Life at a "Swell's" pace

#OptOutside in the Willamette Valley

Although I can't help but do some "After Thanksgiving Friday" sales in my shop, we decided to take a break from all of the shopping and actually #OptOutside instead. If you haven't heard of this new hashtag, it's from REI to get people to stop shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving and get outside instead. We took advantage of the day and headed out to McDowell Creek Falls for the afternoon. It was a bit chilly, but so pretty. The water was flowing pretty strong because of the rain we've had lately.

Rock stairs and wooden handrails leading down the side of the mountain.

Such a beautiful day to get outside and enjoy what's right in our own backyard. I hope you decided to avoid the Friday hustle and participated in REI's #OptOutside.

Remember, you can get outside anytime. You don't have to wait for a promotion, or a once-a-year time. There's all sorts of adventures waiting, so #OptOutside once or twice a week. Or more!

Check out some areas near you!

Remember too, The Saturday after Thanksgiving is always Small Business Saturday, so help support small businesses in your own area and give back to your community. If you live in or around the Willamette Valley of Oregon, or want to help out a small business, don't forget about The Peppermint Bee Farm. The Peppermint Bee also participated in Good Karma Sales this year. (We are listed as number 11 from the bottom) We sent 50% of our sales from Friday until Monday to a local charity. If you want to know more about this, please inbox me, or visit The Wild Unknown.

What happened this time last year?

Thanksgiving 2015

Since we celebrated Halloween in Arkansas, we never got a chance to hit a pumpkin patch here, or there. We meant to fit a pumpkin patch trip in while we were in Arkansas, but we just ran out of time. Running around and doing so much with family, time got away from us. So when we came back, we decided to wait until Thanksgiving to cut our own home-grown pumpkins and enjoy them for Thanksgiving. We grew quite a few medium-sized ones this year and they worked perfectly for our harvest-type decorations. Skylar chose not to carve one, so we placed them on our front porch and are still enjoying them.

Can't believe October is already over and the end of the year is approaching. It reminds us how precious our time is. My bird feeder seems to be growing its own lawn.

After the rain has stopped we are planning on cleaning up the garden area. We have such great plans for it next year. A few more garden boxes and a whole new layout. Can't wait to share!

So many great pumpkins.

The last harvest of the dill for the year. Lots of plans for this herb for next season too.

A lone purple flower holding on tight before the winter bite and freeze hits.

Skylar loved that he was able to pick pumpkins that he helped grow.

He picked out his favorite and so did the Mr.

What a great selection of organically-grown pumpkins.

Our once-a-year-Thanksgiving table setup all decorated for the Thanksgiving dinner. The Mr. carved up his famous turkey he cooks. We actually use an electric cooker and he seasons it with the best seasonings. This year we went with an all-natural, organic turkey. We tasted the difference, for sure! For those curious, this is the roaster we use.Works great for chicken and fish too.

We also played a bit of UNO on Thanksgiving night. We are slowly forming traditions by accident. This is the third year that we've played board games on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving 2012

What happened this time last year?

Five simple things

We've been cleaning out our garage and I was hoping to have enough of it done to share a photo, but to be quite honest, it's still a bit in shambles. Next week I shall share away. For now, here are the things that made my week awesome.

1. Our Tree.

It's up and decorated. We went with a 6-foot Noble Fir this year. We visited Trantham Christmas Tree Farm here local (photos soon) and had a wonderful time in their Christmas tree "forest." I've been on a mad wrapping frenzy the last few days too.

A lot of my shopping happened online, so as they come in, I wrap them up. My tape dispenser has been working overtime lately. 'Tis the season!

2. This Game.

Last week we were a bit under the weather. First it hit the Mr., then it hit the boy, then it hit me. No fun, but we did find ways to pass the time "productively."

3. These Patches.

These have been a back saver lately.

4. This Seltzer.

Alka-seltzer has been our friend this week and last.

5. This Month's Book.

Have you joined in on the SNS Reading List? Every month a new book is posted and you are more than welcome to join in. I welcome comments on the selection on the page too. You can suggest selections as well. Just email me at mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com. Be sure to check the link to the page at the top of the blog each month.

Extras:

• New Items in the Shop:

Lots of items in the shop are marked down to almost 50%. Grab a last minute Christmas gift. I promise delivery by Christmas if your order is placed before December 15. So hurry! Check out all of the sale items here.

• New use for bricks.

We have this quite large pile of bricks in our backyard and have been trying to find ways to re-purpose them. We helped a neighbor tear down his fireplace and we got to keep the bricks. Which at the time, seemed like a great idea, but now we are stumped on ways to use them. Some random ideas I've found, but still not sure.

What happened this time last year?

Friday things

1. This Street Organ.

More about street organs here.

2. This Post From Embracing Homemaking.

It's a post that's been floating around Pinterest and other blogs for awhile and it's a great start in getting more minimal. I love the little things Ashley has added. Give the first 10 items a try and then work your way down the list. It feels good getting rid of things in my house and we are almost to 150 items from this list, so far. Check out the full list here.

3. This Travel Kit.

I can't begin to express how great this travel kit is from Murchison Hume. It comes with four different, necessary, items you would need for traveling. The surface spray and the everything soap is the best. You can get this travel kit, with bag, on their site here, for under $40.

4. This Body Oil.

Honest Organic Body Oil . This light, soothing blend includes sustainablely grown and certified organic jojoba, tamanu, olive, avocado, and sunflower oils to leave skin silky and nourished. It's great for skin of all ages.

5. This Headboard.

The Mr. and I have been on a lookout for a new bedroom suite. We've been searching for one that would fit a small bedroom seeing as the house we live in now is limited on space. This one has made the top of the list for two reasons. One, it's just a headboard and we can play around with the rest of it anyway we want. Two, because its name is Claudette, 'my middle name.' I like the bird accent on top that's removable too. This headboard is from Ballard Designs.

Extras:

• This New Affiliate.

100% Pure is a company geared around natural products. They use only the very best ingredients in what they make and are now part of the South North South family. Their ad will can be found on the right-hand side of the page, along with the other great company's that help support this blog. Give them some love. Right now, you can get all of their Holiday Gift Sets 20%.