And it's March

Last week was mid winter break. It felt like I'd just had a vacation with so many snow days in February but this was different.  I stayed home in February and it felt good.  This break I got out and that felt good too.

On Thursday Karen picked me up and we went to Burlington to do some shopping. I am a coupon queen, reward hoarder, Gap family shopper.  I needed a spring wardrobe boost for under $50. Success at Old Navy. We went to Target too.  Yes, we have a Target in Bellingham but the Burlington one is better.  We had lunch at the Train Wreck, always a good idea. The sun was out and it was a pretty drive.

On Friday Franny had an estate sale scheduled and I made plans to go with my sis, Jodi.  There was a lot of photography equipment as it was the estate of an US Army photographer and his wife.

I brought two cast iron pots home to Hubby.

 He worked on them on Saturday,  they are seasoned and ready for camping season.

The quilt made from an army blanket and lined with flannel is really interesting and is just the right size for a camp fire lap robe for me.

 Jodi and I met up with Chris, Kim and Shelly at the sale.  Chris asked us if we wanted to shop her studio... Uhmmm, YES!

I am going to paint the table for the sitting room, the table in there now is too low and has bugged me long enough.

 The mountain picture is from the estate sale, I have a similar one from my parents and I'd like to hang them together.  I'm hoping to collect more of that style.

 The old radio is getting a paint job. It's not going to work for the spot I intended but I'll find a spot. The top lifts up and I hope to find a cooler to fit inside.

 We usually go for coffee after shopping at an estate sale but that morning went so long that we ended up having lunch at The Mill. A long, laughter filled, delicious lunch with inspiring women.  

Yes, please!

Friday night Sam and Max stayed here. This mama is always happy when the guys come home.  We went out for breakfast on Saturday. Sam went home and Max stayed for the weekend.

That was a fun filled long weekend, just what I needed. Now it's back to eating at home, walking and working on the projects I purchased.

This text is from Max, and I thought y'all could use a laugh.

I am working on a second edition of the cookbook I wrote for the guys.  Apparently, I left out tater tot casserole and taco soup.  It has caused some angst.

Enjoy a wind free day, my friends!

November Rambling

This promises to be a rather random post. November is almost half over and I haven't posted yet.  Last November we were getting ready for two weddings and a trip.  My Mom wasn't doing well and one of my guys was going through a tough time. This year November came and I felt a little blah.  Not ready for Christmas busyness yet, but almost bored.  I started thinking about everything that happened last fall and looking back I realized how overloaded and busy I felt.  Much of it was so good! But some of it was hard and sad. I had to step back and look at what a normal November looked like for me this year.

As it turns out some reflection was good and I am ready for a grateful Thanksgiving and a Christmas season of celebrations and joy.

In October, Sheryl and I went to the Glitter and Glitz Vintage Show in Anacortes.  It got me inspired for Christmas decorating. 

I have been walking more again.  I feel so much better when I walk regularly but it is a slippery slope and any change can cause me to stop. Anywhoo, I am back in my groove and that feels good.

 November has been a busy month for substitute teaching.  There haven't been any jobs for Thanksgiving week because of conferences scheduled for afternoons. I am happy to have the week off to do some holiday prep and enjoy being at home.

I had an outing on Saturday to University Village on the Lynden Christian School Polar Express.  I won a trip! That was a first for me.  Karen went with me on the bus trip.  It was fantastic!  Their swag bags rocked.  We got on the bus and did some local shopping first and then went to Seattle for more shopping.  Karen and I enjoyed lunch at Eureka and shopped until we dropped.  Then it was back on the bus for a box dinner, more raffle prizes and fun visiting.

Yes, we miss camping.  We miss packing up and taking off with Annie, our '57 Aloha and we really miss our trailer peeps. Hubby and I were off yesterday so we decided to cook dinner outside.  It was cold but clear.  Sam came for dinner and it was good to see our favorite veteran on Veterans Day.

 We made our sauce first and then assembled a lasagna.

 While it was baking in the Dutch oven we were warming up inside by the fire.

 Success!  It was delicious and we'll take this recipe on camping trips next summer.

Today Hubby is at work and I am at home taking care of some cleaning and projects.  We are hosting a Friendsgiving on Saturday evening. The Pie Pals and their guys are coming for dinner.

I ordered Christmas bedding from Pottery Barn. Cozy. The plaid duvet cover is calling my name too.

Today I plan to put up one of the trees. I want to decorate and enjoy this season.  I have an idea for a ONEandDone gift for the kids this year.  I would like to try some new recipes.  I want to attend some local Christmas events this year.  

It's too early for some of you but not for me! 

Enjoy the season as you wish!

Sisters on the Fly NW Gathering 13

DISCLAIMER: Not all photos are mine, we shared and I can't possibly give credit to everyone so I'll just give a disclaimer and say thank you to all.  This is a lengthy post...

