Outdoor Preschool

This video really spoke to me.  It makes me want to move to Norway (I'm half Norwegian you know)  It also makes me consider wanting to homeschool or something.  I never really thought I'd say that.  I love that they are learning how to light a fire, build, read a map, hike- all at the age of five.  It goes along with my theory that kids are more capable than we think.  There is an elementary school across the street from my house and I'm pretty sure that the kids only get outside at lunch time.

Gift Guide to Buying Local in Spokane

I do love supporting local businesses and I haven't done as many posts as I would like to about them.  If you need some last minute easy gift ideas here are afew.  I've listed my favorite little spots in Spokane.  I used to not love Spokane, I just had to dig a little deeper to find the good places!  This little post would also be a good little guide to fun places to check out if you are visiting.

For the food lover:  Get a gift card to a restaurant.  Here are my favorites:  South Perry Cafe, South Perry Pizza, Luna, Madelines, Chaps

For fun little gifts head to Atticus or Ferrante's, or for pretty paper flowers go to Anemone

For vintage lovers get a gift card to Pink or The Vintage Rabbit, those are my top two Antique places for Spokane.

For coffee lovers get a gift card to The Shop, or Rocket Bakery

For someone who loves clothes Fringe and Fray is the perfect spot.  This shop is so awesome!  They have great prices and they have a great eye.  They only carry really nice and cool things.

For Green people go to Sun People Dry Goods

For the sewer we have a lot of great places, there is The Quilting Bee, The Quilting Cottage, The Top Stitch, and Sew Easy.  I love all of these shops.

Our Christmas Tree Tradition

Yay!  We made it to December!  We cut down a tree from the forest every year. This might be my favorite Christmas tradition.  It all started when we lived in Winter Park and wanted a little adventure.  The only year we didn't do it was 2006 because we were in Wisconsin and the closest national forest was too far.  Here is 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Yes it's legal.  We buy a $5 permit at the ranger station!

Our 2005 tree in Winter Park.  I didn't bring many ornaments with me so I blew some eggs and painted them gold.  I also took test tubes and put white daisies in them (after this pic was taken)

Our 2006 tree in Eau Claire, WI (the cheater year) It was from a lot-gasp!  It was a Fraser Fir tree, to remind us of the town we lived in in Colorado.

 Our 2007 tree in Gold Bar, WA

 Our 2008 tree in a duplex in Spokane

 Our 2009 tree while we were housesitting in Spokane.  This is probably our most pathetic tree.  It's quite ironic because it's the nicest house we've been in!

Our 2010 tree with our little baby!  And her first baby tree

Our 2011 upstairs tree

Our 2011 downstairs tree

Luna's tree 2011

Sam and I have come to love our Charlie Brown trees.  They may not be the most perfect, but they have character and hold memories of hunting them down.  If you've seen Christmas Vacation you know how the tree always looks smaller in the forest.  This always happens to us every year.  I like it when they're too big because then we can make a wreath out of the extra trimmings.  The other nice thing about trees that aren't so full is that you can load them with ornaments.  You can tuck them deep in the tree and outside.  A downside is that they usually require many strands of lights to get them glowing good!  I hope you enjoyed my little trip down memory lane!

30 Days of Gratefulness: Day 6, My Garden

I am thankful that despite the fact that our tenants were doing all the gardening at our house, I was still able to have one across the street at a community garden.  It was just built this year.  I love the neighborhood we live in, it's growing and new and exciting things are happening all the time.  We got to rent this plot for only $20.00.  They had water right there and we got to know some of our neighbors.  We met another VW Van lover who lives right around the corner.

It was so fun to check on the progress every day.  It is such a miracle to watch food grow from seeds.  

Doesn't food that you grow taste so much better?  Yum!

I'm still pretty new to gardening, but it was fun to give it a go.  We planted white beans, green onions, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, cilantro, basil, butternut squash, and some cucumbers.  We bordered the garden with zinnias.
Some notes:
The butternut squash took over by the end of the season and overshadowed and killed the carrots and lettuce.  We could have picked the squash just before it got ripe to let it ripen inside.  Maybe it could grow on a trellis?  It was so exciting to see them grow.  We waited patiently to pick them only to find out the squirrels beat us to them!

