HiHoRosie's Place

Day 11 : I’m skipping today’s suggested prompt and going with another. Today’s original prompt was a theme song. It stumped me so I’m moving on…although, Sam suggested the theme song to Benny Hill for me. Hahahaha! It’s the perfect music for me when I’m out for a walk with YS2 and trying to keep up with him on his bike. Picture it…with the music. I’m going to laugh every time I’m out with him now. And good grief! This is my 3rd blog post today. Egads! Sorry, folks! I know you're not used to such activity (nor am I) but I appreciate you hanging in there. Anyway… source What is the kindest act you have witnessed in recent memory? Was it a random act of kindness or a moment between loved ones? How did it affect you? Hopefully you saw the video I posted earlier ; to me it was a wonderful display of human kindness. Sure, you could say the man behind the video used this opportunity to share the little boy’s fun cardboard arcade to inflate his own ego, to create ...

If you've got 11 minutes to spare, watch this video. It'll make you HAPPY! Article here .

The news coming out of Japan seems to get worse and worse by the minute, doesn’t it? I hate being an ostrich sometimes and ignoring important issues but it’s hard to see the images or hear the updates. I feel so horrible and helpless but keep praying for the people and their loved ones. If you’re still looking for ways to donate, please check out a list I put together here . Now, to lighten the mood, time for some fluff.  image source  How is it when you run out of a staple in your kitchen you run out of everything else? I ran out of flax seeds but noticed we were out of a lot of other things too so I made a list and headed over to Raw Vegan Source  (jealous?). It seemed easy enough but once I started piling things in my basket I noticed a few other things that were needed too. Okay, some weren’t needed but dang it, what’s the fun in shopping just for the necessities? *wink* I didn’t take a picture of my loot but believe me it was a lot! Similar to my last maj...

The devastation Japan and its people will endure (is enduring) will no doubt be astronomical in so many ways. The pictures, the videos from the earthquare and tsunami are jaw-dropping. My heart aches for them and certainly makes me think about my own family's safety should there be a natural disaster here (we're long overdue for the "big one"). For those interested in donating for relief to Japan, here's a small list: The Red Cross - redcross.org or you can donate $10 from your phone by texting 90999, which will be billed to your phone. GlobalLiving.org - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund InternationalMedicalCorps.org - donate here NetworkforGood.org - donate here  (it's actually a list of charities you can donate through) If you choose to donate or wherever you donate, please make sure the charity organization is legit . Unfortunately, in times like these some like to take advantage of the situation and scam. If you have any suggestions yo...

Our summer garden is winding down. However, Yardsnacker is working on prepping it for some winter gardening. Yeah, you read that right. A winter garden. Lettuce, kale, peas, and lots more. So while this may be my last post about our summer garden (or maybe one more, we'll see) you will still see some future garden posts throughout the winter. We are still harvesting strawberries. I mean, like at least a couple of pints every two days. Most of the time they don't last the trip home. We just inhale eat them right there in the garden. Homegrown strawberries don't last long anyway before they start to get mushy after a few hours it seems so it's best to just eat right away. Just doing my part to make sure they don't go to waste (Caleb too). YS2 snacking in the garden YS2 snacking at home: The Aftermath Maybe you know this but there are rules for growing strawberries in their first year. Like snip off the runners and don't harvest, all to encourage root dev...

While driving around my neighborhood after running a few errands I noticed along one road some potential new growth. Growth in the meaning of a new house or two soon to be built. What made me sad were all the beautiful trees freshly cut down and piled on top of each pushed to the side. So sad. I understand growth and expansion; I mean I hope to one day own my own home but it’s bittersweet to see these tall beautiful trees just mowed down for a house or two that will have little land space. Sigh… I wasn’t sad for long though as I saw a tweet the next day from Moms Wear Your Tees about a plant-a-tree-in-state-parks program by Odwalla  (she also about it here too). Synchronicity? Anyway, it’s free, just pick a state and post through fb or your email address and you’re done. If you’re not in the US, I don’t see why you couldn’t plant a tree as well so I say click on WASHINGTON to plant a tree for us! Yeah, some will say we have plenty of trees here but nah, lots of trees are good. ...

