Wordless Wednesday Teela's New Bicycle

Teela received money from her Nonnie and Al for Christmas and bought a new bicycle with it.

Once Teela gets better at riding Zari can take a ride on the pegs.

Teela loves her new bike!

How To Window Box: Small-Space Plants to Grow Indoors or Out Book Review

I received this book free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Chantal Aida Gordon & Ryan Benoit are authors of the popular garden blog, The Horticult. It chronicles their learning experience about gardening and design. I personally love their blog and want to incorporate more of a "plant-infused lifestyle" into my everyday existence.

You don't have to have a lot of space to garden and window boxes create the perfect space for plants both outside and inside your window sill. Chantal Aida Gordon & Ryan Benoit's new book, How To Window Box: Small-Space Plants to Grow Indoors or Out, is a nod towards traditional container gardening, but with some exuberant flair. The book takes window boxes and breaths new life into them.

Book Contents.

This small hardback book is just under 6 x 9 – and less than 180 pages, but has a tremendous amount of  information. There are 16 total designs that this tiny book features: from herbs to succulents to carnivorous plants, to jungle plants to woodland plants and other plants in between. This book has a window box for everyone. Projects range from super simple to challenging. This book shows how to: choose plants, know where to purchase them, arrange them, cultivate them, make window boxes for them, use lighting, know how much to water them, know where these plants will likely thrive, fertilize them, prune them, do other fun projects to maximize your space, etc. The photos are colorful and inviting and help give reference to the plants and completed window box projects.

Inside Sneak Peek.

I am loving this gardening book! I highly recommend it to others that: don't have a lot of space to garden, need more ideas for container gardening, want to bring more plants indoors, want to brighten your window spaces, or just love gardening. I can't wait to try out the projects in this book!

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Official Website: https://thehorticult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHorticult/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thehorticult @thehorticult
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Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Thehorticult

BUY IT
You can purchase How To Window Box on Amazon for $10.52 (at time of post).



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Blogging For Books for sending me this book for free to review. 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. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Creation Illustrated Unit Studies Review

Some pictures of the Pine Trees and pine cones on our property.

Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog. My family had the privilege of trying the unit studies from Creation Illustrated for this review to use in conjunction with our own homeschool curriculum. This is a Homeschool Review Crew Review. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my family.

Creation Illustrated is owned by a non-profit, non-denominational ministry dedicated to share Biblical truth and character-building lessons about God's creations. Creation Illustrated is a quarterly magazine by the same name that was first published in the Fall of 1993. Each magazine now includes a creation character-building lesson and a coloring contest for all ages to enter. Also new is a nature photography contest and poetry contest to inspire people of all ages to get outdoors and creatively use their cameras and pens. The print version has no ads. Published and edited by Christian homeschooling couple, Tom and Jennifer Ish, this nature magazine provides positive reading material for families all over the world. They also produce DVDs, books, unit studies, cookbooks, and more. These are going to be available in new digital editions soon to the general public to purchase.

The Unit Studies are about individual topics that cover God's creations. There are 8 different ones so far that you can pick from Creation Illustrated. These range from animals to plants and other subjects in between. We received two unit studies in PDF versions: Snow Unit Study and Pine Trees Unit Study. These correspond with the Winter '18 Digital Edition and Fall '17 Digital Edition of the magazines.

How We Used This and Our Thoughts:
We were given the snow and pine trees unit studies in PDF format to use for our homeschool. We picked the Pine Trees Unit Study to focus on for this review. These unit studies both include lots of fun facts and activities like; links to educational videos, a puzzle, etc. Subjects that are explored in these are: reading, Bible study, science, math, geography, vocabulary, spelling, and art. Both are targeted for grades 5-8, but parts of the lessons can be used for grades 3-4 as well.

My daughter, Teela, who is in 4th grade used this with our botany lessons at home. Teela is ahead in reading and so we thought even though this is recommended for grades 5-8 she would still do well with this study. I love trees and since we have some pines on our property I wanted her to learn more about them. I must say though, I too got a lot out of this study.

Pine Trees Unit Study Cover

Pine Trees Unit Study

Creation Illustrated Fall 2017 Magazine

The Pine Trees Unit Study is primarily for grades 5-8. This 16 page study also has an answer key in the back and goes hand-in-hand with the Fall 2017 edition of the Creation Illustrated Magazine. The nature unit studies we received were in a downloadable and printable PDF format and is taught in a Biblical creation based, Christian worldview.