We had a little weird thing happen.  Right after we planted, someone stole our basil plant and replaced it with a puny one.  Someone planted a nice big pepper plant in our plot.  Someone or something pulled up the cucumber plants.  I guess this is what happens with a community garden.  Not too bad considering there was no fence.

I had so much fun sharing my zinnias with kids strolling through the garden.  Flowers are always a good idea.  One little girl got to pick some and she planned on giving them to her mom who was in the hospital.  I want to also plant dahlias next year, even though they come up later.  A little sunflower plant would be fun also.

The green onions did great.  The broccoli got huge.  Eventually it produced, I'm not sure why it got so tall.  The tomatoes did ok.  It will be better to plant earlier next year.  The peppers did well.  The basil and cilantro grew great, much better than how it grew in the pots.  I still think it's worth it to buy a good basil plant, I have trouble growing them from seed.

Things I would like to plant next year: kale, jalapenos, fingerling potatoes, garlic, shallots

All in all, we only got a little bit of food, but it was a good learning experience and I think next year will be even better!

Smoothies

The gross and the good. Since I have an abundance of fruit and veggies on hand I'm trying to be more creative with my smoothies. I've fallen in love with green smoothies. I make them with fruits I've frozen from trips to Green Bluff. When I was pregnant I always added some protein powder. Now that I don't choose the fruits and veggies we buy, I don't have quite as much freedom. I love spinach in my fruit smoothies, but I got romaine lettuce in my basket. It tastes a little more leafy, but I can handle it. If you're new to green smoothies, start with baby spinach! I was feeling adventurous and decided to make an all veggie one. I knew it would be oh so healthy. I'm usually good with stomaching things. This smoothie made me gag! I had to toss it!

The Gross One:

1/2 cucumber

2 carrots

1 apple

water

I wasn't done with my veggie attempt. I tried a new one and I love it

The Good One:

2 carrots

2 oranges

1 apple

a good chunk of ginger

orange juice

frozen peaches (optional)

It tastes great, even without the peaches!

Bountiful Baskets

I've started to use bountiful baskets, thanks to the tip from my friend Andi. For $15 each week I receive roughly $50 worth of produce. It is a co-op that gets as much local produce as possible throughout the year. The middle men are cut out and it is volunteer run to keep costs down. You order online on Tuesday and you have a 20 minute window to pick the food up on Saturday. You bring your own container and your "basket" is all ready to go for you to transfer into your basket. If you don't pick it up, it gets donated. Obviously at this time of year there isn't a ton of local produce available, but they tell you where it comes from. And the bananas are bought from small Mexican farmers, versus huge corporations. I was amazed at the huge amount of food I received for only $15, you can also order organic food for only $10 more ($25). You can order the food once a week. If you don't pick it up, it gets donated. You can check if they have this in your area. If they don't, there is also information on how to get it started in your neck of the woods. This has been so good for getting us to eat healthier. I always end up eating what is available, and if I have a ton of produce around, that's what I eat. This is inline with my values and it's cheap which is cool!

This is what I got this week:
:: 1 pineapple
:: 5 bananas

:: 1 head romaine lettuce

:: 1 bag of carrots

:: 1 cucumber

:: 2 avocados

:: 2 large sweet potatoes

:: 12 roma tomatoes

:: 10 oranges

:: 20 baby red potatoes

last time I think was an even better deal:

:: 1 carton of strawberries

:: 2 heads of romaine lettuce

:: bag of russet potatoes

:: 2 bags of carrots

:: 1 pineapple

:: 5 bananas

:: 3 grapefruit

:: 5 oranges

:: 1 bag of celery

:: 8 granny smith apples

:: bag of onions

:: 2 cucumbers

:: 3 green bell peppers

No Impact Man

I'm excited to see the movie No Impact Man next week at the magic lantern. I first mentioned the No Impact Man in one of my first blog posts back in 2007 (I remember it because it's when I first figured out how to make a hyperlink!)

