IDAVATION: Johnson Creek Guard Station

Several months ago I began researching a cheap overnight Idaho destination - an "Ida"vation - for Eric and I to celebrate our ninth wedding anniversary. The Boise Weekly had run this little story about renting this 1920s ranger cabin near Yellow Pine for just $50 a night and I knew it would be perfect.


I got on this website to find out more details and the spot looked perfect for us - a rustic getaway in the middle of nowhere with fishing nearby. I called and booked our night for July and got my mom to agree to stay with the girls - it was our first night ever away from Alice and I was a bit nervous, as there is no telephone service for miles. Also, it was FOUR HOURS AWAY. When I called the Cascade Ranger Station to ask about emergency contact info, they informed me my mom would have to call the Sheriff at home and he'd drive to the cabin and find us in the event something should happen.


We packed up our supplies, which included essential items like beer, playing cards, Reeces Pieces, fly fishing rods, this lovely, amazing book on CD from the Library! for our long hours on the road, and our binoculars. It has been years since we had just tossed some things in a bag and hit the road. This little luxury was monumental for us. No diapers! No coolers filled with formula and sippy cups and Goldfish crackers! No Polly Pockets! No Dora movies!

We were, however, thrilled to pack up the wine and sushi for dinner. Eric joked that it was probably the first time sushi had ever entered that cabin before. I think he's probably right.

The cabin has one bedroom with two twin beds and two cots, not the most ideal sleeping arrangement for a lovers getaway, but we made due. The cabin could really accomodate quite a few others if you brought an air mattress or tent for the backyard.

We shared the grounds with these sweet boys and they loved hanging out with us, watching the amazing sunset over the mountains and the deer coming down to the creek to get a cool drink.

Eric and I spent the afternoon fishing along the creek, playing rummy, and exploring Yellow Pine, which I had never been to before. It's a little village, known mainly for their annual harmonica festival and had a couple of saloons, a mercantile, and about two restaurants. My favorite part was the little pioneer cemetery and makeshift pet cemetery the local residents have added. We also spent some time hiking around the Forest Service property, following the deer trails into the mountains and even found the original cookstove from the saloon and hotel for miners that used to grace the site back in the 1800s, it's intricate detailing wasting away in the wilderness.

All in all, it was a lovely mountain respite from the city and the accommodations were charming. It is really far to drive for just one night, though, and you must have a tough rig that can withstand the narrow and steep gravel and dirt mountain roads. Also, there is a little prairie landing strip that is popular with Idaho aviators, so we were surprised by the amount of air traffic, which kind of took away from the still quietness of the mountain setting. Next time, we plan on bringing our girls and some other friends and staying a few more nights. And this time I'll happily load up the Pack-n-Play travel crib, water noodles, juice boxes, Barbies and coloring books.

FOODIE: Crockpot Crazy / Green Turkey Chili

We love our Crockpot here in the Pence-Brown house. Eric, the real chef of the family, is a wonder at whipping up savory dishes in the morning before work, turning the Crockpot on low, and, back when I was also working full-time, we all returned 10 hours later to a hot, yummy dinner. I'm not too bad at the Crockpot myself, but that's the joy of the Crockpot. YOU CANNOT MESS UP A CROCKPOT MEAL. You just toss all the ingredients in, turn it on, and voila, insta-grub (well, 8-10 hours later, that is). You do have to be a planner, though, by having all the ingredients on hand and have the time to cut and dice everything while trying to get out of the house in the mornings. And, I've found, superior Crockpot recipes are really hard to find.

That's why, when I was sitting at the doctor's office in my little paper robe in the exam room a few months ago and I came across this recipe for Green Turkey Chili in an issue of Woman's Day magazine I tore it out. Now, I don't normally condone ripping pages out of waiting room magazines, but there were two copies of the same magazine there, one now unvandalized. Plus, the fact that the recipe was so good that I'm sharing it on my blog, redeems me. The link above will take you directly to the recipe and as I said before, it's good. Really, really good. We've made it several times now, sometimes with turkey and it's also delicious with chicken. We will bake up some canned biscuits (seen above), make some cornbread muffins, or just eat it with tortilla chips on the side. We like our food extra spicy, but you can adjust the ingredients to your taste. And, as always, a Bud Light with lime washes it all down oh so well.

KIDDOS: Boise Parks + Rec

This summer is the first time we've really taken advantage of the Boise Parks and Recreation Summer Activities since we've been working full-time in previous years. From sculpture class to nature camps, they offer a range of activities that are around $20 for Boise residents for a 6-8 week class. They offer a summer full of swimming lessons for kids that usually run Mondays thru Thursdays for two full weeks. We chose the Borah Pool since it was fairly close to our house and fit our schedule. The instructors were young and fun and Lucy learned the back float this year.

She has also taken two dance classes at Fort Boise Community Center which have been fantastic. She loved the 4-and-5-year-olds Storybook Ballet, where they did fun movements based on stories the teacher would read each class, and has just started a kids movement ballet and tap class there as well. The instructors are exceptional, and the facility is really nice.

