Upcycling: Cougar Gold + Chicks and Hens

The best cheese on earth comes from the WSU Creamery in Pullman, Washington. Cougar Gold cheese comes in a cool tin can that I’ve always wanted to repurpose. I’ve seen piggy banks and containers made out of the can, but never have been able to use them for planting. Succulents have shallow roots and need very little dirt to grow, so this makes them the perfect plant for growing in a shallow tin can!

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Upcycling a Cougar Gold Can

What You’ll Need:

A tin can Continue reading

Best of the US: Rattlesnake Lake, North Bend, Washington

Rattlesnake Ridge and Rattlesnake Lake are part of the Cedar River Municipal Watershed just east of Seattle, Washington. Growing up with this beautiful natural spot in my backyard was quite a treat. The Ridge provides an excellent hike with incredible panoramic views including a picturesque mountaintop boulder to sit and rest mid-hike.

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Rattlesnake Ridge

Rattlesnake Ridge gets its name from the shape of the mountain. If you look at Rattlesnake Ridge from the side, it looks like a long curvature of a snake squiggling across the horizon. If you want, the Ridge provides a hike all along the ridge, a longer hike that definitely will take  the full day. The more popular hike is about 1 1/2 and isn’t too steep or hard. It is very popular, especially on weekends, so go early! Continue reading

DIY Natural Flea and Tick Dry Shampoo for Dogs

My dog spends a lot of time outdoors running in the woods picking up fleas and ticks. He is allergic to fleas and needs to be deodorized regularly to stay clean and pest-free. Here’s a natural dry deodorant for dogs to help keep fleas and ticks away.

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DIY Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs

3 tbsps arrowroot powder

1 tbsp lavender powder

1 tbsp neem leaf powder

1 tsp rosemary powder

1/2 cup diatomaceous earth, food-grade quality

 

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Mexico: The History of the Piñata

A piñata is a hit party decoration that’s covered in colorful crepe paper. The classic piñata is the shape of a donkey, but they also come in tons of cartoon and other awesome colorful shapes. They’re a staple at birthday celebrations and are filled with small toys and candy. Piñatas are thought to have come from Mexico, but they actually have a lot of international roots, stemming from the Far East.

Photo Courtesy of: Renato Ganzona

Photo Courtesy of: Renato Ganzona

History of the Piñata

The earliest known piñata dates back to the 13th century when Marco Polo found one in the Orient. The traditional Mandarin way of ringing in the New Year involved a small animal tribute made out of craft material. Continue reading