Life at a "Swell's" pace

This past Christmas The Mr. won a trip to Sunriver, Oregon, at his company Christmas party and we were thrilled to go again. If you remember, we went on a similar trip back in 2013 and had a blast! The first trip had us staying in a house, which is for sale now, and this trip had us staying at the resort in a suite condo. It was a lot different than before, but just as fun. We always have a lot of fun when we go to Sunriver. Sometimes we just drive over for the day, or even stay a night and enjoy what Sunriver ha to offer. This last trip was for three days and two nights and it was one for the books.

The suite we stayed in was right off the golf course in Sunriver Resort. We had a downstairs suite with a built-in fireplace. It was a bit chilly that weekend, so it was a nice addition.

The resort itself if a beautiful building sitting right in the middle of Sunriver.

(Source)

Our suite had the brightest yellow door that just said "cheers" and we were completely thrilled at winning yet another Sunriver getaway!

The inside of the suite was set up like a tiny home and we loved it. The fireplace was perfect!

We loved the porch attached to the back of the suite and it was facing the golf course, which The Mr. loved too!

The Mr. went out a few times to find some fly-away golf balls and while out there I had him grab The Bean and me some large pine cones.

Our trip also included a massage and spa treatment from Sage Springs Club Spa. The Mr. and I thoroughly enjoyed the 50 minutes of pampering we received. The Sage Springs Club Spa is a great place to relax and forget the time. They offer many options for spa treatment, or just some time to soak in the hot tubs there.

The one thing we love about Sunriver is the bike trails and bike rental places throughout the area. Many people don't even own a car within Sunriver and get around by bicycle, or walking.

Another plus of Sunriver is all of the deer. Some of these deer just walk right up to you, or bed down in the evenings right in the front yards of homes. It's a nature lovers dream place, for sure.

While on our trip we decided to check out the Nature Center and got a great look at common animals that thrive in and around the Central Oregon area.

The Nature Center is also a rehabilitation center for injured animals. These Great Horned Owls were injured and brought to the Nature Center to be nursed back to health before being released back into the wild. The Nature Center also had a hawk too, but it was behind a darkened panel for rehab and safety.

The Mr. and I loved the Mallard ducks swimming in and around the Nature Center.

The swans were a nice treat too.

This Sunriver trip was great! We always have such a wonderful time here and can't wait to return. Our hearts belong to Sunriver, that's for sure!

View of Mt. Bachelor from Sunriver.

View of North, Middle, and South Sister from Sisters, Oregon

Coyotes are pretty common running through the farm fields in and around Central Oregon. This coyote was seen in Sisters, Oregon, hunting muskrats, field mice, or even rabbits.

I just can't get enough of this view every time we head over the Cascade Mountain range. It's a breathtaking view and I feel it isn't fair that I get this view whenever I want and others don't.

Mount Washington

Black Butte

Iron work in a farm field in Sisters, Oregon, with the view of Three Sisters.

And last but definitely not least, Three Finger Jack before heading back over the mountains back to the Willamette Valley.

Hello.

What a lovely week it has been here in the Willamette Valley. The hawthorn trees are in full bloom and are as beautiful as ever. The blooming means the last frost is gone and time to start the garden. We spent this week doing just that. We got all of our seeds into the ground with the exception of our tomato plants. We purchased five tomato plants from our local food co-op here that are USDA organic and GMO-free certified. We have really been doing a great job on staying clear of processed, genetically modified foods and our garden speaks volumes of that life choice. Every seed we planted last year was USDA organic and carried the GMO-free certification as well. We've had a few friends and family members try to sway us from our values, but we held strong, even if it did unintentionally hurt a few feelings. I went this week to the local farms' co-op here called, Wilco, to purchase more duck feed. The duck feed we use is USDA organic and in the process of purchasing it I got an earful from an older worker on how organic feed is no different than traditional feed. She told me to do research on what "organic" actually means. I couldn't believe it. Regardless of my choices in what I feed my animals it wasn't her place to tell me what she thinks, or to tell me I am wrong. She even said, "my boss would kill me if he heard me telling you this." I politely replied, "thank you for your input, but I will stick with the organic and I hope the next customer is as patient as I have been. You should give organic a try. We love it!"

I am really at a lose as to why some people are afraid, or maybe uneducated, about organic. We made strawberry jam a few years back with my father-in-law and we used organic sugar. He told us he had never made strawberry jam with organic sugar and it might not come out the same way. The Mr. and I were floored that he would think it's any different than traditional sugar. The only difference that organic sugar holds is the fact that it wasn't grown with chemical or synthetic pesticides. Plus, a lot of organic sugar doesn't go through the bleaching process either, which is a healthier option overall. The Mr. and I have decided to continue our lifestyle choices and hope in the process that we can educate family, friends, strangers, and even opinionated workers at a farm supply store on how great it is and how much better it is for your body and mind. Here are five simple things that made this week good.

1. These trees...

The Hawthorne trees this time of year are one of my favorites. They bloom such a vivid pink color and as the sun hits them turn a brilliant red. Such a cheering color and no other word describes them other than, "beautiful."

2. This neighbor cat.

It sits in this window each and every morning and watches the birds. The view I have of it in the mornings always reminds me of a book cover.

3. These pictures.

These pictures were taken on a cloudy day seconds before rain came down. The clouds rolled in just as I clicked the shudder to snap the pictures. I've been playing around lately with lighting and these were just experimental pictures, but I love how they came out. I really enjoy the faded look of pictures in focused photography. Reminds me a lot of the pictures taken around the 1970s when color photography was just getting popular.

4. This sundial...

Because it takes some practice, but we are slowly learning how to read one. Here's one similar to the one above.

5. These Mallard ducks...

We saw these during our last Sunriver trip and I can't help but think of Fern and Malli looking just like that female when they get bigger. Mallard ducks, male or female, are one of my favorite animals. Such beautiful coloring and mellow temperament.

A few more things:

• Road trip: Central Oregon.

• P. Allen Smith is representing Arkansas wonderfully.

• The Toy Factory in Corvallis, Oregon.

• Growing an avocado tree.

• How to Be Like Monica Gellar.

• Or, how about, How to be a Hippie?

• Need to know step-by-step how to make, or do something?

• Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon.

• Interested in a writing job? And here.

• Keep America Beautiful.

Have a lovely Memorial Day weekend!