I really wanted to sign her up for some art classes here this summer, but, of course, I procrastinated and the classes were all full. If you live in Boise, you should receive a paper copy of the summer activities guide in the mail, or you can pick one up late spring in various places around town. I highly suggest you do, but be sure to sign your kids up early, as the classes fill up fast. They also offer great classes for adults, from cooking to dance, to more obscure things like how to travel to Quatar on a budget. I took Sewing for Beginners last fall with some girlfriends in an evening course held at a local junior high for a similarly cheap rate.

FOODIE: Summer Reading with Sizzler

At the beginning of June, Lucy joined the Boise Public Library's Kids Summer Reading Program. They win prizes and gift certificates for reading a certain number of minutes, and since we read every night, she quickly filled out all her "tickets" and claimed her prizes. One of them was a free kids meal at Sizzler. It may be embarrassing to admit, but we had NEVER BEEN TO A SIZZLER BEFORE. We were excited to give it a try, because I have been lusting after their all you can eat seafood commercials for some time. Much to Eric's delight, but my chagrin, we were surprised to find it was also a GIGANTIC BUFFET.



I am not a fan of buffets, but do love me a nice salad bar, so decided to give it a try. You order at the front counter, and of course I got the all you can eat fried shrimp and steak platter; it comes with a beverage and salad bar trip for only $15. Eric got the all you can eat buffet, which included the salad bar, a taco bar, soup, desserts, ice cream, and a drink for around $10. Lucy's $6 kids meal with the buffet and dinosaur chicken nuggets was free, and Alice, being just one-year-old, also ate for free.

I meant to take more pictures of the food but forgot before we devoured it all. We all enjoyed our meals; I thought the steak was delicious as were the unlimited amounts of shrimp. The buffet offered enough variety to satisfy my picky kids and was clean and fresh.

The highlight for Lucy was, of course, the ice cream station. It was here that I noticed the large amount of senior citizens that had just joined our dining atmosphere. Granted, we were eating dinner at 5pm, as we had skipped lunch and were starving. The folks were friendly and loved chatting with the kids, and one particular gentleman told me all about his diabetes and his beloved Toyota Tundra while we stood in line for the sugar-free ice cream.

All in all, our first experience at Sizzler was a good one. It's a great place to take families, as your kids have unlimited options and will find the buffet style eating fun. You can get your adult "steak on" at the same time and the all you can eat option seems to be almost orgasmic for most men. I have to admit, we probably wouldn't have ever tried Sizzler (at least until we were 55 or older) without the incentive of Lucy's summer library reading benefit. Our experience was a good one, though, and the bill wasn't outrageous. We'll definitely keep it in mind next time we have the great-grandparents in town or a crowd of especially picky eaters to satisfy.

STYLE: Posh Papoose Hats

My girlfriend in Los Angeles sent the girls these darling reversible sunhats handmade by a creative, entrepreneurial mom she knows who works from home. Her company is called Posh Papoose, and I soon discovered they also make equally hip play mats and baby slings.

The hats are made from sturdy, funky prints. Alice is wearing the Jade Pop Hat and Lucy got the Sakura. They can fold up quite small, fit well on the head, and have a wide brim to protect precious soft skin from the sun. I love that they are super cute and practical, not to mention perfect for summer. Mostly, I love supporting other amazing mothers who have started their own successful and unique small businesses on top of that other demanding full-time career of being a Mom.

KIDDOS: The Wildlife Wonders of Cabelas

My baby girl, Alice, is obsessed with taxidermy. She seriously considers these stuffed wild creatures her friends, and talks to them lovingly in her toddler gibberish, petting them softly. And she can pick them out in the oddest of locations, even mounted to the highest most obscure spot on a restaurant wall. Lucky for her, she's growing up in Idaho. And we have a new, lovely, FREE taxidermy museum to take family excursions to called Cabelas.
Conveniently located near the Boise Towne Square Mall and Hooters, Cabelas is a haven for sportsmen and sportswomen of all types, which pretty much covers, um, everyone who lives in Idaho. If we weren't on The Compact, we'd be probably be splurging on all sorts of cool gear, like the lounge camp chairs with sunshades for $49.99. However, it is still a great place for adults to look around, too, while your kids have a wildlife experience to remember.

Lucy took this shot of the African animals display at Cabelas, and you can see more (crisper) images of the store here on their website. There are three of these large exhibits, and many other taxidermied birds and large game animals hanging above your heads throughout the super store.

My girls were mesmerized, and I think Alice thought she'd died and gone to heaven with all the other lovely dearly departed animals of her dreams. Both girls also loved the fish aquarium, which I didn't get a photo of, but rivals the aquarium at any zoo in Idaho. It's well worth a trip with the family - they have great old fashioned candy treats as well, and it's cheap fun. You can teach your daughter how to spot a rainbow trout while picking up some Smartwool socks for camping and get your shotgun cleaned all in one stop. You can't beat that!

