Life at a "Swell's" pace

This weekend here in Oregon we fired up the ole' grill and have a night of it outside on Saturday. Sometimes when we are sitting out under the late evening stars, the ones that just peek through the sky long enough to be admired, we can watch the wind pushing the clouds away and toward the Pacific Ocean.

When we fire up the grill it doesn't take long to throw something together and enjoy our "outside dining room." This weekend we had a good grill night while the heat took a quick break from us. We decided to use up a few left-over items laying around the kitchen and fridge and create some Shish Kabobs for dinner.

Since potatoes are in-season this time of year it wasn't hard to find a lot of them to pair nicely with our meats. We used stew meats that were on sale at the time but, any meat can be used. Even chicken! We shoved them onto some bamboo skewers along with onions, and red potatoes. We even used little pieces of pineapple in between the chunks just for added flavor but, you could use just about anything. Try garlic!

Be sure and soak your bamboo skewers in warm water before layering them with your food. Soaking the skewers prevents them from splitting and cracking while they heat on the grill or oven.

They seemed to have been better than we expected and grilled up nicely.

We sat inside while the grill was heating up and when it came time to grill we all headed out to enjoy the evening along with a nice cold beer. It was a good night! On Su nday we celebrated Skylar's ninth birthday too!

Lots of birthday cards!

Hope your weekend was just as great!

Eco-Tip: When it comes to upgrading your computer systems, be is for home, or for office, consider recycling the older models instead of throwing them out to landfills. If the computer is in good working order, consider donating them to a local school or library. For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Skylar hit the 3rd grade this year and he was ready! This year was a bit different than year before because Skylar was able to actually help get things around and knew exactly what to do to get his supplies, clothes, and other essentials prepared. In a way it almost made me sad to see him being more and more independent. So far, Oregon schools have been in session for about a month.

A few days before school started we went by the school to see who his teacher was for the 3rd grade.

Fresh school supplies. I always loved the first few weeks of school because my school supplies were always brand new.

(left) Headed to open house at the school. (right) Skylar found his name on the list.

Looking for his desk.

Placing all his school supplies in his desk for the start of class the next day.

He loved seeing his name on the desk. He wanted to start school right then. Ha!

His teacher, Ms. Kuehlwein was a pleasure to speak with and I can tell this year is going to be a great year for all of us.

Skylar found his name all over the classroom.

Skylar's great uncle Dan Wilkerson was a founder of the area schools and part of the school board before he passed away. His name can be seen on a plaque throughout the area schools in Linn County.

Checking out the new gym equipment.

We met everyone we needed to met on our passport while at the open house.

We even got to visit with Mr. Nelson the new school principal for Pioneer School.

First day of 3rd grade.

Skylar was ready to take on the day!

One thing I love is making lunch for my little bean! He loves the little surprises I put in there too!

The first week of 3rd grade was a great week too!

3rd grade is going to be a great year!

Eco-Tip: "We must be the change we want to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi Gandhi said it best with his quote of being the change you want to see. Meaning, don't just sit there, do something good. For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.