Five Simple Things (January 12)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These noisemakers.

I found these noisemakers at an antique store and we were able to use them for New Years. All three of them make a different sound and I love how the tin sounds for each one. These are definitely toys we plan on keeping and passing down. These were from a local store here in the Valley, but here are some similar.

2. This craft.

I found this homemade desk organizer Skylar made for me when he was eight. When we were learning cool things in our homeschool classroom (Rain Valley Red Snails) one of the things we enjoyed twice a month was educational boxes from KiwiCo. We learned about pinball machines, pullies, sea life, computers, space, claw machines, marble runs, you name it, we learned it. It's a great STEM learning tool for kids of all ages, and even adults. Check it out here!

3. These phones.

Skylar and I got new cell phones this week. It's been a long time coming. We aren't Apple users and definitely Samsung users all the way. These two phones are upgrades from our old phones, so we are looking forward to getting to know all of the ins and outs of these new phones.

4. This kid.

  

We just love him so much! His personality is the best!♥

5. These tunes.

 

Nothing beats finding great tunes on vinyl.

One last thing:

Homemade soup on repeat right now. This is homemade chicken noodle soup.

Positive affirmations this week:

Always. 

If you aren't currently living within your means, take the time to reevaluate where your time, money, and goals are. Write down where everything goes and mark off things you can cut. If it's credit debt, most financial planners will tell you to start with the largest one first and work your way to the smaller one. But what I find helpful is still working on the largest one, but also work on the smallest one, too. Once you pay off the smallest one, work on the next smallest, while still working on the larger one. Paying on smaller ones at the same time makes you feel like you are getting closer to that light at the end of the tunnel. If time is what's causing you not to live within your means, then do the same. Write down where you time is going and mark off things you can do without. And remember, telling people "NO" is not something you should feel guilty about. If it makes your mental health worse being part of something, then that's a red flag. Stop going. Every three months, or as the seasons change, reevaluate your goals, money, and time. If you need help, reach out to a trained financial adviser, life coach, or counselor. You can do this!

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (January 5)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These decorations.

When the sun goes down, it all lights up for the holidays.

2. This pie.

Since my homemade apple pie was a hit I decided to make another one for New Years. Another hit to bring in the new year with.

3. This woodpecker.

We went to leave on Wednesday this week and there was a woodpecker having his breakfast in one of the Hawthorn Trees in front of our house. He let us watch him for about 10 minutes and then he went on his way.

4. This fog.

Another week of fog here. Winters on the west coast are starting to get to me mentally, and physically. We have been wanting to move out of the city for awhile, but we may even most out of the area completely. It's still on the table, so we'll see.

5. These antiques.

The 1800s is my era of choice and I love when I'm strolling through area antique stores and find some treasures from the time period. 

One last thing:

Looking into adding Freeze Tag to our Geocache.

Positive affirmations this week:

Have a nice weekend.

End of December 2023 (1 Second Every Day)

 

Five Simple Things (December 29)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These stockings.

Hung by the "chimney" with care.

2. These enchiladas.

We like to mix it up around the end of the year and instead of having the same foods for holidays back to back, we have a Mexican entrée on December 25. If Hanukkah falls closer to December 25, we try to definitely mix it up with some different options that what we have on Thanksgiving. We make a lot of chicken and beef enchiladas, or tacos, and freeze the leftovers. Sometimes we eat on them for several days until New Years when we then have homemade pizzas. It's been a good change of pace and we love it.

3. These gifts.

Skylar is always fun to buy for. We got him a selection of horror-themed socks this year and some new gloves he can use while he goes to college. Hopefully, on chilly nights, he will grab these cozy gifts to warm up.

4. This helper.

Skylar helped me get all the food ready this year and I loved his help. Last year he was working and wasn't able to help as much. I love that he still sits on the kitchen counter while I cook. I will definitely miss these days when he moves out.