STYLE: Vintage Kitchenware

I am addicted to mid-century modern design, especially housewares from the 1940s through the 1970s. I am also addicted to a good deal, and my training as an art curator and historian gives me not only a keen eye, but some extra knowledge of superior discount style when I see it at garage sales or the like. Our little ranch home on the Boise Bench is overflowing with mid-century kitsch, and our kitchen is no exception. There are two particular vintage brands that I am in love with and can't get enough of: Pyrex and Tupperware.


Pyrex was created by a savvy wife of a Corning Glass Works scientist in the early 1900s. Her husband was working on some really sturdy glass lanterns for the railroads and she got the brilliant idea that that same strong glass might make a perfect baking dish. She was right, and Corning expanded their durable glass into dishware that the housewives loved. They continue to be a very popular brand, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a household without some sort of Pyrex dish today. I, however, am in love with their vintage designs and colors and love to use them for leftovers instead of disposable plastic tubs and for mixing batches of cookies. They are much cuter, and fun to bring potluck dishes in. Pyrex can often be found at thrift stores in pristine condition for $3.99 or less. The really rare 1940s sets (like the red, yellow, and blue stackables above) can go up to around $40 at antique shops.

I think my affinity for vintage Tupperware stems from my childhood, as I recall my mom's Tupperware parties in our living room and carrying deviled eggs in her Tupperware travel container to neighborhood barbecues. It's another American success story, as in 1946 Earl Tupper molded the first legendary airtight seal on a strong, plastic, stackable container. Just two years later, Tupperware launched perhaps one of the most brilliant marketing campaigns in our history - the home shopping party held for, and by, homemakers. It not only provided fashionable and affordable kitchenware, it provided many women the ability to work part-time on their own time while still caring for their families at home. (PBS did a fabulous documentary called Tupperware! a few years back that I highly recommend.) Although today there are many Tupperware knock-offs, nothing compares to the original. Tupperware parties are still popular, as are their products, but, again, I am a sucker for the colors of the 1960s and 70s. They can be found at garage sales and thrift stores for well under $4, but haven't yet made their debut at any antique stores that I know of. Retro Pyrex and Tupperware are fun items to collect, make our kitchen more colorful, and make leftovers more exciting. What more can a housewife ask for?

STAYCATION: Festival Season

One of my favorite things about summer is the plethora of special events and festivals to pick from. They are usually free (or really cheap) and family-friendly ways to really get to know a community or local tradition. Of course, they almost always fall on the weekends, and we all know that summer weekends are packed with travel or other extracurricular activities, so it's impossible to take them all in. I highly recommend, however, trying to get to a few and am dedicating this staycation post to some festivals we've recently attended.

We hit Boise's Greek Food Festival at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church every year, and it keeps getting better and better. It's usually held the first weekend in June and is filled with yummy eats and Greek dancers. The lovely little church is open for tours, and the real highlight is the delicious trays of Greek cookies and baklava that you can buy in the church basement. They sell out fast, though, so it's imperative to go on Friday rather than Saturday.

Eagle Fun Days is also held in mid-June, and this was the first time we attended. While we didn't go to all the events offered (the Wet and Wild Parade does sound like a lot of fun), we did take advantage of the free family night at the rodeo. It was the preparatory "slack" event, sort of a practice run for the cowboys' and cowgirls' timed events. It was the first time Lucy had ever been to a rodeo, and while it wasn't as exciting or organized as a real rodeo performance, it was a fun, laid-back way to introduce her to the quintessential Idaho sport. The beer and sno-cones were cheap, and the girls got to hang on the fencing and see the animals up close and personal.

The highlight of our festival-going thus far this summer, however, was the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest in Weiser last weekend. I'm proud to say that I was born in Weiser, and it's always worth a staycation day, as it is less than 1.5 hours away from Boise. However, I highly recommend you go during Fiddle Week, which is always the third week in June. The history of the Fiddle Festival, which began in 1953, is a bit ambiguous and mythical, but I found a really compelling and nicely written little article about it's history here. The whole town gets a-hoppin', as there are carnival rides, bluegrass bands, local food booths, a parade, garage sales a-plenty, and a bike rodeo as well. The real magic, however, can be found as you wander around "the Institute" behind the high school, where the fiddlers make their camp and stage impromptu jam sessions all day and night. The official competitive rounds, featuring world-class fiddlers from around the world, are held at Weiser High School throughout the week. They culminate in the final round to award the Grand National Champion on Saturday night.

Eric and I were gifted stellar seats three rows from the stage (thanks, Aunt Terri!), and had a great view. In addition to the competitive round events, there were other wonderful musicians that entertained the sold-out audience that night, including these two, Mexican guitarist Miguel De Hoyos and fiddler Alex DePue, which absolutely knocked our socks off. I am not kidding you, people, these are amazing musicians. And, of course, watching the intensity and improvisation of the fiddling finalists, like this young fella from Corvallis, Oregon, was exciting. While the final competition lasted a little over four hours, we were completely enraptured by the live musical talent before us. (Plus, it was a real date! With no kids! And included a sushi dinner beforehand!)

