The Oregon Coast Should Be Mandatory
[ weekend polaroids © Andrea Jenkins ]
I have a feeling that even if my history wasn't rooted on this coast it would still be magical to me.
Anna and I took a little adventure this past weekend to Manzanita, Oregon (northern Oregon coast) and met up with twelve other women from around the country for a little rest and relaxation. For us that means really good food, walks to town & on the beach, conversations about work & life, and lots and lots of photos.
This year Kelly Rae brought some canvases, collage materials, and paints along with her. She had planned to work on some personal projects after most of us had left. Instead she brought them out and we had a collage/painting summit. Collaging & painting with my hands alongside Kelly Rae and the others resulted in serious inspiration.
I am thinking that my canvas is in-progress (it's nice & big : 20x20). I loved the process of building the layers of papers and texture and paint but I think I may add something else/more of something. For right now I am just letting it rest.
Anna got loved and loved and loved some more. I think a few of them even whispered wonderful thoughts on living a life full of creativity into her sweet little ears.
[ photo © Karen Walrond ]
Everyone needs a group of friends like this. A group that can get together for creative support & to see you for who you are inside & out. I am feeling very thankful.
Much love to Jen, Kelly Rae, Andrea, Andrea, Tracey, Jen, Jen, Katherine, Brene, Myriam, Karen, and Alex (and we missed you Mati).
FOR LOCALS : A new Come Play Eugene creative get-together is set for September 12 & 13 (including our now annual adventure to the Coburg Antique Fair). All the details here.
Sounds so wonderful. Can't wait to see the finished product of your canvas. And I love the last photo. Brilliant.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I so wish I had a group like this to create with ... fantastic time and the whisperings into Anna's ear? Magical!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
PS - it looks like an irish chain quilt that Anna is sitting on - do you mind if I ask who made it!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, I don't mind saying that I envy you. What a wonderful way to spend time, being with people that support and delight you in a beautiful place.
I've never been to that area of the Oregon Coast. I was in Lincoln City (?) a few years ago and totally loved it. Daniel and I were in the Redmond area this past weekend for a wedding, and I loved it there, too. Oregon should be mandatory. At least for me. Someday. Maybe soon...
Melissa
Sign in or sign up to comment.
your baby girl is getting more and more gorgeous! love the pix!
tara
Sign in or sign up to comment.
gorgeous photos, the coast seems like a magical place, I hope to visit it one day!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Lovely canvas! Love the coast here in Oregon.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I agree, taht is an amazing coastline!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Amen, sister...there is something soul filling about that place. I heart Bandon and Yachats, especially. :-)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
your canvas looks so nice already!
sounds like a great trip!
and i'm off to check out Kelly Rae! (I'm a KellEy Rae myself!)
love your blog...
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Agreed! The Oregon Coast is magical. I've been there three times and I'm dying to go again.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali I totally agree with you about the Oregon Coast - I am a midwestern girl and that is the one thing I truely love - so much so that in 2004 my husband & I were married @ Heceta Head Lighthouse. I can't wait for the opportunity to take our daughters there someday and share the magic with them. You are lucky and I am thrilled that Anna & Simon are able to grow up with that experience as well. So glad you had a relaxing & inspiring weekend!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
So inspired when I saw Brene's montage - it was like time stood still around me when I watched it. Had some time with KRR when I taught at Inspired - gosh that girl quietly gets into your soul, doesn't she? Hoping between my baby and yours the idea of motherhood is rubbing off on her ;)
Looking forward to spending time with she and Mati in Feb at an Artful Adventure.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts & perspective on this sweet time.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I LLOOVVEE the Oregon coast and think it is the most nostalgic, amazing, wonderful place on this whole planet! I could spend days and nights and lifetimes there... ahhhhh. Thanks for making me remember some of my happiest memories! Love your photos!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Each time you post a photo of your daughter brings an instant smile to my face. Thank you for sharing these glimpses into your family. The photo of her looking down is delightful - she looks like she's dancing with her arms. I am inspired to capture more photos of myself with my daughter. May pleasant memories linger with you for many days to come.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Love the canvas collage! I was hoping to make a series of these for my bare walls, incorporating some old photos of each kid. I just need someone to teach me how! This would be a great project for a Tuesday Tutorial. (hint hint)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
It would be sweet if Kelly Rae could do a Tuesday tutorial!! :D)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Can't wait to see your finished canvas, Ali! :) I also loved the pics of Anna and the one of you and Anna...she is so beautiful! :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I know you needed this as much as Brene. I know it was a good thing and worth so much to all of you. I'm so glad you were able to go.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, I'd like to suggest a children's picture book. Your post today reminded me of one of my favorites I used in the classroom, "Tulip Sees America" by Cynthia Rylant. The story is terrific, and the pictures are very clever. The best thing about it is the writer's craft. Tulip is a dog, and he and his master end up on the Oregon coast. Lovely.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
i am so thankful i get to FINALLY come and experience the beautiful state you live in. i only wish we could hook up while i am there... i will be visiting Bend for most of the trip.. any suggestions on must see/must dos?
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Anna makes a very graceful little ballerina! Lovely photos.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
What a great get away Ali...so fun and how great you took Anna too.
I saw on your twitter that you're getting the urge to re-decorate. We got the bug too!
We just painted our kitchen and are putting in some cool mod chairs and shelves.
It's sooo hot here in Austin 105 degrees..so it's totally appropriate that we went with a cool hip shade of blue :)
Thanks for sharing all your beautiful pics and stories with all of us.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I agree, the coast should be mandatory. While I'm north here in Vancouver, and love our coast too, the Oregon one is just magical. Hard not to be inspired there.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali,
Last weekend four girlfriends and a beautiful baby named Will had a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of raising four-year-olds. We headed to Barwon Heads, which is on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. We shopped, ate, sipped champagne, scrapped, made cards, knitted, read magazines, at some more and had a very relaxing time.
I agree with you - sharing time with your girlfriends rejuvenates the spriit.
KazT
Sign in or sign up to comment.