I picked up some organic strawberries today – don’t they look pretty and delicious? Ahem, please excuse the cell phone quality; it was the camera of choice at the time. Anyway, love ‘em! This particular batch was pretty good; not the best but they served their purpose. Looking forward to picking some fresh ones from our garden. Now, those are the best! In case you haven’t seen my current giveaway, check it out for a 16 oz jar of spirulina manna from Healthforce Nutritionals. Okay, this post isn’t about strawberries or spirulina, although strawberries are my favorite fruit/berry in the whole world and you know how I feel about spirulina but this is actually a post about another blog fave of mine. I’m admitting to hand selecting this one instead of being random but hey, there’s a purpose. And you’ll soon learn why for yourself. ::shine spotlight:: Amanda is her name and Live My Life NOW Trek is her blog. Amanda is about to embark on a trek ACROSS AMERICA! Hey, I’m impressed if so...

Maybe I just have that song stuck in my head but for those of you living/visiting in LA there is a new restaurant awaiting you: Planet Earth Eco Cafe in Hermosa Beach. Of course, this will be on my list when I visit one of these days. :) I would be interested in hearing if any of you try this place and what you thought. I believe in supporting and spreading the word of good establishments so let us all know. Hoping we'll get more options here in my neck of the woods. One day... Eat up!

Here is a story about a couple who was given the wrong embryo and their decision to carry the baby to full-term and then give the baby to the biological parents. I can't even imagine how difficult this must've been for them but soon the other couple will be blessed because of their selfless decision. Absolutely incredible. Read on if you wish (or watch the video embedded in the article).

Two weeks ago this day I gave birth to our son, Caleb (here's a pic from when he was a few days old). It wasn't easy getting him here but thankfully Caleb and I are doing great. I am forever grateful to my husband, Yardsnacker , for his love and support - I just wish it wasn't so hellacious on him. Also, thanks to him for donating blood and encouraging others to follow suit. Usually, I'm one who's donating blood - I've never been on the receiving end of those donations before. If you can, donate donate donate! If you didn't see the announcement/stats on Sam's blog here they are: Caleb born Sunday, May 3rd at 6:09 AM, weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and measured 21.5 inches long. And yes, he was born with strawberry blond hair. Everyone is giving me looks wondering how this could be but I'm tellin ya, Sam is the father! LOL! We don't need to go on the Jerry Springer show. Both of our mothers have reddish hair so we ended up passing all of our recessive genes ...

In relation to my previous post with a link to an article about toxic baby formula, there was a comment left by Chris, Bitt 's husband, who reminded me that not every parent/mother has a choice to breastfeed their child/children. Some children are adopted (I'm one of them!) or there are health issues/medications, or work that prevents a mother from being able to breastfeed. Are there alternatives out there? Yes, but not many that I could easily find. If you want a healthy formula that's not animal or soy based I found you're better off making a formula of your own. However, I remembered one of our Vita-mix contestants has a business creating formula that's dairy-free, soy-free, vegan, raw, organic, healthy, and etc. Duh! I should've thought of this before! Anyway, her business is called Empress Organics . Check it out! If you know of other healthy alternatives or have recipes to share please feel free. It would be great to get the word out as much as possi...

To start, thank you all who've left many well wishes and supportive comments on the news of our expanding family. You truly are the best. Many of you have asked how I'm feeling these days so here's an update: Everything on the pregnancy front is GOOD! Can't complain much really. No morning sickness for this girl however I've had my fair share of bloatiness (I know not a real word). Too often I have that feeling of I'm (sorta) hungry but nothing sounds good. Hubby helps me out (a lot!!!) making sure I'm getting food in my tummy. It's not easy sometimes I'm sure because when I do eat I feel so full. Ridiculously full. Other times though, gimme food! ha ha! But really things have been going really well. And for those wondering, I haven't been strict with my diet as far as being vegan or veg etarian although many times it is vegetarian but other things that aren't so vegan sometimes find their way onto my plate. But I'm also not going about ...