Invincible Penguin

Looking for a place to get away from it all? Travel over to the lush Olympic National Park and spend a few days at Sol Duc relaxing in the hot springs, hiking, swimming and getting away from it all. Just a few hours from Seattle, but a world away, you'll appreciate the solitude of this park. No TV, little cell coverage means you can forget the outside world for a few days and just concentrate on relaxing. Spend the day, spend the week - you'll come back refreshed in body and spirit.

Looking for a new activity that will get you outside, teach you new skills and bring a little joy into your life? Give birding a try. It's a hobby that can last a lifetime. It's easy to start - even in your own backyard! Birding is great for people of all ages and abilities.

Give PBS and NPR a little retail therapy - your purchases from their stores and officially licensed items support the shows you watch and listen to. Toys to tees, games books and more.

Wait-what… School just got out, but it will September again before you know it. Start your back to school planning now to make your kid the coolest in school 😎 with fun and personalized tools for school. All of these products are fully customizable - you can put your name, your logo on them - change the colors and more. Personalized help available so that you get exactly what you want. Get your order in early for a great school year.

It's can be hard to figure out the perfect baby gift! I look for things that are useful or little luxuries that parents might really like but not want to buy themselves.

For most kids the dorm is their first experience living on their own… Wow - here's some things to make the transition a little easier. Door room essentials to make their home away from home comfortable and livable.

Shoes larger than a size 12 can be hard to find… especially when you want something more than your basic tennis shoe. I'll share the brands and models I've found over the years for that have made my size 16 (51) spouse happy.

Learn from me and I'll save you some time and frustration. Here's the things that I realized I needed for camping trips after I started doing it on a regular basis.

I'll admit to often being a seat of the pants cook… I'm comfortable enough with a lot of techniques to make it up as I go along. And then, with the ease of finding recipes online these days too, I don't feel the need for an extensive cookbook library - but these are the ones I've bought, used, kept and loved. Every one of these has a go to recipe in it, covers need to know techniques and gives information on ingredients.

Here's a few recipes for gourmet condiments and goodies that can be pricey if you buy them, but are actually very easy to make at home! Check back for new recipes.

Never gone on a long car trip? Here's the things you'll need for a safe and comfortable vacation on the open road.

My great-great grandparents left their home in Barile, Basilicata a century ago to emigrate to new opportunities in the US. Last year I went back to discover some of my roots. What I found was a virtually unspoiled landscape of mountains, farms and small villages full of history. Basilicata has suffered a tough past- poverty, bandits, earthquakes, landslides and even it's own mini dustbowl and has remained sparsely populated and thus much more lightly touched by modern society and rapacious tourism. If you are brave enough to visit (you'll probably have to drive!) you'll find magical medieval villages, gorgeous landscapes, food so fresh and flavorful that it'll make you cry and friendly locals - though don't expect a lot of English!

Toys that kids will not only love, but will really help them learn and grow, with a focus on toys that develop motor skills and imaginations.

Develop those little brains! Here's a list of great books that you can read to your little ones and they can start reading for themselves

Funny gifts are one thing, but why get something that will just end up collecting dust in a drawer. Here are the greatest things I've seen on Amazon that actually have a practical use too.

While it would be amazing to actually travel the world, you don't have to wait to sample its tastes. Find incredible food experience from around the world, right on your laptop.

If you have an older pet or disabled pet you'll want the best supplies to help keep them healthy, comfortable and happy.

Vancouver Canada is a great place to visit- tons of fun things to see and do - all the adventure of going to another counry without the airplane trip. See some of my favorites and some of the places I still want to see.

Got a smaller car? - I do. Our Crosstrek is awesome - great milage, goes almost anywhere, but space is certainly at a premium.These are some of my picks to help pack efficiently.

Places to go and places to stay in the Redwood National and State Parks, Humboldt and Del Norte California

You've still got time to grab an awesome father's day gift. Here's my suggestions for making your dad's day a special day. Custom gifts for your unique dad.

Being a somewhat frugal person, I might not run right out and buy these things for myself, but I would certainly be happy to open a gift and find any one of these inside 😜

Is it Doctors Day? APP Appreciation? Medical Assistant Month? Having a party for your PAs? Find great gifts to celebrate health care workers, customized just for them. Many specialities available - and if you don't see what you want, contact the artist. We can make it happen for you, no matter how small the field is.

All of the best things I've had for bicycle commuting over the last almost 20 years! Lots of suggestions for cooler, wetter weather.