I'm excited to see this movie. I'm curious about it. Sam and I have done some things to try to reduce our impact, but not at all to the extreme of not using toilet paper! You can learn more about him here.

What is a Yurt Anyway?

photos from Pacific Yurt Company

I'm going to start a little weekly post here about interesting alternative housing ideas.  Mark my words, Sam and I are looking for a more permanent dwelling place, but we don't want to have a mortgage.  We're exploring some creative ideas.  I want to share the journey with you.

A yurt is a portable felt-covered, wood lattice framed dwelling structure used originally by nomads in Mongolia.  

The modern ones are very nice.  They generally are classified under the tent category, but they are much stronger and weathertight.

Why a yurt you ask?

Well if the pictures alone haven't sold you, here are more of the bennies:

-They are cheap (a 12 foot one starts at $4,000 and you can get a 30 foot one for $10,000)

-Two people can set up a yurt in two days. 

-They look pretty

-It is portable.  You can easily disassemble and reset it up somewhere else

-You get a feeling of being in nature, it blends well with the landscape

FAQ

Do they last very long?

Yes, if you take good care of it, the yurt will probably last your lifetime.  The frame will last your lifetime, and the outside will need some maintenance.  The cover has a 15 year guarantee.

-Do you really stay warm?

Yes, people have lived in the coldest regions.  You can heat the whole thing with a little, cozy wood stove.  The companies that sell them use the same insulation that NASA developed.  If astronauts in outerspace can stay warm I guarantee you will be toasty in Minnesota as well.

-Would I have to take a leek in the backyard?

Of course not!  Plumbing can easily be brought up through the floor.  Some people have set up a separate little room for a bathroom, or you can put up some interior partition walls for privacy, or a cute curtain.

What about electricity?

Yes, the outlets are usually on the floor.

Where do I get a yurt?

So glad you asked.  There are several reputable companies who have been making beautiful yurts for years. 

 I recommend Pacific Yurt Company

or the Colorado Yurt Company

You can learn much more from looking at these websites.

Seriously, why do people live in double wides when you can live in one of these- at the same, if not lower cost?  Yes, I have put some fancy pictures up to show you just how nice they can be.  The ones pictured probably cost a little more money, but definitely not six figures.  Maybe you have been in one to warm up on a cross country ski trip, or maybe you have seen one outside of a ski resort.  I'm just curious, have you guys heard of a yurt, whaddya think?  

Waiting For Spring

So I'm not going to leave you on a depressing note to start your week.  Sam, TJ, Andrea and I are starting up a youth group here.  There is a lot of space in my backyard, the church's property.  So I got thinking...  Sam and I wanted to have a garden of our own.  But why not have a community garden?  I'm very excited and hope this will work.  I don't know how big it will be, how it will work.  I don't even really know how to garden.  

After reading Alice Waters and Chez Panisse and learning about the Edible Schoolyard I've been intrigued.  I think it's a great idea and I wish every school could have a garden.  Gardens teach kids cool practical skills and encourage healthy eating.  Alice Water's idea is so cool and I hope it becomes a reality for every school.  

No Heat?

In some places in Japan they do not heat their houses.  It is cold there too!  I found this article so interesting, I urge you to read it.  I'm very intrigued by other cultures and what they do differently.  One of my favorite things about traveling was learning what different cultures lived with and without.  I love that thriving countries can function perfectly well shutting down everything every afternoon for a few hours (siesta).  This no heat thing got me thinking too.  As far as I understand, these people aren't super poor, it's just what they do.  I love heat!  I would never do this.  I just want to show an idea of a different perspective.  I also think there is value in enduring hardship.  We lead such cushy lives that we forget this sometimes.  This makes us appreciate what we have so that we don't take what we have for granted.  

Yes Christmas is Over

So Christmas is over.  I found this video a little late.  It's good to start thinking about changing ideas for next year.  It might take some time talking and convincing family and friends to do something different for Christmas.  This is a short video (only 2 minutes) but I love it and think it was done really well.  I'm sure I'm way behind here, and maybe you all have seen this.  