Table of Contents:

• Reading Resources – 3
• Educational Videos – 3
• Vocabulary & Spelling – 4, 5
• Bible Study – 6
• Geography – 7
• Science – 8, 9
• Math – 10
• Writing & Penmanship – 11
• Art – 12
• Puzzle – 13
• Teacher’s Answer Keys – 14, 15

The Reading Resources were outside links and we found that not all of them worked, but we found them when searching for the title and the main part of the website it was supposed to be on. We thought the Fibonacci spirals in pine cones were really neat. The List of pines by region also was helpful, but we went searching and narrowed it down further to pines in Oregon where we live. The Educational Videos were great. We loved learning about the 2nd oldest tree in the world called Methuselah. We also enjoyed the video on Japan and Pine trees as well. I did not know that the gourmet Matsutake mushroom and calligraphy ink depend upon the pine trees there. The Vocabulary and Spelling were words found in The Enduring Pine Tree article from in the Fall magazine. These helped with spelling and learning definitions of these words. The Bible Study has you look up bible scripture, list what the word is being used for, and mark if it is pine or fir. The Geography unit was all about what country/region went with specific species of Pine. The Science unit has you identify pine trees by characteristics, etc. The Math is a bunch of tree math problems. The Writing & Penmanship is a short essay on Pine Trees. The Art study is drawing a picture. Last there is a word search Puzzle and the Teacher's Answer Keys.

Zari and Teela with a gigantic Pine Cone on display at the Children's Discovery Museum in Kelso, WA.

The 76 page digital version of the creation magazine for fall of 2017 is jam packed with information, stories, full color photography, and a few ads. The digital edition of the magazine lets you digitally turn pages, zoom in and out, make it full screen, and press play to flip through pages automatically. I wish the digital magazine was available to download as well, but currently it is not. This is nicely laid out and went well with the homeschool unit study about Pine Trees. I loved reading about the facts of pines in the article, "The Enduring Pine Tree: Creation Up Close" by Tatiana Claudy. I did not know there were 126 species that botanists have identified and that a few of these trees date back to the era of Noah's Flood which are still standing today. I loved the way this magazine made use of Bible verses throughout its articles so you could look up scripture and have Bible study as well. The photographs are stunning and I agree with others that this magazine is "The Christian answer to National Geographic." The article "The Day the Sun Went Out" by Bobby Harrison reminded me of my experience recently with the Total Solar Eclipse here in Oregon and my trip in 1998 to Curaçao in the Caribbean to watch one in totality. The magazine had other articles as well and some recipes to try. The Vegan Mincemeat Bread Pudding looked really yummy. There is also a short study guide in the back and family activities that you can do.

Snow Unit Study Cover

Snow Unit Study

Creation Illustrated Winter 2018 Magazine

The Snow Unit Study goes along with the Creation Illustrated Magazine, Winter '18 Digital Edition. It follows a similar structure for contents with an emphasis on snow instead of Pine trees. We can't wait to dive into this study closer to when winter is again.

We love these unit studies about our Creator and His creations. These are a great way to have outdoor education with homeschool activities. The Bible-based magazine is a wonderful addition to these as well.

Follow Them on Social Media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreationIllustrated/timeline
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CreationMag
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creation_illustrated/
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/creationnature/pins/
• #hsreviews #CreationIllustrated

BUY IT

• Subscriptions to the Ad-free quarterly PRINT editions of Creation Illustrated Magazine are for 1 year and available for 25% Off at: Creation Illustrated under the Subscriptions tab.
• Subscriptions to the quarterly DIGITAL editions of Creation Illustrated Magazine are coming soon.
• Creation Unit Studies are available to download at 30% Off at: https://dv157.infusionsoft.com/app/storeFront/showCategoryPage?categoryId=6

Creation Illustrated Spring 2018 Magazine Cover Sneak Peek

The Unit Study from the Spring edition will be available soon and it is all about butterflies and transformation along with character-building lessons!

Read other homeschool curriculum reviews for Creation Illustrated...

Wordless Wednesday Bullfrog Sighting

Teela and Zari found this American Bullfrog while on their nature walk.

Up close. He jumped back into the water by the road after saying hi.

Wordless Wednesday Amphibians & Reptiles

Zari and the frog she found.

Zari with a Long-Toed Salamander we found on our Nature walk.

Quilted Monkey Mat Review

I received this product free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Monkey Mat has you covered both in and outdoors. No more bulky blankets! The Monkey Mat is easy to take on the go to just about anywhere! Just fold up and stuff it in the attached pouch. Make your space, any place.

Features:

• Clean
• Cushy
• Portable
• Compact to carry
• In/Outdoor
• Soft 5'x5' mat
• Ripstop nylon
• Durable
• Machine washable
• Water repellent
• Loops for stakes (sold separately)
• Weighted corners
• Center loops to attach items like: toys, keys, dog, leash, etc.
• Attached 10”x10” pouch
• Perfect for travel, home, beaches, parks, concerts, picnics, dirty floors, sporting events, outdoor festivals, camping, and more!
• Seats 4, lounges 2
• Comes in gray groove, blue yonder, and red coral crush

Quilted Monkey Mat Picnic

What We Thought:

We love the Quilted Monkey Mat! We got a red one to try out. It is lovely to take traveling so we can lay it out and be able to sit just about anywhere. We found it works best on flat surfaces though. We also love that if the grass is slightly damp from dew or rain showers then this mat is perfect because it is water proof and water repellent so your tushie doesn't get wet while sitting in it. We also love the attached pouch. It is so convenient to just shake it off, fold up, stuff in the bag, zip, and go. The pouch also has a handle you can hold and hang it from. This would be great for trips to the zoo, outdoor concerts, festivals, fairs, etc. We had a picnic outside on a nice sunny day in out front yard too. We like the idea it could be staked down because even with the weighted corners it was blowing around a bit. I love that it can be machine washed and is easily wipe-able in case of spills too.

