Life at a "Swell's" pace

It's another Friday, which means the Five on Friday linkup.
AND it's Friday the 13th! (Spooky spooky)
(if you believe in that and all) :)

I have been loving the sunshine lately here and been jotting down random things to do in the yard to get ready for some bulb planting. Totally waiting for my Daffodils, or Jonquils (depending on where you're from) to bloom around the trees out front. So ready for spring. Are you?

Here are the five things that made my week special!

1. This homemade solar oven.

Skylar and I have been having a little fun with the sun lately. We created our own solar over and cooked, well baked, some chocolate chip cookies by power of the rays. It did get up to about 70 degrees on a few days here lately, so it was perfect to bake them. If you don't know how to make one for yourself, it's rather easy. Use an old box, a pizza box works great, and line the entire box with aluminum foil. Cut a small square, about the size of a sheet of notebook paper cut in half, and cover that with plastic wrap. Then, place a cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil inside the box and place in your items. It takes about four-six hours, depending on the amount of sunshine hitting your box, for the items to cook, but it sure is a fun project for kids to learn about solar energy. This was a great learning tool for the Red Snail Classroom this week too! If you do make a solar over, please share with us your photos. We would love to see them!

2. This old photo of the town (Lebanon, Oregon).

It's interesting stumbling upon old photos of the town that I live in here. I didn't grow up here, but it's still fun to find old photos of the place. This is a picture of a street called Vine Street here.

3. These clothes.

I am slowly, in the process, of getting the clothing situation under control here. It's a slow process, but I've actually found a lot of things I forgot I had. I have let go of a lot of shoes, and who needs 42 handbags and purses? I mean, really? I've been following a lot of the advice of Erin Boyle over on Reading my Tea Leaves. For what it's worth, it honestly is helping us. I'll share an updated photo when it's all finally been conquered.

4. Learning how to make Pine Needle Tea.

I've been learning about the benefits of pine needle tea lately, from Practical Primitive. Pine Needle Tea contains *4-5 times the Vitamin C of fresh-squeezed orange juice, and is high in Vitamin A. It is also an expectorant (thins mucus secretions), decongestant, and can be used as an antiseptic wash when cooled. So not only does it taste good, but it's good for you!*

5. These necklaces.

Because they are new additions to The Peppermint Bee Shop. You can pick these up in either the charcoal black color, or the true silver color for only $15. While you're there, check out the Lucky Shamrock Necklace and the Gold Star Apron.

Want to join this linkup every week, then head over the North Carolina Charm and add your blog to the linky. Share the five things that made your week awesome!

And you're in luck this week, Christina is doing a giveaway over on North Carolina Charm this week too! So rush over and enter and link up with us!

What happened this time last year?

Amazon.com Widgets

During our road trip to ride on The Polar Express, we stopped into the Bonneville Lock and Dam to have their tour. It was fascinating to see how water can produce electricity and we even got to see a 75+ year old sturgeon named Herman. Here's a little recap of our "Dam Tour."

A wonderful view of the Columbia River was right outside our hotel window. We arrive there at night, so we didn't see the view until the next morning. It was amazing! We also were chosen for the Flat Stanley project for my nephew in Arkansas, so we took Flat Ryan everywhere on our road trip.

The Bonneville Lock and Dam was named after Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville.

The fish ladders that the salmon swim up to go over the dam and travel along the Columbia River. They actually have someone in a room under the water counting the fish as they travel these fish ladders. It's pretty interesting. (Notice Flat Ryan?)

The giant turbines.

Skylar got to be one of the kids that were parts of the turbines for the dam on how water electricity gets to your home. The Park Ranger gave Skylar the "powerhouse" as part of the display.

The cycle of water and electricity. Proudly displayed under the American Flag.

Flat Ryan checking out the Giant Turbines.

Park Ranger Paul showed Skylar and Flat Ryan around the Powerhouse at the Bonneville Dam. He said he knew all about the story of Flat Stanley and he was impressed with Flat Ryan's raincoat.

Skylar is into film lately and he likes to film all of the travels we go on. He actually has a YouTube channel and you can check it out HERE.

The look at the Bonneville Dam from afar.

The view of the Bonneville Dam and Hydro Propeller displayed at the dam.

The Electric grid at the Dam. It's so weird to think that electricity is so close to water.

Jeff showing Skylar the train that was traveling on the other side of the highway. We are actually standing on top of the fish ladders at this point. We are on the very top floor of the visitor's center at the dam/ the roof (perhaps, it could be called).

Driving over the top of the dam to leave. You literally travel along some train tracks that used to be used. They are not in service now days.

The gates of the dam that regulate the water flow.

After the dam tour we went to visit Herman the Sturgeon. He is over 75 years old. Flat Ryan got to get a selfie with him.

The coolest license plate was in the parking lot when we were leaving too. Whoever drives this car is clearly a "Sheldon Cooper" fan.

I even picked up some new stickers for my car while in Hood River. These will be nice additions to my ever growing travel collection on my back window.