Do You Prefer Camping or Staying in a Hotel? #travel #vacation

When we stayed in Minnesota we couldn't decide if we should camp...

or staying in a hotel?

I said, "Why not do both?" So that's what we did. 

Camping Perks

You're out in the wilderness most of the time. 

There are possibly more memories made.

Kids learn new things: How to start a fire, how to put out a fire, problem solving and so on.

Wifi is actually part of many camp grounds, so that's no longer a negative. 

No TV could be a perk or a negative. You didn't go on vacation to watch TV. 

There are choices: Cabin, Tent or Camper. 

Many campgrounds have mini golf, bikes to check out, hot tubs, pools, movie nights. This is something you have to check out prior to investing. What's a perk to one family, may not be a perk to another. 

It's cheaper than staying in a hotel.

Camping Negatives

Lots of bugs possibly.

Weather can mess up your fun.

Allergies can be a problem. 

Bathrooms usually aren't nearby. That's worse at night, than during the day.

You need more things like bedding, blankets, firewood, bug spray, dishes and so on. 

You have to plan out you time more. It takes longer to cook your food than going out to eat. 

It sucks if a grocery store isn't nearby. 

There isn't a place to go for privacy. In your camping space family is there, in the bathroom someone is knocking on the door to use it, and in the showers there are others showering too. 

I'd say that Girl Scouts did prepare me, for starting a fire. The boys grabbed all kinds of green kindling. I knew better. 

Even though there are bugs, there's also little creatures. 

Isaak found this tree frog he didn't want to let go. It is kind of cute!

We kept having ground squirrels and regular squirrels join us at our camp site. We don't have them in Nebraska, so it was kind of fun seeing them run all over. We just have regular brown squirrels.

Isaak also found a butterfly near a river's edge. It's wings were broken. He was sad when Travis said we couldn't keep it. 

 

Hotel Perks

Safety First: You can come and go without the worry of a hot fire to put out. You can lock your room and a cabin, but you can't lock a tent.

Clean towels/sheets and a made bed every day.

Continental Breakfast is often included. This is one thing I make sure of. I'd rater spend a little more for Continental Breakfast because I'll spend an extra $40 going out for breakfast. 

Many have a little fridge and microwave. That can save a lot of $$$$.

Wifi is part of deal. My boys get excited to watch cable. We only have regular TV and Prime at home. They watched a few Man Flicks. You know the type: The world is coming to an end, the military and president have to get involved to save it at the end. There's mostly action, and a slight romance. The main star always gets the girl.  

If you forget something you can ask the staff to help you.

Many have an indoor pool and/or hot tub. Bathrooms are inside your room.

Many are near public transportation.

Hotel Negatives

Swimming towels are always so small. We had this discussion. They are even small for the boys.

We actually had more problems with kids running around all hours of the night more than we did camping.

You spend more time on devises and watching TV, than you do with camping. 

If you're on a different floor, and there's no elevator things get heavy. With camping we parked right up to our cabin. There was little walking to get to our cabin.

Filters need to be changed. I don't know why, but Travis checks air filters when we get to hotels. They always need to be changed. 

You don't have the outdoors to dry your swimming suits. 

Many won't take pets if you have one. 

It's more expensive than camping. 

If you ask the boys they'd say they liked the hotel more. A hotel seemed easier. I think the boys liked the fact that they had a TV to watch. BUT I have more memories from camping. I do wish the KOAs we stayed at had The Pancake Man. There have been some I've stayed at in the past that did. That would have made breakfast faster, cheaper, and easier. I'm glad we did both. We had to take more, but variety is nice! 

What do you prefer Camping or Staying in a Hotel? 

Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. I got no compensation, for writing this post. All opinions are my own. 

Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa #travel #vacation

I wasn't planning on stopping in Elk Horn, Iowa. I saw the sign for, "Museum of Danish America" and said, "Let's go!" So we did. Who could pass up a windmill that looks like this:

We went before anything was open. Technically we didn't go to the museum. Just stopping to stretch our legs, mixed with having a good view was what we all needed.

Do you like windmills? 

I know some people are anti turbines. They are costly to fix, and birds can fly into them. Technology is getting better, so hopefully kinks will work themselves out. They put out a lot of energy. Oddly I find windmills of any kind fascinating.

