Washington State » Just 5 More Minutes

Northwesternmost Point of the USA Road Trip via J5MM.com

There was much to be thankful for over this past Thanksgiving holiday road trip of ours. I am no doubt so very thankful for my boys, our health, our silver girl and so much more.

I was also incredibly thankful for mother nature bestowing her generosity upon us with good weather during our holiday road trip. One morning though, she did decide to pour buckets of rain down upon us but luckily our plans were to wrap up camp and head to our next destination. As we drove, the gray skies turned blue and the sun shined so brightly, turning our surroundings into the most beautiful golden color. The sky was also the most beautiful shade of blue I had ever seen. Maybe it was just my imagination, but the color was different to me. I took so many photos. I just couldn’t help it.

We just got back home-home this Sunday from our trip. On our trip we visited the quaint town of Port Townsend and glamped at the Point Hudson Marina and RV Park. We then motored up along the windy, and sometimes white knuckle — coastal roads towards Hobuck Beach RV Resort where we secured a beautiful ocean view spot.

We did so much, together. It was a special time and B couldn’t stop talking about what fun he had on our trip, during our drive home.

“It was the best trip mommy! Thank you.”

That’s what makes my heart squeeze with happiness — this child of ours and these memories hubby and I are making for him. As I looked out the truck window, I couldn’t help but get teary eyed thinking that one day, maybe, he will bring his family to these spots we visited and possibly, just possibly share his stories — his memories with us — with his family for his children to remember.

It’s now Tuesday, December 2nd as I type this. I have so many photographs to sort through, but I love it all. I’m looking forward to sharing a detailed story of our trip with you so that perhaps, if you are considering planning a trip out this way, you may consider visiting the places we have.

In the meantime, every night after work — after all the home chores are taken care of, I sit down at my work bench and craft silver inspired travel accessories. I am hoping very much to update my Etsy shop this Sunday with silver goodies. I’ve been working on two sets of earrings so far and they are just about the most beautiful little earrings ever. Another leaf design (which has been very popular. THANK YOU !!) and a new silversmithing technique I have learned — a tiny concave silver bowl with teeny-tiny little silver drops inside. They are small, delicate and very sweet. I love them and I think you will too.

Please stay tuned — they would make the loveliest gift for the Glamper in your life.

With all of my heart,

Monica xoxox

The Look of Things Around Here via J5MM.com #Airstream #GoRVing

The Lat One To Fall via J5MM.com

As sure as the autumn leaves are to fall, my Etsy shop will eventually, forthcoming have its very first shop update.

Next Tuesday, around 9 am I will be stocking my shelves with a few travel inspired jewellery pieces I have been happily working on these past few weeks. Continue reading »

A long, long time ago,

I can still remember how those apple trees used to make me smile.

And I knew if I had my chance, that I could make some apple jam (or pies, cakes and more !)

And maybe they’d be happy for a while . . . Continue reading »

Fall is upon us now and the other day, it suddenly dawned on me, that last summer — a lot of cooking had been done in my silver kitchen which never made it onto J5MM. Pouring over all my photos I took of my culinary creations made me realize also — what a beautiful, gloriously long summer we had here in Washington. The warm breezes continue to blow, even now in what should be a chilly October. We have our funny days where temps reach 80! But today will be a nice mid 60’s October day according to the weather woman. I’m ready for warm sweaters in the upcoming season and exhilarating early morning hikes where the frost graces the edges of the creek near my home. Continue reading »

As sure as the summer sun sets and the big moon rises, my heart is drawn to this river that runs just beyond our property. I call him Mr. River (and I love him). Hubby doesn’t seem to mind.

It is here where I feel most at peace. It is here where most of my summer is spent fly fishing, writing, crafting and frolicking about with Oliver. Mr. River flows not only through the windy channel he has carved out, but also through my heart. Our hearts. I feel my brother is here too.

To get to Mr. River, we must travel through gravely back roads. Only a few people know of this and I feel proud I can navigate when I do come here alone.

To begin our days spent with Mr. River, we enjoy early mornings on our property with simple breakfasts . . .

Mr. River’s friends, the tall trees that live along his banks, give B a gift of a bark puzzle. He is mesmerized by it.

Some days I fish and other days I sit alongside Mr. River and create. Sometimes I come with hubby and B and sometimes I come alone. I dip my toes into the water and make sage bundles. I listen to Mr. River gently talk to me as I craft. He tells me that when I am here, with him, everything in the world is right. I love him.

The days spent with Mr. River are warm and when we come back to camp, the wind picks up with a slight chill to it. We make ourselves at home and I prepare a pot of comforting chicken stew. I love cooking in my silver kitchen.

I make Mr. River Earrings. They serve as a reminder of him and my summer spent here. The blue stone is for his rushing waters, the chain symbolizes his swiftly flowing movement, the red is for the wild berries that grow alongside his banks and also the strawberries that live alongside my coalminers cabin. The brown agate stone reminds me of the spotty skin of his trout, or the slippery stones I carefully and gently walk upon — and the pink gem reminds me of the sparkles that radiate off his waters.

It was a whirlwind love affair I will never forget ♥

Sailing to Orcas Island via J5MM.com

Earlier this summer we had a party by the sea with our Airstream on Orcas Island in the beautiful San Juan Islands of Washington State . . .

I invited my sweet friends I have made on island over the years and it was a night I will never forget ♥ Continue reading »

Anacortes ferry landing via J5MM.com

Sometimes when life gets super busy, it helps me to sit down and take note of everything happening around me. The last two weekends for us have been spent up on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington State.

The purpose of our first visit was to reconnect with friends and have a party in their honor back at our camp. I wanted everything to be perfect so I worked very hard on that trip for a couple of months prior. The party went off without a hitch and so many wonderful things happened that weekend that I really look forward to sharing with you.

orcas2

When traveling with an RV there are many benefits to be had. Take for example the fact that you have all the comforts of home with you including a fully equipped kitchen. Sure it’s probably smaller than your kitchen at home, but with a little organization and planning, you can easily whip up the same healthy meals you do for your family at home, but on the road.

My Travel Trailer Kitchen

What’s better is that you’re actually on the road. Traveling. Exploring. Seeking out new adventures. Can you imagine a better way to experience the “here and now,” than visiting a local market where you just happen to be seeking out the freshest, in season goodies to cook a meal with? Take it to the next level and talk to some locals shopping in the market. Ask them how they like to cook those “in season” ingredients. More often than not, you’ll make a new friend and come back to your RV inspired, ready to cook. Continue reading »

When hubby and I first met, one of our very first trips taken together was to the Bennett cabin which is located next to the Wenatchee National Forest. I’ve heard a lot about this cabin and how it took many, many years for the Bennett family to build, by hand — all themselves. No machinery here, just pulley systems and lots of muscles to get the logs one on top of the other. Continue reading »

Ever since bringing home our Airstream in 2010 it has somewhat become a tradition to spend the cozy Thanksgiving holiday in the San Juan Islands – specifically Orcas Island. Year after year we return with the longing of peace, relaxation and just taking things easy next to the Salish Sea.

There is never a dull moment when spending time in the islands . . . Continue reading »

Just 5 More Minutes

Upper Left USA

Cherished and Few

American Pie

All The Happy Little Kitchens

A River Love Story

Getting By With A Little Help From My Friends

So Much To Share ♥

Finding Our “Away” One Local Meal At A Time

In Seek Of Nature

To Be Thankful