Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Sand and Surf

A few weeks ago my hubby said, "Hey, I've got some vacation time I need to use up. How'd you like to go to the beach?"

Well, after I regained consciousness, I jumped into action. Cat sitter, check. Light timers, check. Neighbor on recycling-garbage detail, check. Several suitcases packed later we were on a road trip to our favorite beach in Lincoln City, Oregon. We stayed at the Moon Breaker, a house that has been my heart breaker since it's always booked. Somehow a cancellation entitled us the honor of staying at this beachfront home. YAHOO! This was our first stop....

Factory Outlet Mall
Where a girl's wish list is granted





Okay, I'll admit it. I was a little preoccupied with the shopping, and I forgot to take pictures. No worries; I'll take some as we drive away.... Not as easy as I thought. At least I photographed the most important one.




Isn't it amazing what feats a gal will go through to get a shot for her blog. This was taken at 20mph balancing (in a not so glamorous position), from the front seat, out the back passenger window. My camera doesn't have a S.W.A.T. telescopic zoom lens, so I couldn't get pics of the clothing racks. That's a bit too ambitious for this newbie. We did make time to tour the floral scapes. Spectacular!! Something this Brown thumb can greatly appreciate. To say they were huge is quite an understatement. They're kept like this year round! Which I'm sure is a challenge. Take a look.





The Tillamook Cheese Factory gift shop is very unassuming from the outside, not even a name graces its storefront. But step through its doors and wow! SOOOO much, SOOO fun, fabulous shopping! In the words of my hubby, "I'm on shopping overload!"

I made some new girlfriends at the checkout counter:


Candace and Janace

When I approached these two girls for a picture they were so surprised. I explained it was for my blog. Which neither had ever heard of. After a bit of explaining, coaxing and giggles they turned toward each other for approval. Taking inventory of their hair and makeup, both (looking like they'd just return from the salon) agree to their first blog photo photo opp. "Girls if you go to the library to see this blog post, wouldn't you agree you look divine? Thanks for a fun time! I look forward to seeing you again."


Pat and Candace

Pat did a great job keeping her composure, while getting my packages wrapped up. Meanwhile Candace is terribly distracted by all the laughter and my directing. These girls were charming.
This shop is a must, even before the Tillamook ice cream. Yup, there's ice cream to top off the shopping! What more could a girl ask for? Here's a clip of our cheese tour and the ocean view from the master bedroom balcony.
(Please allow clip to load completely, and then scroll back to the beginning, for your viewing pleasure.)




Glass Blowing Bowls and Floaters

(This is the novice glass blower's second attempt at a bowl. Her first piece developed a hole about twenty-five minutes into in the process. She was moments from completing it and the whole thing was ruined and had to be destroyed. They shattered it right in front of us all! Fortunately the second one was stunning.)





After all that sightseeing it was time for Bubbles and Bubbly, while my hubby rearranged (or should I say, smashed, squeezed, and shoved) the shopping bags into the trunk space (a microscopic crevice) he had created, for the billionth time, just to do it all over again for the luggage when we left. He is the Master Packer! He's had a lot of practice being married to the Master Shopper.



Heading home, and feeling a little guilty for not taking pictures of the scenic drive to the coast, I decided the the solution would be to capture one of the Christmas tree farms, that line the landscape for miles, on my camera. Well, once again, not a good plan at 65 mph! Every pose seemed possible until I'd snap the shot. Then it was a whole lot of, Wow, where'd it go? Was that a tree or did a bug just crash into my lens? Does this camera come with a warped speed option?!?! This is what I caught...I'm not sure if these dwarfish shrubs species are in the Christmas tree family. It's more likely these are the makings for a tumbleweed farm. Remember, it's the thought that counts...Okay you can laugh now...Cause I did.


Though it is always a little sad when the vacation is almost over, there is one place sure to console us, a last stop to the Rockfish Bakery for blueberry coffee cake, pecan bars, brownies, chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies.



We ate the giant oatmeal raisin cookie in the car...You didn't think we were able to make the entire ride home resisting the tempting fumes of freshed baked goodies did ya?


The rest of these delights, with a cup of tea, lifted my spirits. I reflected back to the beach, on my favorite street, Road's End, in quaint Lincoln City, already planning our next getaway.







Now it's time to catch a train to Seattle for the Seattle Cash and Carry Home and Gifts Show. It won't be all work (if you can call a buying trip work). We'll get to spend time with my son and daughter-in-law, the newlyweds of one year. When I return I'll be announcing the TWO WINNERS of my Parisian Give Away.



This unique CLOSED sign was on a store window in Depoe Bay.



The only thing I'll be PILLAGING and and PLUNDERING will be my credit card!
See you soon,
Sara

30 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I hope you take lots of pictures to show us if the cash and carry show is one worth traveling to!

A Bite of Country Cupcakes said...

Oh wish I could've been paked in the al too full trunk to join you!
Especially the stop by the rockfish bakery...Yummmm!!!!
AAs usual a lovely post!
Be back soon

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Any holiday that involves good food, shopping, and the ocean must be a winner!!

Judy said...