This is a great mat for both indoors and out and I highly recommend this for anyone who needs a good sized mat for sitting or lounging on.

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonkeyMat
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MonkeyMatMama
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monkeymatmama
Tags: #QuiltedMonkeyMat #MonkeyMatLifestyle #MonkeyMatMama

BUY IT
You can purchase these from their store online My readers get to save! Use coupon code "USFAM" for $5 off + Free Shipping! http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=12778&dealid=2716. @usfg or from Amazon.com.



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate this review. 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.

Quilted Monkey Mat Savings Offer

US Family Guide provided me with this promotional offer information to share with my readers. This is a sponsored post.

The *NEW* Quilted Monkey Mat is your cushy, portable mat for in/outdoor use that can go everywhere! Luxurious yet affordable and with lots of fun features, you can enjoy the waterproof base, central loops for attaching items, spill resistant top, weighted corners, loops for stakes, and the attached ultra-compact pouch to take everywhere! Perfect for park, beach, dirty floors, concerts, picnics, sporting events, camping, and more. No more bulky blankets! So go ahead - Make your space, any place! www.monkeymat.com

My readers get to save! Use coupon code "USFAM" for $5 off + Free Shipping!
http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=12778&dealid=2716. @usfg

Follow Monkey Mat
Instagram, Twitter: @MonkeyMatMama
Facebook: Monkey Mat
Pinterest: Monkeymatmama
Tags: #QuiltedMonkeyMat #MonkeyMatLifestyle

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am posting about the Quilted Monkey Mat Offer I am getting a free Monkey Mat in gray or red. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information and free product. 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.

Camerons Open-Fire Pit Grill Review and Great Pit Grilling Tips for the 4th of July!

I received the Camerons Open-Fire Pit Grill free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.


10 Great Pit Grilling Tips...

1. Check to make sure fire pits are permitted wherever you are before starting a fire.
2. Make sure the fire is properly enclosed by rocks, bricks or other flame-resistant material.
3. Use only dry, seasoned wood for cooking over a fire pit. Green wood will not burn well and produces too much smoke. Dead wood is better for a clean-burning, high-temperature fire. Using charcoal briquettes for your grill’s heat? Then light the coals about 30 minutes before cooking.
4. Want a great grill that is portable to take with you camping, fishing, etc., get Camerons Open-Fire Pit Grill!
5. Keep a bucket of water nearby in case you need to put out the fire. Have a spray bottle full of water nearby your grill in cause of flare-ups.
6. Wash everything after handling raw meat, and don’t reuse the plate that you used for uncooked meat.
7. Experiment with different types of marinades, seasonings and rubs to give your food extra flavor. Marinade meat overnight for best results.
8. Use a spatula or tongs to move and flip your food. Keep high-heat resistant oven mitts or grilling gloves nearby to use if needed.
9. Before, in between and after cooking keep your grill grate clean with a long handled stiff wire brush.
10. Distinguish the fire when you are done with it. Use a small shovel to to stir/breakup the wood, coal and ash. Then sprinkle with water and continue to do this until no more steam rises and you hear no hissing steam. Let it sit for a good 10 minutes and "feel" (get close to the ash and coal, but not touching it) if there is any more heat coming from the fire with the back of your hand. If there is still some sprinkle with more water.

About the Camerons Open-Fire Pit Grill:

• Great for camping, beach parties, fire pits, open fires, camp fires, outdoor activities, etc.
• Extra-large 17 ¾” round non-stick grilling area with adjustable height. No tools required.
• Nonstick Stainless Steel grilling surface.
• Holds up to 12 lbs. of food and specially designed arm allows grate to stay firm when loaded.
• Product can easily swing away from the fire to load or unload food.
• Easy to clean, dishwasher safe.
• Easy to store, portable, and comes with a convenient carrying bag.
• MSRP: $39.99

Camerons Open-Fire Pit Grill used with a fire pit.

My Thoughts:
The Camerons Open-Fire Pit Grill is a very handy lightweight, portable grill. I love that it has a bag to carry it with the gear to a campsite and since it doesn't weigh much it is perfect for taking backpacking. The assemblage of the whole thing is very straightforward. The post/pole comes in two pieces and screws together. I love that is is so adjustable and swings away from the fire so you can build the fire or load and unload food easier.

