Raising Funds to Fight Empty Bowls: Fundraiser for the Columbia Pacific Food Bank

Empty Bowls Fundraiser - photo collage courtesy of the Columbia Pacific Food Bank.

The Columbia Pacific Food Bank, located in St. Helen's Oregon, is the regional food bank that distributes an average of 16 tons of food per week and valuable resources to 38 food pantries, meal programs and produce distribution points throughout Columbia County, Oregon to combat food insecurity. To reduce food waste they participate in a gleaner program that harvests surplus produce from local farmers, gardeners, and orchardists. HOPE (Help Our People Eat) Food Pantry is the one in our hometown of Rainier Oregon that they distribute to. They also provide for Meals on Wheels (MOW) for homebound seniors in our area. Empty Bowls is one of the fundraisers for this wonderful organization.

Empty Bowls Menu

Empty Bowls is the creation of a high school teacher and their students in 1990 in Michigan who came up with an idea to make ceramic bowls to for a fundraising meal to support a food drive. The guests were given a meal of soup and bread and a ceramic bowl to take home to remind them of the hunger in the world. Since then, the Empty Bowls tradition has been held throughout the world to raise awareness and money for hunger.

Some of the yummy soup and the bread that was offered.

The Empty Bowls event in Columbia County was held at McBride Elementary School on April 12th, 2024 from 5-7pm. There is a small ticket fee of $15 per person to get in. It is well worth that because you are donating to a great cause, get fed yummy soup and bread donated by local restaurants and businesses, get to listen to music by The Decades band, and get a lovely keepsake handmade bowl to take home by local artist, Pat Brame. Pat freely makes 300 unique pottery bowls for every Empty Bowls event in Columbia County.

My friend, Erin, and I with our bowls.

This was my third time participating. The first time was during COVID so I didn't get to actually go to the event, but I still got a lovely bowl that I got to pick out online and they gave us a homemade shelf-stable soup mix to go in it instead, which was also wonderful. The second time I went with my husband and the third time was with my husband and my good friend, Erin, and her daughter, Melody. I love participating and giving back to my community and this is the perfect opportunity to do so. I cannot wait to participate next year.

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Obol: The Original Crispy Cereal Bowl Offer #obolco

US Family Guide provided me with this promotional information and offer to share with my readers. I am getting something for free in return for posting this information.

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am posting about the Obol Offer I am getting 2 Obols (1 large & 1 Medium with free shipping) Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo. 

DIY Upcycled Ideas for Washing Machine Parts

We've replaced our clothes washer about 4-5 times (I lost count) this past year because of different things failing on them. One didn't agitate anymore, one soaked our floor as it died, one had its spider joint crack, and the others had similar issues. They were "Craigslist Specials" because frankly we couldn't afford brand new ones. We couldn't believe that we were going through so many washing machines because the first one lasted about 6 years.

I always try to look at the bright side of things when things just don't seem like they are going right. I try to have a "When life hands you lemons, make lemon-aide" kind of attitude.  I wanted to turn a bad situation into something good. This is what I came up with...

Top loading washing machine with the stainless steel drum exposed.

My husband taking the washing machine apart.

The stainless steel drum of our old washing machine (to be used as a fire pit or planter).

Washing machine drum container gardening.

• Upcycle a drum of a washing machine and use as a fire pit/BBQ, drink cooler, planter, seat, footstool, small end/coffee table or lamp/light! If you have a washer with a stainless steel drum/tub it will last longer for these projects than the other metals and plastic ones shouldn't be used for the fire pit. The drum has natural air holes for the oxygen to circulate while the fire is going for a fire pit. You can also set it on an old over sized metal dish from a Satellite TV provider. The stainless, metal or plastic drums can also be used as the perfect planter...just set a flat rock or affix a metal plate over the large hole in the bottom. It even has natural draining holes so that the soil doesn't get too soaked when you water your plant(s). You can also attach it easily to a DIY stand. Here are some other neat ideas for a seat and lamp and too!

Front loading washer glass door window.

Front loading washer glass window upcycled for a fruit bowl.

• Upcycle the glass door window of a front loader to a stylish fruit or mixing bowl. Just take the glass bowl shaped window off the door, remove extra parts, clean it up, and voila...instant fruit bowl!

Front loading washer top upcycled to a magnetic board.

• Upcycle a side or top piece of the washing machine for a magnetic or dry erase white board. This is great for use in your office or homeschool! My kids love this and since ours was the top piece of a front loader it has brackets at the top that you can use to hang it easily on the wall!

Washing machine hose upcycled as a water bucket filler.

• Upcycle a washing machine hose to be used as a bucket filler for water. These hoses are shorter and easier to handle than a long gardening hose for this purpose...especially around the farm when buckets of water need filled daily. We also got some 2-way and 4-way faucet expanders/distributers/extenders at the hardware store to let us use the faucet water from the same spigot even while the washer is all hooked up and running.
• Upcycle a washing machine into a chicken coop! This clothes dryer was even made into a chicken coop. I am sure a front loading washer could probably be used the same way.

These are my ideas to get your creative juices flowing. You can get the plans for all of these projects by searching for them online. There are many different ways to make some of these. Choose the best suited for your own needs. You can also find tutorials on how to take your broken washing machine apart. Different makes and models come apart differently.

"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out." - John Wooden

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: If you do any of these projects I am not liable for any injuries that happen. Make your best judgement and try not to get hurt.

Ultimate Helper Meal Mixes and Betty Crocker Ultimate Potatoes Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

I admit that sometimes even I need some help in the kitchen. Usually it is because I procrastinated, didn't write up a meal plan, and have no idea what to eat for dinner. I have also had those days that are just too busy, time escapes me, and dinner is needing to be done and on the table lightning fast. I know that there are times when I need quick go-to meals to turn to when there is little to no time to prepare something else.

