Friends, today my daughter Abbs is sharing her stories and photos from our recent trip to Pacific City, Oregon this summer! Follow along to the most magical “beach town” on the Oregon coast!

Best Oregon Beach: Visit Pacific City

Pacific City is undoubtedly one of my family’s favorite local getaways. It is located 25 miles south of the city of Tillamook (inland), home of the celebrated Tillamook Creamery—have you tried their sharp cheddara cheese? (more…)

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Friends, welcome to our last post on our Sprinter Van Conversion: The Kitchenette. We started with a shell Mercedes van, and built out the entire conversion to a multi-functioning minimalist camper van!

Sprinter Van Conversion: The Kitchenette

We’ve been enjoying the last days of summer in our Sprinter Van, which we converted this past year. You may have already read my [PART 1] Best Sprinter Van Conversion: The Build post. This summer we took the van to the coast, and then camping at nearby lakes here in Bend, Oregon. [All photos by Abbs Coughlin] (more…)

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This is the first post to highlight our Mercedes Sprinter Van conversion (VW Westfalia to Mercedes Sprinter Van Conversion), including some links where you can purchase parts and accessories yourself if you want to take on such a challenge.

But stay tuned for more details in Sprinter Van Conversion Part 2: The Finish, coming soon! 

Best Sprinter Van Conversion: The Build

For now, let’s get started! (more…)

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Looking for a place to stay in Ashland Oregon? Ashland Springs Hotel is an elegant colonial-style hotel located in the heart of Ashland, Oregon (at the base of the Siskiyou mountains)?

Ashland Springs Hotel

Ashland Springs Hotel is within walking distance of the Shakespeare Festival, and so many great restaurants. It’s also within walking distance to beautiful Lithia Park!

My husband and I recently spent a long weekend in Ashland, Oregon. We were guests of Ashland Springs Hotel, a beautiful hotel that comes alive at Christmastime! (more…)

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Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, enjoy this Banana Bread Cupcakes Recipe with Chocolate Ganache. If you love homeamde banana bread, then this recipe is for you! The secret is in the quality of chocolate you use, so don’t be afraid to pay a little more money if you have to. I love Guittard chips and Ghiradelli!

Best banana bread

If you’re a banana bread lover, you can also make my Sour Cream Caramel Banana Muffins Recipe (also yummy with a ganache), or my popular Sour Cream Banana Bread Recipe.

BEST Banana Bread Cupcakes

You can even bake the simple banana bread cupcakes ahead, and then frost the day of serving. (more…)

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Friends, my heart is heavy for so many longing for connection these days. Which is why I say, take every opportunity that you can to be with people right now, and open your homes to share a meal. You will soon realize, it’s more about them, and less about you.

Try breakfast instead of dinner! Trader Joe’s makes it easy, with this delicious Orange Cherry Buttermilk Waffle Recipe. And breakfast is very inexpensive! Whether you are hosting overnight guests, or you’re inviting your neighbors for brunch, a few hours around the table are sometimes all we need to grow in faith, and expand relationships.

The table is a place where we can be heard, feel loved, and tell our story. (more…)

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A weekend to remember happened last month when my friends came to central Oregon to stay at Caldera Springs in Sunriver, Oregon, for a blogging retreat, hosted by Sunriver Resort!

Weekend at Sunriver Resort, Central Oregon

Set in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Sunriver boasts 300 days of sunshine, and so many outdoor activities: 63 holes of championship golf, a world class spa (Sage Springs Spa), over 40+ miles of biking trails, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, white water rafting, skiing, rock climbing, and more! (more…)

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Friends, if you’re not familiar with Sunriver Resort, it’s a destination resort in the beautiful high desert of central Oregon, where you can rent luxury homes and cabins for a perfect vacation! With over 300 days of sunshine in Bend, Oregon, there’s so much to enjoy at this resort.

Activities such as 63 holes of championship golf, a world class spa, over 40+ miles of biking trails, hiking, kayaking, white water rafting, skiing, and rock climbing. And delicious food, to say the least. (more…)

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One of the things I love about our Westfalia camper van is that we can pick up and GO! (Here’s a list of 10 reasons why we love our VW Westfalia Camper Van.) Last week for Father’s Day we headed up to Lava Lake, only 35 minutes from our home.

We set up camp, and headed straight to the water.

It seems that we were just dusting off the snow and getting ready for spring, and now summer is here!

One thing I love about our Westy camping is it’s simple and quick in getting settled. (more…)

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Friends, today I thought I’d share with you one of my favorite beauties in Oregon, Mount Thielsen, a dramatic horn-shaped mountain peak that always surprises me, as we approach Diamond Lake, driving through the Southern Oregon Cascades just north of Crater Lake, plus a yummy recipe for Valentine’s Day, Black Cherry Almond Crescent Ring Dessert.

Maybe you’ve seen this beauty, too. It’s a landmark in Oregon.

Once we come around the bend and peak at Crater Lake, we’re on our way to our new home in central Oregon.

When I leave Medford, I’m leaving behind my family, my people, and my friends of so many years, and there’s a tug in my heart. But I’m coming home now to something I was so scared to even try a year ago–new friendships, connections, surroundings, pouring ourselves into everything new. (more…)

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