Five simple things

Hello.

So this past weekend we celebrated The Mr.'s birthday; He turned 46 this year! It seems that both of us are slowly aging before we know it, but even though our age shows in numbers it definitely doesn't show in us. We both feel like we are in our late 20s, which we're told is great! The Mr. said every birthday just gets better for him. The Bean and I come up with new ways to celebrate it with him and this year was no different. The Bean will turn 15 on the last day in September, so for the last month we've done nothing but celebrate our birthdays. My mom is the best when it comes to remembering birthdays and she is always prompt with her surprises through the mail. I don't know what we'd do if it wasn't for her birthday surprises to us each year. We all three look forward to them and they are such a treat! On a side note, this week was a pretty stress-filled week and it won't stop yet. The Mr. has to work all weekend and The Bean and I are gearing up for another year of homeschooling soon. I usually give him from August 15, his testing day, to his birthday, September 30, as a "summer break" and then we get back to it on the Monday following. Organizing and getting his school schedule and curriculum done before that time as been quite a chore as he is going into the ninth grade this year. I keep reminding The Mr., The Bean, and myself, "We have this."

Here are five simple things that made this week good.

1. This eye cream gift...

 

I received this firming eye cream as part of the Influenster program and for testing purposes. Although I am not one to use creams like this because of my allergies and how sensitive my eyes are, this one is really nice. I've been using it a week now and I am pleased with the results so far. Most eye creams in the past have made my eyes itch and burn to the point of me rubbing my eyes raw. The Perricone MD firming eye cream feels hydrating and nice when I apply it at night. I have enjoyed it so much that I've been even using a small bit of it during my morning routine, as well. It's holistic and anti-inflammatory. You can purchase the Perricone MD Firming Eye Cream at Sephora, or here. 

2. This man's birthday...

 

The Mr. had a great time celebrating his birthday. From a homemade chocolate on chocolate birthday cake-his favorite, to The Bean's homemade banner he could run through. It was a good day.

3. This box...

This was the September Yogi Surprise Lifestyle box and it was packed full of great items. I'm not really a huge fan of purple, but that cashmere shaw is amazing! I can't wait to wear it this fall and into the winter months here in Oregon. You can get on the October list here.

4. This sign...

It's really sad that we have to place signs up in businesses to let people know that they are welcome no matter where, who, what, or why. Hate really has no place anywhere!
(Nearly Normal's Gonzo Cuisine) 

5. Autumn changes...

We are looking forward to the changes here because this is the time of year that makes Oregon shine the best! We are looking forward to some great fall hikes.

A few more things:

• How to create a zen garden in your own backyard

• Burn 100 calories in 10 minutes

• Back to school DIYs

• Living from Scratch

• Never underestimate the simple gift of freshly sharpened pencils

• Hand milled soaps

• Typography pumpkins just in time for Autumn

• Meyers Falls Market

• Prospector Co.

• Time to clean out and organize your first aid kits

Have a nice weekend.

Five simple things

Hello.

We had a chilly week here in the Valley this week and a few mornings we had to turn on the heater to low just to get the chill out of the air indoors. We also got a few days of heavy rain and it was welcomed with smiles in our house. With our water bills being pretty large already from trying to stay ahead of the heat, the rain gave us a little bit of a break from watering our garden and flowers. This past weekend was our "Downsizing yard sale" as we like to call it. We ended up selling a treadmill, an armoire, a few nightstands, an electric guitar and amp, a secretary's desk that The Bean used for homeschooling for years. I was sad to see the desk go, but we have other options for a desk now-the dinner table-that helps us be more minimal. We also sold a lot of The Mr.'s card collections; Football, baseball, and golf gear. We tried in vain to sell the wooden picnic table, but no one seemed to be interested in it right now. We will try again with our last sale before we finally move into the next phase of our life in a couple of years. We are gearing up to celebrate The Mr.'s birthday this weekend, too!

Here are five simple things that made this week.

1. This sweet doggie...

Because I don't talk about him enough and how great of a doggie friend he really is. 

2. These blue skies...


It's been awhile since we've seen them because of the fires, but this week was nothing but blue skies and a bit of rain, but definitely more blue.

3. This Yogi Surprise box...

This was the August 2018 Yogi Surprise Box and it was all about chakras and clearing out to make room for the new. You can sign up here to get next month's box and get a $10 credit towards your first one with coupon: REFJVDKY1IDAT

4. These balms...

Because with the temperature change lately they have been a lifesaver.

5. This sleeping kitty...

Because nothing is sweeter than a sleeping kitty. Eleven cat has become such a sweetheart and with the loss of Meia recently, we are giving her extra special attention.

A few more things:

• Kitchen, spice jar, and pantry organizing labels (free download)

• Homemade shower spray

• Driftwood pillow print

• Grow your own redwood tree

• Get ready for National Vodka Day

• Six places to enjoy the colors of autumn in Oregon

• Create custom temporary tattoo with tattoo paper

• DIY Homemade vanilla extract

• DIY Large paper dahlia 

• Rustic on Pinterest

Have a nice weekend.

Road trip: Paddle boating

The Bean and I spent the last few days of summer doing a few things we've been wanting to do when the heat of the day was pretty high. One of the things we've been wanting to try is the paddle boats at Waverly Park ran by the Albany Parks and Recreation. The day we went it had gotten up to 98 degrees and it was the perfect day to paddle around the water, feed the ducks, and enjoy the splashes from the water that occasionally hit our feet.

