Pretty Little Campers...

  

I recently stumbled upon these adorable little VW campers and just had to share. I know some of you are readers from the UK, and others travel there (lucky ducks!), so please take note of this wonderful company. 

 Snail Trail is the brainchild of Lucy and Steven Lord who rent out these travelling caravans of sweetness from their base, 35 miles north of London. Adding to the charm is their habit of dubbing these sweet treasures with suitably English names like Maud, Gracie, Daphne and Ruby, among others. Even smarter is that they offer the option of renting out the caravans for photo shoots! Can you even imagine? Bliss!

Just be sure, when I make my return journey/holiday to the UK, I will definitely be looking into these as a nostalgic way to explore the English countryside. Sadly, they currently don't allow renters to take trailers into my birthplace, Northern Ireland; but surely they will make an exception for me, especially when I remind them that N.Ireland and England shares our beloved flag, the Union Jack?! 

Either way, I'm coming, so hats off to the Lords and Snail Trail for offering this sweetly vintage nod as a way to tour their beautiful country!

No Ordinary Boler...

If you are at all familiar with my blog, you know I am a big fan of camping. Each summer, I fuss over my little tent trailer/pop-up like it was a real vacation home. I have recovered the cushions, picked up fun accessories, doctored what I could and daydream about what else I can do to make it prettier. While the Airstream remains the coup of all campers, a close second would have to be the lovable, vintage Boler. As any Boler fan would tell you, owning a Boler puts one into a very select group. Pride of ownership shows for most every Boler that has been rescued and renovated, and seeing them bob happily down the highway brings a smile to any camping lover far and wide.

Typical Boler layout (above).

Both photos, above, found here.

I am happy to report that the Boler is a Canadian invention, as many great things are! With such vast, untouched wilderness and ocean access, camping is a very Canadian past time. Wouldn't we all enjoy camping in such great, portable summer homes?!

Shaggy, Velma? Can you believe this Mystery Mobile? You just know camping with these folks wouldn't be boring...!

Scooby Doo Boler photos source (above): Flickr.com

This Boler looks like a very fun, creative family bunks within:

Boler photos above: source, Flickr.com

Although I love the juicy orange of this Boler, if I had one, it would most definitely be painted in Robin's Egg Blue! Would you expect any less?

Orange Boler photos, source: Flickr.com

I love this vinyl flooring that these Boler owners are contemplating for their Boler:

Photo source: Flickr.com

Want to see more?

Check out this link to great Boler photos on Flickr!

Read the history of Bolers, here, or here! If you are thinking of joining the inside world of Boler owners, this site is a must see! Also, click on the links beneath each photo to be taken to the actual Flickr site.

Do you love your camper?

Looking for free advice...

photo source: Garnet Hill.com

My family and I are planning a camping trip to the Portland, Maine area this year, and I need your help. We are looking for some vacation advice from those who have vacationed there to ensure we have the best vacation we can have, and avoid the pitfalls of vacationing somewhere we have never been before.

photo source: Doug's Vintage Trailers.com

We are looking at staying at the Paradise Park Resort campground in Old Orchard Beach. It is on the pricey side, at about $75 (US funds), and I am wondering if any of you have: a) stayed there before, and your impressions or b) know of another campground in the Portland, Maine area that is comparable, but less expensive. Our Canadian dollar is not as strong as it was last summer, so we really take a hit when we travel south of the border. Also, any advice on theme parks or suggested side trips/destinations would be welcomed. We are strongly considering taking the kids to Funtown/Splashtown USA in Saco, Maine, and would love to hear your opinions on that particular park. We are also planning to take the Amtrak into Boston, so anything we should check out in the downtown Boston area would be great to hear about. We are travelling with out two teenage boys and eight-year old daughter, so recommendations of activities that wouldn't make them whine and complain too much would be much appreciated. We are all very excited to go; and any shopping suggestions, travel tips geared to the area, or fun places we haven't considered would go a long way to making our trip more enjoyable and, hopefully, more affordable. This is our family's only real trip for the year, so it is important that we all enjoy it as much as we can.

Thank you in advance, and I look forward to hearing your suggestions!!

Off we go!

I just had to use this photo again...cracks me up every time I look at it!

We're off on another attempt at camping. I say attempt, because the last time we went, it rained the entire time! So, we'll give it another go; crossing our fingers that we actually get to do this:

Eat some of this:

photo: Country Home

Actually get a chance to do this: and hopefully not need this:

photo source: Flickr.com

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**My next couple of posts will be short and sweet (a nice change, I'm sure). Just a little eye candy to share, until I get back!

