Re-cap Part2: Camping and Oregon

We went to North Bend, Oregon to visit my mom's family in July:

Here we are at the beautiful Shore Acres botanical gardens.

Sunset Beach, OR

We went camping a few hours from home and ended up in an "environmental camp." It was a hike to get there, but we were camped right near a creek and it was awesome!

The kids had so much fun!

Coming Out of the Cave

Hello Dear Friends! It's been a while...a long while since I've been here. Many factors have played into my five month hiatus: The starting of school, the holidays, Sarah's winter dance performance, and my annual winter hibernation mode.

I recently discovered that I have SAD, or Seasonal Effective Disorder; what a strange sounding condition! Living as far north as I do I don't get enough sun in the winter, or in the summer even depending on the weather conditions for that matter. This summer we didn't really have a summer since we were either fogged in or clouded in most days. When winter hit I felt like a bear going into hibernation mode. I wanted to sleep and eat all day which isn't good for the mind or the waistline. Then every day felt like a monumental task, and everything seemed so over whelming. Right around that time I started taking Vitamin D3 supplements and noticed an improvement in my energy and mood immediately. This got me thinking about the sun, our lack of it, and what I could do to remedy the situation. Then I remembered that my aunt who lives in Oregon uses a little light every day in the winter to boost mood. So I got one, it's called a "Sun Box" and you can order one off of Amazon.com for around $80-$200. It produces special rays that mimic sunlight. You sit in front of it for 15-30 minutes per day and it tricks your brain into thinking it's summer. I just started using it and am noticing a big difference already. I also joined a gym and am starting to work off the hibernation padding. :) Hopefully this year I will become my old productive blogging self!

I also got a new camera finally! My old one broke in the summer and I realized that I am very dependent on pictures for blogging. Really, how can you blog without pictures, right?! So I'm going to attempt to do a speedy wrap up of the past 6 months.

This summer we went camping, visited family in Oregon and had an amazing vacation in Lake Tahoe with my parents and brother. My dad rented a vacation home right near the lake and for a week I soaked up the sun and felt like a queen. We used to vacation there when I was a kid so it brought back great memories too. Right at the end of summer we took a trip out to Boise, Idaho for Ron's Grandma Delphia's funeral. She was an amazing lady who lived to be 96 years old!

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Boise, Idaho

Lake Tahoe

A Polly Wog Tale

Once upon a time a family of four went on a walk in search of polly wogs. They walked through a beautiful redwood forrest...

It was dark and the little boy thought there might be bears in the woods...

But then the trees cleared and it was sunny with beautiful fields and flowers. The place there were supposed to be polly wogs ended up being a disappointment since there were no polly wogs to be found. So the family kept walking..

They spotted a lovely pond with beautiful marshes, cat tales and tall grasses.

The girl stopped to take pictures of herself. This one turned out especially good.

Then they happened upon a very marshy area. The mom thought it might be a good place to stop and look for polly wogs. So they did, and they began to notice little hopping bugs all around their feet...wait a second, there were bugs and there were frogs!!

They hunted frogs to their hearts' content and caught about fifteen of the little creatures. They had just turned into frogs because some still had their stubby little tails.

Then they walked the half hour back down the road...and took a few small breaks along the way.

They got home and the little boy helped his dad with their new frog friends.

The frogs were released into their new home where hopefully they will live for years to come.

The End

My Mother's Day Present

Ron finished the amazing pond and waterfall in the front yard today as part of my Mother's Day present - lucky me! Most of the supplies for the pond, pond border, waterfall, deck and gate were free! He was given the pond liner, pump, etc. from a friend from work. He found the boulders on the side of the road where free green waste is dumped. The reclaimed redwood was from a foundation remodel a few blocks away. Ron made a cute little deck for sitting and feeding the fish and a safety gate out of the reclaimed redwood as well as a border around the pond. He plans to make a bench on the back of the deck for sitting. This all could have cost upwards to $600 or more new, but we were blessed with it for free!! We plan to get coy and gold fish for the pond, put water plants and lilies in it and will need to install an electric fence on the interior of the pond so the raccoons won't eat them.

Thank you to my wonderful husband for this amazing Mother's Day present! I love the fact that it will be here to enjoy for years to come!

View from the top of the porch. We'll plant flowers on the sides of the waterfall rocks. You can't see the waterfall, but the water runs behind the rocks and makes a lovely sound.

Another shot from the porch.

The pond deck where the kids will be able to feed the fish when we get them. Ron is going to make a bench for the back of the deck also so we can sit and enjoy the view.

Hydrangeas in bloom

The new brick walk way and fence/gate.

View of the left side of the front from the pond.

River Fun

Last weekend we took a trip down to the river for a relaxing family outing. I'm glad we did because it has rained all week. It seems summer is taking her sweet time arriving! The kids had a great time digging in the river rocks and creating "islands" for themselves. Dad helped with the digging and mom kicked back on a blanket. A great time was had by all!!

Dad and son having a good time together.

Sarah balancing on the rocks.

Do I really have to stop for a picture?

I found this awesome tiffin box at Target the other week. I saw these in Thailand and almost bought one, then regretted that I didn't. You can get metal ones in China town, etc. When I saw this one in pretty bright colors I couldn't resist it!

Great Grandma Emma's China

My mom's cousin happened to be driving up to Oregon this past weekend and had some family china with her for my mom. The china was from 1932 and my great grandma had saved up money for it from raising turkeys from eggs and selling them. The China is from Japan and is a hand painted set of 12 with a very delicate design. My mom was thrilled to get it because she remembers her Grandma well and had a close bond with her. Family heirlooms are such amazing and wonderful things!

