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Five simple things

Hi there.
..Or hello.

It's been a great week here in the Willamette Valley. We got up to 80 degrees two days in a row. It felt like summer, honestly. We are so ready for it too. The winter seemed to drag on, which it really didn't, but long days without a peek from the sun seems to make everything run in slow motion. Needless to say, here we are at Friday and guess what's coming down-rain. Figures that the sunny days were short-lived. Nonetheless, soon summer will be here, wild fires being battled, and the water bill going up and up as we try to keep up with Mother Nature's heat waves. On another note, we lost one of our baby ducklings this past week and it was sad. We don't know how it died, but I was up with it all night on Wednesday night and it died around 2:00 a.m. Terribly sad for us, but I contacted the local farm supply store, told them my story, and they replaced her with a new little duckling free of charge. Seems sad really-one out, another one in. The farm supply store didn't really seem all that upset and not once did the two women I spoke to say, "sorry." Really bothered us. We named her RoRo and buried her beside Rosey duck. Our other duckling, Fern, was lonely for awhile so we placed a mirror in her box and she seemed to be okay with that. The new duckling and her have taken to each other well. Fern is a loving duck, for sure, and loves company. Happy duck doesn't want anything to do with them right, so we are hoping that will change as they get older. So here are five simple things that made this week good.

1. This can of foraging.


We've been taking time out each week and learning about foraging and other wonderful plants the earth provides us. The Bean has really enjoyed his findings lately and I am enjoying him being in nature where we all should go from time to time. Never underestimate the power of getting away from electronics, people, and sounds for awhile.

2. These spring flowers.


Trying to mix up the tulip game here and bring in some fresh, local flowers. These are Cosmos and Purple Queen Anne's Lace from Peoria Gardens in Philomath, Oregon.

3. This spring catalog.

Really loving the new season catalog from United by Blue. Lots of great things to be had!

4. This bumper sticker.


The turkeys are a big deal here in town and there's normally a flock of about eight that roam the streets and walk along the roads. Some people don't like them, but seeing as they are wild turkeys, I think it's wonderful. I hope we see more of them throughout this year.

5. This license plate.


I know I have mentioned this before, but I love my new license plate. I think it looks awesome on the little Smart Car too! Perfect for the type of family we are and god knows this town could be reminded to Share the Road with bicyclist!

A few more things:











Last week's Five simple things right this way.

Have a nice weekend!
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Road trip: Portland, Oregon














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Five simple things

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.










Have a nice weekend!
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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:










• Eggl-ess sugar cook recipe.

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

Have a nice weekend!
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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.
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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.





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