It's been so fun experiencing the local flavor and history of these Idaho communities as a family and we have plans to continue throughout the summer. So, grab your kids or load up some friends and head to Emmett to pick some cherries, to the local synagogue to gnash on some kugel, to Blackfoot to hit the horse races at the fair, or to Fort Hall to celebrate the Shoshone-Bannock tribes. I guarantee it is a unique way to learn something new and have a helluva a good time in the process.

STYLE: The Snuggie

It was around Christmastime that Lucy first started talking about The Snuggie. Those damn commercials were on every other half hour and she immediately fell in love with the mint green one, saying how she really needed it for "watching her shows." And, look! It comes with a light so you we can read books in bed, Mama! And you can get TWO! I'll get you the navy blue one so you can snuggle your baby! She and I talked many, many times about all the things you can do while in your Snuggie because the commercial gives you all sorts of asinine ideas like your family of four can get matching ones and wear them to football games. It became an instant joke around not only our house, but across The Internets, including a hilarious parody of the commercial on You Tube. I have to admit, it sounded pretty nice to me, because, really, my ARMS DO GET COLD when only using a blanket and trying to use the remote.

But, we soon decided to abide by The Compact when January 1st rolled around, so I knew it was out of the question. I tossed around the idea of making Lucy a Snuggie out of an old robe turned backwards, but I knew that wasn't going to fly. Luckily, Aunt Hayley and Uncle Dom kept The Snuggie in mind when Lucy's birthday rolled around.

They found it at Winco Foods, which apparently sells all kinds of made for TV products now, because I also saw the Topsy Turvy there. There were only two left (!) and they were both brilliant blue, but Lucy didn't seem to mind. I'm not kidding you - the kid shouted out with glee when she pulled off the wrapping to find the all too familiar box staring back at her. And, apparently, Lucy's not alone. All the kids at the party knew what The Snuggie was and seemed to be, um, a bit jealous.

It was an immediate sensation and passed around for all to try on. And, I'll admit it, we love the silly thing. Lucy and I cuddle in it when we are sick and it is pretty nice to snuggle up to my baby Alice with it on, especially in cold winter months. However, don't be fooled that you can wear it around the house, let alone around town, and walk easily. It's much like wearing a way too long robe backwards. Call me a sucker, but for the smiles it put on Lucy's face and for the many weeks I wore it, crying on the couch after The Layoff and drowning my sorrows in The Food Network, it's easily worth the $19.95 (plus S+H).

THRIFTY: Hits of the 70s

My favorite thrift store here in the Treasure Valley is the Idaho Youth Ranch Outlet on Irving Street, between Orchard and Curtis in Boise. I love supporting the mission of this thrift store, as well as the killer prices, especially at the outlet location, where the unpurchased and undesirable items make their last hurrah. The outlet's goal is to move items out quickly, so most things are unpriced. At the end of your shopping extravaganza, you roll your cart onto a large scale where your items are weighed and you pay a mere 50 cents a pound. The outlet is in a big, often dirty, warehouse and you have to be willing to dig, as the environment is more like a giant garage sale than the typical, more organized thrift store. But, let me tell you, there are treasures and deals to be found. A few weeks ago I bought a like-new Baby Bjorn front carrier for my expecting sis-in-law. Those things retail around $80 and sell used at children's consignment shops for around $20-30; I only paid around 25 cents. I often find great items for kids during my thrifting, but last week's purchases were especially sweet.

Now, I know I'm unusually sentimental and nostalgic, but I was so excited to find these little items from my childhood to share with my girls:

I has this exact same 1979 Mickey Mouse Disco vinyl album as a kid and Lucy picked it out at the thrift store. Nary a scratch on it, not to mention, it features "Macho Duck."

But this Fisher Price Parking Ramp and Service Center from 1970 stole my heart thirty years ago and has done so again. Do you remember how cool it was to crank your cars up the elevator while the people rode in the side? And the bell rings as the stop sign lifts? And after your car speeds down the ramp you can fill it up with gas?

Both these finds were in near excellent condition, albeit a bit dusty, probably from being stored in someones parents' garage for the past three decades. I'm so glad they passed them on for me and my family to enjoy again. And let me tell you, we have already danced the hours away to "Watch Out For Goofy" and picked up some really fast Matchbox cars at a garage sale that fit PERFECTLY in our little service elevator.


p.s. I've opened up the comments to all, not just those with a Google account. I'd love to hear from you, especially if you, too, have memories about that sweet FP Parking Ramp and Service Center.

CULTURE: Sweatin' With Richard

A few years ago my friend Brittany Powell told me about what an incredible and fun workout she was getting Disco Sweatin' in her basement with Richard Simmons. I told her I was an avid Jazzerciser, and as we exchanged stories, we realized that the concepts of both our exercise routines were very similar - low-to-high-impact dance workouts in kitschy outfits to top 40 tunes, either of the past or present. Also, they are both workout routines that are easy, fun, and not in a gym filled with uber fitness freaks, which are definite musts for both of us.

