The husband joins in!

So, Preston brings home some wire, pine cones, a metal hoop 4 feet round and some other misc. items to proclaim "We are making a home made wreath this year" We have an old artificial tree in the rafters that has been there for years, now it has a whole new life! ... Usually I am the crafty one but this set me into minor shock. Pleased I said LETS DO THIS! He had the whole idea planned out and executed perfectly. He even had a theme: Oregon Ducks [BCS still #1 I may add.....] So with some last minute bulb shopping, quick YouTube viewing on "how to make a bow" and a couple handy kids we did it! The wreath is beautiful, heavy and a true masterpiece! I do believe he really had a good time making it as he brought home a couple more metal rings this weekend.

**** There will be photos and craft plan for the wreath in 2 weeks on the website! ****

Holidays are here: weather is cool, stockings are hung, my plants are dead (didn't adhere to the weather warnings this time, oops.) - Now I am starting some new indoor specimens to hopefully outlive my seasonal non-green thumb. There is much to be thankful for this season and we have been truly blessed!

Have a very Happy Holiday Season!

Oh, Fall - How I Love Thee......

Wrapping up with a warm cup of cocoa, instrumental music drifting throughout the home and the subtle scent of pumpkin spice rolling in the air. Walking the kids to school and noticing the cool breeze kicking up, my breath visible in the crisp air and the slight wave of fallen leaves tumbling to the ground. ITS HERE! Fall has arrived. The busier time of the year ... yes! More photographs to be taken with the changing scenery, more indoor projects to keep the kids busy and more baking (well, at least for me).

I have been getting some great ideas from people I meet throughout the day on several projects and "insiders" info for free to-do's in the Metro area... I will check them out and post them on my website if I find they are actually a true bargain. My most recent achievement is making great progress on supplying photos for the website arts and crafts & recipe pages. I have been able to dedicate a percentage of time to each of my entrepreneurial hobbies and have found a happy medium ... for the time being anyhow. A promise, a pact and a bit of persistence but I can now say I can manage my time well!

Well, last month I told you about a website I was making for a company I work for and it has been completed so: http://www.firstclasscarpetcare.com/ I designed and maintain the site. It is a simple site but I am proud to have the opportunity to help out another small business (with a great record I may add!)

Well, October is calling my name and I must obey - I cant wait to post photos of the fall!

The season has come!

Welcoming a new season of rain and new growth into our fun lovin' home. It is sad to see the summer go so fast but it is time for the rain to replenish our hearts and grounds. I have been picking up more work (which is nice) and I got the opportunity to launch another website for one of the companies I work with! It is still under construction so I cant give you the address yet but it will be ready soon! Our daughter is loving First grade - but little bro is wondering where she is during the day. We got another pullet last week but the hens don't seem to like the intruder. We have separated them in the pen but for how long? I planted the berries and grape starts throughout the yard - hope within a couple years we will have an abundance of fruits in our metro lot! We have been blessed - Truly

*All of the photos added to this blogsite are from my eyeball and camera. If you like them and would like a print please email me and I can set you up with whatever size you wish. Money from the prints will go to the website maintenance.

School is back!

Well, I know it has been a while since I logged on and blogged .... oops :) My family and I squeezed in a TON of fun this last few weeks of summer and now I am finally able to get all caught up (Phew!) My oldest is now in 1st grade this year! She has been making a list of items she wants to make for my website. I love that she is so involved! Since I have been freezing squash I am making a list of easy recipes to add to our site as well. This year was an odd year for our garden! An abundance of some veggies and a barron root for others. I hope you had better luck that we did! I also experimented with new veggies I have never grew before so no I have an idea on where and what to plant for comming seasons. I was also fortunate enough to dedicate another area of our yard to STRAWBERRIES! I made a raised bed from salvaged lava rock and planted some shoots from the strawberry plants we planted over the summer - Now as long as I can devise a way to keep those squirrels out I will be in good shape! Okay, time to sign off for today - thanks for reading and keep us in your "favorites" list! We are also on Facebook! Good night!

