Wow. The rhododendrons around Corvallis are looking great right now!

The cherry trees have been in full bloom in the Willamette Valley the last few weeks.

Corvallis was ringed by snow in the hills last week...

OK, so outhouses aren't really the best of subject matters, but it's the only picture I had of the snow this last week. Corvallis itself didn't really see snow, but the hills surrounding town had a nice coating of white around them. I decided to take a drive out to the Lewsiburg Saddle to see if it had any snow... boy was I surprised. Lewisburg Saddle, for those unfamiliar with it, is a spot just outside of town with logging roads and hiking trails. It's a great area to hike. To get there just go out to Lewisburg road (just north of Crescent Valloey High), turn left on Lewisburg road, turn right on Sulfur Springs road and head uphill, maybe 2 miles, and when you get to the top there will be parking areas (and outhouses) on the side of the road. It's one of our go to hiking areas right next to town.

I found this on the Corvallis Police Facebook page... a neat program they are running this spring...

Here's some good ideas to deter burglers when you are gone...

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  6 Near-Genius Ways to Fool Burglars Into Thinking You're Home

  Like telling your lights to turn on and off when you’re miles away. Read

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Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Here's a little home buying guide with helpful hints...

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  The Everything Guide to Buying Your First Home

  How to find exactly what you want, and how to work with the experts who’ll help you get it. Read

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Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

5 Secret Weapons for DIY projects...

courtesy of BreakthroughBroker...

 Is there a home maintenance project that’s been lingering on your to-do list for too long because you’re dreading the trip to the hardware or craft store? There are some projects you can tackle with items that are almost certainly already in your home.

 1. Vinegar: There’s probably a jug of vinegar in your pantry right now. You can soak items in vinegar to remove mineral deposits (like in a clogged showerhead), and you can boil vinegar in your microwave to remove odors and make it easier to clean.

 2. Cola: A can of Coke or Pepsi can be used to clean many surfaces, including your glass windows, porcelain toilet, or chrome fixtures. Just do some research before using it on metal surfaces, as it can be corrosive.

 3. Baking soda: This item may actually be more useful for applications other than baking. A baking soda-vinegar paste is great for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Baking soda can also be used to absorb odors.

 4. Butter knife: Screwdrivers are easy to misplace. If can’t find a screwdriver when you need one, a butter knife—preferably an older one that you no longer need for table setting—is pretty effective for both Phillips- and flat-head screws.

 5. Toothpaste: Is there an unsightly scratch on your car or bike? The grit in tarter-control toothpastes makes for an effective scratch remover. Clean the scratch, apply some toothpaste, let it sit for a few minutes, and then buff it out with paper towel.

Tips to help figure out how much a "fixer upper" may cost you...

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  6 Simple Steps to Assess the Real Cost of a Fixer-Upper House

  This will help you figure out how much to offer for a fixer-upper. Read

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Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Here's some painting tips....

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  How to Pick Paint Colors to Fix Any Room's Quirks

  Paint colors can do a ton to fix a room’s flaws for not much money Read

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Copyright 2017 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Here's an interesting home project....

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  Make Your Own ‘Star Trek’ Pocket Doors

  U.K. geek shows you how to build automatic doors like the ones on the Starship Enterprise. Space saver, anyone? Read

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Copyright 2017 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Thanksgiving is coming, here's some energy saving tips....

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  9 Ways to Stop Thanksgiving From Sending Your Energy Bill Soaring

  Like turning down the heat when you crank up the oven. Read

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Copyright 2017 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

We watched an Oregon State men's basketball game in Corvallis...

Basketball season has begun!  Friday night my wife and I went to watch the exhibition game put on between the Oregon State Beavers and Pacific.  The team (Beavers) has a bunch of new players this year and some good depth returning.  It should be interesting to watch how well they perform on a turnaround from last year's season.  I've got high hopes for them. This game was something along the lines of 91-65 Beavers win. I think the season officially starts this coming Friday.