bucket list

We interrupt this blog for info about a giveaway that I think is pretty darn cool. I know we all have "must-do"s in our life, and I think most of us have things we dream about doing, but perhaps haven't written them down. I did, once, on a computer when I was living in Costa Rica. Sadly, that computer is long gone...and anything that I wrote on it is long gone too. All I remember are things like get married and have kids. (By the grace of God, both those things are checked off!) And I know I put run a marathon, but...ahem...creaky knees are making me rethink that one.

This is my entry in the Just Ask Bucket List Getaway Giveaway. Just Askoffers a breast and ovarian cancer screening and is encouraging people to share 15 things that I want to enjoy in my lifetime as a reminder to be aware of my health. Want to enter? Head over to TodaysMama.com to get the details.



So, as I rewrite my bucket list, here are the first fifteen things that come to mind:
1. Write a short story (or longer) that I actually share with friends or family.
2. Fly on a flying trapeze.
3. Run a 1/2 marathon.
4. Watch the sunrise with my husband.
5. Be part of a 501c3.
6. Truly explore running my own business (even if I choose not to do it).
7. Make the perfect scone.
8. Laugh until I cry.
9. Choose to stay up at least until 2am reading for fun.
10. Go to a dude ranch with my folks, husband, and kids.
11. Bring someone to Christ.
12. See Ireland (again).
13. Visit all 50 states in the USA.
14. See my kids become Christian.
15. Be able to play the guitar.

and the list will continue as I ponder. Maybe you'd like to enjoy this contest, too?

Go. Enter. Cool prizes. :)

u-pick

Since I live in the SF bay area and it's clearly spring/summer (aside from the rain last week!?!), I decided to look a bit into u-pick this year. A friend went today, but I was worried about N. choking on cherry pits and we needed a slow day, so maybe next year. But what I did find looking on yelp is that it's pretty challenging to know what farms might be pesticide free or organic. And since a number of the types of fruit I'd like to pick fall on Environmental Working Group's dirty dozen, that's helpful information. So, here's what I think is true (via yelp reviews and websites--do check with a farm if this is important to you).

Pesticide free:
Farmer's Daughter
925.634.4827
Walnut and Marsh Creek Road, Brentwood

Gliedt Family Farm
925.516.8717
3520 Orwood Rd, Brentwood
late June-early July

Pease Ranch (this was via yelp--call to confirm!)
925.634.4646
25175 Marsh Creek Rd, Brentwood

Organic
Brentwood Organic Cherries
Concord Ave/Orchard Ln

Swanton Bay Farms (south bay)

Ron Nunn Farms ???one person said organic, but I didn't see anyone else say it
925.634.2148
10500 Brentwood Blvd, Brentwood
It sounds like you actually pick some things (cherries) at Nunn Better (which no one commented re: organic) 925.634.6173

If someone reads this and goes somewhere (or makes phone calls I didn't get a chance to make), feel free to put it in the comments and I'll make addendums to this post as necessary.

Happy picking!

It's almost a new year, so time to start....

Welcome to Simply Outdoors! I've been thinking about starting a blog about being outdoors for a while, and, well, with the onset of 2010 (already here in some parts of the world) I decided to take the plunge. Here's hoping that you and I won't be disappointed!

First, a little bit about me:
My husband and I met backpacking. We love backpacking. Then we had kids. I still love backpacking, but with a 3 year old and a 9 month old to tow, we've scaled back (way back!) our expectations for being outside. We've suddenly entered the world of car camping, short hikes, and entertaining kids on road trips. Even more, we've entered the world of seeing the outdoors through a child's eyes: the moon that looks like a banana, the joy of feeling rose petals, taking the time to crunch through leaves on the ground or to jump along meter readers next to the sidewalk. It's a great (and different) life!

Truth be told, I don't have aspirations of conquering Macchu Picchu on this blog, much as I long to do that someday. Instead, I hope and pray to open our eyes to a world that we too often miss. I hope to take us simply outdoors.

Coleen