We noticed a few different things when using the Camerons Open-Fire Pit Grill. It is made in China. We found that you will need a set of high-heat resistant oven mitts or grilling gloves to use because the screw mechanism to adjust it gets super hot sitting over the fire and you might need to adjust it more than once. You will also need some for swinging it away from the fire. Tongs also work great for this. The grill's post that is used to secure it in the ground will need pounded into the ground pointy end down by a good size rock or mallet. This post had a black coating that was flaking off when we received it. The grate does warp and get blackened a little while over the fire holding the food. The blackening is just smoke and will come off with a good washing. Since it does have only one post on one side of the grate, it does tend to shift and is not level when loaded with food to grill. Foods like corn on the cob or potatoes like to roll off if not positioned well on the grill surface.

I decided that I wanted to first use this on our farm over my fire pit to see how it performed before we took it camping. We made corn on the cob, bratwursts, and toast on it. If you have aluminum foil on hand you can also bake potatoes and fish, make S'mores, etc. It is super simple to clean even without a dishwasher and the nonstick grilling surface makes it wonderful to grill with without having food stuck to the grate; however we did try to grill a S'more straight on the grilling surface and it wouldn't come off until scraped with our grill brush, so better to use foil for some things, I guess. It did very well with most everything we grilled on it though and the smokey flavor was a wonderful departure from our traditional propane powered grill. 

BUY IT
This is an awesome portable grill for the 4th of July!



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these products for free to facilitate this review. 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. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Get Outdoors and #DiscoverTheForest

We love getting outside and sharing the great outdoors with friends and family. My favorite pastimes for outdoor activities in the summer are hiking, backpacking, nature walking, camping, tree climbing, rock climbing, biking, horseback riding, swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, fishing, picnicking, barbecuing, foraging, hunting, and gathering, wildcrafting, harvesting crops, farming, and gardening. Any one of these activities lets my family, friends and I get fresh air and get back to nature. We have a "naturehood" nearby us called Dibblee Beach. This beach with Columbia River access is just a short walk from our home. We love to go there and relax and play. We also have Lake Sacajawea Park across the river from us in Longview Washington. We enjoy spending time there to picnic, BBQ, or have our kids play on the playgrounds that surround the scenic lake.

Nature is closer than you think. Every neighborhood has a #Naturehood, urban forest areas and parks that are just a short-drive away, making it easy for families to unplug from the daily routine and reconnect with nature. These urban forests offer many of the same benefits as national forests, but they're right in the neighborhood. Beyond the swings, slides and clearings, there are trails, trees, wildlife and water just waiting for the urban dweller. To find a neighborhood park or green space near you, visit DiscoverTheForest.org.

Research has shown that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and are more likely to become environmentally conscious in the future. Kids need to discover the wonders of nature, make memories with their families and friends outdoors, and develop an interest in the environment by creating a lifelong relationship with it. Spending time together outdoors helps enrich family life.

DiscoverTheForest.org features an interactive map tool that enables users to search for nearby forests and parks, and filter by zip code and desired activities. Free outdoor activities are also available for download and printing, which you can take the next time you visit.

SOCIAL • CORNER
Website - DiscoverTheForest.org
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/discovertheforest
Twitter - https://twitter.com/discoverforest
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/discoverforest/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/discovertheforest/

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I'm participating in a group initiative with Homestead Bloggers Network about the importance of getting outdoors with your family. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any compensation for doing this post. My name is going into a drawing for a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

The Okee Dokee Brothers Saddle Up: A Western Adventure Album Review and Giveaway

We received this product free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this post. Thank you for supporting this blog.

The Okee Dokee Brothers, Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander, are wonderful outdoors men and Americana folk musicians. The duo are at it again with a new album and adventure. This new album is called Saddle Up: A Western Adventure and it is their third Adventure Album. This album, just like their first (Can You Canoe?: A Mississippi River Adventure) and their second (Through The Woods: An Appalachian Adventure) albums, has a DVD along with the CD that shares footage of their journey in the part of the USA they are trekking in and a field journal, liner notes from journals they kept.

In this album The Okee Dokee Brothers spent a month horseback riding, camping, exploring, filming, and making music (This whole CD and DVD!) on location along the Continental Divide. They met some neat people along the way that shared their stories and music with them while they took a small breather from exploring the outdoors and creating their own songs. This album is a wonderful compilation of 15 original tracks from The Okee Dokee Brothers with songs that feature some guest artists. This album features an array of instruments such as: banjo, guitar (electric, acoustic, & baritone), drums, wheelbarrow, washboard, whistling, coconuts, cardboard box, bottles, tin can, udu, rusted steel drum, trombone, electric bass, jawharp, hoots, hollers, autoharp, percussion, dobro, steel guitar, accordion, Navajo vocals and chants, harmonica, fiddle, upright bass, piano, Wurlitzer, organ, Nord keyboard, pedal steel, and vibes.

The Okee Dokee Brothers make riding horses look good :)

See the Trailer for the Saddle Up DVD here...