With a rebel yell...

Well, we're back...early...and a little bit soggy. A "half-glass full" attitude was definitely needed to smile through an entirely rainy, inaugural camping trip! Luckily, I love it that much! Camping, that is...

Luckily, we had great company- my brother and his family - and we all get along famously! So, after settling in and gobbling down a quick, but tasty (pre-planned) supper of pork chops, salad, and curried noodles, I headed over to see my sister-in-law's own "camper makeover".

Now, if I was a good blogger, I would have remembered to take a few photos of the slip covers she stitched up herself. Because I was too excited, and travel weary, I did not. Nevertheless, she did a wonderful job and I will show you them someday...when I actually remember to snap a few photos!

Instead, I will offer up my own new slipcovers, made by my talented and kind friend, Tabitha Coleman. Tabitha is an incredibly gifted seamstress, and her attention to detail and meticulous nature always adds up to high quality creations, and I just happen to be a lucky recipient. Not only did she make slipcovers that are easy to get on and off (using velcro), she gave me covers that have borders in a different, fun fabric.

But wait!! Do you remember the hideous before fabric??

Tssk, tssk...

Now the new slipcovers:

Can you also see the cute "tin" panel that I covered my camper fridge with? It's in the background...

Sooo much better, no? I selected a Sunbrella fabric (striped) for the facings (source: Atlantic Fabrics (local) - $6.99/metre), and a cute gingham fabric with little frogs adorning it for the edges (source: Walmart -$5.99/metre).

Tabitha also made me reversible tiebacks using the two fabrics! Brilliant!!

Although I would have loved to do a kitschy floral fabric with a retro feel, I did take into consideration that I have a whole lot of testosterone raging through my family unit, and I couldn't find anything pretty enough locally (and I really wanted to keep costs down). Either way, I am delighted with the makeover that the new slipcovers have provided my little camper; and it is a brighter, more modern, and inviting place to spend two days wishing for sunshine!!

We always eat well: here is the fixings for some chicken and veggie skewers, which we paired with french bread and yellow beans...oh, and some wine for me!! Just to keep the dreary rain from getting to me!!

A few polka dots and cherries can brighten up any decor!!

Don't you love the buttery yellow enamelware??

Tabitha even made Sophie and me a purse each (above), out of the froggy fabric!!

Despite the rain, everyone was actually in quite good spirits, though not quite as content as me. I grew up NEVER taking a family trip, nor even doing any real day trips, so camping is bliss to me. I figure I will make my memories now, and I drink up the corny traditions that go along with camping: dirty feet, campfires, brushing your teeth in the open air, s'mores, and basically looking like a grubbier version of myself, but happy all the same. No sir, the rain can't keep me down - it could always be worse -we could be in a tent!!!!!

Ever so humble, happy camper!

photo source: Flikr.com

You are very nice people. Warm of heart, complimentary, encouraging...Last I checked, the comments for my playhouse post had reached the nineties. The nineties!! I don't think I have ever reached such a "comment high", and I doubt I ever will again!! I have to admit, I think I have the nicest blog readers/friends ever!! Thank you so much for your kind words, and I am seriously considering a playhouse addition to house those of you who wanted to move in. Only, you know I will put you to work...babysitting, mowing, cooking...so you may want to rethink that notion!

In other good news, I am finally embarking on a camping trip, and my lonely camper has been getting a bit of a makeover. Last year, I added new cabinet hardware, a new "tin" panel to disguise the mini-fridge, and made a few purchases designed to make our little camper prettier. This year has been all about the slipcovers. Just for fun, my husband, daughter and I had a look through the new campers on display at our local Walmart's parking lot. I saw some purdy ones - ones with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances - but they all shared one ugly secret: they all housed sofas and cushions upholstered in the most monstrous of fabrics. This is most definitely the before photo of my camper's cushions!

Who makes the design choices for these things?? I figure it is a portly, balding man puffing on a cigar, with his polyester pants creeping below where no one woman wants to see, belching after eating a cheese dog or two, and pointing at some upholstery catalogue from 1978, exclaiming, "That one will do...just bee-yoo-tee-ful!!" At least I hope that is who is responsible...

