Life at a "Swell's" pace

Hello.

I feel that I always start these Friday updates talking about the weather, but it seems to be the only big change here right now. On Saturday it was "sunny" enough to be able to get outside and clean up our garden/flower beds and also do a bit of mowing. The grass wasn't quite as wet, so we were able to do a good, clean, mow job and clean up the garden beds a bit to get ready for the planting season ahead. We enjoyed a good relax after it was all done and it's always a moment of completion that just makes it all fell right. So here are five simple things that made this week good.

1. These two.

I know I have posted about these two in the past, but I can't help but enjoy them together. Hardy loves Happy-duck and Happy-duck loves Hardy. It's such a beautiful friendship and they are definitely pals. I hope we have them both for many years to come.

2. This midnight view.

I decided to stay up late this week to get a few things finished that I've put off and while doing so I got a great view of the moon. This is the view overlooking the field behind our house-looking west. The moon is such a wonderful thing. I love looking up into space and the moon has always been my favorite thing to see.

3. Happy the duck.

With the addition of the other ducklings she's been feel a bit down this week. I spent a lot of time with her outside and let her just be a duck. She enjoyed the moment and also thanked me by bringing me daffodil tops as a gift.

4. These free treats.

It's been awhile since I've had to rely on our local Walmart for anything, but this week I was out of a few things and instead of driving to Corvallis to the local food co-op I depended on Walmart. Even though I am from Arkansas, Walmart is really the last place I want to give my money, but you do what you have to do when in a pinch. I was pleased on this last trip, though. I love seeing stands like this in grocery stores and other food venues that encourage parents to give a healthier snack over something non-nutritious. Although, Walmart could go a step further and offer non-gmo/organic bananas.

5. Dave's Killer Bread truck.

Passed while headed out to class one morning. Love this bread! They are based in Milwaukie, Oregon, and if you haven't tried it I encourage you to do so. Dave's Killer Bread has a bread for every taste. We love the 100% Whole Wheat, White Bread Done Right, and the Plain Awesome Bagels in our house.

A few more things:

• Looking for a real change? Jobs with the Oregon Tilth.

• This tiny house listing.

• Sheep shearing in Montana.

• Cleaner candles.

• Compression socks that actually work.

• Superstitions behind the white rabbits.

• Photography tips on using the light meter.

• Little House on the Prairie museum.

• How to make dandelion bread.

• Have a Martha Stewart morning.

Have a nice weekend!

Five simple things (April 13)

Hello.

It's incredibly rainy and cold here in the Willamette Valley this week and today is no exception. The rain will come in hard and bring the wind with it. I don't mind the rain so much, but when it's cold and windy, it gets so gloomy here. We are holding out hope for another day, or two, of warmth and sunshine. Hopefully, the April showers will indeed bring the May flowers here. In other news, we got two more baby Mallard ducks and we are hoping that Happy duck takes to them well. Our dog, Hardy, wants to lick them a lot, so we have to keep them separated from the rest of the group here until they are a bit bigger. This summer should be a fun summer with all of them in the yard together running around. So with that, here are five simple things from this week.

1. These colorful duck eggs.

We had to finally compost the Easter duck eggs we dyed. I am so happy they turned out as well as they did though and this is definitely a yearly thing for us now. And with our new ducklings we are looking forward to the abundant duck eggs throughout the next few years.

2. Mightynest for the month.

The Mighynest shipment for this month was this cute stainless steel Bento bowl with silcone lid. We actually love these things because you can fill anything in these from cheese to fruits and pack them to go. The other addon items, below, are things of necessity. A glass juice container (with a lid), extra beeswrap, rescue drops for stress, bowl cover, nut milk bag, and USDA Organic face pads. Great things from Mightnest. You can get on the list for May here.

3. This home brew.

Pretty pleased with the outcome and this weekend we are going to brew another batch. I am anxiously waiting on blueberries to come into season so we can try a blueberry ale. The one here is a wheat beer and tastes perfect!

4. These car tags.

Finally got my permanent tags on the Smart Car. The Mr. put them on for me this week and I was able to officially call the car ours and remove the temporary tag. I just love the 'Share the Road' plates here in Oregon. I hope having these plates remind people to move over and give bicycle riders space on the road, too.

5. This foraging moment.

I've been teaching The Bean foraging the last few days in our homeschool classroom. I feel that foraging is a great way to get in touch with nature and appreciate where food comes from. Food is free and it's important to teach basics of food discovery.

A few more things:

• Magnolia Journal is a new favorite.

• Homemade bathroom cleaner.

• Oregon Tilth.

• Dar Naturals clay masks and other fine products.

• Spring Equinox box from Yogi Surprise. Get it before it's gone!

• Dooms Day prepping just got real. Need tips on a more practical approach?

• Macaroni and cheese is helping fight climate change.

• Do plants feel pain?

• Fire Tower vacations. A vacation from the norm.

• Eggl-ess sugar cook recipe.

-Last week's Five Simple Things right this way.

Have a nice weekend!

Five simple things

Hello.

Would you believe that it was 70 degrees here today? No rain on a Friday and 70 degrees, it's spring in the Valley, for sure! The tulips are coming up and making an appearance from the ground and the Hawthorne trees in front of the house we live in are coming alive slowly. We officially mowed the grass for the first time this year and are looking forward to the weekend. Unfortunately, the weekend is said to be rainy and cooler than today, but that's okay-Spring means summer and sun are soon to follow. Here are five simple things that made this week great.

1. These clouds.

Because right behind them is the rain.

2. This list of the "Dirty Dozen."

Don't ever forget that there are some companies out there that don't think about health over money. Shop with the thought that you have to always be on your guard.

3. This view of Sam Elliot's house.

It's located in Brownsville, Oregon, and his view is spectacular.

