Invincible Penguin

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 is a great place for to visit- tons of stuff to see and do. 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.

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.

You can easlily build an incredible, industrial coffee table with just a tape measure, a pencil, a drill and a screwdriver. Awesome looks, super sturdy, better quality for the money than any premade table. All together the supplies (not including tools) cost around $420. It takes around an hour or two to mark and drill pilot holes and screw the components together into an instant, super stylish, industrial style coffee table. Super flexible make a square, rectangle or even round table. Adjust the height from coffee table to rolling bar or console table with just a swap of pipes.

Hey - don't just toss that out. There's lots of things in your home that can be spruced up, cleaned up or easily reparied rather than thrown away. Save money, save the environment!

I absolutely love to read and have a soft spot for good sci-fi. I've started with some of the recents series I've read and some of my favorites. I'll add much more as I have time.