My shop...my mullet...

I believe I've told you this story before. When we moved all the furniture to the new space, John kept asking (gently) "do you have a floor plan?" and I know I was just a deer in the headlights. Floor PLAN? By plan....did he mean a clue? A fresh idea? Some witty plan?

Yeah...I had nothing. Nada. Nope. Zilch.

Then it hit me...I said "The shop is like a mullet....business in the front...party in the back". So when you enter the shop you see candles, estate sale finds, cards, local artist's work, chandeliers, reproduction wooden advertising signs, lovely linens...then you turn the corner and you find this.....

 

 

Bacon is our friend. It's proof that someone, somewhere...a higher being of some sort...loves us SO much.  Bacon is a big old HUG to humans from little pink pigs. (I HEART animals......but BACON...it is just good stuff). But....it also is something that many gentlemen in NE Portland really enjoy. I have men walk in...looking like they are praying I don't notice them..and when I finally say "Holler if you need any help" they say quickly "Do you have bacon mints?" or "Do you carry bacon wallets?".

People.....I can't make this stuff up.

I love pretty things so much. Bring me McCoy vases, velvet spools of ribbon, lovely botanical candles, sparkly baubles, local art pieces all day long...but BACON FLOSS? I HAVE to carry that....don't force me to make choices between pirate gum, Cat-a-Pults and candy cigarettes verses pretty things. My heart would break. 

And I have been an ordering FOOL for all of you. Yes. I do it for YOU. I am just that way.

Hey...here is some fun. On Tuesday night, we ran up to Mount Hood as a surprise for my daughter's 14th birthday. We let her skip school (GASP!) and we stayed up late playing Yahtzee & Scattergories. My daughter said more than once "This is the best birthday of my life". What mother of a TEENAGER doesn't love THAT comment after a family night of game playing??? We stayed at our friend's mountain house and here was the true test of how much fun we had.....CRYING came from the backseat as we backed away from their drive-way when it was time to go. That IS sad...but a SURE sign of a successful family get-away!

 

We look slightly pained...but the wind was relentless!!!

 

They CLAIM the mountian will be ready for skiing by Next Friday...I wonder...but I will trust them! Timberline Lodge was HUMMING with staff. Not many visitors, but lots of deliveries. I would really recommend a visit there if you are in Oregon for the Holidays. I forget how LUCKY we are...this is practically in my BACKYARD. I took the time to read all the plaques, look at old photos, really TAKE it all in.....This building is AMAZING and it was built in ONE year! 1936-1937. It has been visited by more than one president, but I believe it was F.D.R. that was the most celebrated/noted. (Mom...correct me if I am wrong..you read that plaque). It was a filming home of The Shining (Here's Johnny) and featured on several ski magazine covers, U.S. Stamps, vintage travel postcards, etc.

Before we took off for home, I had to show my mom (her visit was one of my daughter's presents!) the gorgeous riverside walk only 1/2 mile away from our friend's home. It is so relaxing, but we've always loved that people make rock formation art all along the banks of the Sandy River. I have seen very few people actually DOING it....it's usually just..there. A little mystery. A safe surprise!

 

See the little piles of rocks all about? Love it...

 

My daughter called this one "The Gnome". Inventive.....

Happy Almost Friday to you. I hope you have a weekend full of fun finds. I NEED to hit some estate sales...I have been relying on eBay WAY too much.

Comments

[Joanna {sweet finds}]

Wow, it looks like you had a great time. As a family, It's always nice to get away. Have a great weekend. xoxo, Joanna