Oars and Paddles

I'm so excited!! I won a giveaway!! You guys read/have heard of Frugal Farmhouse Design right? Lori owns the most charming shop called White Flower Farmhouse on Long Island, where she creates "simple country style" and sells unique finds and beach, cottage and farmhouse wares. To celebrate her 2000th follower, Lori hosted a super generous giveaway, a pair of vintage oars straight out of a shipyard on Long Island.


Oh boy, I thought! Sign me up!!! Imagine my surprise and shock the other day when I got an email from Lori saying I was the winner!!! (Like out of more than 100 entries, people!!!) Saweeeeet! I'm so happy!!!

This is awesome because:

a. I already have an old child's paddle I bought at the Brimfield Antique Show this year and a painted paddle that I got once while browsing HomeGoods (I like the size and shape but not the colors, so I want to repaint it). So now I'll really have a paddle/oar collection.
b. My Dad grew up on Long Island. And Dad's a sailor. And during the summer, on the Cape, I'm his crew (we'll have to see what happens this year once you throw a 10 month old into the mix!). Our sailboat is moored in the middle of a cove, so to get to it we row out in our dinghy (well, Dad rows and I direct him, since he's sitting backwards.) Every time I look at these oars I'm going to think of that special time spent with Dad.

The oars aren't here yet (I can't wait!), but once they are, I'll take some pics to show you.

In the meantime, I have to figure out what to do/where to put my oars/paddles. They look great just simply leaning against the wall like this, but I think this option is out now that we have Maura.

{Completely Coastal}

{Cafe Cartolina}

I could hang them up as part of a larger group, with other objects like frames or an old wood vice:)

{Emerald Cove}

{houzz}

But I think now that I'm going to have 4 (so psyched!), I want them to be their own collection, a real statement piece on the wall together somewhere.

{Completely Coastal}

{Pottery Barn and Coastal Living via 3 Meadow Lake Cottage}

{Coastal Living}

{Completely Coastal}

{Layla and Kevin's guest room}

{Pottery Barn}

{Villa Cantina}

Thank you again, Lori!!! And congratulations on your big milestone - you deserve it, you are an inspiration!

Now, who knows the difference between oars and paddles? There's a couple: oars are usually much longer than paddles. Oars are actually connected to the boat using oar locks, whereas paddles are not. And probably most importantly, oars come in pairs - if you are rowing, you're using both oars, one in each hand. If you are paddling, like in a canoe or a white water raft, you're just using one paddle. (Kayaks use double-bladed paddles.) And thus ends today's lesson on propelling small watercraft:)

Have any of you decorated with oars or paddles? Ever won a giveaway?!

Have a great July 4th weekend!!