What a beautiful weekend; blue skies and warm weather (for February… but really, 60 F is warm for April where I come from!!!) My quick drive down and back to Hillsboro, OR was a delight.  And I knew I was with “my people” when upon arriving at Junk Salvation on Friday afternoon I was greeted by this cutie in the parking lot.

I (heart) trailers

Signing books at Junk Salvation

Even better, this little 1947 travel trailer was the backdrop for my book signing.  I can’t even tell you how many times people said “Nice trailer!” and always with a huge grin on their face.  NOTE: This little turquoise cupcake can be yours! It’s for sale – contact Dixie here for details.

Thank goodness my book has a full page photo of our backyard travel trailer/garden folly or I would have felt sorely lacking!  I signed, I shopped, and I schmoozed with like-minded trailer geeks over just how much fun these little hideaways can bestow whether they’re taking on the open road or — like ours — permanently lodged in the back garden.

from Handmade Garden Projects: Step-by-Step Instructions for Creative Garden Features, Containers, Lighting & More

MY FOLLY

Traditionally defined, a garden folly is a fanciful outbuilding serving primarily as a design feature and foil for plantings.  Indeed, folly may also connote an impetuous impulse, reckless whim, or wild hair.  The purchase of my 1961 ‘Lil Loafer vintage trailer fits the bill on all fronts.

Never intended for travel, my little “canned ham” beauty sits in the back corner of the garden anchoring what I call my Aluminum Garden, surrounded by plantings of silver, green and white, and twilight purple.  Instilling an expansive sense of destination even on my small city lot, my garden folly travel trailer — tricked out with roadmaps of my favorite destinations, cozy lighting , and comfortable benches — extends garden living well beyond the end of our growing season.

from Handmade Garden Projects, photo by Allan Mandell