Track Listing on the CD:

1. Saddle Up: The title track to this CD, this song has a lot of country heart.
2. Don't Fence Me In: Upbeat song about riding in the wide open country.
3. Cow Cow Yippee: This is a funny song about being a cowboy with the cows.
4. The Great Divide: A nice song about the the Continental Divide.
5. Jackalope (with Jim Campilongo): A very silly song about a creature that might, or might not be imaginary. This song has a ballad feel to it.
6. One Horsepower: Song about trading your caddy and truck for driving cattle on a horse.
7. The Legend of Tall Talkin' Sam (with Rosie Newton): Song about a girl named Sam that likes to tell tall tails.
8. Hard Road To Travel: A very truthful song about life and that sometimes you just have to buck-up. I love the instraments in this one.
9. Shootin' Star (with Cindy Cashdollar): A song about Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, & Calamity Jane and how even the sharp shooters put down their guns and bullets for a good song and strumming the guitar.
10. Sister Moon and Brother Sun (with The Benally Family): A beautiful song with American Indian chants and the story about how the woods were made, rivers were forged, mountains were formed, days were split by the nights. I love this song so much and it is one of my favorites on the CD.
11. Good Old Times: I love the fiddle in this one...a song about reminiscing about good times in the past.
12. Lead A Horse To Water (with John Sebastian): This song has some great harmonica. It is about the spirit of the horse.
13. Somos Amigos (con Carlos Medina): This is a great upbeat song that is great to dance to. It has some Spanish and is about being friends no matter how different you are. Has some great accordion and Mexican sounding beats.
14. The Grass Is Always Greener: I love this song to dance to as well. It is upbeat and has some great fiddle and other instruments. This is a song about wishin' about stuff, but realizing that you still have it good right where you are.
15. Last Lullaby: A soft lullaby lulling a little buckaroo to sleep with a great thought to go with it. This is a great sleepy song for getting your little cowpoke to bed.

With their beards, flannel shirts, overalls and instruments The Okee Dokee Brothers are sure fun to watch perform on stage as well. You can see when their next show is here.

Like all the Adventure Albums before, this one does not disappoint! It is great to take with you to listen to on a family road trip, around a campfire or even while hiking. It is a wonderful reminder to get outside to experience and explore nature with your family and friends. Saddle Up is wonderful music for kids that resonates with adults as well. The songs on this album are serious, silly and everything in between. Some will make you want to dance and others are lullabies that will help lull you to sleep. The messages in all the songs are good and wholesome and The Okee Dokee Brothers feel like Kindred Spirits to me. If they keep making these Adventure Albums I would be thrilled! I can't wait for the next adventure album in this series to see where they will be going next, if there is one. Saddle Up is a must have for any family music collection!

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/okeedokeebros
Twitter - https://twitter.com/OkeeDokeeBros
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/okeedokeebros/
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/OkeeDokeeBros
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/okeedokeebros
BandsInTown - http://www.bandsintown.com/TheOkeeDokeeBrothers

BUY IT
Go HERE and you can buy The Okee Dokee Brothers merchandise.



WIN IT
Prize: Win a copy of The Okee Dokee Brothers Saddle Up: A Western Adventure Album.

I run giveaways with 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!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Beth Blenz-Cluc​as of Sugar Mountain PR for sending me a free The Okee Dokee Brothers - Saddle Up: A Western Adventure Album CD/DVD to facilitate this review. 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. Affiliate links may be in this post. Thank you for supporting this blog.

Free Entry to All National Parks to Celebrate the National Park Service’s 99th Birthday on 8/25

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act creating the National Park Service (NPS), a new federal bureau in the Department of the Interior responsible for protecting the 35 national parks and monuments then managed by the department and those yet to be established (now there are 408 national parks!).

I am surrounded by Oregon and Washington state where I live. Oregon, the gorgeous state where I reside, has a total of 6 national parks, 10 national natural landmarks, and 17 national historic landmarks so far. Crater Lake National Park is by far the most famous of our national parks with its beautiful lake and scenery. Washington state has 14 national parks, 18 national natural landmarks, and 24 national historic landmarks so far. Mount Rainier National Park is one of the national parks in Washington with its gorgeous mountain and surrounding forests.

To celebrate the upcoming centennial of NPS in 2016, the National Park Foundation (NPF) launched their Find Your Park campaign to encourage everyone to get up, get out there and #FindYourPark - no matter your interest.



The National Parks Service has provided 99 ways you could celebrate NPS’ 99^th birthday on August 25, 2015 and get ready for NPS’ big 100^th birthday next year. Founders’ Day also marks fee free day to all national parks.

