Sand and Sea

Last Saturday my sweetheart and I drove ninety miles to the Oregon Coast where I met some girlfriends who were camping in their vintage trailers by the sea.  One of the gals owns a wonderful beach house just above the waves. She had invited me to join her and the other gals for lunch at her beautiful home.  My sweetheart dropped me off a bit early.  When she invited me to come in I thought I must be in Heaven!  Oh, to have a place where the sand and the sea is just steps away!  The view from her living room was breath-taking.  The sun was shining bright which made it hard to get good photos.The house wasn’t large but when I stepped out on the deck it seemed the whole world was at their doorstep.  The view from the side deck would have been enough to capture my heart. . . But the deck wrapped around the side and entire front of the house, giving the feeling we were on top of the world!  To the south – as far as my eye could see – the sea.  And sand.And there was more to the north.  See the wooden walkway?It leads to stairs that take you down the side of the bluff to the sand below.After a lunch of salad – made of sliced tomatoes and sliced mozzarella cheese topped with chopped fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil – chicken served with rice followed by Marionberry pie with ice cream, and a good, long visit, we went back to the campground.  Some of us headed out to see The Connie Hansen Garden – a beautiful garden in the heart of the coastal city.  It’s hidden from view but well worth seeing.  You can read more about it here.We didn’t get to see much of the garden.  It was closed for a wedding that was about to begin.  We saw a little corner that was in bloom – and we saw the bride.  I decided I must go back to wander the paths and take in the beauty there soon. Two of the gals in the car that I rode in had never been to the Oregon Coast before.  Our driver decided it was time for them to be initiated – they must walk in the sand and stick their toes in the chilly, cold waters of the Pacific Ocean.  Off we went to a favorite roadside beach.  The sun was warm but a strong wind was blowing.  It didn’t stop people from enjoying the beach – and it didn’t stop us.  Off came our shoes and into the sand we walked.  The sand was very fine.  And warm to our toes.  Down to the water’s edge for the gals to walk into the water for a minute or two and then back to the sand to warm our toes.We went back to camp where I had time to visit with the gals, to hear of their adventures over the weekend – and to know that I want to join them again when they return to the beach next year! 

What did my sweetheart do while I was playing with my friends?  He and Joey walked on the beach, had lunch (yes, Joey had lunch, too!) and enjoyed a couple of shops that my sweetheart enjoys.  He picked me up late in the afternoon and we headed for a favorite place for some chowder and fish tacos.  Then home again (with a stop to see friends on the way).  It was a gorgeous day – a day with friends and my sweetheart at the beach.  We will return soon.  Very soon.  And I can’t wait!  

The Beach Is Calling

  My sweetheart and I are headed to the beach!  We’re off for a day trip that was a pleasant surprise.  Some of my Sisters On The Fly Sisters are having a gathering on the Oregon Coast this weekend.  I wasn’t able to be there with them and I didn’t know when I would have a chance to see them again before the end of summer.  One of the Sisters owns a beachfront home near the State Park where the gals are camping.  She invited everyone to her home for lunch today and a couple of weeks ago she sent me an email.  She asked if there was any way I could drive over and join them for lunch.  It only about ninety miles from my home so my sweetheart (and Joey) are going with me.  While I’m having lunch with my Sisters, they will do whatever they decide to do.  I suspect there may be some beach-walking in their minds.  After lunch we gals will take a garden tour together.  Later I my sweetheart will pick me up and I will say goodbye to the girls and head home.  What a sweet treat – an unexpected surprise.  I’ll tell you all about it after I return.

While I’m away you might want to check in and see the latest adventure in Daffodil’s journey.  My little vintage trailer is making progress.  You can see more here.

