Here are the top ten things, people and places I am so, so, so excited to eat, visit and see while in Oregon for the next two weeks. [not counting most of our family whom we have at least seen a bit of in the past two years since I've been home]
In no particular order:
1. Burgerville
2. Gartner's cross cut ribs
3. Edo's
4. RiverWest
5. Fred Meyer
6. The Duck Store
7. these friends (and more)
8. this baby
9. this view
10. this beach
Showing posts with label listed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label listed. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
10 reasons to go camping this year
My kids have been talking about camping already almost every day for the past couple of months. They cannot wait to get our first trip planned. I have to admit I'm ready to get out there too! I'm anxious to see how many trips we can squeeze in this summer and fall...
We have lots of friends who love to camp and lots who don't. We're always trying to convert the "non-campers" by convincing them to give it a try. Some of our absolute favorite memories of friends and of our kids and of our family are from miscellaneous camping trips. You can never have too many of those memories.
So in the summer camping spirit, here's a top ten list for today:
Ten Reasons You (yes, I mean YOU) Should Go Camping This Year(in no particular order)
Reason #1: You have tried everything else to peel the kids (or the husband?) away from the tv and video games. Gotta give them something else exciting to occupy their active minds. Something like Surviving In The Wilderness.
Reason #2: You can't remember the last time you saw a shooting star. It's time to see the Big Dipper beyond the computer screen.
Reason #3: The only bird chirping you have ever woken up to is the cuckoo clock in your grandmother's living room.
Reason #4: Your kids will thank you. I have never known anyone who grew up camping, or even just took a camping trip or two as a kid, who didn't appreciate those memories. Whether it was with friends or family or both... people treasure those as part of their classic kid memories. I've never heard anyone say "I wish my parents had never taken me camping".
Reason #5: Food tastes better outdoors. I don't know why, it just does. One of the Great Mysteries of Life.
Reason #6: Its affordable. You can buy all the camping gear you need with the equivalent of a couple nights hotel stay. And you get to keep the gear to use again and again year after year.
Reason #7: Enjoy the inheritance that was saved for you. In 1916, our great-grandparents' generation made a commitment to preserve, protect and share the natural beauty of this land through the National Park Service so that we, almost 100 years later, could enjoy it. When was the last time you enjoyed the natural beauty of our national parks?
Reason #8: Camping is so easy today. Down-filled sleeping bags, 10-minute-one-person-set-up tents, comfy air mattresses, instant fire starters, one-touch lanterns and yes, that portable grill. Modern camping equipment is easy enough for even the most beginner campers. (or not-so-beginner-campers who still need things simple and spelled out... like me!)
Reason #9: There are many ways to camp, so you can choose what suits you best. There's rustic cabin camping, yurts, car camping, RV camping and backpacking or whatever combination you can come up with. Start where you're comfortable. Chances are, you'll want to explore other more adventurous camping with time.
Reason #10: You have never gone camping before. Well, then you absolutely have to go camping this year. Do it before you are even more set in your ways. Do it before you take yourselves too seriously. Do it before the kids leave the nest. Do it before you can't do it. In other words, just do it.
For more fun Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda!
We have lots of friends who love to camp and lots who don't. We're always trying to convert the "non-campers" by convincing them to give it a try. Some of our absolute favorite memories of friends and of our kids and of our family are from miscellaneous camping trips. You can never have too many of those memories.
So in the summer camping spirit, here's a top ten list for today:
Ten Reasons You (yes, I mean YOU) Should Go Camping This Year(in no particular order)
Reason #1: You have tried everything else to peel the kids (or the husband?) away from the tv and video games. Gotta give them something else exciting to occupy their active minds. Something like Surviving In The Wilderness.
Reason #2: You can't remember the last time you saw a shooting star. It's time to see the Big Dipper beyond the computer screen.
Reason #3: The only bird chirping you have ever woken up to is the cuckoo clock in your grandmother's living room.
Reason #4: Your kids will thank you. I have never known anyone who grew up camping, or even just took a camping trip or two as a kid, who didn't appreciate those memories. Whether it was with friends or family or both... people treasure those as part of their classic kid memories. I've never heard anyone say "I wish my parents had never taken me camping".
Reason #5: Food tastes better outdoors. I don't know why, it just does. One of the Great Mysteries of Life.