When Hubby and I did a frame off restoration on our '57 Aloha I had no intention of ever towing her.  I planned to leave that up to Hubby and go whenever it worked for him to take me camping.

One evening at the Mt. Baker Vintage Trailer Rally, I was in Annie making a potluck dish and there was a knock at my door.  Jean and Rene' asked if they could come in and talk to me. Uhhmm, sure, it's tiny and hot in here, but come on in.  They gave me a charm that was engraved with Sisters make the best friends. They told me about Sisters on the Fly and that they wanted me to join and go with them to Northwest Gathering in Cle Elum the next summer.  They told me they thought I was a good fit for SOTF.  I was hesitant, I explained that I couldn't tow Annie, I really was an introvert, gosh, it's nice you asked and I'm touched but I don't think I can do it. Jean, Kathy, and Rene' kept in touch over the winter and with their encouragement and Hubby's driving lessons, I joined, hit the road and never looked back.

This year the Northwest Gathering was in Silverton, OR.  Since I live in Lynden and knew I'd hit traffic all the way down I-5, I left a day early and planned to spend the night at Rene's place.  This turned out to be fortuitous as I got a rock chip/crack on the way down and Jeremy and Rene' own Downriver Vintage Trailer Restoration. Rene' installed a new window for me.  Thanks darlin'!

We met up with Kristen and Shelly in Woodland and caravaned to Silver Spur RV in Silverton. We set up camp, connected with old friends and then met at Jean's trailer where she hosted a cocktail hour for all of the new SOTF.  It was a Mexico themed dinner and evening.

Don't mind my flower crown, I saw them on Etsy for a hundred bucks and made mine for three using stuff from the Dollar Tree. haha

The next morning we got on school buses and were taken to the Santiam Train where  we went in petticoat junction style for a train ride with a box lunch and and a cash bar.

 There is a junk store close to the train station and yee haw, those women love junk. That guy didn't know what hit him.  A windfall that he's going to be talking about for a long time.

If someone says to the sisters the word petticoat, watch out!

Our train excursion was a fun day planned by the committee. It was all of the good stuff that goes with SOTF, a lot of laughs, boots and petticoats, and some good visits.  I got caught up with Kate, she drives up from San Diego, and it's good stuff to reconnect with her.

When you're at a sister's event you're living in your own trailer.  After a large group excursion this loud mouth introvert runs to her trailer for some down time.  It's one of the best parts for me to have Annie there for privacy and alone time, yet I'm camping next to 99 of my best friends.

Rene' made Annie and I a banner so everyone knows who we are in the trailer park.

Cheers! I knocked on the door but no one was home.

Isn't this just the best neighborhood?

That evening we were on our own and a few of us went to Seven Brides Brewery. It has a cute story and good beer and it was on my list of places to visit.

On Friday I went with Kristen, Shelly and Kathy to tour the Gordon House.  It's a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Silverton. We also went to visit the Oregon Garden.  I am now on a quest to visit more of the Frank Lloyd Wright Homes.

We started at the gardens, then left to tour the house, then to the garden's resort for lunch on the patio.

We saw a new sister having lunch alone and invited her to join us. It was a wonderful visit with gorgeous scenery of the gardens. Welcome to the sisters, Dondy! After lunch we took the tram tour of the garden. The garden and house pictures are mixed because that was how the day went for us.

Our docent was very good at his job.  I managed docents for a museum for nineteen years and trust me our tour was led by one of the best. So many stories and details yet he kept us on schedule.  

It's an art.

That evening it was a western theme. Yee Haw, those sisters love an excuse to get dressed up.

After dinner it was auction night.  Whenever sisters gather they give back.  This year we raised funds for the Silverton after school program.  We enjoyed the auction in our new chairs that Rene' made for us with our names, trailer and sister numbers.

I love Kate!

A park visitor asked us for our photo and of course, we oblige and then try to recruit them to join SOTF.

On the first day I spotted this field behind the maintenance barn filled with bachelor buttons.  I told my tribe that we were going to have photo shoot on western night. They agreed.

The forecast was for hot weather so I packed a pool and met new friends.  If you inflate and fill a pool they will gather! Even though the water was clean it looked otherwise.

The last evening was Hawaiian night and Rene' hosted a cocktail hour before dinner.

 Whether you fill a pool or a glass those girls come running!

There was a band, a photo booth and fondue to finish the gathering.

And there was a cribbage game for some tired sissies.

Another wonderful gathering in the books.  I didn't meet this sister pictured below and she looks like she is a fun gal so I plan to go next year to meet her and others, reconnect with the new friends I met this year and spend time with my tribe.

 I never thought I'd be that woman hitching up and heading out, wearing petticoats, and meeting so many new people.  It turns out that inside of that woman is a girl that likes to play.

Sister on the Fly #6570