A do-it-yourself country spa

A Do-It-Yourself Country Spa

I was given two options. Basil…or lavender.

The kids were off with Oma and Opa and Chelsea and I were determined to spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing. Literally, the only item on her usually-endless list of things to accomplish were the words, “take a bath.”

Pioneering a Spirit of Adventure

I consider myself to be the pioneer of my children’s minds. Their mom plays a role, obviously, but as their dad I’m tasked with a few extra-fun things like introducing them to ice fishing and teaching them how to wield a drill and explaining how to keep their elbows in and head down when throwing that good ol’ fashioned night night blow. “Jump like a grasshopper and bite like a beaver,” I always say.

Putting the “Personal” back in PC

Every Mother’s Day, I get myself something to help increase productivity in our home. An over-the-top vacuum, a speedy hair dryer, an Instant Pot. I have friends who view this as a sacrifice but for me, this is like buying leisure time! If I can use technology to do more of the menial day-to-day tasks, I’m freeing myself up for a manicure or a massage or time spent eating delicious bon bons on my couch. It’s my time, you guys, I do what I want!

VW Atlas

Nothing to Shrug At

It’s a great big world out there. And it doesn’t seem to get ANY bigger than when you visit Texas. A simple drive across the limestone and cattle-laden state seems to take days. In some cases, it actually does. If driving ‘cross Texas’ immense landscape doesn’t send home the feeling of sheer insignificance of oneself in the vastness of this world, looking up at the wide open sky just might.

10 Surprisingly-Awesome Outdoor Play Spots in Your Town

Seize an Epic Journey to the Happy Joy Zone

We’ve been trying to explore more local spots this year. Everything from neighborhood cafes to tidepools are on our radar. People often email and say how much fun life looks here in San Diego and it got me thinking. Yes, San Diego is AWESOME, but fun isn’t necessarily based on location. I think it’s a matter of being determined to get our family out and about, in any way we possibly can. So I decided to round up the best outdoor play spots that can be found in just about any town!

Washing up at camp

Sounds and Smells of Spring

The light of new life radiates throughout the land. Our eyes have cracked to the dawn of spring and we take our first deep breaths of the year’s first season. The grass is growing as quickly as it can, the flowers are blooming for the bees, and the trees are reaching for the sky with new outstretched branches.

All that hid itself away for winter has returned.