Earth Hour

It's already began across the Pacific in New Zealand.  At 8:30pm, major cities and small towns across the world will be shutting their lights off for one hour in support of Earth Hour and the WWF.  Last year 80 million Americans alone turned out the lights and helped raise awareness of climate change.  It's easy and it works. 

Adam and I have participated since the beginning.  It's only an hour out of our day, and honestly, it's nice to sit in the peace and quiet for a change.  As a society we are so plugged in and turned on, and many people can't or don't know how to switch off for 5 mins, let alone 60.  We usually take it a step further and turn off everything....TV, Computer, etc. and we unplug anything that isn't being used.  We light a ton of candles and play games, or have dinner.  And we're not the only ones: This year 2, 510 cities and towns across every continent (including Antarctica!!) have pledged to support this cause.  The Sydney Opera House, Eiffle Tower, The Empire State Building, The Golden Gate Bridge, and many other landmarks (1, 387 give or take a few:) will be participating.  A Panda is even getting in on the act...kicking off the festivities in China by walking across a special platform in her enclosure causing the lights in the breeding center to turn off.  If a Panda can do it, so can you!!  For once,  it's good to be left out in the dark!!

My Favorite Organizations

Donating to The MS Society today got me thinking about the organizations that I want to continue supporting this year.  It's one of my Life List goals to donate annually to my favorite causes and to volunteer monthly.  So far I have donated to one cause, but not done anything with volunteering.  To learn more about these organizations, click on the links!  One person can make a difference, especially if that person inspires others to do the same.

Donations:
MS Society - done:)
Dana Farber Cancer Institute -done:)
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
National Parks Foundation
Sierra Club
The Jimmy Fund
St. Judes Children's Hospital
AMC
American Cancer Society
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation

Volunteer/Participate:
Jimmy Fund Walk (26.2 mile route of the Boston Marathon)
Save a Dog
Worcester County Food Bank
Red Sox Home Base Program

"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." -Maya Angelou

Feel Good Friday

If feels good to do something good!  I just donated to one friend who is participating in the MS Walk this year, in honor of a good friend just diagnosed with MS, who is also doing the MS Walk.  One is walking in Ohio, my home, and the other is walking in NYC, my other home.  I'm surrounded by amazing people on this journey through life, and I love when the different roads meet and I can make a difference for both of them.  Think about donating to or participating in something that you feel passionate about. 
It really will make you feel good on this Friday:)

Rafting Adventures

Adam and I went for a spontaneous and fantastic adventure yesterday: White Water Rafting!  The Natchaug River in Connecticut was only at a II and for our first time, that was fine by us.  The weather was perfect and the company was great.  

Picture Credit: Ryan, Owner of N.E.C and Hush Fishing Co.

Our Crew

**For great fishing or rafting trips in New England check out: N.E.C River Guides and Hush Fishing Company.

Patio Inspirations

These warm days are getting my garden wheels turning.  I know I can't go out and start planting right now...I'm sure a rogue snow storm will strike between now and the end of April allowing winter to keep it's ugly grip on us for just a little longer.  So my gardening ideas are really just in the beginning stages, the planning and landscaping part.  Last year we moved in right as a 40 day rain storm was hitting....therefore I was not gardening.  This year, if of course we plan on staying in our apt, which I'm 90% sure we are, I want to do something special and fun!  Our patio is shaded 75% of the time, making vegetable growing almost impossible, but I've been researching shade loving plants and trees, and I'm hoping to add some furniture and feeders for the birds.  I've gathered some pics of apartment patio inspirations to help me with my planning.

  

Hate the furniture; LOVE the plants

While I can't plant in the ground, I was hoping to have Adam build a large planter box.

A trellis could be a little overkill for our patio, but I love it nonetheless!

Ok, so not for my particular patio, but isn't it gorgeous?!

Picture Credits:

1. www.hgtv.com

2. holiday-rentals.co.uk
3. www.vacationapartmentslondon.com
4. chintz-of-darkness.blogspot.com

Happy Puppy Day

My dogs are not city dogs.  Maggie and Libbey are outdoor, run in a field, dig up the dirt kind of dogs.  Our apartment doesn't really allow for them to just hang outside in the lawn, but on days like this, I love to open the patio door and let them sit on a blanket, watching the comings and goings of Plantation Ridge.  Maggie sniffs the air, and sometimes barks to say hello.  Libbey, watches the birds flit by, hoping that one day she'll get to "play" with one.  I know the weather won't stay this way for the entire month of March, but we're pretty happy that at least for today, it's perfect.

(Almost) 1 complete

It's not much, but it's something!  A week or so after creating my Life List, I am scratching off half of one item.  Adam and I have officially paid off my Subaru Forester (#6)!  Suuby Suub (as we call her:) has been the best car.  She has hauled our dogs, our camping gear, and sometimes almost everything we own halfway across the US, and Canada.  She has taken us to 2 homes in 2 different states, and traveled with us through 10 others. She has climbed to the top of Mt. Washington, and driven the streets of New York City.  She has done everything we've asked of her and much more.  And now she's all ours:)   

LOVE: It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru!