pet pix

I'm not the kind of proud mama who carries pictures of her kids in her wallet and whips them out at every occasion (they're dogs, after all), but I do think my doggies are the prettiest and bestest boys in the whole wide world so I have no qualms about showing them off on my blog...

Here are a few beauty shots I took during last weekend's coastal getaway. Meet Cooper, our 12-year-old collie mix (the "first-born"):


It was incredibly windy when we were on the beach in Manzanita - it seemed like the dogs would achieve lift-off at any moment! Their fur was actually moving in waves, like when the wind blows through a field of wheat...

Then there's Pogo, our bouncy goof-ball seven-year-old lab mix:


Pogo is a bit insecure at times but as a middle child, he's by far the best-behaved of the bunch – he even tattles on little brother Tucker and lets me know when Tucker is being naughty (like when Tucker sneaks off into a corner and pees, something that is happening way too often!).

And finally, here's the newest member of the pack: Tucker, a golden retriever mix rescued from a farm in Burns, Oregon. We have no way of knowing his exact age, but our best guess is around 11 months. Tons of energy, lots of mischief, and a total cuddle bug!


Tucker is very mouthy and picks up all kinds of things on our walks. We discovered that if we put a stick in his mouth on our walks, he pulls a lot less (no more heavy breathing like he's about to choke himself on the collar). The only downside is he keeps plopping down about every block or so to really dig into his yummy stick...

Just one last quick reminder about the big 50% off closeout sale going on with my Cecily Ink shop (use coupon code "closeout" during checkout). This Sunday May 31st will be your last chance to order online!

coastal getaway

Like millions of other folks, we hit the road this holiday weekend for a little coastal R&R. Finding a place to stay with three big dogs can be a bit tricky, especially if your tastes tend more towards the chic than shabby when it comes to cottage style. Lucky for us, we found the Shore Pine Cottage in Gearhart, managed by Distinctive Beach Lodgings.


Yes, the cottage was a bit on the small side but what it lacked in space, it more than made up for in style and comfort! Just take a look:


It's just a short walk to the ocean and there's a nice view of the golf green right out the front window. The front porch/deck was a great place to enjoy our sunset dinners – the cherry tree was just stunning with its mass of blooms!


The two bedrooms had very comfortable beds – and I loved the linens, so pretty!


It had a nice little kitchen complete with full-size fridge and stove – we thought about baking cookies but ran out of time! And it being a pet-friendly place, a basket filled with towels, sheets, treats and pooh bags was waiting for us in the corner.


I took some great shots of the dogs on the beach, too – look for those later this week. It was hard to leave this morning, so we'll just have to come back soon! (it had been a year since our last coastal stay – way too long!)

DISTINCTIVE BEACH LODGINGS
www.distinctivebeachlodgings.com • 800.352.8034

last chance

Well, I've picked my official closing date: May 31. It's been an interesting few weeks as I've been busy shipping out orders and answering emails. I'm quite sad to close this chapter of my life, but hearing from all of you has been a huge help – thanks for being so supportive!


While I've been rather quiet on the blogging front lately, I will continue to share design ideas, great Etsy finds, and other noteworthy experiences.

I'm actually quite excited about Memorial Day weekend, when me and the boys (hubby Todd, collie mix Cooper, lab mix Pogo, and golden mix Tucker) get to spend three full days frolicking on the beach! I found a great pet-friendly cottage in Gearhart and will be taking lots of pictures to document our little getaway.

Then a few weeks later, I'll be heading to Spokane for my first Farm Chicks adventure. My friend Amy will have a booth there with Candywinkel and she's got lots of great new products that I can't wait to share with you all!

So, as the Cecily Ink door closes, the window to free weekends opens and I plan to make the most of it!