Reason #6: Its affordable. You can buy all the camping gear you need with the equivalent of a couple nights hotel stay. And you get to keep the gear to use again and again year after year.
Reason #7: Enjoy the inheritance that was saved for you. In 1916, our great-grandparents' generation made a commitment to preserve, protect and share the natural beauty of this land through the National Park Service so that we, almost 100 years later, could enjoy it. When was the last time you enjoyed the natural beauty of our national parks?
Reason #8: Camping is so easy today. Down-filled sleeping bags, 10-minute-one-person-set-up tents, comfy air mattresses, instant fire starters, one-touch lanterns and yes, that portable grill. Modern camping equipment is easy enough for even the most beginner campers. (or not-so-beginner-campers who still need things simple and spelled out... like me!)
Reason #9: There are many ways to camp, so you can choose what suits you best. There's rustic cabin camping, yurts, car camping, RV camping and backpacking or whatever combination you can come up with. Start where you're comfortable. Chances are, you'll want to explore other more adventurous camping with time.
Reason #10: You have never gone camping before. Well, then you absolutely have to go camping this year. Do it before you are even more set in your ways. Do it before you take yourselves too seriously. Do it before the kids leave the nest. Do it before you can't do it. In other words, just do it.
For more fun Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
top ten for summer
Well with the "Kick-off of Summer" weekend behind us (although doesn't it seem so awfully early this year?!) we're ready to be in full Summer Mode around here.
Savannah still has a week of school left, and of course it's been raining since our pool opened on Saturday, but in our minds it's summer! (the heat and the humidity regardless of the rain the past few days have helped in the convincing!)
So in honor of this, for Top Ten Tuesday here are
the Top Ten Things I'm Most Looking Forward to regarding Summertime....
(in no particular order)
1. long days at the pool. Our neighborhood pool is around the corner from our house. It has been so awesome to live so close to the pool and have it be so convenient to hang out there. When the kids were littler it was nice to be able to run back and forth for snacks, meals, naps or just needing a break. Now that they're older, I'm thinking we'll be there without interruption for most of the day. Also now that they're older, I'm thinking I'll have to be less hands on and be able to spend more time at the pool lounging and reading. Oh that sounds good!!
2. tan lines and my boy's golden skin. My kids were blessed with their daddy's skin and brown up nicely without any effort at all. Sawyer's already sporting the white bum line with only one (sunscreen-filled) day out in the sun from last weekend under his belt. I just love the lightened hair/sunkissed look little kids get from so much fun in the sun and water.
3. frozen Gogurts. My kids LOVE Gogurts (you know, the portable yogurt in the tube). We never buy them except for in bulk in the summertime. And we like to keep them in the freezer. Then we grab them for the pool or a park outing and by the time we eat them they're a pefectly slushy half frozen yogurt just right for a cool snack. Mmmm. That just screams summertime to me.
4. sunscreen. I love the smell of it. We aren't hardcore users... usually just one good application at the peak times for the kids to cut down on the harmful rays. Like I said earlier, they never burn so I have to make myself remember to screen us all up. But I just love the smell and feel of it and I'd use it just for that. So summertime.
5. summer hours. Ryan's company adopts "summer hours" each year from June thru September. They (supposedly) work 9 hour days the first four days of the week and then have half days (or less) every Friday. It's so nice that he's home at noon on Fridays to start every weeekend throughout the summer. Whether we have plans in place or we're just hanging out, those slightly longer summer weekends are something we're spoiled by.
6. camping. I love everything about camping. Doesn't really matter if it's spring, summer or fall, but we usually end up in the summertime. I love how the kids love it; being outdoors, sleeping in the tent, cooking over the fire, usually with friends. So relaxing. I can't wait to get our first trip planned this year!
7. bare feet. You'd be hard pressed to find us with shoes on around here in the summertime. between the pool and the backyard, we pretty much forget what shoes are for these three months.
8. little girls in sundresses. I'm not, nor have I ever been, a girly girl when it comes to frills and dresses. And having a daughter of my own to primp and pretty did nothing to further that either. I actually try my best to steer Savannah away from the frilly and froo froo just because I don't find that cute, even on her. But there's something about a gorgeous sundress that makes me melt. Maybe it's my love affair of summer in general influencing me, but I love nothing more than a cute sundress. That's the one place I can tolerate pretty and flowers and ruffles. I wish Savannah could wear them all year long. Sundresses are just so adorable!!