5. This moment.

Such a good time.☺

One last thing:

We have been trying to get better when our stocking and gift-giving each year, and this year I feel we found some good choices. Giving with intention is important. And healthy candy options with sugar are a top priority. We reach for organic over conventional and doing that we are casting a vote on what we want to see on the store shelves. I wish more people would put thought into what they purchase, not to mention, what they put in their bodies. Small changes do make a big difference. You are welcome to copy these items pictured for your next holiday gift buying, or any time throughout the year.

Positive affirmations this week:

Eating more wholesome, whole, nutritious foods can have great benefits for your mental health and overall physical health. Your wellbeing is your responsibility and taking control of what you put in your body and how you treat your body can help you stay on the right path with your mental state, too. Here are some foods to help get you started on the right path.

1. Apples: Fiber, Vitamin C, Gut Health, Brain Health.

2. Beets: Folate, Fiber, Digestive Health.

3. Broccoli: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Immunity.

4. Brussels Sprouts: Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Heart Health, Bone Health, Immunity.

5. Cabbage: Vitamin B6, Folate, Fiber.

6. Carrots: Vitamin A, Eye Health, Potassium, Blood Pressure Regulation.

7. Cauliflower: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Fiber.

8. Kale: Beta-Carotene, Antioxidant, Vitamin A, Vitamin K.

9. Onions: Potassium, Vitamin C, Immunity.

10. Parsnips: Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate.

11. Pears: Anthocyanin, Chlorogenic Acid, Certain Cancer Protections.

12. Potatoes: Vitamin C, Potassium, Heart Health.

13. Quince: Vitamin C, Fiber, Immunity.

14. Rutabaga: Vitamin C, Antioxidant, Potassium, Fiber.

15. Swiss Chard: Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Magnesium.

16. Turnips: Vitamin C, Glucosinolates, Antioxidant.

17. Winter Squash (Acorn, Butternut, Spaghetti, etc.): Fiber, Vitamin A.

Happy holidays from our family to yours!

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (December 22)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This tree.

Our light "tree" we make every year around the holidays. We are looking for ways to create a star on top, but for now, we love it the way it is.

2. This fog.

It has been such a foggy week this week and I am loving it. I created an Instagram page for all of the fog pictures I have taken each year. This one was over one of the local city bridges and it was too good not to share.

3. This menorah.

It was nice to see a lighted menorah in Salem this week to represent Hanukkah. It's nice to be seen.

4. This view.

More fog rolled in as the week came to a close. This was at a local park here in the city near a train trellis. I am loving the vibe that Mother Nature is putting out right now.

5. This cleaner.

We did a bit of shopping for holiday gifts and Hanukkah presents this week in Salem and in Portland. There was some guys from MGK selling their shoe cleaning kits. We got our shoes cleaned for free and were offered a two for one price on their MVP kits. This brand is one of the best shoe cleaning brands on the market and we love it. Any time we see any of their brand marketers out in the real world, we scoop them up. You can get one of their kits here. They run from $11.95 to $69.95 depending on your budget.

One last thing:

The shadows that are cast on our walls in the evenings are so different from season to season. The winter season has ones that dance across the walls in an orange or yellow pattern. I love how different they are.

Positive affirmations this week:

Love yourself this week. You are worthy of the love you give others.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Sometimes Wants (Winter 2023)

  These are the winter "Sometimes Wants" that have caught my eye lately.

1.  2. 

3.  4. 

5.  6. 

7.  8. 

9.  10. 

1. Georganics has some great items for oral care, but I am currently loving their refillable dental floss. I have a monthly subscription to Kiwi Eco Box and in that subscription I was introduced to eco-friendly dental floss in a glass container. Once you go with better dental floss options, you really don't go back. I love the refillable glass containers and refilling them with an eco-friendly option, like the one here is a plus. The spearmint flavor is my favorite. There is also a charcoal version from ME MOTHER EARTH that is great, too. Check out Georganics toothsoap.

