefully is helping us filter out microplastics. I would love if all of our bottles were glass, but we do what we can right now. I recently found out that Mountain Valley Water from my hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, also delivers. Possibly a future option for us. Be sure to always chose glass over plastic when we can. The world is full of enough plastics, as it is.

5. This stick.

My go-to right now for dryness on my face and chest in this colder, less humid weather. It is great for under and around the eye moisturizing, too, especially on the go.

cocokind MyMatcha All-over moisturizer stick

*Get 20% off*

One last thing:

Citrus is in season. Stock up now!

Positive affirmations this week:

Try to work on cutting ties with people that don't serve you, or your mental health. It is okay to let go and grow for yourself. If anyone makes you feel like you are less, that's a good sign that they aren't for you. Remember the old saying, if they aren't there to support you in your growth, they shouldn't be the ones there when you succeed and reach your goals.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.