Meet The Coffee Hound

Mornin' everyone!  Before I get this day kicked into full gear, I wanted to share a bit of fun and silly news with you. 

I camp with T@Bbers and Sisters and Glampers who often have a little "mascot" along for the trip.  Those travel companions have their picture taken at spots along the road on the adventures they take.  You might see them posed in front of waterfalls, sitting on a picnic table eating breakfast in a campground, riding shotgun in the car, perched on the counter with National Park rangers, or in front of a sign at a popular tourist attraction.

I've been on the look-out for the perfect traveling companion for my adventures in The Coffee Cup.  Several weeks ago, I found him.  Meet the Coffee Hound . . . 9 inches of soft, cuddly cuteness!!

You'll notice that he's wearing a bandana with coffee beans on it, but what he doesn't have is a name.  I was thinking "Charlie", but I'm open to suggestions if you have any.

Thanks for dropping by today and one day soon, you'll see me and the Coffee Hound with The Coffee Cup out on the road!!

"Camping and Coffee . . . Life Is Good!"

Coffee Cup Pillowcases

Well, instead of being in Michigan ooing and ahhing over The Coffee Cup on this September Wednesday, I am at home.  Unfortunately, there was a big hiccup on Monday.  I won't go into all the details, but simply tell you that there was yet another delay.  It has taken me a couple days of days to get over the anger, disappointment, and frustration, but I'm calm now and thinking positive thoughts once again.

It looks like I won't be showing The Cup off next week at the "My Grass Is Blue" Sister gathering in Townsend, TN after all.  But SplashT@B is excited that she's getting to go and all will be well.

In the meantime, I wanted to share my latest artsy-fartsy-java-project with you . . . pillowcases!  I found the coolest, most simple instructions online for making pillowcases with French seams.  They are so easy to make and not one single stitch shows!  So I gathered up some of the coffee fabric that I've been collecting for the past year and whipped up a couple for The Cup's homecoming.

I'm really pleased with the way they turned out and I'm toying with the idea of making some to take with me to the Country Living Fair in October for our Buy, Sell, & Trade Days.  I think if I found some neat aqua fabrics along with some pinks, reds, and yellows, I might be able to sell them in pairs.  What do you think?

I'll keep thinking good thoughts about The Coffee Cup up in Michigan and I have my fingers crossed that I'll see her soon!

"Camping and Coffee . . . Life Is Good"

The Art of Camping

I have to admit that I really, really like Pinterest.  Just about every day I check out what my friends have pinned and I'm always tickled to find camping-related art items . . . books, posters, dish towels, birdhouses, poems, paintings, fabric, signs, embroidery, pillows, scrapbooking, postcards and jewelry.  One of the boards that I created is called "The Art of Camping".

Recently, this sweet little poem from a 1950's English children's book, was featured.  I would love to find a copy of this book, but I'll probably settle for just printing a copy of the page.

I'll be incorporating art pieces when I glamperize The Cup and here's some of my inspiration . . . 

I expect to get even more inspiration this weekend when I'm off camping with the Sisters in Tennessee. I'll be sending out Postcards each evening if you'd like to drop by over on Postcards From The Road.

In all probability, I won't be blogging here on The Coffee Cup until after I return home from Michigan. Until then, remember . . . 

"Camping and Coffee . . . Life is Good!"

The Java Port Is Ready

Greetings on this gorgeous Sunday in September!  Around here there's a coolness in the air and finally, a hint of fall.  Bring it on!!

After church this morning, I moved the Miata, grabbed a broom, and began work on the new Java Port.  One of the reasons I chose the wee Scotty over other vintage campers was her size.  At less than 8 feet tall and hardly wider than the Pilot, I knew that she would fit in my carport.  That was a huge factor in the decision to get a vintage trailer.

I want to be able to look outside and see her!  I want to be able to walk right outside and touch her.  I want to be able to take an afternoon nap or read in her.  Gee whiz, I want to be able to camp in the carport if I want to!!

So from 9:30 to just before kick-off of the Saints and Redskins' game, I moved stuff, rearranged stuff, threw away stuff, and swept.  Here's The Coffee Cup's very own Java Port . . . 

A few weeks ago, Becky and I met Toolbelt Sue and Rich in Lexington for lunch and a sweet purchase.  Because The Cup won't have a jockey wheel like SplashT@B, I will need a way to get her turned around in the driveway and tucked in nicely beside the Pilot.  Sue offered to sell me her trailer dolly for an incredible price and I jumped on it!

Another item I took care of a weeks ago was to have a dedicated electrical outlet installed so The Cup could get some go-go-juice.  My favorite electrician, Greg King, had it installed in a snap!  It's conveniently located and will allow me to keep the battery charged.

Java Port . . . check.
Trailer dolly . . . check
Go-go-juice outlet . . . check
Ready for The Coffee Cup to come home . . . check and check!

It's Time!

She was just a wee little Scotty sitting quietly on a lot in Jackson, Michigan.  Parked in between another Scotty and a old Shasta, there was hardly any room to get a good look at her.

I didn't know how long she had been sitting there or what her story was, but on that day in June of 2011, I just knew that she was the one!  When I stepped inside, the daydreams began and haven't stopped since.

In the fall her transformation began.  Work continued throughout the long winter months, into spring, and over the summer.  You have shared my frustration and impatience over the amount of time it has taken and the lack of photos I've had to share with you.

But finally I can tell you what I've wanted to be able to say for a long, long time.....Becky and I will be traveling to Michigan on Monday, September 17th!  I can't wait to see her in person and I can't even imagine the emotions I'll be experiencing on Tuesday when we arrive.

Thanks for traveling with me this past year on my Java Journey!  I really appreciate your encouragement, positive thoughts, and well wishes.  The next leg of the journey is about to begin for me and my Coffee Cup.  Stay tuned.....the real fun is about to begin!!

 

The Perfect Little Lamp

I was soooooo in hopes that I would be picking up The Coffee Cup this weekend and having her in time for Fun In The Fall 2 next week in Bluff City, TN.  My phone calls to Tony are going straight to the answering machine and so I believe he has closed up shop and is taking a Labor Day holiday.  Heavy sigh.....

To keep my frustration down to a manageable level and to think positive thoughts, I went shopping.  This past Saturday while out junkin' with my sister Becky, I found the perfect lamp.  It looks like an old coffee mill and will be just the right size for my little dinette.   It was only $7.00 and it worked when I plugged it in, so there was absolutely no way I could pass it up!

The only thing missing was a shade and I was confident I could find one.  To keep the frugal theme going, I went to WalMart with lamp and bulb in hand.  I "tried on" every one and they were either too big, too little, wrong color, or just plain ugly.

I spied a boxed set (lamp + shade) sitting on the bottom shelf and its cost was less than a single shade.  With nothing to lose, I opened it up and VOILA, I found the perfect shade!  Does anyone need a nice lamp base that's missing a shade?  LOL!

It's not round or square, but rectangular and that will look good pushed close to the window.  Take a look...

 

I hope I get to show you this sweet lamp as it sits on The Coffee Cup's dinette sometime really soon!  Thanks for stopping by and I'd appreciate as many positive thoughts as you can send my way!!