Oct 19, 2009

Matisyahu tonight in Eugene. I think this link will apply to two people I know. Oh well: http://ping.fm/Qeorf

Jul 17, 2009

Such a good edition of This American Life: http://ping.fm/KXjDG

Jul 8, 2009

Great 70 page resource on ‘how to’ off grid living which is usually up to $20 retail. Downloadable for free currently: http://ping.fm/hdHxN

Jun 12, 2009

Off to Kailedescope Pizzaria to meet the Youngs: http://ping.fm/04UzF

The Garden - Phase II

In phase one of the garden, we added lime to raise the pH and soil amending compost to break up the clay and improve drainage. Then, after tilling it in, we let the ground sit for weeks to reach equilibrium again. So, we tilled everything in late March following the last winter frost (almost!) and didn't get back out there until late April. Here is the garden area once I put in all the posts as well as a picture of the green deer gate I got (the deer get really aggressive here, especially as the summer browns the wild and peoples' yards are the only green area.


Jun 11, 2009

You've probably heard about it - Cash for Clunkers - here's a guide: http://ping.fm/P3rnA (it's not that effective)
The Holy Grail of renewable energy: http://ping.fm/ovLtD

Jun 9, 2009

Pack a lunch? Get one of these: http://ping.fm/Jj2O5

Jun 2, 2009

May 21, 2009

Garden - Phase I

These photos are from the end of March. I can't wait to show you pictures of what the garden looks like now but I'm finally posting the pics from the beginning. Actually, in the beginning, the area you see was waist high weeds. Weeds with burrs. I threw away the shirt I wore the weekend I cleaned that area out. Anyways, if you've never gardened I highly recommend it. Whether it's in pots on a balcony or on land like this. Gardening yields many lessons, not just fruit, herbs and veggies. Lessons I would have missed if I wasn't in the garden.





Another good reason to play an instrument: http://ping.fm/OVMRa

May 18, 2009

May 4, 2009

I can't/wouldn't go, maybe you can/would? Discount: http://ping.fm/KzfdR

Apr 22, 2009

We helped the Rogue River Greenway Project win a $10,000 grant: http://ping.fm/aUyKQ
My friend's cause - choose your charity and get a unique organic-cotton t-shirt: http://ping.fm/MCquU

Apr 14, 2009

An unnerving video combining history and speculation about new media: http://ping.fm/qElVN

Apr 10, 2009

A young rivalry in the Western Conference is born: http://ping.fm/lb8TL
Go Blazers...
Understanding happiness: http://ping.fm/DActa

Apr 1, 2009

Beware: http://ping.fm/tskjM
Fun or invasive?

Jan 12, 2009

Happy New Year 2009!



We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I have been meaning to update our blog for so long and finally I am going to do it tonight!

A few weeks before Christmas we drove up and hunted for a Christmas tree. It was a beautiful sunny day. Hardly any snow on the ground but we had a great time. Later that night it was so much fun to watch the kids enjoy decorating the tree with Christmas music playing.










Our Christmas celebration began with a Sunday evening "Early Christmas" with Mom & Dad Doell. The kids could not wait to open their presents -- it was torture for them to have to eat Christmas dinner first! It was fun to watch them open their presents in delight and say cute things like, "I wanted this my whole life!" Even Finn got in on the action by ripping up wrapping paper. He is 8 months old and not crawling yet which actually worked out nicely this Christmas -- we didn't have to worry too much about babyproofing!







We continued our Christmas celebration by traveling to southern California to celebrate with Anika's family. The kids talked about it for months! It was so wonderful to be all together and even though the trip got off to a rocky start with illnesses, the Lord blessed us with over a week of getting to be together. Our nephew, Angel, who had a liver, bowel, and pancreas transplant in July, had to go to the hospital in LA for clinic but thankfully did not have to be admitted while we were visiting. This was the best Christmas gift of all!!! It was so much fun to watch all the kids play together and at night we stayed up late after they were all asleep. We had such a great time! To top it all off, the weather was sunny and in the 70's -- ahhhh, wonderful! The day before New Years we were excited to take the kids on a little outing to the beach. We took Hudson along and Sarah & Nick took care of Finn. We rang in the New Year all together with hopes for a calm and peaceful 2009. It was sad to say goodbye but we can't wait until the next time we can be together again!


The kids on Christmas morning at Oma & Opa's (wearing their new PJ's from Oma) :)


Emerie and Elias sharing a special moment at the duck pond near Oma & Opa's house


Emerie, Auntie Sarah and baby Haven (5 months old)


Uncle Erik and Finn (8 months old)


Hudson, Angel, Uncle Nick and Elias at the Bass Pro Shop