Handbag love from Friday Harbor to Portland, Oregon

I alluded to in a previous post...and again teased with some photos that my friend Kelley and I had a seriously serendipitous Christmas.

This story dates back to August 14, 2011, the day after our dear friend Katie's dream wedding. Kelley and I were in Friday Harbor, on the San Juan Islands, waiting for the ferry to take us back to Anacortes so we could start our trek back to Portland.

We made our way through many shops, spending a considerable amount of time (and money) in the used book store, and window shopping at many of the cute boutiques. At one of those shops in particular, Kell and I were drawn to some fantastic bags, both clutches and satchels. In true fashion, we chatted up the sweet employee about these great handbags. She just gushed over the woman who hand-crafted each and every one of the bags, and although neither of us could afford one at the time, we took Winnie's business cards and tucked them away in our respective wallets.

At the time, I wasn't working, but I told myself I was going to surprise Kell one day when I could afford to buy her a one-of-a-kind clutch. You see, Kelley's always been the world's best gift-giver. Even when she lived halfway across the globe, she still managed to send thoughtful presents at the most perfect times. I've never felt like I've been able to reciprocate the feeling I encountered when opening a package from Kell.

Fast-forward to this past Christmas. My girlfriends and I had our annual gift exchange, and I drew Kelley's name. I was just thrilled. I remembered my plot to email the designer of the bags and ask her to create one for Kelley. I scoured my room for nearly two hours trying to find the designer's business card. I couldn't remember the brand of the bags nor the name of the boutique we found them. Finally, I found the card, emailed the designer, and got the ball rolling. Winnie proved to be as charming and kind as the store clerk described her. She was willing to work with my budget, and she sent me options for the clutch she was whipping up for Kelley. I was proud of myself for accomplishing all of this weeks before Christmas. That's a feat Kell's not quite familiar with. She tends to be a little last-minute when it comes to the annual gift exchange, and she didn't send her Secret Santa a gift until a couple months past Christmas last year.

When we got together to swap gifts, even Skyping in our long-distance friend who couldn't be there, I knew Kelley must have drawn me once we were the last two standing. She opened my card first, and once she read the first couple of lines, she almost shockingly turned to me and said, "NO WAY!" You see, Kelley, being the most thoughtful girl alive, had kept Winnie's business card for a special occasion such as this. She, too, had been in communication with Winnie. She even Skyped with Winnie to pick the fabric of my bag. Kelley also had a clutch hand-made for me. Can you believe it?

I thought it was the most special sequence of events only two old friends could have shared. I immediately contacted Winnie because I just couldn't believe this happened. The details of our stories varied, so Winnie didn't exactly know she was making bags for two best friends, but once I told her, she said it made perfect sense. I think it's crazy, in a magical sort of way.

We love our Momentum Handbags, and we love each other. We've been friends since the third grade, and it just goes to show the magic that accompanies true friendship.      

First annual pro-am with Team Schady

The idea of hitting the slopes with Leslee Schader would be like shooting hoops with Sue Bird--oh, you know, just a wee bit intimidating. I'd been waiting for the day when I got to see this trailblazing super stud whip down the slopes, and I must say, I was not disappointed.

She makes snowboarding look like a cruise down a country road. Although she's a bit more conservative since she's a mommy of two, you could tell by the way she sped through the parking lot and into the lift line, she didn't mess around when she was in her glory days of boarding. I chose to ski while Taylor snowboarded with Les and her hubby Troy. Taylor has been snowboarding for years, but he said both of the Schaders were such good teachers and taught him some great techniques.

We had a few mishaps early on in the day, with the lifts closing because of a lightning storm and Troy losing his keys on our first official run (no joke!)...but it was smooth sailing the rest of the runs. That is, until Leslee took us down the run less traveled, and I had to figure out a way to get down a black diamond cliff. Luckily I had her there to help guide me and the support of all the random people on the chair lift above.

I need to transfer the waxing party pics off my phone, but here's a few snaps from our day at Meadows...

Matchy-matchy, Schados.

Waiting forever in the bunny slope line so I could gather some confidence.

Team Kaylor

Can you believe it's our first photo together? What the heck!

Their kids have some seriously athletic genes, people!

Taylor and Schady.

Everyone getting back on their boards after our prayers were answered and Troy found the keys!!!

CUTE!

SO MUCH FUN! 

What were we thinking?

I still need to share the story of the magical handbags...and I will...but not tonight! The following photos add to the story. I'll let you enjoy these right now! 