What kind of house is this?

I don't even know what to call this house. It's not a sod house. There is living grasses and mosses growing on the roof. Whatever it is, I wish it was in my backyard.

I think the kid's wish they had it in our backyard too!

Here's the backside of it:

What's a spot you didn't expect to stop at, and really ended up enjoying?

Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. I got no compensation, for writing this post. All opinions are my own. 

#circles

This is sort of random, but also connected with circles. I keep noticing circles in things. 

Berries in a glass. I pick Mulberries during my lunch break. My fingernails always look awful this time of year, with all the berry picking. I put the berries in whatever is laying around.

We went out for Mother's Day - for my Mom mid June. Both my sisters are always so busy. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to stand being that busy! I like things low key. Life events happen, then I roll with it. I don't seek out events to make my life complicated. Do you roll with the flow, or are you always on the go? 

My family is super picky with food. One of my sisters is a vegan, my Dad is on a particular diet to help with some eczema that was happening around his eyes, my other sister is sometimes milk free, and my niece is gluten and milk free. When it's time to go out I can hardly take the decision making. It took 21 texts in a group text to figure out where we were going to go eat, for Mother's Day in June. I'm not crazy about group texts. I work full time. I like my phone to be on in case a boy at home needs to get ahold of me. I silence it, but it's constant vibrations. I had a moment where I wanted to scream, "Pick a place already! Then text me where that place is!" When I make suggestions they don't want to hear it. I said, "We could pick Flagship Commons." It's like a food court, but much more healthy food options and cool! My Mom didn't want to go there. She didn't say why. I joked, which may be the truth that she just wanted my vegan sister's input. Finally after 21 texts it was P.F. Chang's that we ended up. 

I must not be alone...when I told my coworkers about the 21 texts back and forth, and drama they didn't know how I could handle it. I've been living with guys too long. I like the way they choose things. They are super chill about the decisions that are made. I'm not even a big shopper! I like to know where I need to go, and get it. None of this look at purses for 20 minutes ordeal. Ha! 

This is one of P.F. Chang's lights. How cool. Maybe it was worth the 21 texts. 

This was in the ceiling of where Mica's Health Camp was. I already posted it, but it fits with all the circles I've been seeing.

Do you ever go through a time where you see something over and over again? Maybe in different ways.

Random Tid Bits

1. I've had this friend, since high school. He's such a character. We're not as close as we used to be. We're still friends on facebook.
   
   When I was in college I went to a snake convention with him. What an odd thing to go to. People were getting drunk, and taking passionately about snakes.
   
   He has for his job on facebook Life Coach of the Damned.
   
   He makes comments about being a Scientologist on Taco Bell's facebook page. It's like therapy to him to have people react to what he writes. Because it's a public group, here is the messaging back and forth from Andrew (my friend) and this lady bent out of shape about his comments.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   He tells everyone to post about Scientology on Taco Bell's facebook page if you're feeling down and out. Oh my!

   
   
2. Summer school started for one of my coworkers. Let's just say that it started with a whole bunch of attitude. My coworker was so annoyed, but later said, "She's going through a lot of stuff right now." I never buy that business.
   
   My younger sister had a baby when I was college aged. I didn't know until 2 months before she delivered. The baby was born, and died in the same weekend. That never gave me an excuse to go back to school to treat people like crap.
   
   One of my best students has cancer, her brother died last year of suicide. Guess what? She's super nice.
   
   
3. Isaak has a Babysitting Clinic at the library today. They grow up too fast.
   
   
4. Isaak kept calling his "Notifications" on his phone "Nodifications".
   
   
5. Travis gets annoyed that Mica's phone is called "Queen Latifah". He called it that when he was big into Queen the band. I sent him a meme of her that said, "I'm the real Queen!"
   
   Travis also gets annoyed that Mica has nicknamed everyone in his phone. I'm "Momma Mia", Travis is, "Dadda Dia", my Mom is "Female G" G standing for Grandma, my sister Terra is "Auntie Olle", and my sister Angie is "Auntie Fresh".

#diy #dandelion #salve

About 6 weeks ago I picked Dandelions like crazy! I knew every part of them could be devoured or used in some way, but had to look up how to use them. 