The main differences were that Brittany's workout was cheaper (Jazzercise costs around $35 per month) and could be done on her own schedule in her home. WITH RICHARD SIMMONS. Brittany is such a fan of his exercise regime, she has dedicated entire artworks to him. (Below is an image of Gone Sweatin', her 2007 Contac paper installation of a living room, complete with a DVD playing a video of her doing Sweatin' To The Oldies. Gallery patrons were invited to don their headbands and hightops and work out in the space.)


I was sold and ready to give Simmons a try. The local Jazzercise schedule wasn't fitting very well into the rest of my life schedule, anyhow, and the new year was fast approaching, as was our new life living The Compact. It seemed a perfect time to give it a shot.

I went a little nuts on Ebay and Amazon.com searching for all the Richard Simmons workout videos I could find and let me tell you, there are ALOT OF THEM. I settled for Disco Sweat on DVD and the quintessential Sweatin' to the Oldies 1, 2 and 3 on VHS (I'm old school that way; yes, we still use our VCR often). Since then, Lucy found me Dance Your Pants Off at the Deseret Industries thrift store downtown Salt Lake City and Groovin' in the House in another second hand shop for $1-2 each. We moved the coffee table out of our family room, making it the perfect spot for my morning workout routine.

Each video is around 50-60 minutes in length. I usually pick one video and do it all week, changing each week so as not to tire of them too quickly (which hasn't happened yet, and I've been doing them since January). Richard Simmons is a legend in the workout world, and I love his quirky, hyper mannerisms, even first thing in the morning. The routines are a bit jazzy and may be complicated at first for the less coordinated, but if you hang in there you'll catch on and will be able to adjust the intensity of your workout. The oldies music is a hoot, as is the 1980s attire of my "fellow classmates" on the videos. It's also a great way to get your kids into exercise; Lucy loves doing the routines with me and lusts after Simmons' sparkly tanks. The only downsides, thus far, are that only Disco Sweat has an abs/floor routine and there are very few weightlifting routines on any of the programs. I've become such a big fan that I've already planned a visit to workout with Richard, IN PERSON, at Slimmons Studio next time I'm in L.A. and have even checked into his Cruise to Lose. If you're looking for a fun, cheap workout, look for a Richard Simmons video next time you're at the Goodwill or the library. Not motivated to exercise alone? Invite some buddies over, dress in your best disco gear, pull out your TV and DVD player to set up a mini Sweatin' Studio in your garage or backyard, and serve Mimosas and doughnut holes afterwards just to keep it real.

STAYCATION: Albertson Park + Ben's Crow Inn

While sometimes we have an entire day or weekend to devote to our staycations, often we only have a half day or so in between mowing the yard and doing laundry to relax and fool around. It's always nice to spend at least part of our weekend not tending to regular life duties and exploring what our local scene has to offer. I thought I'd share our little Sunday morning adventure as another alternative to a doable staycation on a budget. We also had my inlaws in town, so it is a nice way to share some local Boise haunts with visitors, too.

We started out getting iced coffees to go (a rare treat for Eric and I) and loaded the kids and the stroller in our Jeep. We headed to Kathryn Albertson Park near downtown Boise off of Americana Blvd. The weather was cool and perfect and there were very few people in the park. Albertson Park is known as a beautiful outdoor wedding venue (in fact, I married my father and his wife at the Eyrie shelter a few years back), but it is often overlooked as a lovely place to walk.


There are two miles of paved paths that weave you through a nature trail. The fresh smell and chirping birds are therapeutic, and truly make you feel like you are miles from the city. Wildlife abounds, as there are often deer in the park in early mornings or evenings and tons of geese. Just a few weeks ago there were baby ducks waddling all around. This time, we were thrilled to catch a family of turtles basking in the sun on rocks and got to see their tiny babies up close. Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures (the scenic shots I stole from here), but I did get this one of Alice taking in the gorgeous spread of pink water lilies.


Lucy really enjoyed collecting twigs, feathers, and pine cones for the fairy houses she builds in our backyard, and we enjoyed the leisurely walk with our family. Since there are no play structure and no bikes, rollerblades, or skateboards allowed in the park, the environment is more calm and natural than many of the other city parks.


After about 1.5 leisurely hours strolling the park, we were all hungry for some lunch. Since we'd never been there, we decided to make the journey out to Ben's Crow Inn.


Since it's WAY down Warm Springs Blvd. on your way to Lucky Peak, it makes for a great scenic drive for out of towners. You can either wind through downtown or around Boise State University and then lead them down the historic district of the biggest, loveliest homes in the city. You'll also pass the Old State Penitentiary, as well as the site of the Shakespeare Festival. Ben's Crow Inn is a great little dive bar to stop at after boating at Lucky Peak Reservoir, floating the Boise River at Barber Park, or biking along the Greenbelt (here's the entrance for bikers off the trail).