Helloooo Warm Weather!

We're finally having some beautiful sunny days after months of cold and rain! I'm so ready for spring and sunshine. We've been practically living out in the back yard and loving every minute of it. This past week Justin and I painted our new to us climber/swing set. It looks so much better now!

I just love the fact that even though we live in the heart of the city we can still have a rural yard and garden. The veggie garden is coming along nicely, and the veggies should be ready for picking in about a month or so. We contemplated getting chickens this year, but we're still focusing on getting our yard up to speed so we'll get them next spring most likely. Now that the work on the house is finished we are tackling the yard. It seems like there's so much to do, but slowly we're making headway one project at a time.

Still on the to do list are: A greenhouse which Ron will build out of windows he's collected, 2-3 more raised beds, a low fence separating the middle yard from the back yard, tearing out the concrete walk way in the front and putting bricks in, installing a large pond in the front yard, (complete with a waterfall!), and more. Ron will be doing most of these projects, whew! I'm so glad I married someone who loves to garden and landscape! Here are some pics of the back yard:

Charcoal and Justin having a snack. (Notice the cracker in Justin's other hand.)

I just love these blossoms!

My favorite tree in the yard.

Cool cactus garden a friend gave Sarah.

My big accomplishment for the week!

We're Alive - A Quick Re-Cap

Dear Blogging World,

My deepest apologies for disappearing for almost a month. There's been way too much going on to keep up with you. Firstly, our construction is officially done - wohooo!! Our house looks fantastic, and I never want to have to do this again. It is well worth it, but quite the process, and has been a part time job for me this past year. Now I almost don't know quite what to do with myself! ;)

Sarah's 6th grade science project took up most of the past week or so. It turned out great and she aced it and may be going to county. Her topic was soil saturation. She has also added another ballet class and she now has 6 dance classes per week. It's hard to keep up with this girl! Ron has been gardening to his heart's content these past few weeks. He put up a fence, made a pond, made another raised bed, and planted seeds. I am a blessed woman! Justin's latest joy is digging holes in the yard with the mini shovel Ron bought him. Our yard is now the holiest yard in the county!

I recently joined a women's international justice group and LOVE it!! We meet monthly to discuss global justice issues. Last week we saw a film on Guatemala's history, and it also discussed a town in Guatemala which grows fair trade coffee as its industry. I get to host next month and can't wait to introduce my topic - more to come on that. I haven't gotten a lick of sewing done lately, (true confessions!), but now that things are mellowed out a bit I plan to get some major headway.

So, that's the month in a nut shell. I hope to be more regular with the posts now!

Here's a few pics of life the past month:

Front shot of our finished home sweet home.

Sarah out at the beach getting a sand sample.

Raised Bed #2 - broccoli and potatoes will grow in this one. Ron gets all of his soil for free now! He found a guy who gets rid of his regularly, wohoo!

Another one of Ron's free scores. A bath tub which he has made into a little pond with a sitting bench. The wood is redwood and he got it for free also from a foundation tear down.

The fence Ron made separating the front yard from the back yard. Now Justin can play safely in the back yard. The kitties have a door they can use to get through the yards too!

Planting Time

The time has finally arrived to start planting!! I woke up this morning to sounds of joy coming from the kids and little feet pitter-pattering quickly across the floor. Even Justin is excited about planting, this being the first year he can really get involved. I've had a headache all weekend, so I wasn't able to take part, but it was fun seeing the finished product. Now all of the plastic planting containers won't be blowing around the yard anymore!! Every bin is filled with sunflower seeds. Ron loves them, can't get enough of them, and prizes himself on being able to grow some very tall sunflowers! So stay tuned for spring time when these burst into glorious bloom!

The master gardener - I love how he used card board dividers, very cool.

Someday soon these will be towering sunflowers!

Simple Woman's Day Book

Outside my window...slow drizzle

I am thinking...I love it when the house is this quiet

I am thankful for...my beautifully restored house - from the transformed outside to the tiny details inside

I am wearing...jeans, t-shirt, warm cozy sweater, bare feet

I am remembering...the beautiful way my daughter danced in her ballet class last night

I am going...to have a restful weekend with no meetings, dinners, birthday parties, etc.

I am currently reading...Hmmm, need to work on that!

I am hoping...to see three good friends I've known for 4 years online but never met in person

On my mind...how to raise my kids to be independent, intelligent, loving, and creative

Noticing that...I'm not trying to change how people see me so much anymore

Pondering these words...Children are a blessing from the Lord

From the kitchen...lots of fresh veggies and amazing stir fry

Around the house..warm blankets, steaming tea cups, the kids' crayon art work

One of my favorite things~ brain storming design ideas for my etsy line

From my photo diary:

Big Wave Day

This past weekend we heard that 30 foot waves would be hitting the coast. Ron said, "Let's get out to the beach, I won't be denied!" These large waves generally hit only once or twice per year, so when it happens we try our best to go out and catch the action. We went to the beach and the jetty where we saw spectacular enormous waves. On days like this you realize the strength of the ocean, and truly respect its force. Here are a few pics from the day:

Huge waves rolling over the jetty. Normally the water is well below the jetty rocks.

One of the biggest waves we saw.

The dunes leading to the jetty. Lots of people were standing on these to view the waves.

The huge wall of 30 foot waves.

The kids had fun running from the waves.

Beautiful sea foam