Do we have the tent poles? Too bad no one asked that before we packed our camping gear into a duffel bag and headed to Spain for our 3-week trip. While we had a home swap in Alicante, Spain, we had also planned to camp and stay in small, family run hotels (called hostals or… Continue reading Places to Stay in Spain
Tag: family fun
Souvenirs from Spain
When we travel and home exchange, we travel pretty light so we are not usually very big on bringing home a bunch of souvenirs. That being said, who doesn't like to come home with some small reminder of a great trip? Our compromise is to combine getting something we need while on the trip with… Continue reading Souvenirs from Spain
Never Spill Your Wine Again at a Picnic
Living in Portland (Oregon), we are fortunate in that our city’s park system puts on free concerts in the evening throughout the summer. I love to put together a great picnic dinner, grab a bottle of wine, and head up to the park near our house for a relaxing evening. These concerts give us a… Continue reading Never Spill Your Wine Again at a Picnic
How to Make New Candles from Old Candles
“In case you ever want to live off the grid,” was the answer I gave my 15-year-old son as the reason he should make candles with me. As you can imagine, this was met with a jaw-dropping, wide-eyed dazed look that comes from a teen who would like nothing better than to be plugged-in and… Continue reading How to Make New Candles from Old Candles
Vacation Rules: According to Teens
For the record, I didn’t agree to these rules before our home exchange trip to Spain. These rules were just announced to me by my teens and put into place once we arrived. I can see why the first one came to be but the other two – come on! A girl's got to live,… Continue reading Vacation Rules: According to Teens
Home From Spain
Hello dear readers - I’m back from a fantastic home swap and trip to Spain. My yard, garden, and email accounts are getting back under control finally. It’s amazing how many weeds can grow in 3-weeks time! There’s still a stack of mail and travel documents that need attending but I’m hoping if I ignore… Continue reading Home From Spain
Helping Kids Remember a Vacation
When we travel as a family to spots near and far, I want my kids to remember the trip. Sometimes they need a little help, especially if they’re young. The first home exchange we did to Paris when our kids were 5-years-old and 7-years-old was when I realized they may not remember the trip unless… Continue reading Helping Kids Remember a Vacation
Frugal Family Summer Fun
I’m always trying to find ways to turn everyday events into something fun. Summer time is no different and frugal family summer fun can be had with a little research and perhaps an attitude change. Keep your wallet in your handbag for these ideas – they’re all frugal, fancy and fun! Don't think of these… Continue reading Frugal Family Summer Fun
Dining Room Table Ping-Pong
My dining room table gets a workout. Even though we eat dinner at it every evening, it also doubles as a spot for homework, art projects, and ping-pong. Yes, ping-pong. We don’t have a separate ping-pong space in our house – ok, I’m sure I could find one in the basement – but ping-pong tables… Continue reading Dining Room Table Ping-Pong
Frugal Travel Eating
Along with home swapping as a way to save money on travel, another money saver is to bring food and water with you while traveling. I always pack food when we head out for a day at the beach, a bike ride or while on a home exchange to another country. With a baguette, cheese,… Continue reading Frugal Travel Eating
Go Gingham 