Freshman year of high school, circa 1999. This was Halloween. Hence, I am wearing who knows whose blonde wig (still hadn't discovered makeup???), Kell's wearing a yellow furry bathrobe, Katie's too cool for a costume, and Matea's donning a boa on her head. I'd like to note I've owned that blue and white gingham shirt two separate times in my life. Kell and I had been friends since third grade, and this was just a month after meeting Matea and Katie. Pretty sure Mariel was there, too. Probably took this photo.  

Takin' it to the Max one summer night in 2006? I think we'd all just turned 21, right? Beavers baseball game and the Marathon Taverna? Apparently the open-mouth look was my pose du jour decade!

Ahhh...such a classic. Katie's magical wedding on San Juan Island. Twelve solid years of friendship and counting. 

No sun? Frozen river? No problem!

A couple weekends ago, Em and Greg hustled down from Seattle after work on a random Friday. We met at a Fred Meyer parking lot, hilariously merged belongings into Taylor's car and set off for Sunriver. We knew it would be a quick trip, but we were determined to notch a getaway together before Taylor took off for Tax City, population CPA.

The plan--just like our plan the week before at Detroit Lake--was to ski one day and snowshoe the next. In our haste to get out of town, however, I forgot to phone ahead to Mother Nature and tell ol' girl to cooperate.

Much like our backpacking trip back in the fall, we didn't need perfect weather conditions to concoct a mighty fine weekend. The boys headed out Saturday for some serious fly-fishing, while Emily and I caught up on girl talk, rode our bikes around in the brisk 20-degree mountain air, and perused the new shops at the village mall. We also decided to do a little Sunriver bar-hopping, taking advantage of all happy hours we could find. This all before a serious halibut feast, courtesy of the Lagreids, and some out-of-this world duet action a la Doll and Dirt. 

Emily's suitcase. Legit. 

When it's pouring rain, the thought of organizing is a bit much.

Photo 1 in a series of 2 dedicated to Emily's favorite pastime. 

Hey Dirt, want to sing some Johnny and June?

Saturday breakfast...the exact moment Emily decided she's not a vegetarian, and in fact, has a true passion for turkey bacon.

And pumpkin waffles.

Didn't think to ask for a general location of their intended whereabouts...but I did think to get a pre-fishing photo.

These next few photos are from Greg's phone...this is the cabin he wants to buy for Emily. 

I think you missed your calling, Greg. Photography...where it's at! 

Photo 2 of 2. 

She's up! And we're at 'em!

Since Hola at the Marina was closed for the season, we had to settle on margs here.

And beers here.

Prepping the halibut.

The traditional "rock" pic.

How does someone look so good without makeup? Clearly I don't have the same gift. 

The whole gang.

Christmas card redo?

Doll and Doll! 

Shhhhh...these fish are very smart! 

Rounding out the weekend with a trip to 10 Barrel in Bend. How cute is the baby pint glass?

Best friends. Best pizza and beers. Best quick-trip to Bend.

Bring your sister and nephews to work day!

Had a great lunch date with my big sis, Campbell, and Leo yesterday. Campbell couldn't believe we have an arcade game in the lobby at work!

Happy New Year from Detroit!

OK, OK. So, we didn't go to Detroit-Detroit, but we did ring in 2012 at Detroit Lake, Oregon.

Although our initial plans of sharing a cabin with three other couples sort of fell through, we did enjoy a nice long weekend with Chris and Keely. Poor Keely was terribly sick all weekend, and thus the boys had to put up with a tag-a-long...ahem...me. ;)

Taylor even let me reel in some fish! Now that's huge!

Taylor, Chris, and their new friend, "Aaron," at the local watering hole.

Detroit Lake's finest live band...nearing midnight. 

I should mention the three of us ran down to the only bar open in town at 11:30 on New Year's Eve. We took a shot of Southern Comfort (that'll take ya right back to college, eh?), and then we ran back in time for Dick Clark to count down till midnight!

Being silly.

Detroit is festive, right?

Boys.

I couldn't get my camera out in time to capture these guys in front of the fireworks some local was lighting off the side of a shopping cart. Interesting.

Taylor doing work.

And me...reaping the benefits of that work.

He takes care of the hard parts. 

One fish.

Two fish.

So proud! 

The quickest fishing trip ever.

Could that smile engulf any more of my face?!

The sweet cabin.

And a nice little waterfall.

Goodbye Detroit...hope to see you this summer!