99 Ways to Find Your Park
http://www.nps.gov/subjects/centennial/nps99.htm

1. Go climbing
2. Write poetry
3. Be an urban hiker
4. Visit a National Heritage Area
5. Dance
6. Learn about climate change
7. Discover a culture new to you
8. Experience silence
9. Walk through a doorway of a historic house
10. Find inspiration in the story of a civil rights leader
11. Go on a ranger-led tour #rangerspointingatthings
12. Hug a tree
13. Make a memory
14. Earn a Jr. Ranger badge
15. Relax on the banks of a scenic river
16. Celebrate innovation
17. Find life in a desert
18. Get inspired by a First Lady
19. Stand on a mountaintop
20. Bring a kid to a park
21. Paddle a water trail
22. Take a photo that matches a historic one #retrogram
23. Try something new
24. Channel your inner Bill Nye—become a citizen scientist
25. Walk a historic main street
26. Find your park in Spanish #encuentratuparque
27. Explore a cave
28. Go green
29. Brush up your national park trivia skills
30. Scout a park, boys and girls!
31. Make art in a park
32. Celebrate Native American heritage
33. Come sail away
34. Take a picnic and dine al fresco
35. Be bear aware 
36. Hit the road
37. Enlighten yourself at a historic lighthouse
38. Go biking
39. Explore Asian American and Pacific Islander culture in America
40. Feel the sand between your toes
41. Share your story
42. Learn about endangered species
43. Join us
44. Follow NPS on social media
45. Follow the footsteps of a woman who made history
46. Get in the know about H2O
47. Bee pollinator friendly
48. Get VIP status
49. Catch a wave
50. Immerse yourself in a living history program
51. Hit record
52. Get prehistoric
53. Improve your health—get a park Rx
54. Use your free active military pass
55. Get reel—Visit a park featured in your favorite movie
56. Join a trail clean-up
57. See the sea
58. Discover a traditional tribal cultural practice
59. Let Elmo and Murray be your guides
60. Mail a postcard
61. Discover history around you
62. Make new friends
63. Raft down a river
64. Pay your respects at a national cemetery
65. Pick a POTUS
66. Take a mini-cruise
67. Plan ahead and prepare
68. Walk nature's treadmill
69. Pose for a family photo in a park
70. Recognize women who made history
71. Reflect on our most difficult stories
72. Stamp your park passport
73. Ride on a historic carousel
74. Run
75. See history from a different perspective
76. Renew your spirit
77. See how NPS helps transform your community
78. Go fish
79. See the starry, starry night
80. Make a splash
81. Share a #tbt park photo
82. Discover the beauty of our nation's other public lands
83. Sleep outside
84. Spread the love—thank a park volunteer
85. Plan the best field trip ever
86. Visit our international sisters
87. Trash Your Trash
88. Find a monument and decode history
89. Travel the Underground Railroad
90. Use the buddy system!
91. Visit for free on our 99th birthday
92. Wander an American battlefield
93. Watch wildlife
94. Take a deep breath
95. Go wild: Experience wilderness
96. Use a national park lesson plan
97. Play
98. Take a sunrise selfie
99. Get ready to celebrate with us in 2016!

The National Park Service waived all of its entrance fees on nine days in 2015. The remaining entrance fee free days are August 25 for the National Park Service’s birthday, September 26 for National Public Lands Day, and November 11 in honor of Veterans Day. The entrance fee waiver does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

Parks are so much more than the majestic landscapes you might think of; they also protect and preserve our culture and history in urban areas and offer endless ways for families to get involved. So get out and go visit a national park!

To find a national park near you, and to learn more about the Find Your Park campaign, visit FindYourPark.com or EncuentraTuParque.com.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I am posting about these events because I want my readers to know about them. Thanks to a public relations email for providing me this campaign information. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any compensation for posting about this campaign and event information.

Stinger Mosquito Repellent Lantern Review

I received the Stinger All Natural Mosquito Repellent Lantern free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

My family really dislikes getting eaten by mosquitoes! Our Oregon weather seems to breed them by the thousands and our farm is by a tributary that flows into the Columbia River a ways off from us. The mosquitoes love coming out in the evening time when the heat has died down and it is a little cooler out. That is when I also love to entertain guests outdoors as well.

The new Stinger All Natural Mosquito Repellent Lantern is a device that repels mosquitoes up a to 15' X 15' area (225 sq. ft.) for up to 12 continuous hours per pad. An ultra-quiet fan diffuses repellent into the air using plant-based, all-natural active ingredients. No heat needed to disperse the scent and it is smokeless.

Quick Facts

• Outdoor use: great for deck/patio, BBQ, camping, backyard/pool
• Repels mosquitoes using a fan-dispersed repellent pad 
• All natural and DEET Free
• Safe around children & pets 
• Blue, LED lighting for night 
• Uses 4 AA batteries (included) 
• Repellent refills come in 6 packages per PDQ tray MSRP $12.99 
• Available at Amazon.com and StingerProducts.com

Stinger Mosquito Repellent Lantern is attractive and functional.

The lantern is easy to operate. After putting in the batteries you place the repellent pad into a drawer located in the side of the lantern. Then you switch on the 3-way power switch that is located to the right of the pad drawer. It has 3 modes. If you switch the toggle to the left the repellent and lantern will operate. If you switch it to the right the lantern will only be on. The middle position is for turning it off. I wish it also had a switch to have it in just repellent mode with no light, but it doesn't. Also if the light bulb inside burns out, there is no way of getting in to replace it. However, it is better than a citronella candle because it won't have to be relit every time a wind blows and there is no hot wax to contend with.