The contents of the Ultimate Helper Meal Mixes and Betty Crocker Ultimate Potatoes.

All-new Betty Crocker Ultimate Potatoes and Ultimate Helper mixes will help you get dinner on the table faster and create a delicious meal to feed your family. Each box comes with both seasoning and a creamy sauce. Betty Crocker Ultimate mixes come in a variety of flavors that include: Ultimate Hamburger Helper Creamy Stroganoff, Ultimate Chicken Helper Creamy Parmesan, Ultimate Chicken Helper Cheddar Broccoli, Ultimate Hamburger Helper Three Cheese Marinara, Ultimate Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Ultimate Loaded Mashed Potatoes and Ultimate Au Gratin Potatoes. I received the Ultimate Hamburger Helper Three Cheese Marinara and Betty Crocker Ultimate Loaded Mashed Potatoes plus a gift pack to try out for free to facilitate this review.

Meal spread with the Prize Pack (kale not included).

The Ultimate Hamburger Helper Three Cheese Marinara is has real tomato herb marinara sauce and an herb seasoning with real cheddar, Parmesan and ricotta cheese. The box has easy to follow instructions and Box Tops. It comes with penne pasta, naturally flavored seasoning mix, and tomato herb sauce. You will need to add 1lb lean ground beef, 1 cup hot water and 2 and 1/4 cups milk. This has artificial color which I didn't think necessary in the ingredients. (contains wheat, milk; may contain egg and soy ingredients if you are allergic)

The Ultimate Loaded Mashed Potatoes are made with real cheddar cheese and 100% real potatoes. The box has easy to follow instructions and Box Tops. These are loaded mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese, imitation bacon flavored bits and parsley. You will need to add 1 and 1/3 cups water, 2 tbsp butter or margarine, and 1/2 cup milk. This has caramel color and artificial color which I didn't think necessary in the ingredients. This box comes with enough potatoes for 2 meals (4 servings each) per box. These were very creamy and yummy. I loved the bacon flavor and the sprinkle of parsley. (contains milk, soy and wheat ingredients if you are allergic)

I included Kale from my friends garden to this meal to balance it out.

The 3-piece bamboo serving bowls are Moso Bamboo 3-piece Serving Bowl Set in Orange from Zak! Designs. These are made with 75% bamboo and are biodegradable. These are hand wash only and are not microwave safe. They have an organic shape that I really like and a radiant orange color that brightens up the kitchen (other colors you can purchase are red, kiwi and azure). I love that these are so versatile to serve all kinds of food in them. Comes in capacity of: 3.5 qt / 3.31 liters, 1.75 qt / 1.65 liters, 1.25 qt / 1.18 liters.

The Serving spoon is a Loft 12-inch Kitchen Spoon in Orange also from from Zak! Designs. This spoon has a Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) handle that is comfortable to grip and gives the spoon a pop of color. The spoon part is made of nylon and is heat resistant up to 350 degrees. This is also dishwasher safe and BPA free. This should not be microwaved. This serving spoon is great for stirring sauces, pasta and more! It is also safe for non-stick cookware.

The 4 plates are a 10-inch Square Dinner Plate also from Zak! Designs and are BPA free. They are 100% melamine and dishwasher safe. These should not be microwaved. These are great for both indoor and outdoor entertaining. The Birdcage design has a black and white geometric flower with a dash of orange color in one corner. These clean easily and are great for kids to use.

The Ultimate Mixes Prize Pack.

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Prize: One lucky reader will get an Ultimate Prize Pack worth $55 that includes the following:

• 1 box of Ultimate Hamburger Helper
• 1 box of Betty Crocker Ultimate Potatoes
• 3-piece bamboo serving bowls
• Serving spoon
• 4 plates

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product to review and the same product to giveaway for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

CSN Stores Noritake Elements Marine Plates and Bowls Review

Since I am a CSN Preferred Blogger I received a $65 Gift Code free to use at their stores and review the items I got with it. I decided to get the Noritake Elements Marine Dinner Plates and the Noritake Elements Marine Multi-Purpose Bowls with it because I was lacking in a matching set of good hardy dishes in my kitchen. I wanted a set of 8 dishes each so I splurged a little and bought the extra with my own money because I went over the $65 of the gift code quite a bit, but it was well worth it in my opinion. These dishes have a beautiful deep marine blue and lighter blue textured finish to them that reminds me of the dancing moonlight on a calm rippling ocean. They are a part of the Noritake Elements Marine Collection and I am going to be coming back for more of the set :) They are wonderful because they are made of stoneware which is microwave, oven and dishwasher safe! These dishes are beautiful, very functional and practical!

The plates that I got are 10.75" in diameter and the bowls I got are 6.5" in diameter. They have other sizes in both plates and bowls in this collection, but we decided on these and we are glad we did. The plates are a very good size for a whole meal to fit on and the bowls are great for all sorts of things especially large bowls of soup or salad. They both hold quite a bit and I am truly happy with our decision! I am thinking of purchasing the mugs and salad plates too to go with these. I also love the creamer and covered sugar dish and currently have them on my wish list on CSN Stores as well :)

BUY IT:
I paid $11.85 each for them and now they are listed as $16 each...so the price will probably vary depending upon when you buy the item and how many are in stock at the time. I have also noticed that when you add them to your wish list when the price happens to be lower the price stays the lowered price listed in your wish list even if it goes up in price later on in the website and it looks like CSN Stores will honor that lower price if you add the item to your cart from your wish list. Which is neat!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to CSN Stores for providing me with the $65 Gift Code free to use at their stores so that I could review the items I got with it. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this review.