I'm sure the wood paneling, red retro Budweiser light fixtures, and jukebox may seem intimidating to parents, but rest assured this place is kid friendly, and they even have high chairs and a kids menu. The picnic tables out back and rolls of paper towels on the table also signified my kind of family dining. The place is known for their buckets of clams, so of course, we ordered the biggest one we could.

They served them in an old Jackpot, Nevada casino slot machine coin bucket (since I'm a fan, Barton's Club 93 to be exact), which made me even more excited. It was 3 1/2 lbs. of bliss. I've seriously never tasted clams so delicious before. $29.95 got us the clams, a side salad, and some french fries. In addition, we ordered some of their halibut fish and chips (also crispy and lovely) and, of course, a pitcher of beer. While the bill was a bit pricey for lunch, it was truly worth it. We're always up for exploring local hidden gems, so stay tuned for more mini staycation posts in the future.

STYLE: Coffin Couches

So, of course I fell in love with Coffin Couches when I first discovered them a short while back via The Internet. These ingenious entrepreneurs/artisans have stolen my heart with their reasons for using discarded coffins from Southern California funeral homes. First, their unique recycling vision should be applauded (you can read more about it here and here). Also, just look at their attention to style, craftsmanship, and color. I'd kill for this cutie:

If only I weren't recently laid off and abiding by The Compact, I'd love to throw down the $3,500. I'd die to have this one for my living room:

The second reason I love Coffin Couches has to do with my former life as a mortician's assistant and my freakish interest in the history of the macabre but fascinating American way of death. I became a death art expert in graduate school, working as an art historian for Minneapolis' Lakewood Cemetery, one of the more famous cemeteries in the country, as well as writing my thesis on the history of American funeral homes. Strange how the odd but interesting path my life has taken also influences my taste in home decor.

KIDDOS: Throwin' a Girly Birthday Party on a (very tight) Budget

Two days after I got laid off my baby girl turned one. Two weeks later my older daughter turned five. While we didn't exactly plan to have two April babies (July must be my fertile month), it turns out that both our children will be forced to have joint birthday celebrations for at least a few years to come. We had just sent out invitations to 40 friends and family the day before my layoff and needless to say, when the party rolled around, we weren't in that much of a celebratory mood, nor was our recently shocked budget.

I'm not really into big, elaborate kids parties of any kind, and love making much of the necessary birthday needs by hand when possible. Also, since we are abiding by The Compact this year, it made the party even more of a challenge to plan. Especially when Lucy decided on a Tinkerbell party theme. My mom saved the day there, as she purchased Tinkerbell plates, napkins, a tablecloth and happy birthday banner, since she wanted to contribute and knows about both The Compact and The Layoff. I decided to mix it up with some other cute, whimsical decorations I had around the house. I made each girl a birthday crown out of recycled cereal boxes, decorated with vintage rick-rack, Contac paper, and fabric scraps; Lucy's had a "5" on it and Alice's a "1."The decorative highlight, however, was the handmade fabric banners their Auntie Crystal, a retro mama with amazing sewing skills, whipped up for the party. I LOVE THEM, and plan to reuse them for years to come, keeping them in good enough shape to pass on when Alice and Lucy are moms themselves. My parents made me this cake from an early 1970s Baker's Coconut cookbook for my first birthday. I recreated a version of it for Lucy's first birthday party in Minneapolis and again for Alice's first. I also made the cupcakes for Lucy's birthday, complete with the bright feather toppers from items found in our various craft tubs. Since it was an afternoon party we didn't spend a lot on food; the night before I hit Costco for a veggie tray, fruit platter, tortilla chips and a tub of their delicious seven layer Mexican dip. We got our extended family to contribute beer and I bought a box of wine for the adults. For games, we filled plastic Easter eggs, which I already had a ton of, with candy and gum and hid them all over the yard. I had purchased a reindeer pinata at Christmastime for cheap, and retrofitted her to be a spring fawn and filled her with candy too. Each of the kids at the party got a brown paper sack for all their candy, and that operated as their treat/party bags. The weather was lovely, so we all sat around the yard chatting, eating, drinking, and watching the kids thoroughly enjoy themselves, which is what kids' birthday parties are all about, right? And all for a little time, ingenuity, and less than $100.

Top Ten Tips + Expert Advice for new SAHMs

So now that I've been working this new gig as a full time stay at home mom for two full months now, I think I'm qualified to share some newfound wisdom. Or, at the very least, I guess I feel like I've earned the right to subject you to my chaotic mom ramblings. The transition from the career driven world we once occupied, ladies, into the world of a happy homemaker isn't, well, always happy. It's been an incredibly rough journey for me, at least, which may be compounded by the fact that I returned from a week vacation to a surprise from my boss. Guess what?! You no longer have a job! As a result, our lives have been topsy-turvy and it's caused me to reevaluate a lot of things, including our budget, lifestyle, my career, the kind of person I am and want to be. In other words, to quote my beloved Dixie Chicks in the song "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice," it turned my whole world around, and I kinda like it.

