Wake

Why not turn your firewood into an art project? Michigan artist Michael McGillis did just that and turned a row of logs into a beautiful sight. It's titled Wake, and the was originally installed in 2006 in Minnesota. Simple and wonderful.

Oborain

Outdoor showers are quite possibly one of the universe's better inventions. Standing outside, starring up at the sky as warm water rains down on your body? Uh, duh, awesome. These classic and sleek pre-fab showers by Oborain are pretty neat. Clean lines are always a wonderful thing. 

Honestly, I would like to build my own outdoor shower when I have a space for it. Not everyone is into building everything on their own though. So you people that have better things to do on your days off, check out Oborain when you decide you can't live without an outdoor shower any longer. 

This Is Oregon

I love my state. We really live in a beautiful country, and Oregon is definitely the most magical. Sorry other states. This Is Oregon is a little film that was put together exploring places that are within 90 minutes of Portland, Oregon. If you have a couple minutes it's beautiful to watch. Around 2:30 in, you see my favorite place in the entire world. Adventure is closer than you think! Start exploring!

Outdoor Woodland Shower

  

 

Instead of embracing the stormy stormy weather in Portland, I am dreaming about a woodland summer escape. Isn't this shower phenomenal!? It's a part of Stone Creek Camp by Anderson Wise Architects, who I posted about in September, but somehow missed this amazing shower. Are you a fan of showering outdoors??

shower photo via: ArchDaily

Birch Wall Panels

 

I love the outdoors and I love the outdoors inside. Birch sliced into disks and glued to plywood panels = earthy and great.  

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Best Video Ever

I think I set a new world record for breath holding when I watched this. It's so awesome! I am going to immediately take up sea kayaking because if I ever get to experience something like this my life would be complete. It's just so amazing. Watch the whole thing because it's all pretty neat.

Some blue whale facts:
Blue whales are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth. These magnificent marine mammals rule the oceans at up to 100 feet and their tongues alone can weigh as much as an elephant. What?!
Blue whales live in all the world's oceans occasionally swimming in small groups but usually alone or in pairs.
They are also very much endangered. So, if you want to help them out try adopting a whale for someone as a gift (instead of a star, boo) or dispose of your waste properly because pollutants are a real problem for those big guys.

Natural Swimming

 

Chemical-free water garden and swimming pool. The plant portion, or regeneration zone, is separated from the swimming area by the wall seen a few inches below the water’s surface.

 

'The regeneration zone can be along the perimeter of a natural pool or a pond unto itself but connected to the swimming area.
The pools have skimmers and pumps that circulate the water through the regeneration zone and back into the swimming area. The aquatic plants filter out contaminants and use nutrients from the water as food which helps prevent algae. Then rocks, such as granite river rock or haydite, to which friendly bacteria attach, act as biological filters.'

 

 

See how the swimming area and water regeneration area are separated? 

 

 

I am a water person, I need to have access to water either physically or visually to stay sane. So these pools/ponds rock my world. Although I love water, I don't like mucky ponds where bugs breed and slimy algae attacks you every opportunity it gets. I also don't love creepy chemicals. These pools are so awesome in the way that they naturally filter the water. I want to move this very moment so I can create my own and jump in every day. Except in the winter...Then I will ice skate.

Biotop 

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Mason Jar Meals

Mason jar meals are perfect if you don't want a wilty salad! Plus, let's be honest, they are so much cooler than Tupperware. They are perfect for a little picnic in the park with friends or to take with you to work. Portlanders think it is necessary to use mason jars for basically everything, so here is yet another idea!

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