Catalogue of Life
Catalogue of Life
The Catalogue of Life indexes 1.25 million known species and organisms on earth. It divides this massive list into 7 categories: animals, plants, fungi, protozoa, chromista, bacteria and viruses.
According to the website, the Catalogue of Life Special 2010 Edition “is the most complete and integrated species list known to man.”
Did you know there are over 5,700 species of dragonfly and damselfly? Or that there are nearly 27,000 species of orchid in the world?
Awesome stuff.
Dark Chocolate Acai
Dark chocolate acai
As if we need it, here’s yet another reason to eat chocolate.
The super antioxidant power of acai and blueberry rolled into a little ball and covered in dark chocolate.
Yum. Seriously.
You can find these little bits of heaven at Costco. Brookside Dark Chocolate Acai. Write it down.
Flip video camera
Flip Video Camera
We got a Flip video camera several months ago – a Mino HD. It fits in your purse (or your pocket), is very easy to use AND it comes with it’s own editing software – which is loaded on the camera so you can edit your movies on your computer or on grandma’s. LOVE it!
The flip part? It’s the built-in USB that flips out at the touch of a button. Plug and play anywhere.
Plus, it’s just fun to say flip. Flip. 
Farmers Insurance Call Center
I spent a little time at the Farmers Insurance call center in Hillsboro, Oregon, and was amazed at how hard they work to keep their workplace a positive place.
There’s an on-site gift shop filled with cheerful items like balloons, paper sunflowers, painted pots, butterfly magnets and more. And on the walls all around the building are huge motivational pictures, like this one:
If Walt Disney can start with $750 and go on to create a magical empire, anything’s possible, right? That’s a pretty great attitude to surround your employees with. Which makes the Farmers call center a pretty awesome place to be.
Teddy Patrick
Teddy Patrick, photo by Zachary Kaufman
My Costco shopping trip has many times been made more enjoyable by Teddy Patrick; so I wasn’t too surprised to find him as the focal point of an article in The Columbian this week praising his positive attitude and refreshing nature.
He smiles, he sings, he is genuinely warm and welcoming. Teddy is awesome.
Find out more about Teddy Patrick and you might just be enticed to take a trip to Costco to meet him.
Linda Buechler
I make a habit of frequenting Random Order Coffeehouse for their excellent pie. A week or so ago I was there with my partner in pie. She pointed out some fantastic art that was hanging on the wall: beautiful botanicals, strikingly painted on jewel-toned, multi-part backgrounds.
Linda Buechler's "seedpod"
I turned to look, and noticed that the paintings were actually done on books. This piece, “seedpod” was painted on a couple of Danielle Steele hardbacks. Another, one of a fern, was painted on “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” Talk about whimsical. Art and Harry Potter! How awesome is that?
Paws for a Cause
Paws for a Cause Pet Boutique
Paws for a Cause is a pet boutique in Gresham, Oregon. Not only does it provide pet clothing and gourmet treats, it provides vocational training for individuals with disabilities.
Paws for a Cause is part of the vocational programming that Adult Learning Systems of Oregon, Inc. provides through its Living Without Boundries project.
According to the Paws for a Cause website, Adult Learning Systems of Oregon, Inc., is a “non-profit organization providing vocational and residential services for individuals with disabilities. Our Vocational program is designed not only to meet the needs of the individuals, but to encourage and excel in their daily living skills.”
Spiral Slides
As a big kid, I love playgrounds. I really enjoy a good merry-go-round, or a tire swing, or a spiral slide.
A few weeks ago, a friend and I ran across a spiral slide that was most awesome. This thing was tall, and tight. It required climbing two flights of stairs to reach the top.
Spiral Slide!
We took turns balling up and hurling ourselves down it – giggling like little kids.
Homemade Pop Tart
Homemade Pop Tarts
Some friends brought me a “homemade pop tart” for house sitting for them. Yum. It was flakey and filled with strawberry preserves and lightly frosted.
It wasn’t exactly like a pop tart. It was better.
The one I had came from Bread and Ocean bakery in Manzanita, Oregon. I looked online and found a nice, simple recipe for something similar. Take a look over at Chez Pim for instructions and pictures.
Xylitol gum
Xylitol is a sweetener that has been used as an alternative for diabetics. It’s also been shown to fights cavities, battle bacteria, and increase bone density. What do you do with such a sweetener? Why, put it in gum, of course!
B Fresh Gum
The type of xylitol gum I chew is B fresh. It’s Kosher, Vegan and Gluten and Soy free. I especially like he spearmint and cinnamon flavors. And the fact that I have fresh breath AND healthy teeth.