2. These plantable thank you cards from Rock Woods Studio are my favorite thing to send to people, especially around the holidays. I have taught Skylar that the best way to show your appreciation for gifts that come from a good distance away (family in Arkansas) is to send them thank you cards with a personalized, handwritten message of thanks inside. And, what better way to do it but with plantable seed cards that the recipient can use in the spring. I love their plantable yearly calendars, too.

3. We have been composting anything and everything we can, instead of tossing it into the garbage once a week. We are still in a learning curve process, but these bags have helped with our indoor composting bin that we keep near our kitchen sink. It has been working out pretty well and these Bio Bags have helped a great deal in keeping our compost can clean after each toss. I love their pet waste bags, as well.

4. These are by far the best teeth whitening strips on the market currently, without going to the dentist. I have sensitive teeth and was hesitant of using these and not feeling sensitivity. After a month of using them consistently I had whiter teeth and not a change to my sensitivity level on my teeth. Luminex makes a lot of lists of mine on a regular basis because it is a great company with good products.

5. One thing I regret when I had Skylar was researching healthier options for him and myself. I did raise him on Burt's Bees products, when the company was still owned by Burt Shavitz, and the products were made with a more care to the environment. But one big thing I wish I had known better was using cloth diapers instead of disposable. The amount of diapers that end up in a landfill that don't break down for several years, is upsetting and I still hate that I added to that issue when Skylar was younger. The changes I've made since then have been great, though, so I don't beat myself up too bad. But if I could do it over again, I would definitely try these cloth diapers from Dyper. They are made from bamboo and their starter kit comes with 12 cloth diapers. They also carry composting diapers from newborn to size six and plant-based wipes.

6. These Washi Paper Snowflakes from Mighty Nest are so fun. They are reusable and festive, and best of all, they are easy to apply and easy to remove. They are handmade in Japan using their Mino Washi papermaking tradition. Created from the fibers of native Japanese shrubs. I purchased one of each size offered and I have loved them. They apply to your window, or glass (I've used them on a mirror, too) with water and they dry and adhere to the surface. Once you are ready to remove them, you ever-so gently lift one corner and slowly lift. You can reuse them over and over again and the best part, they don't leave a nasty or annoying residue, or a sticky mess.

7. Finding good quality, comfortable, and sustainable footwear for walking, cycling, or running seems to be a never ending game of whack-a-mole. I have tried so many different brands that are a workhorse when needed and I have found a good brand that actually lasts longer than a year when worn regularly. Hylo Athletics makes women's and men's athletic shoes that really do go that extra mile for when I need them. They are also great for hiking, too. They also offer a recycling program for used shoes when it is time to upgrade to a new pair.

8. Along the lines of cycling, these Ignite Cycling Socks from Rockay are so nice. They are made from recycled material and don't rub when you're riding. We have been getting our wheels moving a lot this last season because once winter hits we find it harder to get out and take rides, because the wind, rain, and at times the ice and snow. These socks are some of the best ones we have found for cycling in and the one thing I like about them the most, they don't fall down your leg as you're riding. To me, that's a plus!

9. With the seasons changing I always like to do an evaluation of my perennial plants and repot the ones that need it, so they can be brought inside, or into our greenhouse area near our garage. These plastic pots I found recently have worked out great. Of course, there are several companies that now use recycled plastic to create something new, but the one thing that drew me to these was the fact that they are created from discarded fishing nets and fishing ropes that have been recovered in Scotland. Ocean Plastic Pots come with a hole in the bottom and a tray to collect water, so they work out perfectly for less watering over the winter months. I love the yellow ones, but ever pot they make is beautiful. And everything that can be done to reduce the amount of plastics in our oceans is definitely a plus.

10. I love birthdays and the ones thing I love the most about birthdays is making the birthday person feel important and special. I bought a few of these beeswax number candles over the past couple of years - two for when Jeff turned 50 and two more when Skylar turned 20. I have enjoyed watching them see the candles when I bring the cake out, and the look on their faces just makes my heart soar. I love these number candles so much that I am hoping to carry them in my store before too long.

Happy Winter Solstice!