RRR Challenge adding one more R

Smith Rock, Oregon

What I've been thinking about lately...

1. Skin Care products and their effect on the environment.

2. Disposable coffee cups. Yes we have a Starbucks habit.

3. Paper Towels. Also a family addiction.

4. Recycling non-curb side plastics at the Master Recycling event coming up.

5. A new Portland Blog I've started reading.

6. Adding one more R for refuse. We're going to put our backyard compost to work.

5 Completed Projects

My first RRR Challenge to myself this year was to not buy any new crafty item until I had completed 5 projects with items that I already had at home. This even meant craft glue as I soon learned halfway through the Japan shell project.

Here are the 5 completed projects...


Valentine's Day cards for grandparents.


Shells brought back from Japan now displayed in shadow box.


My Dinner Voila cookbook! The binders, books, and protective sleeves have been sitting around for months and I finally finished compiling them. The cookbook is a collection of Sarah and Cathryn recipes from what seems like another lifetime ago. Now that it's finally assembled I'm having so much fun rediscovering recipes that I haven't thought about for years.


Freezer paper stencil baby gift.


2 Cute Skirts.

It was very satisfying to know I could do it especially when it came to coming up with a glue solution for the shells. There were a few moments while browsing through blogland where I almost forget or was tempted. I held strong and since the completion of the projects this sweet bird stamp is the one item I've purchased so far.



The next item to purchase will be a new pair of sewing shears that I will promptly hide from the kids. I caught Hunter cutting duct tape with my sewing scissors the other day.

Hearts for February

Blah Blah Blah January. I'm glad it's over because I was so unmotivated the last two weeks of January. It didn't help that it snowed everywhere in Oregon this week except the eastside of Portland! Which is so rough because it's cold and I do not like the cold unless I get to enjoy the snow.

Instead of enjoying a good snow day I've been dreaming of warm Hawaii and all the lush tropical fruit we ate. In fact I would say a good 20% of our vacation was dedicated to visiting farmer markets and trying new fruits. I'm definitely dreaming of 5 papayas for $1. Hunter trying Coconut Milk (water) for the first time. Avocados the size of Grayson's head. Sean attacking a pomelo for the first time. Grayson asking "if the rambutans were living sea creatures."

Looking forward to a very productive month. In sticking with my RRR Challenge I've decided not to buy one piece of fabric, paper or craft supply until I have finish five projects already underway or that I can complete by using my stash of supplies. First up is a set of freezer paper stenciled baby tees for the neighbors new baby. Skateboard, Flames, and AC/DC.

Here's to a happy productive heart filled February.

Millons of years in the making

Volcano National Park, Hawaii

You feel so small and insignificant when you realize how many millions of years it took to create the Islands of Hawaii. It felt amazing to be at a place in the world that has worked so hard to grow from thousands of feet below the sea to thousands of feet above the sea and then to host thousands of life and animal species. We learned yesterday that one new species would arrive to the islands by sea or air every 30,000 years. Then there is the realization that you can drive from the dry barren rim of the Halema`uma`u Pit Crater to the lush rain forest lava tubes in less than 5 minutes.


Thurston Lava Tubes, Volcano National Park

I considered myself a pretty environmentally conscious person. I have to admit that it's much easier here in 80 degree weather then back home where you're separating recycling in 40 degrees while being pelted by the rain. We are staying about 25 miles south of Kona in a rural residential area where hundreds of homes use only the rain water collected from their own homes for showers, drinking, toilets and washing clothes. They also have to transport all their own garbage to refuse stations located along the highway. Which is really two guys and a really big truck. When you are responsible for your own water and transporting your own garbage it really makes you think about what you're doing and using on a daily basis.


Rainbow Falls, Hilo

I know that they do these acts out of necessity but this past week has helped re-energized my commitment to incorporate environmentally friendly acts into daily family life. I propose a family 2008 challenge to be more mindful of consumption or better yet to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Jack Johnson would be so proud.