Earth-Friendly Friday

Some women love to sew others love to bake and still more love to garden. And we all want to share our passion with other people. So, here's one way you can make friends, share your passion and help protect the planet all at the same time: simply share seeds.

I like to call it sowing seeds of friendship. Most plants will produce seeds and there are usually so many seeds no one person could use them all. And, why would any gardener want to see their little "babies" go to waste? They wouldn't. So, why not dry the seeds out then put them in envelopes and give them as gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions?

Giving seeds will cut down on your gift-giving budget, reduce your consumption of costly mall products and be earth-friendly too.

Do you share seeds, cuttings or even flowers/fruits/vegetables from your garden?

If you do, this is an easy step: simply sow your seeds and build a community of gardeners.

Skin and Bones

That might sound like a scary story and perhaps it even looks a little frightening from the shingle dangling over the door. But, those of you who know me know I love scary stories. So maybe the name played a small part in us (me, my husband and a friend) ending up at the restaurant on Tuesday night--instead of pilates class--enjoying a glass of wine (or two) and dinner, plus yes, even tho' I'm supposed to be on a diet, dessert.

The fare was unusual for me, even though this chef owned and operated restaurant boasts that it serves from the abundance of Pacific Northwest flavors. Maybe I'm the odd duck, or at least the odd Oregonian, who doesn't normally eat bison, rabbit or pork belly.


But, odd or not, it was a special treat going out to dinner in the middle of the week. The food was yummy and different. I felt a little daring taking a bite out of a bison.

And, if you're in Portland, you might want to get to Skin & Bones. I know, it sounds like a diet place - but, believe me, it's not.

Check out their menu here.

And, if you do visit Skin & Bones, let me know what you think.

Word for Wednesday - Game for Writers

Word of the Day: Exine

Guess what it means.


Do you know?


Simply scroll down for the answer.



Further.


Further.



Still further.


Exine is the outer coating of a spore. I know, who knew?

Not me.

It was my daughter who taught me that one and I didn't even believe her. I said, "I've never heard that word before." I even had to look it up for myself. If you don't believe it, you can look it up too. Just click here. And THANKS for playing :)

Getting Ready

Monday night we went for a ten mile bike ride. That might sound like one crazy workout to some. But, it's really just a crazy warm-up for Sunday. The Portland Bridge Pedal is just around the corner.

And, while we've done the Bridge Pedal before, in the past we've only been brave enough to ride over the six city bridges or 13 miles but NOT this year. We're stepping - or should I say pedaling - it up.

We're going UP 8 bridges - or 26 miles. That sounds like plenty of pedaling to me but my husband wanted to do the 36 mile ride. I wasn't sure about the extra 10 miles.

I said, "baby steps", maybe next year we can do the 36 miles and cross all 10 bridges. And, if you don't like bike riding or 13, 26 or 36 miles sounds like too much - there's also the 5 mile Bridge Stride. So, you can feel free to walk a five mile route and see the city from the top of a bridge or two. And, if you don't want to walk - you can always volunteer. Just an idea.

We don't mind doing the bridges more than once especially since the money goes to a good cause - or two of them. The beneficiaries are Providence Heart and Vascular Center, and the BTA or the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.

So, we'll be getting some exercise, seeing the city from a perfect vantage point and helping a couple good causes all at the same time.

What about you? Are you planning anything out of the usual for this weekend?

Rise of Planet of the Apes - Movie Review Monday

Loved it. I asked my kids to go but one said, "A remake of a remake..." But, I didn't care. I thought all the Planet of the Apes shows were at least entertaining. Of course, I never did see the "original" remake of Planet of the Apes in 2001.


Rise of the Planet of the Apes was sort of a Frankenstein movie but even better. I loved the concept of the ALZ-112 being designed to help Alzheimer's patients and Will's dad brought the emotional aspect that these stories need to the screen and even made the purpose of developing the "medication" reasonable and understandable.

{SPOILER ALERT}
Overall, it was a very entertaining story; however, I didn't like how Cesar was willing to leave his "Dad" behind.

But, I thought the CG was really well done and amazing. All-in-all, it was a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

I remember all the old Planet of the Apes shows. Growing up I loved Charlton Heston and the stories of the Apes ruling the world.

Earth-Friendly Friday

Want to see a boat made out of 12000 plastic bottles? Check it out here.
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Plastiki from Glenn McElhose on Vimeo.

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