Five simple things

It's 5:30 a.m. here and I am currently waiting on the boys to finish their last-minute things around the house before we catch our flight. We are due at the airport soon and our flight to Arkansas leaves Portland, Oregon, at 7:45 a.m. My sister still doesn't know we are headed her way and I can't wait until she sees us for her fortieth birthday. It's so weird to think my sister is turning 40 and I will be 39 this year, in August. I still feel like I'm stuck between 23 and 30 somewhere-And I still look it, I might add. Ha! I will have a lot of pictures to share of our trip on the blog soon, too! So here are the things that made this past week awesome!

1. This Random "Hi"

Walking around town you come across some interesting things.

2. These Trees

The crab apple trees around here are in full bloom and showering the streets, sidewalks, and parking lots with pink "snow."

3. This Little Free Library

Since National Library Week two weeks ago The Bean and I have been visiting Little Free Libraries around the Willamette Valley area. We have read and moved around a lot of books through these Little Libraries. Find one in your area on their website here. They are a lot of fun!

4. This Mill

We learned of the fire at Butte Creek Mill while on a road trip. We have really enjoyed learning about the mill in the previous years and were saddened by the fire. The investigation is pointing toward arson and it really breaks our hearts to learn that someone would want to destroy a piece of history like this. They claim they will rebuild and we can't wait to see what they have in store for the reconstruction of the place.

5. These Critters

We will leave them for a week with my neighbor checking on them twice a day. I will miss their wet nose kisses and snuggles, but they are in good hands. Can't wait to see them when we get back!

Packing airplane snacks is always fun for me. I always pack a lot (probably more than I should) of fruits and veggies. I tend to lean toward organic grapes, bananas, baby carrots, broccoli, grapefruit slices, and orange slices. We also take a few other items that are some favorites: Fruit leathers, lentil chips, and can't forget the homemade granola bars. I have the boys pick two from these recipes and we take them with us on trips. They are so delicious and putting little twists on the recipes is always a plus. Twists such as, adding dried blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or adding in some chocolate chips is always a hit, too. I'll share my recipes soon.

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