Science Friday: Sink or Float

May 29, 2015May 30, 2015 | Megan

Happy Science Friday, friends! I cannot believe that another week has come and gone. I cannot believe that a certain special boy will be graduating from kindergarten today! I cannot believe how much fun we had putting this experiment together!

I hope you are having a WONDERFUL Friday no matter where you are on this blessed globe. Above all, have a fabulous Science Friday!

XX, Megan

Sink or float?

That was the question. We really shot from the hip on this one. We set out to find out if household items (read TOYS mostly 🙂 would float or sink when placed in water. Additionally, we decided that each of us would pre-guess the results for each item. You know, mini-hypothesis’.

I thought about throwing in a discussion of mass and density in here, but maybe we’ll circle back around to the real science behind this experiment in the future. If anything, Science Friday has give ME the opportunity to brush up on my scientific principles.

Buoyancy: This means whether or not an object will float or sink depends on its own density and the density of the liquid it is placed in. In the case of water, an object with a density less than 1 g/cm3 will float. — science primer.com

Those two smiling faces above are much more than garbage seekers. I gave the boys each a plastic bag, and asked them to go to their room and choose 5 things they thought would sink and five things they thought would float when placed in water. This didn’t take long and they returned with their loot. I did have to let them know that 10 legos each wouldn’t work as experiment fodder. So back to their rooms they went.

Each of them opened their bags and counted their items out onto the table. We then combined the boys’ items (with a couple of additions from mom), and went to work.

After choosing the items we would sink/float, we made a list of all of our items. We had 12 items total: balloon (with air inside), balloon (without air inside), toy car, plastic washer, lure worm, lego, screw, gum wrapper, toy fire truck, nerf bullet, father, and putty.

At the top of our list we wrote each persons name so that their guess as to whether each item would sink or float would be recorded. We left another space, A for Actual, to record the outcome of each item– sink or float?

I filled a mixing bowl with water, and we were off. Step-by-step with picture below!

1. Gather

Gather a bunch of items in preparation for determining which will float and which will sink.

2. Count

Count your items and decide how many you want to “test”.

3. Choose

In our case, we chose 12. But I do wish I had remembered to add oil to the list. Next time.

4. List

Make a list of your items, with the names of all participants across the top as well as a space for the actual outcome of each test.

5. Guess then Test

Have each person make a guess about every item before you put it into the water. Then record the actual. Did the item float or sink?

6. Results

Check out your results! My boys were all about seeing if they correctly hypothesized the fate of each object.

Cactus, Sunshine, and Clogs

May 28, 2015May 27, 2015 | Megan

Hey, HEY! Giving a shout out to my best friend Melanie today as she is my very first GUEST POST here at Refined + Rugged.

You didn’t think I went to Palm Springs alone, did you? Nope. It was a full-on Mama’s Relaxing Weekend Retreat at the La Quinta. Just. So. Good.

It’s a darn good thing we took so many outfit photos. Here in the mountains the rain hasn’t subsided but for a few small breaks these past few weeks, and we haven’t had a chance to snap any outfit shots! Another week of these summery, palm-filled photos and hopefully we’ll be boasting some mountain sunshine and some real-time outfit photos.

I am seriously still wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants on the daily. No need for short sleeves or sandals! It’s been too cold. This weather has also put a serious cramp in my outdoor cycling time, too. Thankfully I busted out the door yesterday with a good friend to take advantage of a relatively calm window midst rain showers. I have a 100 mile ride coming up in just over a week (eeeek!), and DANG! I really need to get out there!

Is this cactus garden the BOMB, or what?! I could not get enough! Melanie’s pink shirt was the perfect standout against this little cactus Eden. When it comes to outfit photos she was a NATURAL. Plus, this top is currently on sale, so scroll to the details below and scoop one up for yourself as a Summer treat!

Have a glorious Thursday!

XX, Megan

Shirt: J.Crew (25% off right now), Pants: J.Crew, Sunglasses: Prada, Shoes: Bed Stu, Bag: Madewell (similar), Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelet: J.Crew Factory (similar)

Pearled Barley Tabbouleh and Chickpea with Tomato Salad

May 27, 2015May 28, 2015 | Megan

This is the salad I served up tonight for dinner and it is another delicious offering from The Scramble*. I realize that I’ve been on a salad recipe kick for quite some time here on the blog, but honestly, when I look at the dinner options on this fabulous meal-planning site the salad is what I want to share most, so I do!

Everyone in my family gobbled this up. It will be a go-to this summer without a doubt. I’m pretty sure I said this last week, but I’ll say it again: this salad would be the perfect side to bring to a summer soiree or a BBQ. Light, fresh, healthy, and simply delicious.

