Life at a "Swell's" pace

Spark of Loves this Week: BUSY WEEK! Squash, Glasses, Garage, Screen, Pinterest, Chalkboard, Oops, Pedometer, Doggie, Food, Bag, Tomatoes, Kitty, Soup, Phone, Grass, Candies, Bowl, Search, and Insect

This Squash.

Because I just can't get enough if it lately.

These Glasses.

Because I popped the lenses out of them and he loves to wear them. I think he looks adorable in them too!

This Garage.

Because it's finally getting cleaned out.

This Screen.

Because it got replaced and Skylar did it all! (with a bit of help)

This Pinterest.

Because my obsession with Pinterest has leaked over to my boy! I just love his little pins here and there.

This Chalkboard.

Because I took a scrap of wood and made it into the most perfect chalkboard for homeschooling next year.

This Oops.

Because it was an accident, but Skylar didn't do it. Jeff did. :-(

This Pedometer.

Because it's helped me walk more and I try to top my steps the day before. It's getting fun!

This Doggie.

Because he got a haircut for the season and he feels so much better.

This Food.

Because we did our part in helping Stamp out Hunger.

This Bag.

Because I have been carrying it around every where lately.

These Tomatoes.

Because they looked too good not to eat.

These Kitty.

Because Meia saw a bird and couldn't take her eyes off of it.

These Soup.

Because it was easy to make and tasted amazing. Recipe to come on the blog later.

This Phone.

Because my kid is now part of the cellphone generation of kids. It makes me sad how fast he is growing up.

This Grass.

Because we grew it in the jar and it was fun to watch the roots move through the dirt.

These Candies.

Because they made my tongue numb after awhile. I am also glad they are finally gone.

This Bowl.

Because it is my very favorite.

This Search.

Because when DIGG couldn't find my name apparently "Beer" was the next best thing. Well played Digg, well played. Ha!

This Insect.

Because green lacewings are pretty neat. And it was the first time Skylar got to see one.

Eco-Tip: Be sure when you're spring cleaning to hit the coils of the refrigerator and the vents near your heater and AC. Clearing the dust will help them preform a lot better and save you a little $$. For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

I'm co-hosting Follow Friend Friday

I am co-hosting with ABpetite and Glam Hungry Mom for the Follow Friend Friday today. If you aren't part of the Link Party, join in. You can add your blog or website link to the party goers and get your blog out there for others to see. It's also a great way to meet new and awesome other bloggers and follow along with them each week too.

Be sure and add the Follow Friend Friday button to you blog too!

Hope to see you at the link party!

Wednesday walks 5-15

Our Wednesday walk took us around the block yesterday mainly because it started raining on us. Typical Oregon, the rain comes when you least expect it. :-) But toward the end of the evening it was a very nice way to end the day.

Here are a few pictures of the things that caught our eye on our Wednesday Walk.

These Hawthorn trees are actually in our own yard.

My spring flower mix I plan on planting here real soon!

Wednesday is the one day a week Skylar and I like to get out and see what's around us. You can see what we are doing each week with our Wednesday Walks by visiting the posts tagged with the same title HERE!

Do you have a special day you share with your child? If so, let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear from you! :-)

Eco-Tip: During the cooler months before summer gets here, turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees F when you're home and 55 degrees F at night. A good rule of thumb in the summer is to keep your thermostat at 72 degrees F too. For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Our garden currently: The tulips are dying off

Since the tulips are dying off it's now time to plant your seed starts into the ground or in planters. If you waited till the cold temperatures were done, like we did, you are perfectly fine with starting them now. I always like to wait till I see the tulips dying before I start planting anything at all or even starting anything.

Here in Oregon the weather changes every 15 minutes, so I always like to play it safe. Most stores have seed starts that you can purchase and not worry with the starting yourself, but starting your own is always fun and it's enjoyment for kids as well.

Here is a quick list of plants that are easy to grow and are a great way to start from seeds.

1. Beans (Pole, Asparagus and Wax)

2. Peas (Sweet or Sugar Snap are a great start)

3. Gourds (Birdhouse Gourds are fun for kids to grow and harvest) Give yellow squash a try too!

4. Sunflowers (Any variety will sprout fast and grow tall)

5. Tomatoes (Tomatoes get a bad reputation for being hard to grow but, they really aren't. Try varieties like, 'beefsteak', 'Early Girl' or even Cherry tomatoes.

Oregon's constant change in weather.

Skylar and I started planting some of the seeds we had from last year and started getting things going for our garden-to-be.

We used egg cartons for our planting. They are not only biodegradable, they also make planting little seeds so much easier.

Skylar had a clever idea on how to use the cut parts of the egg carton. Cut the closure tab off and turning it around to fit back in the holes the opposite way. How ingenious, right? Smart kid!

All of our seed cartons were set out on the kitchen table ready for the seeds.

Skylar and I sorted out what we wanted to plant right away and made another pile for seeds that can go right into the ground.

We labelled them and put them in the sun for a few days. This coming weekend we will move them outside and let them soak up the sun's rays directly.

Hopefully in the next few weeks we can get our raised beds in order and start our garden soon!

Eco-Tip: Planting your own seeds and saving them from year to year is a great way to go green and save you some money each year. Be sure and save enough to have a full garden to support your eating throughout the winter season too. For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Victorian Chocolate Company (GIVEAWAY)

South North South is giving away two boxes of the chocolates from the Victorian Chocolate Company and all you have to do is leave a comment on what kind of chocolate-covered candy you love. That's it!

There is a quaint little place here in Lebanon, Oregon. It's almost like a hidden chocolate factory right here in our own town. The candy man that works at this chocolate factory makes some of the most delicious chocolates that you've ever tasted. He even makes his own marshmallows.

The Victorian Chocolate Company offers handmade and hand-dipped chocolates from caramel and mint, to almond butters, and toffee.

With the chocolates you pick from a large display cabinet, he takes the time to wrap them up and make them special, even if the chocolates are just for yourself.

Skylar and I like to go in on some Fridays and pick up some special chocolates to help ease the end of the week.

Want to get your hands on a box of handmade chocolates? Well, now you can.

South North South is giving away two boxes of the chocolates from the Victorian Chocolate Company and all you have to do is leave a comment on what kind of chocolate-covered candy you love. That's it! Contest ends June 1, 2013.

You can also earn additional entries by sharing this giveaway on Twitter and Facebook!

To enter, leave a comment below in the Rafflecopter entry form and add your entry to the total. Also, while you're here, leave a comment and let me know what your answer is.

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules: Only one winner will be chosen at random through Rafflecopter and will receive two boxes similar to the one pictured above with their choice of chocolates. The winner will be notified through email and will be mailed their winnings on the day after the contest ends depending on email response of your address. There is no age limit on this contest, but allergies need to be taken into account. Contest ends June 1, 2013, no exceptions and no entries will be accepted after that date. Your email address, mailing address, or personal information is only for the contest and will not be sold or given to other companies whatsoever.

Bathing bird

The birds are out more and more now that the weather is getting warmer and with that they are taking more baths in the birdbath. This little Starling was bathing and munching on the bird feed throughout the day and I just had to share him.

Eco-Tip: After having your morning cup of coffee be sure and save those coffee grounds for your garden. Coffee grounds are a great addition to gardening compost and the worms will thank you. For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.