Another roadside attraction

Today was 52 Kindergarten kids in the cold wet muddy pumpkin patch. A long noisy riotous bus ride. A cat vomit incident. A big bad wolf named Ruby who broke into our yard and tried to eat our chickens. An hour and a half crawling through bushes calling "Here chook chook chooks!" A laundry debacle and a very tired Lola.
And then it happened, a little grace was granted and I found a perfectly pleasant picnic basket of the vintage variety, and a Pyrex lovely loaf pan in turquoise ...on the side of the road. Free. Yup, I needed that little pick me up.

Here's hoping you have a weekend full of little graces.

Lola in the Big City

This last weekend, the family and I packed our cases and hit the road. We rolled up North and crossed the border into Washington. Our destination was "The Emerald City" of Seattle. As we pulled into town the sun was shining and there was a brilliant blue bird sky. After all the rain we have been having, it was an instant mood lift and we all had smiles ready for the adventure.

It's been years since I had been to Seattle, even though it is a mere couple of hours away. The city has such a different feel from my own home city of Portland, it reminds me a bit of the San Francisco of my youth.

We stayed at the historic Moore Hotel downtown. If you are looking for an affordable option and aren't wanting to get too fancy, I can recommend this hotel with a vintagey feel. The suite we had was lovely and clean with peek-a-boo views of the Puget Sound.

One morning, we went to Le Pichet for breakfast, a wonderful French cafe. I had the best croissant I've had in years, possibly the best ever...served with an amazing rhubarb preserve and an excellent cup of coffee. It was heaven. You may think I exaggerate but then, you may not be aware of my fierce love of good pastry. Let me assure you, it is no frivolous matter! This croissant and I were meant for each other and I dare say it will haunt me with it's memory for a long time to come.

image from here

Oh dear, I do believe I am getting ahead of myself. When we arrived in the city the first order of adventure was a meet up with a blog buddy of the 'utmost kind'. A woman whom I first made acquaintance with when I was searching out chicken coops on the internet. I came across her blog as she herself (and her Mr.) was in the midst of building a hen house of her own. Since that time, we had struck up one of those sweet acquaintances that you do from time to time in blogland. And now we had made arrangements to meet face to face. Yes, I was about to meet my friend Dottie Angel!

image from here

We had arranged to meet up at the entrance to a certain thrift shop, we recognized one another (from the knees down) immediately. What a lovely time I had! We thrifted, she took me to a Japanese bookstore that had me quite faint with it's plethora of gorgeous craft books, we had lunch and we chatted away the hours. It was such a joy to meet in person and get on so well. Thank you Dottie, for your kindness and for sharing a bit of your time with me.

On Sunday, we headed to The Fremont Market where I picked up a few treasures.

Then we stopped off at Alki Beach to let Pony Girl play at the shore. We parked a ways from the main beach lane and not 20 steps from our car I came across a rather sweet roadside find! Two dandy chairs for the big people and a wee chair for the smallish one's dolls. The Engineer and I will be giving the granny rocker an overhaul and the yam colored industrial is a perfect fit for my "by the roadside" desk.

As we headed home with the sun still shining, we all had a feeling of tired contentment. A mini family holiday adventure was just what we all needed. The rain has returned but, we have some wonderful memories to carry us through.

Roadside Attraction

So, now that I'm making my way back to blogtown, I can finally show you what I found by the side of the road. It's been a good long stretch without a roadside find. The last was a doozy! Still, I did find something...


1 funky desk that once the sun shines for a few days will hopefully be magically transformed.

1 Vintagey style bedspread. Though The Engineer made a scrunchy face - wavy hand expression at first glance, he finally did agree that it will make for a most excellent festival/picnic blanket.

1 sleeve press or smallish ironing board. I was in great need of a new one, the last two were dodgy and broke - this seems a good sturdy sort that only needs a new cover sewn.

1 Cool vintage collapsible measuring thinger, which is not truly useful but I like the looks of especially.

Now just recently, I was driving in the car with the Mr. and caught a little glimmer in the corner of my eye. As I started to pull over, the Engineer said, "whatever it is, we don't need it...no more funky furniture!" I know that sometimes, the Engineer can be a doubter of the utmost kind. Whilst he spied a big pile of junk on the side of the road...I on the other hand, spied possibility!

I told him, "of course dear, no more funky furniture. Just give me a minute."

To his credit, it was mostly a big pile of junk but, I did snag a couple of useful items.

A lovely duck egg blue hanging basket thinger that will come in most handy in my "studio". Another metal basket for storage, and a collapsible wooden peg hanger do-hickey.
It does my heart good to know that these items will be given new life and usefulness and that in my own small way, I'm helping to keep them out of the landfill. I will also admit, that it gives me a thrill, makes my heart go skippity skip, to find treasure by the side of the road.

I'm off to see about some caterpillars who are promising to form chrysalids any minute now. I shall be back soon with a game of musical cabinets.
Ta

Right after this short break

found by the roadside

Looking at the picture of those suitcases in my last post, made me a bit wistful and I swore I could hear the call of the sea on the breeze. I found myself longing to lounge under a quilt by the fire - in my wholesome shack near the water's edge, whilst looking out of the picture window at the tumbling ocean. Oh my friends, it was a powerful longing indeed.

So, I packed my travel case and rolled down the road to the coast. To breathe in the briny air and be lulled to sleep by the waves. I must ramble the curly ribbon of highway singing at top volume to the likes of Otis, Irma, and Tanya Tucker. I will think of you.

Ok, that is how I would like you all to think of me while a take a short break. In reality, I will be quite busy trying to make all the ends meet somewhere in the the middle.

Lola needs a time out.

Only for the briefest of moments though, I will be back mid-week next. I have so much to catch you up on, all sorts of clever goings on. In the meanwhile, please take good care of your lovely selves.