The gist is to spend less money giving gifts, so we can use that money to create safe drinking water for third world countries.  What do you think?

Here is the website if you would like to give, or learn more:  Advent Conspiracy

Tiny Little Dream House

Here is Dee Williams with her little tiny house.  It is very cute.  What do you think?  She talks about how she now has time and money, instead of a big house.  If you want to read more about her story, here it is:

http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?id=3044

A Different Perspective

I truly think that we have been suckered into thinking that consumption brings happiness.  People are starting to pick up on the fact that that is not so fulfilling, which is why it's becoming trendy to be green and to live simply.  It is more fulfilling to help other people and spend time with them.  At least this is what I'd like to think the reason for living simply is.  Next week I'm going to try to show you a different perspective on consuming and why we have decided to try to live more simply.  Please, please, take the time to look at these links.  They may change your mind, or just help in understanding why Sam and I are as crazy as we are!

This video is called The Story of Stuff

http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html

This video takes maybe 20 minutes to watch, but it is very informative.  It gives a big picture of the way things come into being and how we dispose of them.  It is a little bit like listening to a lecture, but overall I think it's a good lecture.  I'm not sure what I think about that flame retardant stuff, if you watch this, tell me what you think.  I kinda think they may be overboard with that stuff about the pillows, but then again, maybe I'm just ignorant about it.  More links to come!  I'd love to hear what you think, please leave a comment with your thoughts.

Treehouses and Sesame Street

image from web urbanist

This is so random.  I have such random thoughts, and such weird interests that lead me to these strange random thoughts, that I really don't know if it is worth it to even try to describe the process that takes me to them.  

I was reading this book on treehouses.  Treehouses are awesome by the way.  And then I remembered this really sweet Sesame Street episode.  This must be late 80's early 90's Sesame Street I'm talking about.  There was the coolest episode where a bunch of kids got to do some scribbles and let their imagination run wild and dream up a playground.  This guy made their scribbles into a reality.  They had the coolest playground/park with cool paintings.  Does anyone know what I'm talking about here?  Ok, nevermind, I found it.  Watching it again is so funny!  Not nearly as cool as I remember.  Still funny though!

 Oh, you gotta love you tube!

  Does this bring any sweet memories to anyone else?

By the way, I fully intend on having the most amazing tree house someday.

Happy New Year

Out with the old:

So here is the recap on goals from last year

*no pop-

 yes, I am finally addiction free!  I've had it every once in awhile and now it tastes kinda gross to me and when I see pop I think of it as sugar in a bottle

*drink more milk and water-

 I've been good on the water, not so great with the milk

*be active-

 yes and no, I go in spurts on this one, but we joined on online outdoor group in Spokane and we're hoping to connect and meet more people this year

*eat well- 

not so consistent, we're doing ok, hopefully this year we'll keep improving and with our new goals eating well should come naturally

*be more organized-

I think i've made progress in this category, it's a constant battle

*start an etsy shop-

Yes- this is probably the one I'm most proud of, and I have so many ideas in store for next year and really working hard on my shop

*speak spanish fluently

This is a definite no, even though Linda gave me these cool spanish sticky notes, maybe they need to go up again, and we need a volunteer vacation trip to make it happen

*get caught up on scrapbooking

I just haven't been into this lately, I did get fairly caught up with some unfinished projects.  I have a different view on how I want to scrapbook now, so we'll see.  And I would like to try out making a blurp book.

Overall I'm pleased.  I'm excited to keep growing, learning, and pushing myself to do different things.  We'll see.

In with the new:

So Sam and I have pretty ambitious plans for 2009.  Here goes:

Eat Locally:  

This requires a BIG explanation.  I've been interested in the compact, and eating locally.   I've been reading a lot on the topic.  I watched this movie, (the high cost of low prices, you can watch it instantly if you have a netflix account) and in conclusion, this is something we would like to try.  I don't want to go crazy with this and make ourselves miserable.  I do believe that in making an effort to know where the food comes from will build some cool relationships and be much healthier.  I want to do this because I'm a believer of entrepreaneurs and small businesses and I want to give them a shot.  Every time we shop at Target or Wal-Mart, we crush those other businesses.  So we will try, and try hard.  I will post local links and our adventures. If we can't find something I'm not willing to take it out of our diet, I'll just try to get it from a grocery store that supports the most local business.  