Hope your Wednesday was a good one!

XX, Megan

Ingredients for Main Dish

1 1/2 cups farro perlato (or use pearled barley), (4 cups cooked), or use quinoa for a gluten-free version
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 – 1 1/2 lemon, juice only, about 1/4 cup
1/2 – 1 tsp. minced garlic, (1-2 cloves), to taste
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
3/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
3 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, diced (about 2 cups)
1/2 cucumber, peeled and finely diced (about 1 cup)
15 oz. canned or cooked chickpeas-garbonzo beans (drained and rinsed)

Serve with Fresh Fruit Salad

Cook the pearled barley according to the package directions and set it aside to let it cool. (Subbing pearled barley means you will have a slightly longer cook time, between 40-50 minutes. Plan accordingly.) Meanwhile, in a large measuring cup combine the oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.

Pour the dressing over the barley, stir in the herbs and scallions. Transfer the salad to the refrigerator to cool while you chop the tomatoes and cucumbers. Stir them into the salad with the chickpeas. Serve the salad immediately or refrigerate it for up to 3 days.

Just couldn’t resist sharing this stunning photo of our morning. Spring in the mountains is breathtaking!

1. Cook

Cook the barley or faro according to the package directions. Barely cook time here.

2. Mix

Juice the lemon, and mix the lemon, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper in a large measuring cup.

3. Chop

Chop the scallions, parsley, and mint. Add this to the barley. Chop the cucumber and tomato. Add this to the salad.

4. Refrigerate

Refrigerate the salad until chilled before serving.

5. Accompaniment

Blueberries or a fresh fruit salad are the perfect compliment to your tabbouleh salad!

6. EAT!

*The Scramble is a meal planning service to which you can subscribe here. For a fantastic price you will receive 5 weekly meals which means 5 recipes (main course plus a side dish), complete grocery list, the ability to tweak the number of people you are making for, and full nutrition facts. PLUS tips as to how best to PREP your meal beforehand, add a punch of FLAVOR, and how to SLOW COOK almost every recipe if you’re especially slammed that night. This wonderful service really does live up to it’s name. You can come home at 6 p.m. and be sitting down to a DELICIOUS, HEALTHY, HOME COOKED meal by 6:30 p.m. most nights.

Batik Print and Blue Doors

May 26, 2015May 25, 2015 | Megan

Hello! How has this Tuesday turned Monday been treating you? School is winding down for my oldest, only a week left! We are excited for Summer break to begin. If you are in need of Summer activity ideas, check out my post from earlier this month for 17 fun ideas to get your Summer started!

Another outfit from our Palm Springs girls fete! I actually wore this top for Memorial Day with some rockin’ flares. It added the perfect amount of boho to a very chill, very rainy Memorial Day.

The batik print and flowy cut are an ideal Summer pick as the top easily doubles as a shirt or swim cover when paired with shorts. I hope the sun finds you on this Tuesday, and that all is right in your world.

XX, Megan

DSC_0093 - Version 2

Shirt: Madewell (on sale!), Shorts: J.Crew, Sandals: J.Crew (similar, similar, similar, similar, similar), Clutch: J.Crew Factory, Sunglasses: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’, Swimsuit: J.Crew (similar)

Mondays in May, Get Moving: Rest, Relaxation, and Remembrance

May 25, 2015May 25, 2015 | Megan

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Finishing off my series Mondays in May, Get Moving! Today is a the perfect end-cap to our go, go, go get moving this month because today is all about REST. Literally.

In any good workout or training regimen perhaps the easiest piece to gloss over is not the actually working out– moving, running, biking, hiking, paddling, walking, weight lifting– it is more commonly the REST that we forget to infuse into our routine.

Here again, there are copious amounts of articles and information about the importance of rest and rejuvenation as you work hard to shape your body: here, here, here, here, here.

Rest is key to any workout regimen because this recovery time gives your body the chance to maximize all of the work you have done. Rest also doesn’t mean that you need to sit around on the couch all day. Take the chance to take a break from your more rigorous workouts by spending some quality time engaging in fun, relaxing activities with family and friends. Could there be a better time to do this than on a National Holiday?!?

The other, even more important piece of this day, Memorial Day, is REMEMBRANCE. Today we remember the service men and women who have served our country in any and every capacity. We remember others of our dearly departed. We visit gravesides and place flowers. We contemplate the great circle that is life.

Today I am grateful for my Grandfather, Earl Erwin Burnison. Earl served in the navy during World War II on the USS Mt. McKinley. We are grateful for his service to us and his service to our country. Grandpa on this Memorial Day, and always, we REMEMBER.