9. the beach. I hope we can find the time to get to a real beach this summer. Nothing beats the sun and the sand and the surf in my book. I would spend every weekend at the beach if I could. I've always been a fan and throwing kids in the mix has only made it even better.
10. our neighborhood. If I can't spend my summers seaside, then I honestly believe this is the next best place to do it. Our neighborhood is a great place to be year round, but summer brings out the best in us. There are kids everywhere, sprinklers going, chalk drawings everywhere you look, parents always meeting up on front porches or driveways for refreshments and chatting, impromtu get togethers for backyard bbq's, pizza parties at the pool, ball games, fishing at the ponds, block parties, etc, etc. This is the kind of neighborhood that makes you want to stay home all summer. We are so thankful to live here and to really enjoy so many of the families surrounding us.
Visit OhAmanda for more Top Ten Lists.
And what has you most looking forward to summertime??
Savannah still has a week of school left, and of course it's been raining since our pool opened on Saturday, but in our minds it's summer! (the heat and the humidity regardless of the rain the past few days have helped in the convincing!)
So in honor of this, for Top Ten Tuesday here are
the Top Ten Things I'm Most Looking Forward to regarding Summertime....
(in no particular order)
1. long days at the pool. Our neighborhood pool is around the corner from our house. It has been so awesome to live so close to the pool and have it be so convenient to hang out there. When the kids were littler it was nice to be able to run back and forth for snacks, meals, naps or just needing a break. Now that they're older, I'm thinking we'll be there without interruption for most of the day. Also now that they're older, I'm thinking I'll have to be less hands on and be able to spend more time at the pool lounging and reading. Oh that sounds good!!
2. tan lines and my boy's golden skin. My kids were blessed with their daddy's skin and brown up nicely without any effort at all. Sawyer's already sporting the white bum line with only one (sunscreen-filled) day out in the sun from last weekend under his belt. I just love the lightened hair/sunkissed look little kids get from so much fun in the sun and water.
3. frozen Gogurts. My kids LOVE Gogurts (you know, the portable yogurt in the tube). We never buy them except for in bulk in the summertime. And we like to keep them in the freezer. Then we grab them for the pool or a park outing and by the time we eat them they're a pefectly slushy half frozen yogurt just right for a cool snack. Mmmm. That just screams summertime to me.
4. sunscreen. I love the smell of it. We aren't hardcore users... usually just one good application at the peak times for the kids to cut down on the harmful rays. Like I said earlier, they never burn so I have to make myself remember to screen us all up. But I just love the smell and feel of it and I'd use it just for that. So summertime.
5. summer hours. Ryan's company adopts "summer hours" each year from June thru September. They (supposedly) work 9 hour days the first four days of the week and then have half days (or less) every Friday. It's so nice that he's home at noon on Fridays to start every weeekend throughout the summer. Whether we have plans in place or we're just hanging out, those slightly longer summer weekends are something we're spoiled by.
6. camping. I love everything about camping. Doesn't really matter if it's spring, summer or fall, but we usually end up in the summertime. I love how the kids love it; being outdoors, sleeping in the tent, cooking over the fire, usually with friends. So relaxing. I can't wait to get our first trip planned this year!
7. bare feet. You'd be hard pressed to find us with shoes on around here in the summertime. between the pool and the backyard, we pretty much forget what shoes are for these three months.
8. little girls in sundresses. I'm not, nor have I ever been, a girly girl when it comes to frills and dresses. And having a daughter of my own to primp and pretty did nothing to further that either. I actually try my best to steer Savannah away from the frilly and froo froo just because I don't find that cute, even on her. But there's something about a gorgeous sundress that makes me melt. Maybe it's my love affair of summer in general influencing me, but I love nothing more than a cute sundress. That's the one place I can tolerate pretty and flowers and ruffles. I wish Savannah could wear them all year long. Sundresses are just so adorable!!
9. the beach. I hope we can find the time to get to a real beach this summer. Nothing beats the sun and the sand and the surf in my book. I would spend every weekend at the beach if I could. I've always been a fan and throwing kids in the mix has only made it even better.