Buy Used:

We pretty much do this already.  I don't think it will be that hard for us.  I love finding better quality items from thrift stores.  They just don't make it like they used to, ya know?  I realize this will be hard when we need shoes (and Sam really needs new ones)  So we probably won't be nazi's about this.  I would rather support a local company if possible and one that chooses sustainable products.  So it's more about being more educated about where the stuff we buy comes from.  My dad is big on hating the made in China stuff.  It's true, why buy made in China when you can get better quality goods other ways.

Happy Earth Day!

I just had to do an Earth day post. I hope you all got to enjoy the great outdoors at some point today! I found Andy Goldsworthy's work and love it! He is a photographer and he makes things from nature. His books are so beautiful.

I love being outside. I think the most wonderful inspiration comes to me when I'm spending time soaking in fresh air! I'm going to plant my Easter Lily outside and go on a little walk.

I love the tradition they have at the high school I went to, of taking a break from school for a day to work outside and make the campus pretty. The fun thing about it was that they surprise the students with when it will take place. In the morning you find out- no school today! It's the best.

Going Green

So I haven't posted in a very long time. I guess I stopped because I didn't think anyone was really reading it, but after being home for Easter I realized that a few people were. So anyways, I don't have a ton to say right now. It is finally getting warm and starting to be like Spring. Elizabeth and I went out and bought roller blades yesterday. It was a good experience learning about them, you see, my last contact with them were of the plastic type as seen in the movie Napoleon Dynamite. So these babies I bought have come a long way, we bought them at a local bike shop in town. We were excited because they were getting rid of their Salomon line, so they were majorly clearanced. We went out yesterday and didn't even fall! We avoided all major hills of course. So now I have to go out and buy some for Sam today. I love that we supported this local guy rather than Scheels, and he was way more knowledgeable than those other guys.

I stumbled across this site that lists local farmers, and if you sign up you will get fresh organic produce each week all summer and fall. And if you work at their farm for only 15 hours total it's a lot cheaper. It's definitely cheaper than buying produce from the grocery store and it will have that earthy fresh from the garden flavor and it is so nutritious. I think it will be so cool because I will always have fresh food, and it will be a surprise. It's fun to cook with things that you wouldn't normally pick up from the store. It is good because it forces me to be healthy, supports a local farm, and I can pick it up at the local food co-op which is literally around the corner from me. So I 'm excited about this and will let you know how it goes.

While we're on the subject of environmental friendliness, I want to encourage everyone to use less plastic bags, try to bring a market bag with you to the store. I need to get better at this myself, but I hate having a million plastic bags. Another problem we have is that we're short on space, but we want to recycle. It's a hassle to go down and put it in the garage for only one or two items. I saw this cool compactor thing that crushes plastic and aluminum cans and holds glass containers, it will contain a ton of stuff and it is much easier on the eyes than throwing it in a box till it gets full. It's called the ecopod, only catch, it's about $400! Yikes! I hate that it's chic and trendy to "be green" so they have all these expensive ridiculous ideas. Another way to be friendlier to the environment is to use bamboo instead of wood. Bamboo grows in only 2-4 years and when you cut it down you don't have to replant, it will grow back. Bamboo cutting boards work fantastic, even better than most woods. I am a total fan of living simply and I love looking at treehugger websites to get some good ideas. I don't think I'm a complete freak (yet anyway, who am I kidding, I lived in a van all summer long) but I do like to do little things to help reduce waste. Don't get me wrong, I think people go way too far! Just check out the No Impact Man, he's crazy! And I hate expensive cleaning products, and filtering all the air and water we use with expensive gadgetry. But we do need to try to be a little more conscious of all the crap we throw away into a landfill on a daily basis. Enjoy the day everyone!