Freebie City!

We have had a great summer so far! Getting to know other families and brainstorming new ideas for the website and for the kids to create. I love our community and what it has to offer from free summer programs for kids all ages, free lunches, movies in the park and much much more. There are many sources of entertainment throughout every community - word of mouth and fliers is how we find most of our fun! VBS is a hot spot in churches across the country. Our kids have learned so much through hands on crafts, games and skits. Thank You ParkLane Christian Reform Church for throwing Son Quest Rainforest! Check out your neighborhood Church!

Back to the grind, meaning: I need to gather my marbles and jump back in the game! Taking the kids here and there, work, website, working on the home reface ... um, there has to be time somewhere in there for a break right?!?! Nope! Working on HelpfulHen has been a great opportunity for me to release my inner child (hee hee) - I have made a promise to update weekly and blog about as often. Well, help me keep my promise! Send me an email, poke me on Facebook or call! I love motivation! Okay everyone- We'll chat soon!

Cheap Eats for the Kids!

So - we base most of our "outings" around the kiddos so why not make the best of it and plan the meals we decide not to cook around our budget? Please add your input on this as we LOVE to have ideas on where to eat and the deals they have.....

Now remember, these are only "tips" and not set in stone as some chains and restaurants do change their menu, specials and so forth...... PLEASE do check with your local eatery before going as the deals we all list here may not be the same from city to city, or time to time!

If you feel the urge to share your special hot spot please add the city, dining location, day of the week and the special so we all can enjoy! Much Appreciated!!!



SUNDAYS:
Taco Del Mar ($1) Portland OR
La Costita ($1.50) Gresham OR


MONDAYS:
Outback Steak House (free)Gresham & Portland OR

TUESDAYS:
Roadhouse (free) Gresham & Portland OR
Denny's (Free Tues. Nights) Portland OR
Alcupolco (Free) Portland OR

WEDNESDAY:
Applebee's ($ .99) Gresham & Portland OR

DAILY:
IHOP (Free) 4pm to 10pm Portland OR

Happy Anniversary

Adding the blog to the site YAY! A lot has been happening in the past few months and I am so excited to say we are officially 1 year old!!! Thank you to the viewers, followers and supporters of our site! We really REALLY appreciate the feedback and the support you have given us. Without you we wouldn't be here blogging today!

Projects.....
We are now working on WoRm BiNs! This has been a work in progress and easier to do when the weather cooperates! There are many other recipes and art projects we are working on as well - photos to be added and precise tutorials. We are even pondering videos but that will be later!

Again, Thank you for your support and donations!

So, this is my first Blog.....

Thanks for visiting Helpful Hen Blog!!!

I wanted to have a fun and entertaining addition to the Helpful Hen website. Being able to interact with a site really helps in keeping our community and followers in touch and making sure everyone can voice their opinion. A little about "Helpful Hen": Helpful Hen will be up and running for a full year in June 2010! It is exciting to know we have been adding little tid-bits of info to our readers for nearly 12 months. I am starting to add new photos and examples on a regular basis and in doing so have been able to spend some quality time with my 2 wonderful children as they help me mold this website into a kid frenzy!

Our family started this site to keep mother nature in mind and to show other families that even on a small budget you can have hours of fun and be super creative with what you already have! I have always been frugal (or cheap in some of my friends eyes....you know who you are :y) and have had my eye on making a website for about 6 years ... well, pretty much since I had my daughter. I ran a small daycare from my home for 2 years in a small town in Southern Oregon and then our family moved to Portland Oregon in 2006. The difference in culture was amazing, we instantly fell in love with PDX (as do many other visitors). I am a property manager by trade and "Helpful Hen" by hobby.

My family and I love to spend time outdoors exploring and experimenting. My husband is creative, handy and has helped our home become more sustainable. Our daughter is a 5 year old mini Chipko - She is very expressive when it comes to the environment which is great! Our son is 2 and loves to garden, dig and maintain the chickens. We are city dwellers with the country in heart.

Welcome to our site, welcome to our life!