Leather

Who knew that one of the world's premier motorcycle jacket companies is located in Portland, Oregon?

Langlitz, for handmade leather products.

Holiday activity for the kidlets

At the end of last year's holiday season, I looked guiltily at all of the cards we accumulated: Throwing them into the recycling bin only does so much for the environment...

So, I started ripping the front cover off of the more decorative cards and stashed them in a large envelope. I'm not sure exactly what I had in mind but I found a use for them.

One afternoon while I was killing time in Target (I had an appt nearby and had an hour to while away), I was cruising the scrapbooking aisle and it hit me -- a great project for my four year old who loves glue, stickers and all things artsy.

I had construction paper at home and envelopes. I grabbed a decorative punch set of a snowflake and a tree, glue sticks, some holiday stickers and glitter glue. You can also go to a place like Paper Source and buy plain cards and envelopes if you don't have them on hand and don't want to use construction paper for the cards.

After school, I cleared the kitchen table and laid out all of the goods. My job was cutting the cards to fit into the envelopes. At the top of each card, I wrote "Happy Holidays from the ---- family: Husband, My name, Daughter's name. My daughter's job was to decorate and decorate she did. I had to remind her a few times not to use all of the goodies on just one card but overall, I let her just go with it. I did ask her to sign her name to each card before decorating just because it's nice to have the artist's signature on a piece (=

After I stuffed the cards into envelopes, I wrote, "made with love by Daughter" at the bottom, under the mail to address.

The cards don't work for everyone but they make great holiday cards for teachers, babysitters and friends that see your child often (and don't need/care about a card with a picture or require more formal cards for whatever reason) and it's a great activity to fill an afternoon or 3. We had a great time making the cards and my daughter was immensely proud of her work.

I'm still ordering regular cards for the bulk of my list since it would take 10 years for my daughter to make enough cards for my list and a child-made card isn't appropriate for everyone but in a couple of days, I plan to bring out the supplies again and we'll make more. The first batch is in the mail!

Headquartered in Oregon

Oregon, it's not just a state, it's a CHAINSAW

Blount is headquarted in Oregon, because it matters.

To view the 2010 growing list of Oregon products for the holidays and year round, go to:

The "Oregon For The Holidays" List 2010

The "Oregon For The Holidays" List 2010

FASHION

Ellington Handbag's Bella Hobo bag makes a great travel bag and can be worn cross-body or as a shoulder bag. Follow on Twitter @ms_elli

Souchi, Warm & cozy for winter, Add leggings boots & cashmere turban for a complete look. Follow on Twitter @suzisouchi

Langlitz, for custom-made motorcycle jackets and more.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Wine, Oregon produces some of the finest Pinot Noirs in the world along with other varietals. There's something for everyone.

Oregon's Choice Tuna & other products: Line caught & BPA-free

Beer, Oregon has a myriad of breweries to choose from. Pick up a few 6-packs from breweries around the state for that beer-lovin' friend this holiday season.

Harry & David, gourmet fruit, chocolate and more. Featured on Oprah's Favorite Things 2010. Follow on Twitter @HarryandDavid

MISC

Oregon Chainsaw, because you never know when you'll need one.

Square Root Industries, artist Todd Loewy, can craft you a beautiful table that's not just functional but art.

Check back, because I'll be adding to the list regularly!

Buy Oregon for the Holidays!

Oregon albacore has a lower content of mercury than other tuna and you can get it in BPA-free cans at Oregon's Choice.

Gourmet tuna and other products from Oregon's Choice make great gifts and BPA-free means they are also smart choices for your home. In addition, unlike many of the large companies, they catch their tuna using a hook and line, which means, Oregon's Choice tuna really is dolphin free.

There's No Place Like Home

Last week, our family went on a well-deserved and needed vacation. It was wonderful, fabulous and after approximately five years, long-overdue.

We chose the Hawaiian island of Oahu, in part because we could get a direct flight but more importantly, it offered sun. Sun in November. Heaven.

The first half of the trip, we relaxed and played on the North Shore and the second, the touristy, city of Waikiki. The beach, the sun, the warm air and the pools, all perfect.

As the trip drew near its end, I found myself missing home. It seems impossible but it's true. Our four year old missed her toys and best friend. I missed my bed and the luxury of a washer / dryer, as well as not living out of a suitcase. I missed a healthy diet; I'd love to say I have the will to maintain a healthy diet on vacation but I do not. Cocktails (something called a Frozen lemonade caught my attention in Waikiki) and decadent desserts called my name daily and I heeded the call of the calorie siren.

Yesterday, our last day in paradise, I packed our bags, laid by the pool and enjoyed my last cocktail but the thought of home nagged me in those last minutes. I wanted to be home. I wanted that long, 5+ hour flight over and I wanted my little girl in her bed.

Our flight was delayed by a medical issue (we had one on the flight over too) and we landed just before midnight. It was an all right flight. With age, our daughter has lost the enthusiasm of sleeping on flights so it was a bit trying and the food on the flight, well, everyone knows the food on planes these days... I purchased a number of garbage snacks like potato chips and M&M's before the flight. I know myself well enough that eating plane food isn't an option, although eating such toxic waste in addition to a week's worth of indulgence made my head hurt, both literally and figuratively.

I carried our daughter to the car while my husband grabbed the checked luggage (one, single gigantic piece carried luggage for the three of us -- and just barely made the weight restriction). The air was damp and cool, refreshing after a long flight. It felt good to be home and I could hear my bed, calling out to me.

Winter Love

LOVE this peacoat by Amai Unmei