So here are some hints, tips, bits of advice, myths busted, and that sort of thing:

1) Your to-do list will be longer than it ever was when you were working outside of the home. Being here, you realize things like ants come inside and carry away stray Cherrios (need to spray) and your oven is coated in black (time for a cleaning).

2) You will never be able to keep up with this lengthy to-do list because you'll be too busy changing diapers, giving baths, getting out dress up clothes, wait, filling the swimming pool, and now turning on the sprinkler, and getting rid of that cat puke before your baby eats it, oh, it's too late, so you'd better get online to see if you need to call poison control over this one, and then you find out it's okay so you check Perez Hilton for the latest celebrity checking into rehab....you catch my drift.

3) Have a box of wine in your kitchen and don't be afraid to use it.

4) There will be days where your daughter eats nacho cheese CornNuts for breakfast and never changes out of her pajamas. And it's okay.

5) Your new boss may be just as difficult and demanding as your old one, or even more so. You still have to clean up her shit, deal with her tantrums, listen to her whining and do everything for her. But this one gives cuddles, kisses, smells yummy and loves you.

6) You never have to wear nylons again. In fact, you can wear your favorite Levis, tank top, and flip flops every day of the week, ladies.

7) Your house will be messier now that you are in it full time with two kids under 5 than it ever was before. This came as a surprise to me at first. It will not be clean. Ever.

8) Schedules be damned. You had enough accounting for your time at your former workplace. At first, I tried to designate this day to laundry and that day to storytime at the library. It became impossible to stick to and I just felt like a failure (which god knows I don't need). Also, it's the beginning of summer. We make smores in the firepit past bedtime and play too long at the park.

9) Join Facebook. Or Twitter. Start a blog. Or at least surf the web to see what other new SAHMs are doing, feeling, hating, loving, and learning. This can be an isolating profession in many ways, and it's nice to know you aren't alone.

10) This new career is harder than my last one. But it is also more meaningful and fun. Take it for what it is - enjoy napping with your baby, teaching your toddler to build sandcastles, wearing a tiara and a clown nose all day long. Clip coupons, bake cookies for your neighbors, have a yard sale. Don't worry about tweezing your eyebrows today and, sometimes, let happy hour start at 4pm.

ARTSY: Threadless Tees

A friend turned me on to Threadless tees many years ago, and I own several (including the half done Paint By Numbers one and the sweet little til death do us part number called "Evolution" pictured above). Threadless is a community-based tee shirt company with an ongoing, open call for design submissions. They pay artists or graphic designers who come up with quirky images and slogans if they make it through the online voters forum. Anyone can vote or submit and it is a great little program with fantastically priced items made in the USA, as the tees are usually Hanes or American Apparel (a bit of advice, order a size larger as they tend to run small). Sign up for their weekly emails to get notices on their $10 sales, which is how I acquired this cutie:
And this one for my daughter's 2nd birthday when her favorite song was "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" (their children's tees are darling):

If you haven't heard of Threadless Tees or ever purchased one, I highly suggest you check out their great website and get onboard. You might just find the perfect one for that sarcastic teenager in your life or for your crazy grandma. But hurry quick, as the limited runs sell out fast.

FOODIE: Yummy Yogurt Smoothies + Frozen Pops

Yogurt smoothies are a favorite in my house, usually for breakfast, but are really yummy at any time of day. There are really no rules when it comes to smoothie making, just throw in what you have or love. For us, this usually consists of:

-about 1 cup of orange juice

-about 1 cup of yogurt (usually plain or vanilla, but any flavor will do)

-1 frozen banana (you can also use fresh, but freezing your overripe bananas for smoothies is a great way to reduce food waste)

-a handful of berries (also usually frozen)

-about 1 tablespoon of either honey or Agave nectar (the latter being our FAVORITE)

We toss it all in the blender and mix, adding a little more of something if desired after taste testing. I usually make an extra large batch, so we can all have one for breakfast and then pour the rest into homemade popsicle molds for treats later in the week or even a quick breakfast on the run. I bought the popsicle molds at IKEA years ago for $1.99. I also see them at Winco quite often and you'd be surprised how much you use them, especially if you have kids. It's super easy and fun to make your own healthy frozen pops, especially as summer is just around the corner!

Livin' The Compact in 2009

I have always been a thrifty gal who gets a thrill out a great deal, be it after Christmas sales at the mall or a fabulous retro find at a flea market. Most of my wardrobe since high school has consisted of funky items from the Goodwill mixed with stuff from the clearance rack at Old Navy. I'm also a sucker for well-loved antiques or other misfit cast offs. I love both their history as well as their potential, and have rescued many a defunct piece of furniture, painted it, and turned it into a great new find. It isn't just thriftiness or living on a budget that has drawn me to this type of lifestyle, though, but also the importance of reusing as a major component in recycling. Over the years our family has become avid recyclers, and we try to produce as little waste as possible, buying in bulk, using our own shopping bags, reusing yogurt containers and cereal boxes as building blocks for Alice, and taking our travel coffee mugs to Moxie Java. So, it probably wasn't a big surprise to Eric when just after Christmas I announced that I wanted our New Years Resolution to be committing to The Compact for one year.