The repellent pads use a powerful plant-based, all-natural active ingredients of essential oils that have been proven to ward off mosquitoes. The active ingredients include: Geraniol (55%), Peppermint Oil (2.5%), Rosemary Oil (2.5%), and Lemongrass Oil (2.5%). Cellulose (37.5%) makes up the last ingredient. The no spill method of installing the pads is not at all messy. Make sure you wash your hands after handling because these essential oils are concentrated and can cause skin irritation. These oils have a very pleasant smell.

Stinger Mosquito Repellent Lantern faint blue glow.

The aesthetically pleasing design is perfect for when you want to entertain outdoors. It has an elegant, decorative vine and leaf pattern that silhouettes against the blue LED light of the lantern. It reminds me of a fairy light (something out of Tinker Bell). Lantern is made of durable plastic so it won't break as easily as glass lanterns. You can also place it on a flat surface or hang it wherever protection is needed. It is small, but effective. The soothing blue illumination is a dimly lit accent lighting that isn't really for seeing by or reading with. The very faint glow is always on when the lantern is on and working.

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Stinger for sending me this product for free to review. 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. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

LifeStraw Go Filtered Water Bottle Review and Giveaway

This review and giveaway is sponsored by Vestergaard through Coyne PR. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

LifeStraw Go in Packaging

Water, we all need it to survive. It is said we can live without food for about 3 weeks, but water is a different story. Water makes up about 60% of the adult human body. It is essential to keep our bodies functioning. The estimate of how long a person could live without water seems to be a week (less in hotter conditions), but this is a generous estimate...three to four days is more likely. The dangers of dehydration are very real and could cause death in severe cases. Whether you are exploring the nearby nature trail or camping in the mountains, having access to clean drinking water is always a priority.

The LifeStraw Go by Vestergaard is a filtered water bottle that uses an advanced hollow fiber membrane technology to convert micro-biologically contaminated water into safe drinking water. The Lifestraw filters and removes 99.9999% of bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella, etc.) and 99.9% of protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium, etc.), and some viruses. It will filter a total of 1,000 liters / 264 gallons to 0.2 microns over the filter's lifetime capacity. When the filter has reached its lifetime capacity it will stop taking in water. Since the water filter is detachable, you can simply purchase a replacement filter when the filter has reached capacity. The bottle can be reused indefinitely, saving waste from disposable plastic water bottles.

LifeStraw Go is durable, convenient, lightweight, safe and portable. It requires no: electricity, pumping, batteries, iodine, or chemicals to use. This filtered water bottle meets US EPA drinking water standards and is made of BPA free Tritan plastic. It has a handy carabiner to hook it to a backpack or belt loop so you always have it ready and accessible. LifeStraw Go holds 23 ounces of water and doesn't leak.

The LifeStraw Go is great to take with you different places where you might not have access to clean drinking water. Take the LifeStraw Go with you and rest assured that you will have clean drinking water on-the-go. It is ideal for:

• hiking
• biking
• camping
• travel
• boating
• fishing
• running
• trekking
• survival
• gift giving

The LifeStraw Go filtered water bottle is so easy-to-use. Just fill container with dirty or unfiltered water. Stop at any lake, river, pond, stream, or even a puddle to fill up the bottle. You can even drink directly from the LifeStraw by placing the end directly in the water. After filling screw on the lid and sip filtered water through the mouthpiece and straw. After each drinking session, unscrew the lid and blow through the LifeStraw to expel dirty water. The food-grade silicone mouthpiece is flexible which prevents it from chipping or cracking, and is also removable for easy cleaning.

I will be taking the LifeStraw Go filtered water bottle with me hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, camping, canoeing, kayaking, etc. Everywhere I go the water will taste amazing with LifeStraw Go and I don't have to worry about the water making me sick. It will be so wonderful to have a water bottle I can always rely on to have clean good tasting water any where I go.

LifeStraw Go is wonderful for trips overseas and cross country. This water bottle is also great for storing in a bug out bag or emergency preparedness kit. It makes a great stocking stuffer for anyone young, old, or in between.

LifeStraw Go and I.

Not only does LifeStraw Go provide clean drinking water to the user, but LifeStraw's 'Follow the Liters' campaign provides one school child in Africa with safe drinking water for an entire school year with the purchase of any LifeStraw water filter!

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Prize:  LifeStraw Go

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate this review and the opportunity to give away one 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. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The Pumpkin Patch and Keeping Portland Lost Corn MAiZE in Sauvie Island Oregon

We received free media passes from US Family Guide to facilitate this review and post.

We sure had a lot of fun last year at The Pumpkin Patch and The Corn Maize on Sauvie Island Oregon. My whole family was excited to go again. We had planned to go on the 11th of October, but bad weather and a family mishap pushed it to the 18th. The staff at The Pumpkin Patch was wonderful in working with us to reschedule a better time and day.

