Gifts You Can Feel Good About Giving!

This time of year I always feel… guilty

…joyful yes but also guilty.

For me it is hard to walk the line between being a good steward of the earth and giving gifts that my loved ones will enjoy. I hardly every buy new things for myself and I actually am so overwhelmed by the consumerism that I get the spins when I go into a Target or a WalMart; maybe that is why I live in Corvallis. Needless to say this presents a challenge when Christmas shopping. Most years I have enjoyed making Christmas gifts for everyone on my list or finding one of a kind vintage items for example antique barware for people on my list but this year that just didn’t happen.

So I began to panic and ask “what do other anti-consumer people do for the holidays?”

It was then I remembered a fair trade store I went to in Corvallis awhile ago.

They had some great stuff!

I like to give ornaments to the people in my life i dont know much about but appreciate so this angels (above) are great they are made by AIDS orphans to support their orphanage.

For the entertainer they have recycled Venetian glass (above) which YES you can eat off of and block printed tablecloths (below)!

For kids they have several educational gifts like a Morse Code kits (to the right) and some other fun stuff. For little kids they also have some great eco-friendly toys like this tea set (to the left) that is all recycled plastic and was named the number one toy in America by Parenting Magazine!

For the guys they have some awesome shirts printed with clay inks with cool images (see close up of bicycle image below)!

They also have a large variety of bracelets which makes stocking suffers easier for me with girls and really well made recycled silk scarfs and purses!

So now there is no guilt and everyone has fun presents to receive on Christmas morning!

All of these gift ideas and many more are from
Many Hands Trading on Monroe Av. in downtown Corvallis! For hours and more information call them at 541-738-0808

Corvallis has its own currency?

Check out this great program Corvallis has called the hours exchange which uses a local currency to encourage a working form of the buy local movement. Click Here for more information and YES some establishments in Corvallis accept the currency - most importantly Oregon Trail Brewery and Corvallis Brewing Supply both do :) High quality beer and cheese here we come!

Sightseeing is Free and Relaxing...

There are some beautiful sights to see in Corvallis...

Take a day get some coffee from one of our local coffee shops and enjoy the sights and sounds of Corvallis...

One of my favorite things to do on a lazy morning is to grab a cup of coffee and walk along the riverfront in Corvallis. It is so relaxing and the birds are singing.

Then I take a walk through downtown and enjoy some of the architecture. I love old architecture and have read about some of these buildings online. There is also a walking tour of historic downtown.

A Chic and Unique Place to Go Out III

101 Eat and Drink Happy Hour!

Located on Corvallis’ historic riverfront 101 is a unique bar with a great happy hour! From 4:30-6:30 daily beers are $2.50, cocktails are $2 off and the best of all Calapooia beers are $2! And you can eat too! Because their small plates are all less then $12; many of them are $8 or below!

Enjoy!

Craving The Coast

About this time of the year when the storms will be rolling in soon I start to crave the coast. Growing up just down the road in Salem I was never far from Oregon’s beautiful coastline and when I spend too much time away from the coast it gets bad…

One of the great things about Corvallis is the proximity to the coast. Newport is just and hour away. I stay in Lincoln City which is still under two hours.

I think I will get to the coast next month sometime and then I will get to visit my favorite spots like Mo’s, Rogue and Mossy Creek Pottery. I am also going to try to get to the Hatfield Marine Center because I have been wanting to do that for years!

I cant wait to hear the waves and feel the wind...

Time to Cozy Up!

Earlier this week the weather was feeling a bit chilly and I noticed the leaves were turning. I had tried to avoid the recognition that fall was coming of a few weeks now. But this was the turning point – I needed to embrace it or become totally delusional. Fall is beautiful in Corvallis and it looks as though it will again this year so I opted to embrace the season.

So I curled up on my sofa with a cup of tea and began to sew. One of the great things about Corvallis is that there are so many crafty stores to choose from. Quiltwork Patches on 3^rd street has some really unique fabric and Creative Craft and Frame also has a fabric section. Thrifting fabric is also good especially at the OSU Folk Thrift Store downtown! Above is the quilt block pattern for what I am making!

It took a few hours to cut out all of my pieces but I was very happy when they were laid out all ready to sew!

I just finished the block last night and I will show you a photo soon. It was a great lazy afternoon curled up with my cat and my cup of jo! I’m sure it will be even better when it snows!

Upcoming Fun Stuff I am Looking Forward To...

Yachats Village Mushroom Festival! Oct 17th - 19th in Yachats, Oregon!

Viva Hispania with the Corvallis - OSU Symphony Orchestra!

Fresh Hop Beer "Tastivals" Oct 25th in Eugene at Ninkasi Brewing.

Eugene Mushroom Festival Oct 26th!

Lincoln City Chowder Cookoff Nov 8th!