End of Febuary Linky Love

It is the week of the totally random linky.  Just some stuff that looked interesting on the internet.

Route 66 To Be America's First Solar Highway

Ft McClellan Veterans Ignored Due to Obama's Budget

Empathy is Tough to Teach, But is One of Life's Most Important Lesson

10 Things You Can Learn in 10 minutes

Why saying You Want Change is Not Enough

Snakes OH MY - Mind of a !st Grader

The first grader I am watching in the mornings has really been into snakes.  We did a snake project. This is the classic paper plate snake. Of course, our snakes needed tongues. We also browsed some books about snakes.

There was a lot of interest in the Cobra.

Dream Big

Visiting Peace Arch

I was lucky enough to receive a special promotional geocache trackable.  It was part of a big geocaching trackable promotion for Kat Kronenberg and the  release of her new book Dream Big.

Geocachers are invited to join the Dream Big movement. With a CATCH-M trackable, a magical character from the book, share your “big geocaching smiles” on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using the hashtags #GeocachersDreamBIG #contest. From February to October 2017, three photos that best capture smiley geocaching adventures will be selected each month to win an autographed 1st Edition of Dream Big. Those winners will also be entered to win the Grand Prize of $1,000 cash and three additional autographed 1st Editions of Dream Big. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on World Smile Day, October 6, 2017. - From www.geocaching.com

We have been showing our trackable a good time

hanging out in nature

Wanderlust Linky

 This has been a really long winter so far.  I have a bit of cabin fever or wanderlust.  I am ready for spring.

Across the USA by train for $213

The Science Behind Why You Should Spend Your Money on Family Travel Instead of Toys

Yosemte's "Firefall" is Even Bigger - This would be so cool to see in person. I might need to add this to my travel bucket list

Geocaching Brings Enthusiastic to Roseberg - This one is for Nonna and Pappy.  Love  Geocaching

What I Read February

Book Read Printable from Starts at Eight

I am once again linking up to Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit.  Check out what everyone else is reading. I slowed down on my reading a bit but I had some interesting reads none the less.

I read Chip and JoAnna Gaines book, The Magnolia Story.

I really enjoyed it.  I keep bringing it up in conversations with my husband. Last month, I read Nicole Curtis's book, Better Than New (my review) You can't help but compare the two as both are passionate about old houses, risk taking, and flipping houses. I did enjoy The Magnolia Story more. I found myself discussing with my husband The Magnolia Story a lot.  I really admire Chip and Joanna Gaines. This is a good quick read.

The Sound of Gravel -This is a true story about Ruth who grew up in a Polygamous family.  Ruth was the 39th of 42 children by her father. Her biological father is murdered by another member of their church. Parts of this book are incredibly raw. There is sexual abuse by Ruth's step father.  The family moves between Mexico and the United States.  It is a childhood of hardship.  Eventually Ruth is able to essentially escape and begin a new life wtih her siblings. This is a fascinating and gripping story.

Gelli Plate Print Valentine's

Card made by Cody with Gelli Plate and Valentine Stamps

I decided to do Gelli Prints for my Valentine's this year.

This Year's Valentine

Inside

I used my gelli plate and valentine stamps.  I lost my brayer so I used my pampered chef pastry roller.  Probably not the best use of the pastry roller but worked in a pinch. I love how each and every card turned out unique.

Pamper Chef Pastry Roller as Brayer on Gelli Plate

Neat valentine idea from Gelli.  I am going to give these a try as well.

Bookish Linky - The Snowed In Edition

Well, the snow is melting but 5 snow days makes me super cranky.  Thank goodness for BOOKS

Most Popular Books at US Libraries this Year

Why Reading the Same Book Repeatedly Is Good For Kids (Even if it drives you nuts)  - This makes sense

Martha Stewart's Reading List

Valentine Decorating on the Cheap

I saw these cute wax paper heart garland on I Should Be Mopping and I gave it a go.  It was a bit time consuming but I used my big shot sizzix (die cut machine) to cut the hearts so that sped up the process. I also put some heart dollies on my kitchen window. Heart dollies and wax paper from dollar store,

I like my valentine's decorating to be simple.  I also chalked up my sign. I used sidewalk chalk.

All of the decorations are ones I already owned. I even kept out some shiney brites.

Oh Snow, Oh Wind, Oh Ice

Well, it is day 2 of no school and quite possibly tomorrow will also be a snow day. I did some layouts with Project Life.  I love I can scrapbook from my phone.

linky love

We Learned A Lot in 2016 about How Preschool Can Help Kids

This researcher asked kids what is wrong with US schools

What Dinnertime Looks Like in 36 Different Homes - this is pretty fascinating

What is Saving Me 2017

It is officially the midpoint of winter.  It is definitely dark up here in the Pacific Northwest. Gray is the official color. I am joining the Modern Mrs Darcy's What is Saving Me Link Up

This pink poinsettia which I somehow haven't managed to kill yet.  It is still blooming it heart out.  It is a bright spot in my house. Now it is going to die - ha ha

Due to so many people suggesting the Gilmore Girls, I have been binge watching  it on Netflix. It is my guilty pleasure.

Podcasts - I am getting more into listening to Podcasts. My current favorites are Reply All and Undisclosed. My husband and I have a lot of time discussing various Reply All episodes. The quirky nature of this show is intriguing.

My Son going to High School Transition classes. He is on the autism spectrum and transition classes are teaching him about the world of work.  This also gives me a a break as he has somewhere to go. He has an internship.

Project Life- I am a big fan of  Digital Project Life App.  I love being able to scrapbook from my phone.