10. our neighborhood. If I can't spend my summers seaside, then I honestly believe this is the next best place to do it. Our neighborhood is a great place to be year round, but summer brings out the best in us. There are kids everywhere, sprinklers going, chalk drawings everywhere you look, parents always meeting up on front porches or driveways for refreshments and chatting, impromtu get togethers for backyard bbq's, pizza parties at the pool, ball games, fishing at the ponds, block parties, etc, etc. This is the kind of neighborhood that makes you want to stay home all summer. We are so thankful to live here and to really enjoy so many of the families surrounding us.
Visit OhAmanda for more Top Ten Lists.
And what has you most looking forward to summertime??
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
top ten picks for road trips
I spent 16+ hours in the car with my husband the weekend before last. While we had great fun (and peace and quiet -who remembers road trips without kids in the car?!!), we did eventually run low on things to talk about, which seemed magnified by the fact that we forgot to ransack the house for good trip music before we left. So conversation turned to brainstorming ideas for future Tuesday Top Ten Lists. We came up with a few goodies. And number one on that list of brainstorms?...
My Top Ten Favorite Road Trip albums:
Note: This is my list. though we had some meshing, our top tens differed and I don't remember lots of his must haves, so here are mine. Also, be forewarned these may also be biased in the fact that they probably aren't in reality the best road trip albums, per say, but rather albums that remind me of that period in my life of taking tons of road trips at any chance. Whether I actually listened to them on actual trips or not, may be up for debate.
I'll shut up now and get to the list:
1. Tom Petty's Greatest Hits
obviously
2. Michael Jackson's Number Ones
the oldies are obviously the goodies here
3. U2's Joshua Tree
Almost all my memories of listening to this album are in a car. Listening to it on a tape deck in a boyfriend's car actually. How's that for aging myself?? Regardless, love this one!
4. Sheryl Crow The Very Best of
Sheryl just reminds me of summertime. Summertime= Roadtrip!!
5. Counting Crows August and Everything After
I think this album is good for just about anything... lounging around the house on a rainy day, a road trip, a good mood, a down mood, whatever. This is probably one of the all time favorite and most played albums I own. And being that I rarely listen to old music in the house anymore, it most often gets pulled out for long drives.
6. Live Throwing Copper
This is one that is probably just connected to road trips in my head because of the time frame. Live was the soundtrack to lots of time spent in the car with lots of friends.
7. Bryan Adams So Far So Good
Ditto #6. Many trips to the beach with the windows down and this one playing nice and loud. But also time skipping class and trips to the mall and random late night gallivanting around. Did I just say gallivanting??
8. Sublime
Never a huge fan of Sublime, or even this album, but something about it says fun and carefree and hearing it just whispers in my head, "Let's hit the road!!"
9. probably at least one Dave Matthews Band album. Pick one. There are a few out there to choose from.
10. and last but not least, what is a road trip without a mixtape cd playlist of all time favorites?? Good old summertime faves! One hit wonders! All the oldies that bring back past trip memories!
Hmmm... Nothing too recent on that list I see.
I guess that would be because most of our road trips in the past few years have consisted of Silly Songs and Trout Fishing and certain Giants. They're good, but not exactly going to make my personal top ten choices.
So. What would be on your (adult) list??
(and check out other Top Tens this Tuesday over here!)
My Top Ten Favorite Road Trip albums:
Note: This is my list. though we had some meshing, our top tens differed and I don't remember lots of his must haves, so here are mine. Also, be forewarned these may also be biased in the fact that they probably aren't in reality the best road trip albums, per say, but rather albums that remind me of that period in my life of taking tons of road trips at any chance. Whether I actually listened to them on actual trips or not, may be up for debate.
I'll shut up now and get to the list:
1. Tom Petty's Greatest Hits
obviously
2. Michael Jackson's Number Ones
the oldies are obviously the goodies here
3. U2's Joshua Tree
Almost all my memories of listening to this album are in a car. Listening to it on a tape deck in a boyfriend's car actually. How's that for aging myself?? Regardless, love this one!
4. Sheryl Crow The Very Best of
Sheryl just reminds me of summertime. Summertime= Roadtrip!!
