Talk of the Town
Exciting things are happening about a mile down the road! About a thousand people blew into our quiet, little town over the weekend, and are currently in demo-mode, kicking up dust and making this reality TV show (which will air later in the year), to help a family here. We drove by it all on our way home from the coast yesterday, and got a glimpse of everything. The road is closed now to thru traffic, but my friend Missy lives just a few doors down from all this ruckus and has been a spectator from her front yard, keeping us informed of all the latest happenings. I'm posting today because she asked me to mention that she's added the last of her wonderful handmade soap to her Etsy shop before closing down for awhile. She's sold her farm and is moving back to the Midwest, so head on over and help her lighten her load if you can.
Yes, I said moving back to the Midwest. I've had plenty of time to digest the news, but it's still going to be hard to say goodbye when the time comes for them to pack up and head out at the end of summer. We've come to know Missy and her family well, our girls are close friends, and they've been a vital part of our homeschooling community. Naturally, we're sad they're leaving but do understand. It was a hard decision to give up the lifestyle here, and they'd been wrestling with the pros and cons for quite awhile. When they pulled up roots and moved three years ago, they didn't realize the kind of family connections that would be broken; namely grandparents, and have since longed for those family ties. I think things just sort of pointed them back in that direction because it was meant to be. Things just won't be the same without them though, and they will truly be missed. (sniffle) Moving on here... cuz I don't want to think about that until I have to. I like to cross my bridges when I get to them.
Our latest adventure...
Visiting the Oregon coast can be a crap-shoot, it's either breath-taking beautiful or foul-weathered, rarely anything in between, but we were lucky yesterday and "Mr. Toad's wild ride" over the twisty mountain road paid off.
Not too breezy...just right.
A picnic on the beach. Sketching. Splashing. Sandcastles. Sweets. We had a great time!
We're off to pick berries this morning before things really start to heat up. Looking ahead at a few days of triple-digit heat starting tomorrow. Hope Ty remembers his sunscreen.
Those TV people are going to be HOT this week, especially Ty (hee hee).
We're visiting the Oregon coast in August. Can't wait!
Posted by: Anina | July 09, 2007 at 10:59 AM
~I am SO happy to read about your adventures! I miss your sweet blog!!~
Posted by: Amanda | July 09, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Wow, your hometown looks truly beautiful. We have had rain everyday here in the UK and it looks like there'll be no summer at all.... send some of those "Sun Drops" this way please!
Posted by: Ruthanne | July 09, 2007 at 11:27 AM
I am sad your friend is going...mine left a year ago today and I miss her.
Great pictures of your trip to the Coast.
Posted by: ruthee | July 09, 2007 at 11:36 AM
thats too bad about your friend moving but its for the best right, she will be closer to family and that sure is important I am sure you will miss her terribly and how fun for your town to have such fun things going in there now. Beautiful pictures of the beach also:)
deezie
Posted by: deezie | July 09, 2007 at 01:57 PM
Hey! The midwest isn't THAT bad!
Sorry you will be losing a friend.
Posted by: judy | July 09, 2007 at 02:21 PM
I'm so sorry that your dear friend is moving away. Years ago our friends moved from Chicago to California and I thought my heart would break. I was good friends with the mom, and all my kids were good friends with her kiddos. I still get misty when I drive by her old house. Hang in there.
Posted by: Pattie | July 10, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Love those photos. Makes me want to run to the beach right now - oh wait, our coast is not that inviting :o(
Posted by: Nicki | July 10, 2007 at 10:20 AM
*wave* hello! Love the bridge shots! Try to stay cool down there!!
Posted by: brit | July 10, 2007 at 11:42 AM
We just returned from our son's wedding near Forest Grove, OR and then spent a week on the Oregon coast. Heaven, sunshine, rain, overcast and all.
Posted by: AnnieElf | July 10, 2007 at 12:29 PM
My husband worked on that show a few years ago...:D
This family:
http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/bios/203.html
I remember all the excitement that surrounded it! The photos are lovely btw ;)
Posted by: Tuesdsay | July 10, 2007 at 11:26 PM
Glad everything is going wonderful. Sorry about seeing your friends go, I'm sure the girls will become close penpals.
Posted by: Gina | July 11, 2007 at 09:36 AM
Absolutely beautiful. My grandmother lives on the Oregon coast and I love visiting when the weather is good -- when it's not, oh well. What beautiful photos!
Posted by: Angela | July 12, 2007 at 09:58 AM
They helped a neighbor of ours a couple of years ago, and while the process was chaotic, the results were generous and emotional and very uplifting for the whole community.
My mommy is on the Oregon coast, and I was just thinking of braving the long drive to be at her door for berry season and dune walks... it can be so lovely.
We recently said farewell to friends who've moved across the country... it's not easy. You'll have a new place to visit?
Nice to find you posting. It's always a treat to read Turkey Feathers.
Posted by: Natalie | July 13, 2007 at 10:44 AM
I thought you were taking a break for the summer and on a whim decided to check out your blog! great to hear from you! hope your summer is just lovely and you're keeping cool...
what beach did you visit? my sister and her family are coming to visit next week and she wants to go to the beach and we are unfamiliar with the one's here in Oregon...
Love your pictures...
Posted by: victoria | July 13, 2007 at 02:15 PM
Oh, i am so sad to hear that your friend is moving away again. But i am shure that you will still maintain your friendship with letters, phonecalls and maybe pay a visit now and then..
I can so relate to her though..I now live in The Netherlands. I left Norway for almost five years ago and the two last years has been very, very difficult for me. I miss the same things like her, the familyties, the connections, the Norwegian culture and just, well, everything really! So i know how she feels and i really think it is the best decision to move back. We are next year, and i can`t hardly wait!
Posted by: Aina | July 14, 2007 at 03:03 AM
I'm sorry you're friend is moving away.. know just how you feel. One of my neighbors stays on the island during the summer and the kids and I miss them.. even though we know they're coming back in a couple months.
Great photos btw!
Posted by: Corrine | July 16, 2007 at 09:33 AM
i'm sorry that you and missy will be further away from each other! though i know from experience that friendships like that only grow stronger, even with distance. your photographs are lovely as usual, and i need to find those sun drops! good to "see" you...
Posted by: mrspilkington | July 17, 2007 at 05:45 AM
It sounds like quite a rollercoaster ride since I last caught up with you - exciting TV productions in town, friends leaving, fun trips to the beach...
Hope the rest of your summer is smooth sailing! xox
Posted by: tinker | July 17, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Though the comments were closed on the previous post, I had to come back and thank you...I just spent the most delightful thyme :) wandering through the Thyme garden - it's lovely!
I bought a flat of Elfin Thyme from a local nursery last month, which I've been tucking here and there - I love it. It's very low-growing, almost like a moss. I'm hoping it will continue to hold up well in our odd micro-climate.
It's so good to see you back (I was unintentionally off-line myself, for awhile).
Happy Summer to you! xox
Posted by: tinker | July 17, 2007 at 01:17 PM
A friend of mine helped with the volunteers on that project. Funny!
Blackberries are almost ready to pick! I'm excited!
Posted by: yardenxanthe | July 17, 2007 at 04:16 PM