There is one simple (or not so) rule of The Compact: buy nothing new for a year. The Compact is an idea that started a few years ago with a group of people in San Francisco and has since spread nationwide. The group has several stated aims:

1) To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc.

2) To reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er)

3) To simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)

We've agreed to follow two principles:

#1 Don't buy new products of any kind (with some exceptions like food, toiletries, and underwear!)

#2 Borrow, barter or buy used

Eric and I had been trying to simplify our lives for a while, and the idea of The Compact really appeals to us (admittedly, more to me than him, but he has been converted). We knew it would be a challenge, but we were up for it. We live in such a materialistic society, one that got us into this economic crisis in the first place. And even for us, it was still going to be hard to break those old habits of purchasing new. The fundamental question for us was (and still is): will we be happy without as much stuff in our lives? We're well into month 5 and I have to say, we are.

FOODIE: The Idaho Fry Co.

A couple of weeks ago our dear friend Michele from Oregon came to visit for the weekend. Our times together are always filled with laughter, relaxation and good food. After a long morning of walking through Julia Davis Park and all over the BSU campus, we were starving. We wanted something simple, quick, and kid-friendly, as the girls were getting pooped at this point and needed naps. We had heard mixed reviews about the newly opened Idaho Fry Co. but are suckers for burgers and fries (um, who isn't?!), so decided to give it a try.

The place is located in a nondescript strip mall on Broadway Avenue in Boise, in between an Avon shop and a new Middle Eastern restaurant. The decor is modern and the art of a local artist, Ben Wilson, covers the walls, which I always like to see. It was about 2:00 in the afternoon when we arrived, and the small, hip shop was pretty busy. The staff was sweet and helped us decipher the confusing menu and ordering process. We decided on three bison burgers and 5 different kinds of fries. The Idaho Fry Co. prides itself on promoting the fry to the head of the class, featuring it as the main dish and the burger as the side. I can't remember all the names of the types of potatoes we ordered, and they don't have a menu on their website, probably since their fry options change almost daily. We had some russets, blue potatoes, and a sweet purple Hawaiian potato fry. The fries are dished up in fancy paper cones, and the burgers on a minimal restaurant platter. They also offer almost 20 different dipping sauces, from black bean to molasses. I have to say, after trying them all, we agreed that the traditional fry sauce was our favorite. Our bill totalled around $40 - not really a cheap lunch for three.

I really wanted to love this place, as I wholeheartedly support local businesses, especially those using organic, local, and fresh ingredients. I can forgive the confusion of the servers (they were slow and messed up our orders), as they, too, are just learning the tricks of the trade. I have to say, however, that the food wasn't as wonderful as I'd hoped and the limited menu is bit gimmicky and not quite diverse enough to make you want to come back again. There are a lot of burger and fry joints in Boise, and I'm not sure their fancy take on the fry is enough to keep them in business, especially with their high prices in this difficult economic time. I do wish them the best and hope they keep experimenting and expanding their ideas. If you live in the Boise area, give them a try - your burger and fry palate may be more sophisticated than mine.

THRIFT + STYLE: The Hair Experiment

So, I've always had problems with a dry scalp and, consequently, dry hair. Over the years, I've gotten more gray hair, continually colored or highlighted it, and have watched it change from thick and curly to course and wiry from pregnancy to pregnancy. Like most ladies, I've experimented with a variety of shampoos and conditioning treatments, from cheap drugstore brands to expensive ones from salons. They all work for a bit, but always seem to have some unlikeable side effect like making my hair feel sticky or oily or stripping my expensive highlight job. About nine months ago, in a postpartum dry scalp funk, I started to do some more online research about natural remedies and came across a magical recipe starring these two simple household ingredients:

Oh wonder of wonders! Two things that we have always had in our pantry have changed my world. I first read about this solution here and immediately gave it a shot, altering the amounts for my short hair. I use two reusable plastic breastmilk bottles that came with my pump that I never used to mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with 4 oz of water. I pour it over my hair in the shower once or twice a week (there has been lots of research done about only washing your a few times a week), paying careful attention to rubbing it into my scalp. I leave it on for a few minutes, rinse, and create another mixture with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar mixed with 4 oz of water, pour that on my head, and rinse. I was reluctant to believe that my head wouldn't smell like Easter eggs once I got out of the shower but Evany was right. It really does smell like I've been swimming in a mountain lake. And my hair feels noticeably soft and clean and shiny. I was admittedly sceptical of this at first (can it really be that easy? or cheap?), but I've been doing this since August and love the results. Give it a shot and let me know what you think.