Summer vacation is here and it’s a great time to start planning different activities for your kids. Summer reading programs hosted by local public libraries and businesses are a fantastic way to encourage your children to read (or be read to) and earn prizes for doing it! Jen from Thrifty NW Mom, Karrie from Happy Money Saver and I have teamed up to bring you the most comprehensive list of summer reading programs in the Pacific Northwest. In this post, I have listed national summer reading programs as well as local programs in Western Oregon and SW Washington. Head to Thrifty NW Mom for a list of Puget Sound programs and Happy Money Saver for a Keep Reading
Summer Reading Programs 2013: National and Pacific Northwest programs
What’s for dinner? This week’s vegetarian menu plan (6/17)
While my family eats a vegetable-based diet, we are not hard-core vegetarians by any stretch. We love a good burger, keep bacon in the freezer at all times, and haven't met a meatball we didn't like. However, summertime is easily my favorite season to buy and prepare vegetable-based meals. There is so much variety and flavor coming from our garden and farmers markets. And it's only June! Here's what's for dinner at my house this week: Monday -- Spinach & Feta Pie with an Oat Crust, green salads Tuesday -- Breakfast for Dinner: Belgian Waffles, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit Wednesday -- Leftovers Thursday -- Perfect Veggie Burgers, Potato Keep Reading
Pacific Northwest Fairs & Festivals 2013: Western Oregon & SW Washington edition
Jen from Thrifty NW Mom, Karrie from Happy Money Saver and I have teamed up to bring you the most comprehensive list of summer festivals and fairs in the Pacific Northwest. In this post, I have listed festivals and fairs in Western Oregon and SW Washington. Head to Thrifty NW Mom for a list of Puget Sound events and Happy Money Saver for a list of Eastern Washington and Central and Eastern Oregon events. PORTLAND METRO May & June Rose Festival, May 19-June 16, Portland Berry Jam Festival, June 15-16, NW Portland Portland Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, June 15, SE Portland Tigard Festival of Balloons, June 21-23, Keep Reading
What’s for dinner? This week’s vegetarian menu plan (6/10)
Last week was a complete train wreck. I cooked dinner a grand total of 0 times (I'm not counting the night I pulled off an inspired combo of scrambled eggs and sliced oranges.) Thanks to friends who delivered freezer meals, sisters who dropped off soup and PB&J's, and neighbors who grilled burgers, we felt the love via food. I am beyond thrilled to jump into a new week. And I'm pretty sure my little family is looking forward to life getting back to normal (whatever that is), starting in the kitchen. Here's what's for dinner at my house this week: Monday -- Leftovers Tuesday -- Pita Bread with Hummus and Middle Eastern Vegetable Keep Reading
Father’s Day gift ideas for the outdoor enthusiast
It's time to celebrate dads everywhere! Father's Day is quickly approaching (Sunday June 21st in 2020). While things are still fairly weird and up in the air (who knows what June will look like!), these are some gift ideas for the outdoor enthusiast. Whether camping and hiking are open where you are right now or you're just in planning stages for the future. Father's Day Gifts for the Outdoor Enthusiast Leatherman Tool These are fantastic multi-use tools that will help him MacGyver out of any situation. They range in price from $15 - $85. Bear Grylls products If he likes to live on the edge like Bear Grylls (or just really Keep Reading
What’s for dinner? This week’s Paleo menu plan (6/3)
Menu Plan by Melody We are a family of four, including two toddler boys who eat their body weight in food every day. We eat a Paleo-ish diet, with the majority of our meals and snacks made with whole foods. We don’t eat pasta, beans or grains of any kind and very little dairy. We are super busy during the week, with trips to the gym most afternoons, so are constantly on the lookout for meals that can be prepared ahead of time or thrown in the crock pot. Meal planning is very important for our family, as the last minute options we used to rely on (grilled cheese, PB&J, frozen pizza) aren’t in the cards anymore. I try to do as much prep as Keep Reading
Staycation 2013: Exploring cities all over the United States
Earlier this week, I posted a ton of frugal and fun things to do in and around the Portland Metro area as part of the nationwide Year of the Staycation series. Today we are pleased to bring you links to Year of the Staycation posts from around the United States. Each post is organized by geographical region. Be sure to check out your summer travel destination as well as your local area for fun and frugal ways to make the most of your upcoming summer fun! Pacific Portland, Oregon :: Frugal Living NW Seattle, Washington :: Thrifty NW Mom Fresno, California (Central Valley) :: NerdFamily Blog Los Angeles, California :: Savings.com San Diego, Keep Reading