4. These Easter goodies.

With our journey to being more minimal we planned an Easter basket that's filled with a need, wanted, and seasonal. Unlike years before, this year we decided to make the need a jacket that can be used for bike riding, a want is the candy and other goodies, and a seasonal is the bucket for collect his forages when we are out and about. We also naturally dyed duck eggs this year and decided that duck eggs make the best Easter egg, by far!

5. These wilted daffs.

Best part of spring is all of the daffodils that lay around our house in various Ball jars and glasses. Even when they are wilted I think they are lovely.

A few more things:

• Reading selection for April. (In case you missed it)

• Hello from Portland.

• Need better ink?

• Organic and Fair Trade tea option. (Try the mini sampler)

• Become more of an agrarian.

• These shoes for summer. Or these. Or even these.

• Botany in a Day.

• Best organic cotton underwear brands.

• All Birds loungers.

• Looking for a tiny house?

Have a nice weekend!

New Car-Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Well, we made the decision to trade in the Smart Car for something with a bit more room. Not only that, but hearing every single time that you drive somewhere, that you're going to die, or you're driving a coffin on wheels, got a bit tiresome. Unfortunately, we didn't want to trade it in, but people's comments and negativity about it, was really starting to affect my anxiety levels. It's a real shame that people can't seem to see the damage their words do to people overall. We did make a decision that once we are in a good place with this car payment, we'll be looking into getting a new Smart Car again, regardless of what others say, but for now, this car is awesome.

It's a Hyundai Veloster Turbo and it has three doors. I like how sporty it is and that is has some decent horsepower. I like to switch it over to the turbo at red lights and take off fast. We purchased it in Corvallis, Oregon, at a Toyota dealership and funny enough, I was leaving class one day at the college and noticed them putting the stickers and information on it. I stopped the next day and asked about it and went back a day later to test drive it. Two days later, I was signing the paperwork and driving it away. I was really sad to see my Smart Car go, but I did happen to see it for sale a few days later, in the same spot this very car was sitting.

The day we drove the new car off the lot, we took it on the interstate and got up to 110 miles and hour. It didn't even feel like we were going that fast, so it was a lot of fun. Of course, we don't plan on taking it that fast very often, but that moment, it was cool to live on the edge with it. We are definitely going to have a lot of fun with this car.

Five simple things

Hello.

Hope your week was a good one. The week before was rainy, cold, and at times windy. It was the perfect time to sit inside under a cozy blanket sipping hot cocoa and eat soup for dinner every night-And we did just that. When Friday rolled around the weather hadn't let up any and I decided to skip posting and The Mr. and I made a batch of beer instead. Seems like the perfect excuse really. The batch is currently bubbling its little heart out in the brew closet. For this week though, the weather completely made a turn-around and is/was sunny mostly. We did a few spring-type things outside, but really just sat and soaked in some sun. The winters here in Oregon are pretty hard on a sun lover, so anytime the sun peeks I am out and about in it. Currently, The Mr. and I are getting a quick Easter basket together for The Bean. Believe it or not, he is 14 and still believes in the bunny. I know, soon it will end, but for right now, we like to keep the magic going. So here are five simple things that made this week great!

1. These Mount Hood hops.

These are the hops we used with our batch of beer we cooked up. We also have this same variety growing in our hops garden and are hoping to get a few blooms from it this summer. They smell amazing! And I like to eat them while we brew because they are delicious.

2. This reminder...

Life is good isn't it? We all should slow down, enjoy the little things, and for God's sake, stop taking offense to everything that happens. This quote is a reminder to us that no matter what, keep life simple, be humble, enjoy the little things, and always take life at a Swell's pace.

3. Yogi Surprise boxes for March.

I really can't say enough about this company. Based in Portland, so it's local for me, and most of the items in the box come from small business in and around the United States. It's a great monthly box and I love each and every item that comes in it each month. Get on April's mailing list here. (enter code Springs25 and get 25% off your first box. This weekend only!) Grab a Spring Equinox box here, too!

4. Fab Fit Fun for Spring.

I have decided to give Fab Fit Fun another year of a subscription. Mainly because of the latest spring box. Everything in this season's box was perfect! It's a nice seasonal box to give you a jump-start on items you might otherwise overlook. The pampering products picked for this season were fantastic. Get on the list for the summer box here. You won't regret it!

One last thing about the Fab Fit Fun box, check out the box illustration. All women! How great is that! Power to the women!

5. This little recap of Saint Patrick's Day and Earth Hour

"Cassie" the bronze dog in Corvallis, Oregon, and our shamrock window.

We decorated the front window the week of St. Patrick's Day and enjoyed it all week. We decided the night of St. Patty's to spend it in Corvallis, Oregon. We took a walk through downtown and after we went to dinner. We pass "Cassie" a lot on our Corvallis walks and we just admire her so much. She reminds us a lot of our dog, Baz. And before his passing he touched noses with her, so to us it's as if our beloved Baz is sitting there waiting for us to walk by and say, "hi," and give a pat on the head.

Earth Hour was on March 24. If you didn't get a change to celebrate this worldwide event, you can mark it down for next year and get ready. It's a worldwide awareness movement to reduce climate change. For one hour you turn all the lights off in your home, office, or school, and help reduce energy use. It starts at 8:30 p.m. your local time. Try to get on board next year and help be part of a movement that really does reduce energy consumption in more ways than one.

-I don't want to go without mentioning: Today is Professor Stephen Hawking's funeral. What a wonderful addition to the Earth he was. I never met him in person, but I bet he was a great person to know. The picture below was on a billboard on Highway 34 between Corvallis, Oregon, and Lebanon, Oregon. It was a nice thing to see and a wonderful reminder. It was paid for by Oregon State University's science department.