Giving Back

Last week I took you on a tour of vintage trailers from the recent Sisters On The Fly Eighth Annual Northwest Gathering.  I haven’t told you much about our activities and I can’t wait to tell you what we did during our days together.  Of course you know we camped with our trailers – vintage and otherwise.We ate wonderful meals together, shopped and played a bit in the coastal towns nearby, chatted and visited until we dropped into bed late at night and we played on the beach.We enjoyed ‘welcome’ bags full of goodies that greeted us when we arrived and we looked forward to special gifts at breakfast time each morning.  We laughed.  And we talked.  And we shared stories.  We made new friends and deepened ‘old’ friendships.  We sat around campfires long into the night. We even had a vintage swimsuit contest!Did I say we had fun?  More fun than anyone?  The days went by so fast.  The people of the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington State were incredible.  They gave of themselves and their businesses for us.  We visited some shops more than once.  The local paper did an article about our visit.  People came by to see our trailers – and to talk a bit.  But before we left the area it was time to give back.  To leave a bit of ‘us’ in that area.   Each year the gals at Northwest Gathering raise money for a charity that is local to the area where the gathering meets.  We leave something behind to benefit the people who live and serve that part of the world.  The Gathering Hostess – the Sister who is chosen to head it all up each year – chooses the charity.  An auction is held near the end of the gathering and all proceeds – every single penny is given to that charity.Sisters all bring items to be auctioned.  This year some items were chosen for a silent auction.  We raised seventeen hundred dollars through a two-hour silent auction on Saturday afternoon.  Saturday evening was the ‘big’ auction.  It was an incredible experience – one I’ll never forget.  But I’m getting ahead of myself!  The charity chosen this year was Camp Victory, a private nonprofit organization that has created a special place – a camp - for girls from the Long Beach Peninsula who have been sexually abused. This year they added their first boys camp.  You can find more information on their website here.  The director and staff spent Saturday afternoon with us.  They looked at our trailers and visited with us and joined us for dinner.  After dinner – before the auction – they told us about their program.  We laughed and sang camp songs with them – and our tears fell as two beautiful young ladies who had been part of the program for several years told us how Camp Victory changed their lives and why it means so much to them.  Then the auction began!

Going – Going – Gone!

I have never experienced anything like this!  I have been part of fundraisers before but there are no words that can adequately describe what happened that evening.  I was not prepared for what was about to happen!  I watched as women reached deep into their pockets – and their hearts – to give to children and teens who need someone to believe in them.  To help them believe in themselves!  I watched as gals bid against themselves, upping the total for some items.  I watched as competition was fierce for certain items.  I watched as the number climbed higher and higher and I saw tears roll down the faces of the Camp Victory staff members.  I could hardly believe the dollars that were given.  It was energizing.  It was something to be proud of!  The auction went late into the evening.  When we headed for bed we didn’t know the total money that had been raised but we were anxious to know. After breakfast the next morning our Hostess stepped to the microphone to make her ‘usual’ morning announcements.  Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she began to speak.  She told us she had set a personal goal – an amount she hoped to raise for Camp Victory – and she had told no one what it was.  She said we had exceeded what she had hoped for!  She said she didn’t have the bids all tallied yet  - and her tears came faster and harder.  The total count so far was thirty thousand dollars!  We stood.  We cried!  We jumped up and down.  We clapped.  We hugged each other.  We cried some more and we laughed with disbelief!  One hundred and fifty women had done something SO special – and we were proud to be Sisters together for this cause.  A few days ago an email came to each of us from our Gathering hostess.  She told us that the grand total – the amount of money that would be given to Camp Victory to help boys and girls who so desperately need a place to be kids – was thirty four thousand, one hundred twenty dollars and twenty two cents!  My tears started again as I read that email to my sweetheart.  It happened again a few days later when an email came to tell us that the check had been delivered to the staff at Camp Victory. My heart has been so touched with the needs that are met through this organization.  They emailed each of us shortly after they received the check.  The email was sweet – filled with gratitude for our gift.  We knew it would make a difference in many lives – lives that have been touched in ways no child should have to comprehend.  I stand a little taller – and prouder – because I’m part of a group of Sisters On The Fly Sisters who chose to give back to the community that provided so much to our lives for a few days at the beach one summer.  We were filled with emotion as we headed home that day.  Our hearts were overflowing.  So were our tears.  We will gather again next year - in another place – and we will give back again to make a difference in that place.

Come On Over

I'm not here today - I'm out working on my little vintage trailer.  There is a bit of work to be done inside before my sweetheart and I can begin the process of putting Daffodil back together.  He’s working on her exterior today and I’m busy removing the last pieces of interior paneling so the wiring can begin.  Then – very soon – big changes will happen.  It won’t be long now and she is going to start ‘sporting’ a new look!  Don’t worry – you will get to see the whole thing.  Come on over here to see more the first part of Daffodil’s journey.