5. Counting Crows August and Everything After
I think this album is good for just about anything... lounging around the house on a rainy day, a road trip, a good mood, a down mood, whatever. This is probably one of the all time favorite and most played albums I own. And being that I rarely listen to old music in the house anymore, it most often gets pulled out for long drives.
6. Live Throwing Copper
This is one that is probably just connected to road trips in my head because of the time frame. Live was the soundtrack to lots of time spent in the car with lots of friends.
7. Bryan Adams So Far So Good
Ditto #6. Many trips to the beach with the windows down and this one playing nice and loud. But also time skipping class and trips to the mall and random late night gallivanting around. Did I just say gallivanting??
8. Sublime
Never a huge fan of Sublime, or even this album, but something about it says fun and carefree and hearing it just whispers in my head, "Let's hit the road!!"
9. probably at least one Dave Matthews Band album. Pick one. There are a few out there to choose from.
10. and last but not least, what is a road trip without a mix
Hmmm... Nothing too recent on that list I see.
I guess that would be because most of our road trips in the past few years have consisted of Silly Songs and Trout Fishing and certain Giants. They're good, but not exactly going to make my personal top ten choices.
So. What would be on your (adult) list??
(and check out other Top Tens this Tuesday over here!)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
listed
So I found a new blog recently that I'm enjoying immensely. Lots of things to enjoy about this blog, but one of the best things? Her Top Ten Tuesdays. Random lists from random people. Love it!
I'm a list person. Lists make me happy. You'll never find me listless (haha). I make lists of my lists. I'll find a reason to make a list about almost anything.
So, for Top Ten Tuesday, in no particular order,
a top ten list of my favorite lists:
1. to-do list (duh)
2. grocery list I love making the list... not in love with the grocery shopping itself.
3. christmas gift list prepared early, always broken up by family, complete with brainstorming, budget and finally the outcome
4. projects around the house huge list
5. wish list for the house even huge-er list
6. christmas card list this is my probably my favorite list... all the people nearest and dearest to us. Even if our only communication is to exchange Christmas cards every December, I love that certain people are important enough to us to keep on the list year after year. (and to stay on theirs :) )
7. list of items to pack for a trip and of course I break that down into a dozen separate lists too... clothes, toiletries, meds, other necessities, broken down by each traveler, naturally!
8. camping list see #7... only usually more necessities!
9. blog post ideas even if I never use them, jotting down ideas for blogging is second nature to me
10. other people's lists is it strange that I'm so enamored with list making that I love perusing other's lists?!? I love other people's to-do lists, grocery lists, gift lists, and especially top ten random lists. Did you see the movie High Fidelity?? Part of my love for that movie is the fact that they randomly blurt out top five songs/albums for whatever topic. Love stuff like that. I love seeing what's on other peoples' minds.... and in list form is nice and tidy!
Oh gee, look! More lists!!
(add yours if you're feeling listy)
What about you... Any lists you can't live without?
I'm a list person. Lists make me happy. You'll never find me listless (haha). I make lists of my lists. I'll find a reason to make a list about almost anything.
So, for Top Ten Tuesday, in no particular order,
a top ten list of my favorite lists:
1. to-do list (duh)
2. grocery list I love making the list... not in love with the grocery shopping itself.
3. christmas gift list prepared early, always broken up by family, complete with brainstorming, budget and finally the outcome
4. projects around the house huge list
5. wish list for the house even huge-er list
6. christmas card list this is my probably my favorite list... all the people nearest and dearest to us. Even if our only communication is to exchange Christmas cards every December, I love that certain people are important enough to us to keep on the list year after year. (and to stay on theirs :) )
7. list of items to pack for a trip and of course I break that down into a dozen separate lists too... clothes, toiletries, meds, other necessities, broken down by each traveler, naturally!
8. camping list see #7... only usually more necessities!
9. blog post ideas even if I never use them, jotting down ideas for blogging is second nature to me
10. other people's lists is it strange that I'm so enamored with list making that I love perusing other's lists?!? I love other people's to-do lists, grocery lists, gift lists, and especially top ten random lists. Did you see the movie High Fidelity?? Part of my love for that movie is the fact that they randomly blurt out top five songs/albums for whatever topic. Love stuff like that. I love seeing what's on other peoples' minds.... and in list form is nice and tidy!
Oh gee, look! More lists!!
(add yours if you're feeling listy)
What about you... Any lists you can't live without?
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