Oh Sara, now fun!!! I have actually been to the Tillamook Cheese factory. It was so much fun and I did bring home lots of cheese. We stumbled on it years ago while on vacation and just sightseeing. I buy it here and it is the best cheese.

My Petite Maison said...

Sounds like a lot of fun. Just the Ralph Lauren store in itself would've made me feel like a princess.

Hope you found many, many things on your travels... Can't wait to see what you'll show us.

Thank you for visiting both my blogs, people haven't caught on to my new one yet... so I really appreciate you taking the time and sharing your ghost story experience with your dad with me. It truly touched my heart.
~Tracie

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous time--I love how you got these pictures for your blog. Those gals must have been thrilled to be part of your story!

Hopechest Bride said...

I'm breathless just taking in all your escapades...whew. Just give me one of those pecan thingies and I'll be your bestist friend.
Lisa

Kitty Scraps said...

Wow Sara! Your getaway trip looked like a lot of un! And I love me some RLP. Those sales girls looked like they were having as much fun as you were *smiles* Great post today, I felt like I was right there with your descriptions. I'm a scrapbooker so I've trained my family years ago that it's just much easier to let me get my picture taking done than suffer with me when I don't, so no more warp factor 8 pictures for me...still my pictures are not great but atleast I don't have to hang out speeding car windows anymore or listen to groans when I bring out the camera. Once in the DMV when my son was getting his license and I was directing the the state employee to hold a pose he turned to her and said Ma'am it's over faster if you just go along with her! *smiles*
Your vacation looked fab and I can't wait to see pictures from the cash and carry show! Yippee! Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!

Kitty Scraps said...

oops I meant to type FUN not UN, lol

Made In The South said...

What a fun trip. I to would die if hubby said lets go. You made the day for the girls at the store. I bet they were still laughing when you left. That is what life is all about, making people smile. Have a great week. MISSY

Rebecca Ramsey said...

What a fun vacation!
I can practically taste those goodies!

I had such a nice visit at your blog!
I'll be back!
Becky

The Berry's Patch said...

My hubby and I just took a little trip as well. I always look out for an outlet mall. Looks like you had tons of fun. :-)

Buffie said...

I enjoyed your little trip very much! You're too funny with the photo taking, LOL!

Buffie :)

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Sara, Thank you for visiting and the kind compliment on my tablescape. My husband and I are not traveling this year and it gave me the idea for a small gathering.
Love your shopping trip pictures. I would be in heaven! You're always welcome to visit again. ~ Warmly, Melissa :)

Rue said...

Hi Sara :)

That was quite a trip! You know what my favorite part was besides the food??? Why Ralph Lauren of course! LOVE him and his stuff :)

Have a great time at the show!

Oh and thank you so much for the comment about Annie's political issues :)

hugs,
rue

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Oh my gosh, what a great vacation! I am jealous!! :)
Carrie

Decor To Adore said...

How fun! I love your luggage.

Linda Summerfield said...

Thanks so much for visiting me! The flowers at the outlet mall are spectacular! It would be so wonderful to have flowers year round. The picture of the pecan squares I would wear in a locket around my neck!
Welcome back.
Linda

Anonymous said...

Evening, Sara and it's so nice to meet you! Oh, I enjoyed my trip with you very much. Now those shop girls are adorable. I'll bet they're still talking about their photo shoot!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Kristens Creations said...

Thanks for your visit today! I worked at an interior shop for 15 yrs. until it recently closed. We did christmas decorating and I made all of the silk arrangements, garlands etc. My former boss and I kept the houses we have done in the past. We used to go to market all the time, now we buy alot locally. It's fun decorating, but a lot of work. Check back in with me, I have several houses to do in the next couple of weeks including my own. Kristen

Raxx - A day in the life said...

Hi Sarah, so glad you visited me! I got the chance to read your blog and it is soo funny!

Your trip looked like so much fun?

Going to add you to my bloglist so I can visit often, is that ok?

Liz Harrell said...

Oh wow. My husband and I went with his family to stay in Cannon Beach this past September. That part of the country is stunning, I wish everyday I was back there!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a great vacation. Makes me a little home sick. Can't wait to come visit sometime.

Tardevil said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! It's always nice to meet new "friends"! I'm glad to know there are some shopping pros on the west coast too! We have to "represent" you know...and represent well, I might add! I'm sure you had a great time b/c who doesn't love the beach! Feel free to stop by my place any time!

Anonymous said...

What a fun trip! Wish I could have been there. That Ralph store looks so much better than the one at the lake!

Love that closed sign.

Sandra Evertson said...

What beautiful fun!
Sandra Evertson

Judy said...

Hi Sara, I love the Celestial Seasonings Tea too. I have some but not the Sugar Cookie yet. I buy my flowers at Sur La Table. They also have the glass teapots and they do make a lovely gift. I'm on my way to pick up Kitten and Jack. Be there soon!!

"Create Beauty" said...

I've only been to Lincoln City once, and that was for our honeymoon oh so many years ago! We do make it to Cannon Beach once a year or so ... so many wonderful memories of the beach, sigh..... I do love combining a vacation and shopping!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I feel like I've been on vacation. Fun posting. Those flowers are absolutely amazing, and the glass blowing is beautiful. laurie