Greentainer USA Giveaway!

It must be the summer of bento giveaways!

 

Bentobloggy is hosting a great giveaway sponsored by Greentainer USA! Go green this summer with one of their awesome stainless steel products!

- Mother Nature Mom

Another Bento Giveaway!

We're almost completely settled into our new place... finally! My Maymester class started last week, and it's so much fun! I'm taking Japanese Literature and having a blast learning about various aspects of Japanese culture along the way. The instructor taught at an American high school in Japan in the 1970s and visits the country regularly. And our final? A traditional Japanese dinner. Pretty fantastic!

 

 

Speaking of things Japanese, the lovely lady over at Sonoma Bento is having a bento giveaway! She's giving away an awesome starter kit that's perfect for those who want to make bento, but don't know where to start!

- Mother Nature Mom

Recycle your flip-flops and help build a playground.

Contrary to popular belief, I have not forgotten that I have a blog. =) Life is extremely hectic right now - it's finals time at school AND we're moving this weekend! I'll be around more once summer classes start and my schedule isn't quite so frenzied.

I came across this today and HAD to share it!

Old Navy is asking for people to donate their old flip-flops that they don't wear anymore - so that they can be used to build playgrounds! How amazing is that?! The flip-flops can be any size and any kind, not just Old Navy brand. Donations are taken in store until May 21st. The Facebook event is here - click "I'm Attending" so that you won't forget to donate!

- Mother Nature Mom

Pasta E Fagioli

Wyatt and I spent a good portion of the day at my mom's, where she whipped up this fantastic chili-esque soup off the top of her head. So jealous...

Pasta E Fagioli

1/2 lb ground beef

Small pasta, such as ditalini, orzo, or shells

2 cans diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 cup carrots, sliced thin

1 small onion, minced

1 can kidney beans, drained

1 can white navy beans, drained

1 cup water

2 cups beef broth

salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

chili powder, optional

Boil water for pasta. In a large pot, add water and broth. Add celery and carrots and let them cook until soft. While they cook, brown the ground beef and start pasta. Add all other ingredients to large pot and heat thoroughly. Serve over pasta.

Spring Has Sprung!

Wyatt under the crab apple tree

Camellias

Flowering almond

Tea olive tree. Tiny blossoms, but they smell amazing!

Crab apple branches

Forsythia

Little man in his Radio Flyer