FREE Kids Books

You love your kids! You love the Earth! You want your kids to still have an Earth to live on and love when they grow up!  How bout sharing these FREE books with them? They even have FREE activities to do together!   Oh, and did I mention they were FREE?!!

http://www.livingvalues.net/green.html

A few Good Squirts of Shampoo

Ah, the Backpacker Life.  I came across this photo in my FB Newsfeed this morning and it made me happy to reminisce (wow, I used to think I was a good speller but that one had me going for awhile) on the good ol' life of a backpacker.  And then it made me wonder, for a split second, about my life choices since there are many of these I remember doing before backpacking and continue to do after....but don't worry, the concern only lasted for a split second.  I'm totally proud to be a Traveling, Gypsy, Cheapskate!!!

Traveling friends---would you agree with any of these?!

Here's to Happy, Frugal, Traveling Lives!!!!

I'm in Love!!!!!

For those of you who think I won the lottery or had some secret inheritance to afford me all my travels, I wish you were right. Sadly, that's not the case. As a steady volunteer/teacher/non-profit worker, I've learned to scrimp and save, save, save!

Today I watched a highly intellectual show called "Extreme Cheapskates" and fell in love! These guys are my heroes! Here are some of the pearls of wisdom I took away from the show---great money-saving tips for pinching pennies...every little bit counts! (I also learned things like how to barter for discount butcher meat like goats heads but I'm choosing to pass on that one)

1. Dryer Lint + Toilet Paper Roll = Fire starter log

2.  Do-it-yourself pet beds

3. Soap slivers + panty hose = soap on a rope

4. Rolled up foil stuffed inside citrus bags = home-made brillo pads for scrubbing pots and pans

I saved the best for last..... you're welcome!

10 (more) uses for DRYER LINT!!

*Use it as packing material when mailing things
*Re-spin it into yarn for crocheting/knitting
*Place clumps in your yard to help birds make nests
*Make clay for kids art projects (see link below)
*Protect plants from the cold or as mulch to keep warm and damp
*Stuff a sock with lint and place under a door in the winter to stop a cold air draft
*Make home made recycled paper! (see link below)
http://www.essortment.com/ten-uses-dryer-lint-15708.html

Crossroads

Part of what keeps life interesting is the possibility of new opportunities and change at any given moment.  But, part of what makes life terrifying is the possibility of new opportunities and changes at any given moment! I've reached a point where I have a few offers and major decisions to make and while I'm grateful for options and exciting new adventures, I'm also frightened of the choices I have to make. I feel like I'm at a crossroads and I don't want to make a bad decision ( I know, I know, "there's no such thing as a bad decision if you choose to be happy...blah, blah, blah." I get it). I'd appreciate all your thoughts and prayers as I try to navigate through it all and figure it all out--thanks!

From Katie to Tyra!

The past week or so has been full of lots of highs and lows.  As much as I'd like to say I've been perfect at remaining focused on the good ones, that has not always been the case.  But....I refuse to let life keep me down so I'm getting back up again!

Here's how my week has progressed:

My week started (and has remained like this)

I've been weeble-wobbling my way through it all...

I've been knocked down plenty but I won't let it keep me down!

I'm working on it!

So I'm picking myself up and forging ahead.

And I'm feeling pretty confident.

And I'm making my way from Katie to Tyra!

Happiness is a Sad Song

Although I agree that laughter can be the best medicine sometimes, I'm also a firm believer that a good cry can be cleansing and healing to the soul.  Sometimes you need a little inspiration so I thought I'd share some songs that fit my mood when I'm ready for a good eye cleansing. Some of them aren't sad at face value but evoke certain memories for me, both sad-sad and happy/nostalgic-sad.

The Promise--Tracy Chapman

Colder Weather--Zac Brown Band

Back to December--Taylor Swift

Free--Zac Brown Band

Red Light--David Nail

I Was Here--Beyonce

Skinny Love--Birdy

Solo Para Ti--Camila

Stupid Boy--Keith Urban

Let it Rain--David Nail

Time After Time--Eva Cassidy

True Colors--Eva Cassidy

Wanted--Hunter Hayes

Brand New Day--Joshua Radin

So Long Sunshine--Joshua Radin

Wanderlust (not the shitty movie)

Simple Enough : ) 

3 for 3!

I flew in last night to Maryland and that marked 3 medication-free/panic-free flights since my panic attacks started. That's a good thing for anyone, and a GREAT thing for my gypsy soul!

Just a few weeks ago, I wasn't sure I'd be able to travel again. Glad to know there's light at the end of this traveling girl's rainbow!!!

Time to unpack my bag so I can repack it again tonight. Tomorrow I hit the road again!! :)

The Key to Life

Gypsy/traveling life got your key chain full of all sorts of keys?

Here's a simple, creative, and effective idea to help organize!

Source: http://www.abubblylife.com/2012/04/5-minute-diy-color-code-your-keys.html

Laughter is the Best Medicine!

So simple, So True!

THANK YOU to all of you in my life!! : )

Kale Pesto

It seems the new trend hitting America is kale and it's super powers. I've been getting it at the farmer's markets lately and wanted some other uses besides salad and smoothies.  I found this recipe and thought it was a creative use for it.

Haven't made this one yet, but I plan to some day. If that "some day" comes for you before it arrives at my house, let me know what you think!

Kale Pesto

Recipe

This recipe makes about 1- 1 1/2 cups

1 big bunch of kale, rinsed, ribs removed and torn into large pieces
3/4 cups EVOO, 2 tablespoons of which was Meyer lemon olive oil
1/2 cup Parmigiano, microplaned
2 cloves garlic, smashed and rough chopped
1/2 cup pine nuts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh

Blanch the kale in boiling salted water for about 3 minutes and chill down in a cold water bath, drain and squeeze excess water. Place into small work bowl of food processor and pulse to start breaking up the kale, add rough chopped garlic, process, add pine nuts, pulse several times. Slowly add the olive oils and lemon juice, process until everything is broken down. It will never be real smooth. Finally add the cheese and pulse a few times. Season with salt and pepper.


Source: http://www.food52.com/blog/4256_kale_and_other_pestos