Happy Fourth of July

 Oliver Wendell Holmes

Vintage Trailer Favorites

We’ve had a great time on our tour of the vintage trailers.  It's been fun having you along.  Now I want to show you my favorites.  Here are two that called me back time after time. It was almost as if I couldn’t see enough – I had to go back.  I saw this trailer almost as soon as I arrived and I knew right away that I wanted to see more.  Look a little closer.  We need to see all the wonderful things she has around the trailer.  We haven’t even gone inside yet and her style is obvious.  There's a ‘banner’ of vintage aprons –vintage coffeepots and cookware – things found in a home. Let’s get a little closer.  Then we'll go inside.  Oh, wait – look at this gorgeous vintage robe that's hanging on the door.The inside is as intriguing as the outside.  There’s a lot to see.  The table has been set – she must be waiting for us.Her kitchen is equipped with just about anything you might need.Everything inside this trailer fascinates me.  And a lot of it brings back memories of my childhood – from the curtains to the vintage luggage overhead to the Raggedy Ann that sits on her bed.Wasn’t that a fun place to visit?  There’s one more nearby that I want you to see.  It is different and it shows the style of the owner in a way we haven’t seen yet.  Heads turned when she arrived. She’s a beauty!  You have to see it – you’ll be glad you did!  Meet the ‘Disoriented Express’!She is exquisite!  Her owner told me she wanted to make her trailer reflect the beauty of the Orient Express so she studied all the details of the original luxury train.  Then she adapted them to fit her trailer.  She didn’t miss a thing!
She even added details to the tongue (front hitch area) of the trailer!  Here's a train light that really works. . .A brass railroad piece that replaces a standard tongue jack handle. . .And a brass handrail beside the door.Her screen door is beautiful!  The stains show off the beauty of the wood.  A brass light shines to show our way at night.I can’t wait to see what she’s done inside.  Let’s go in.  All aboard!  As soon as we step inside you can see that she has done this right – she’s left no detail undone.  We’re greeted by a grandfather clock!And the dining area is exquisite.  From the grain of the woods. . . To the pretty chandelier overhead.The details continue in the kitchen. . .And the bedroom area. . .To the brass and copper luggage rack overhead. . .And the beautiful mirror on the closet door.Thank you for taking this tour with me.  I loved having you come along.  It was fun.  There are little bits and pieces of things we missed.  We may have to come back and look around again sometime.  

Vintage Trailer Tour – Part Two

If you joined me for the first part of the vintage trailer tour, we’re ready to go again.  It was nice sitting for awhile to rest our feet and have a good chat – so let’s go.  There’s more to see!  Here’s a cutie.  She’s still in process but she’s almost finished.  I love her aprons on display.

I think she’s just darling – with her scallops and quilt block painted on the side.
And her bright colors inside are so cheery.
Look at the darling mirror on the closet door.
I saw this one when she arrived.  I was so intrigued I could hardly wait to see more.  She’s a new trailer that has had some incredible artwork added. 
We have to walk around – up close – and read the Dr. Seuss sayings that have been added on every side.  I love her ‘childhood’ theme.  It’s so sweet.  Beside the door. . .
On the back. . .
And on the side.
Here’s little Fifi – all pink and silver and black.
There’s no doubt about this gal’s plan – she’s going to keep moving.  She even brought her mailbox!
Before we take another break – because there’s more – I want you to see a ‘new vintage’ trailer.  My sweetheart and I recently saw this trailer at an RV show and I was intrigued.  It has all the comforts and bells and whistles of a new, up-to-date trailer, with the look and feel of a vintage trailer.  I talked to the gal who owns this trailer.  She wanted a trailer that didn’t need any work done – a trailer she could depend on.  She’s begun to make it her own and it's cute! 
There are a few more trailers I’d like to show you but I think we should enjoy a spot where we can take off our shoes, put our feet in the water and watch the world go by.  I think this will work.  What do you think?
I’ve saved my three favorites for the end of the tour.  We’ll see them soon.  I’m sure you’re going to like them.  It will be worth the time to see them.