Road trip: Carousel ride

This past month we finally got a chance to ride on the infamous Albany, Oregon, Carousel. This carousel has quite a history to it. The original carousel started in New Jersey and worked its way to Albany, Oregon, where it was restored and brought back to life. The ride animals are all hand carved and with donations and sponsorships from individuals and businesses it's able to provide this wonderful attraction to the general public. It's been in operation since 2017 as the Albany Carousel Project.

 

As part of keeping the magic alive with the carousel the Albany Carousel Project has volunteers that give you a tour of the building and the work that goes into the carousel going. The tour takes visitors in the workshop of the carousel building where all the hand carving takes place. This is that area and we got a firsthand look at the future animals soon to be added to the carousel.

In the gift shop they have hand carved animals and other carousel items for sale and The Bean purchased this menagerie. The profits go toward keeping the carousel going and keeping the magic alive.

Five simple things

Hello.

We are in the middle of yard sale weekend right now and rounding out the four days with Sunday. We are selling a lot of our home furnishings and odds and ends that we no longer can justify having. We are hoping to downsize a lot more later on, but right now is a great start in the process. I even sold our old treadmill to an 91 year old woman looking to keep moving every day. She really gave us some sound advice and said, "Movement is life." Amen to that, and cheers to her for being a great role model in the game of live.

Here are five simple things that made this week great.

1. This eco-dough...


Because it's better all the way around.

2. This fork...

Sometimes the Willamette Valley has some unusual stops along the way. This picture was taken when The Bean headed out for the day with his grandma and took in some of these unusual places.

3. This sign...


More and more farms are in cooperation with Organic Valley and more people are realizing that organic is better for your health and the environment. This particular farm is located in Scio, Oregon.

4. These hops...

Siuslaw Brewery's hops are in full bloom.

5. September's book...

Find out more here.

A few more things:

• Welcoming Autumn

• Natural air fresheners

• Free cupcake or cookie from Barnes and Noble

• Extend your food supply by growing indoors this winter.

• Bohemian Folk.

• Improve your listening skills.

• Find events near you.

• If it doesn't matter, get rid of it.

• Great message.

• No soliciting.

Have a nice weekend.

Five simple things

Hello.

The Bean and I had quite a scare in the Smart Car last weekend. We were turning left off a two-lane highway and directly behind us was a large truck hauling old tires. The size of his truck must have blocked us from cars coming up behind him and while we went to finish our left turn another car came up on the large truck to pass him thinking he was either stopped, or going too slow. As I went to turn the steering wheel to the left to turn and hit the gas, the car passing him came up on us at a high rate of speed. I took my foot off the gas pedal and the car went whizzing by us. It gave us both enough of a scare that we just looked at each other with our mouths open. Lucky for us nothing happened, but it could have been worse. We are glad it wasn't, but I did learn to look back to the left one last time before making a left turn. This week I also celebrated my birthday on August 28. 41 years old and still feeling like I'm in my 20s physically and mentally. I am embracing aging and definitely felt the love this birthday. My family in the south really does make me feel special on days like this. My mom sent her normal card and I had phone calls all day wishing me a happy birthday, but my mom went an extra step and sent me, through overnight delivery, her homemade chicken and dumplings, homemade cornbread, and homemade cinnamon rolls. The Mr., The Bean, and I were literally blown away by what she did. I've been wanting her homemade food for quite awhile now, especially the chicken and dumplings, and this was the best gift ever! You haven't had real dumplings until you've had my mom's dumplings. (But I'm a little biased.)

Here are five simple things that made this week good.

1. This covered bridge...

Just another one of Oregon's beautiful historic covered bridges.


2. These smoky skies...

I thought about editing this photo and fixing a few flaws with it, but I decided not to in the aspect that it truly does capture how smoky it's been here in the Valley this season. Pink sun during the day, pink sunset in the evening, and a smoky haze that just sits and hovers. Hopefully the wind will pick up soon and help filter the air sooner than later.

3. These southern biscuits...

I've been really enjoying my cast iron cookware lately. This cast iron skillet above has been my go to this past two weeks and I've used it to cook everything from a roast in the oven to biscuits and gravy on the burner. You can get the same cast iron cookware that we own at Lodge Cast Iron.

4. This stainless steel cup...

Adding to our collection of stainless steel we added this stainless steel drinking cup from Klean Kanteen. We all have drank at least something from it so far and really like it. You can get these cups here.

5. This homemade brew...

We are on a kick and enjoying it a lot. We've created some new and exciting flavors like blueberry ale-and have also named our brews. (Deer Beers-Straight from the Thicket) -The Bean really likes the names and we are hoping to get better with our brew and possibly put it on tap soon.

For the curious, here is the book that got us started.

A few more things:

• Thanks to the Obama administration, there's still a microbead ban.

• Do you products contain microbeads of plastic? (If they do, stop using them, or find out if the company has changed their ingredients.)

• Need some new DIY ideas?

• A fully biodegradable cat litter box. 

• Give Carbonara a shot this coming week.

• A wonderful blog for curious minds.

• Getting ready for Day of the Dead. 

• Vintage library cards.

• Wild foods of the Pacific Northwest.

• Hello POP Shop.

One last thing: Thanks Google for always making my birthday something special and less like an average day on the internet.


Have a nice weekend!