I wanted to make sure that we didn't miss the Corn MAiZE and also see some things we hadn't seen in years past. The market was definitely on our radar so that we could partake of some of the awesome bounty that Sauvie Island had to offer. I was also hoping to go through the Corn MAiZE completely with the girls as we didn't get to last year.

Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island Oregon is a large island bound by the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. It comprises of approximately 30,000 acres of land and lakes. The scenic drives wind around through farm and dairy lands. The gorgeous Sauvie Island Bridge crosses the Multnomah Channel of the Willamette River near Portland, Oregon, United States. This 1,198' (365 m) truss bridge was built from July 2004 - June 23, 2008. I got to see it in construction.

Corn MAiZE entrance.

The entrance to the Corn MAiZE is a covered area with picnic benches and places to take photos. There are also interesting things to read about the maze. There is a whole board filled with past MAiZEs, a large corn cutout, carved pumpkins, a sunflower cutout to poke your head in, a rule board, a large ruler cutout to measure how much you've grown since the last time you were there, and other things as well to keep you occupied while waiting for others to finish the maze.

Corn MAiZE Passports.

Grab a Corn MAiZE passport card before the you start through the maze. They have different categories to choose from, each having their own set of questions to solve. We think they are a lot of fun and very educational. When you get to a checkpoint (numbered sign) along the way, stop and look for the same numbered question on the passport. Answer it and it will tell you which path to take. If you answer correctly you will be on the right path. A wrong answer could get you very lost, so choose wisely.

The girls and I went through the first half of the Corn MAiZE without any trouble!

My daughters, Teela and Zari braved the mud and went through the first half of the maze without any trouble! I remember last year getting very lost and having to turn around and go back the way we came. I am so glad that we made it this year.

Corn MAiZE Fun

While in the corn maze there are 2 points where you go up stairs and over a bridge and then down again into the mud. Yes...I said mud! At first there was a little mud and then there was a lot of mud! I saw people come out of the maze covered in it. I was glad we didn't get too muddy. Next time I think we need to invest in some muck boots for the kids. Also you can see for miles when you are up on the bridges and you can sort of get your bearings. We saw The Pumpkin Patch from one which looked like a dotted orange part of the field from afar.

2nd half of the Corn MAiZE. We made it all the way to the end! Yay!

Feeling rather bold and proud of ourselves for finishing the first half we even decided to go further and try the second, apparently harder path through the maze. We made it all the way to the end and although the whole maze took us a while to go through because I took a bunch of pictures we were so glad we persevered and got to finish!

We love the silly brain teasers called CORNundrums that are throughout the Corn MAiZE.

Along the way through the maze we had fun solving corny brain teasers called CORNundrums. These are silly signs with pictures that represent funny play on words. We laughed so much! It was a great activity and good for the soul.

The Pumpkin Patch Animal Barn

 We love to go in the animal barn at The Pumpkin Patch to see the animals. It is a small barn with a few animals. There are bunnies, chickens, a cow, sheep, goat, llama, etc. There are animal facts posted by some of the animals. I learned that rabbits can purr just like cats do and chickens have more bones in their necks than giraffes. I love the mural on the back wall inside of the barn. It is old and flaking off in spots, but still nice.

Pumpkins from The Pumpkin Patch

This year we didn't visit the pumpkin patch like previous years, mainly because we wanted to go look inside the market. I got some pictures of the kids as we were on our way over to the market. Jaedan wouldn't smile for me in these pictures...oh well.

The Pumpkin Patch Market

We checked out The Pumpkin Patch Market next. There is a fabulous selection of flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs and other local homegrown or homemade treats. Someday I am going to have to buy a Bolga Basket here because I absolutely love them! Maybe I will buy two or three because my girls also found a cute one in their size. They also had some of the largest sauerkraut cabbages I have seen. I love their wall of locally made honey, dressings, sauces, spreads and syrups. They have a wonderful variety of items made of pumpkin. You can pick out a nice pumpkin here or at The Pumpkin Patch.

Our market finds, Jaedan using a cabbage leaf as a hat, and Delbin's pear.

We bought two regular size cabbages, a large mesh bag of hot peppers we are going to dry into pepper flakes, a Blue Hubbard squash to possibly make into a pie, some pears: including a gigantic one Delbin picked out, and some apples with our WIC farmers market coupons before they expired at the end of this October.

Floral gardens and leaving Sauvie Island with a Pumpkin Truck.

As we left The Pumpkin Patch and Corn MAiZE on Sauvie Island we passed some of their pretty flower gardens. Maybe next year we can explore more things we missed in the past years we have been. We were also following a large semi truck filled to the brim with pumpkins across the Sauvie Island Bridge as we drove back home. We had a very fun day at The Pumpkin Patch and Corn MAiZE on Sauvie Island and we hope to get to go back next year.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received free tickets for my family to go to The MAiZE at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island Oregon to facilitate this review. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information and free tickets. 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.