Anyhoo, I have enlisted a friend, who just happens to be the most fantastic seamstress, to make me some new seat cushion slipcovers. True to my nature, I used fabric that was inexpensive, at hand locally, and will spruce things up on a budget. No sense upsetting my innocent husband with trivial matters. I have also ripped down the ugly valances that come with the camper and left things bare. Better nothing, than making do with ugly...

photo: Country Home

I'll show you the photos after I get back, and perhaps it will inspire those of you wrestling with the idea of making slipcovers for the ugly ducklings in your life! I'm off to pre-cook bacon, make a grocery list, and stock the food I already have, into the cupboards of the camper.

Here is my meal plan for those of you considering a camping trip of your own:

First night/day of arrival: (supper):

Pork chops (previously frozen to remain safe to eat!)

bagged salad (croutons added later)

pasta salad (kept well-chilled)

rolls

Day 2:

Breakfast: bacon (pre-cooked at home)

hash browns

maple beans (canned)

eggs

Lunch: hamburgers

potato chips

fresh fruit...

(for those who will actually bother to eat it!)

Supper: chicken and vegetable skewers:

(pre-chopped, frosen chicken breast meat, thawing in fridge), canned baby potatoes, mushrooms, red and green peppers, large chunks of Vidalia onions).

-packaged flavoured rice

-french bread (Dempster's, baked in our tiny toaster oven)

Day 3: Breakfast:

pancakes (boxed mix, just add water/milk)

Maple Leaf pre-cooked sausages

Lunch: hotdogs (we're camping, remember?).

Supper: hot and spicy pasta dish (veggies pre-chopped, chicken pre-cooked, left-over pork chop, sauce pre-mixed, just have to cook fettucini noodles).

Final day: Breakfast: cereal, muffins (baked at home, and frozen), toast

**Our meals may or may not sound a bit extravagant to some campers, but I like to prepare ahead so we can have relatively healthy, tasty meals. I figure enough chips, pop, and s'mores are eaten around the campfire, and I cannot overdo the hotdog thing...~~shudder~~...!!!

photo source: Flikr.com

photo: source unknown

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To my complete and utter amazement, the Washington Post online just selected my post about Sophie's little playhouse as their Blog Watch pick of the week!! Thank you Terri Sapienza!!

Camping Bliss...

I dream of camping....in my new camper, at my favourite camping spot (Marco Polo Land, P.E.I.), and all the new summer memories to be made. To me, there is nothing as relaxing as camping. Now, I know there are many of you who would disagree with that (especially those who really rough it... in a tent)...

...but to me, camping is a time where we finally truly relax and just enjoy all that is summer. I remember last summer, once we finally figured out how to use the propane stove in our camper, sitting at our little table smelling the sausages sizzling in the frying pan, sipping our tea, and listening to the radio while reading the newspaper. Granted, those are all things you can do from the comfort of home, but to do them without interrupting ourselves is where the true gift of camping arises. At home, we often jump up and down from our seats to throw in a load of wash, answer the telephone, or solve some crucial problem that one of our children encounters. And, although our children are along for the ride, when we are camping they seem better able to entertain themselves - riding their bikes, exploring with their friends or cousins, and checking out the goodies at the canteen. Happily, there is very little house work to do in a tiny camper like ours, and once we catch a quick shower, the day lies stretched out before us like a sleepy cat. It is ours to fill as we like, meals are relaxed and unhurried... ...and the day naturally ends with the requisite campfire and sugary s'mores (and maybe a slug of cold beer or wine for the adults). Conversation seems freer by the glow of the campfire, and even the kids seem more involved in the pockets of conversations that go on amongst the ranks. My hubby usually gets prodded to tell a scary story or two...which he is actually too good at (to the chagrin of the little ones) and even the occasional wafts of campfire smoke in the eyes doesn't deter us from this nightly ritual. I especially enjoy the good sleep I get which is enhanced by the fresh air washing over us as we sleep with the screens open. Sure, that sleep is disrupted at times by other campers talking too loud at their own late-night fires, but it is all part of the experience. After all, that's what it is all about...the great outdoors: where life is unstructured, catnaps are to be had, and schedules are unimportant.

Camping is indeed bliss...

~Sigh~...a little over two more months, and we'll begin the packing stage - making sure our camper is at the ready for whenever the mood for adventure strikes us. Undoubtedly, our trips will be closer to home, due to the astronomical gasoline prices...but that's fine with me. My favourite spots are just a hop, skip and/or a ferry ride from here, anyway!

(***all images: Toast UK***)