-The flowers can be used in muffins, cakes, and other bread products.

-The roots can be used for teas.

-They can be used to make jellies, jams and syrups.

-The flowers can be used for making salve.

What you Need to Make Infused Dandelion Oil and Dandelion Salve:

• 4 Cups Dandelion Flowers
• A Colander
• A Full Body Towel
• 16 Ounces of Olive Oil
• 2 Ounces of Coconut Oil
• 2 Ounces of Bees Wax
• 15 Drops of Essential Oil (Whatever Scent You Like)
• 1 Large Mason Jar
• 1 Medium Bowl, or 4 Cup Measurer 
• 1 Medium Pot, or Double Boiler 
• 1 or 2 Containers With Lids for the Salve
• Small Wire Mesh

Time to Make Infused Dandelion Oil

Pick, Pick, Pick:

Start out by picking 4 cups of Dandelion flowers.

Wash them, and get the water out as much as you can. I used a colander.

Dry them on a flat body towel, for 2 to 3 days. They will look what I call "tired" by the 3rd day.

Place them in a large mason jar, and pour 16 ounces of Olive Oil on top.

I used this Olive Oil, but you can use any for this. It's for a salve, so it's not consumed.

Stick a lid on it, and set it out of the sun for 5 to 6 weeks. I wasn't in a hurry, so I did this slower method.

Faster Method:

Heat up a small amount of water in a pot, and put the jar of mostly dried Dandelion flowers with the Olive Oil inside the pan. You'll heat the pot to medium. Turn the heat off, once the water is heated up - not boiling. Let the water cool! Set the jar out of the sun for a week or 2.

This is What it Looks Like After it's had Infusion Time:

Strain:

I used a 4 cup measurer, but you can use a bowl for this next part. Put a wire mesh on top, and pour your infused Dandelion Oil into it. You will need to push it down with the back of a spoon, or your fingers. It will be sludgy. If you are using your fingers, it will get messy. Put the sledge in the compost, or in your trash.

The Infused Oil is Actually Pretty:

Time to Make Dandelion Salve

Heat Things Up:

I used a double boiler, but you can you just a medium pot if you don't have a double boiler. Put a small amount water in the medium pot, or the bottom pot if you are using a double boiler. Turn the heat on to medium.

Add a smaller pot the fits inside the medium pot if you're not using a double boiler.

Add 2 ounces of Coconut Oil to the smaller pot, or top of the double boiler. Melt it all the way. Then add 2 ounces of Beeswax. Stir it until it's melted.

Stir:

It will start to look funky during this process. You haven't done anything wrong. Just keep stirring, and let it melt. It reminded me looks wise like Egg Drop Soup. Don't drink it. Ha!

You are waiting for it to melt down. Not to boil. 

Add the 10 to 15 Drops of Essential Oils:

I put in 10 of Peppermint Oil, and 5 of Lavender Oil. Stir it some more.

Time to Dump it:

I used a small, wide mason jar. You want something you can get your fingers in. I had more, so I also used a travel size plastic container that once had a Grape Fruit Body Scrub in it. 

Full Dandelion Salve:

Travel Size of Dandelion Salve:

Let it be!

It will set up. I went to the store, came back it it was set up.

Full Dandelion Salve:

Travel Size of Dandelion Salve:

Put lids on them, and you are done!

Travis has been working hard outside, so I gave him a back message with this salve. It worked great!  You can also use it for your hands, legs, feet. It both moisturizes and gets in those sore muscles. 

We have enough to last awhile. If we go on any trips, we have a travel sized container to take with us. 

Disclaimer: This is not a post where I reviewed any products. All opinions, and photos are my own. 

WW: Chair #design #linky

My husband submitted a chair design to be in an architecture firm.

His little model made it. 

For a three or four months he worked his butt off on the real thing. I made a lot of meals, and helped Isaak a ton with homework. 

He had his show a few weeks ago. 

That tiny thing in front of the chair in the 4th picture is his model in the first picture.

Here he is! You can see more of my husband's work here.

Post ANY post you want comment love on! It doesn't have to be wordless or wordful. I like rules sometimes, but they are meant to be broken. Link up a post!