"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Another Arctic Blast

















We are in the grip of another arctic blast in the valley below Mt. Hood, near Portland, OR.  My car thermometer registered 28F on my way home from swimming at LA Fitness with Teresa this afternoon.  The pool water was wonderfully warm inside but the wind chilled our bones in the short walk from the building to our cars.  The meteorologist I listened to on the news tonight said that the wind chill made it feel like it was -9F.  Brrrr~~~~

In the photo of downtown Gresham where my blog friends Teresa, Betsy, Taci, and I met for lunch and exchanged gifts yesterday, you can see snowflakes whirling around if you look carefully.  More snow is predicted to fall in the next four days, but most of the snow near us lands on Mt. Hood, and stays there year round.  I drove on 307th street several blocks from our house and took some pictures this afternoon of Mt. Hood and the foothills with my zoom lens to show you.

Our ponds are glazed with ice again, and yet some daffodils are defiantly thrusting their leaves toward the sun near our house, and moss is lush and green on the petrified wood nearby.

Inside the house I have some pretty little purple blue Iris bulbs and a Primrose in bloom. I've been enjoying candlelight, and my little electric heater in the fireplace.   I included a photo of Baby Rose in bloom cuddled in her pink and white hoodie for you to admire :)  She smiles frequently now at 3 months of age, but I have not caught her doing so in my photos so far.  And I thought you would be impressed to know that I have 116 rows of continental knitting to go before my next color change on my blanket :)

In the last photo there is a plastic wind-up snowman.  Our winter has been so dry and mild so far this year I thought this was the only kind of snowman I would see close by.  But today I am wondering...do you suppose we will get enough snow here for my granddaughters to make a snowman before Spring arrives??????

Gracie xx

26 comments:

  1. Love that little snowman ☺ Oh my that grandbaby Rose has grown a lot, very cute.
    Fun times with bloggy friends and that gorgeous mountain ☺
    Here is hot hot hot, would love to send even half of it your way.
    take care xo

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  2. We have escaped to sunny Spain for three months. It is wonderful to feel the sun on your back. 23 deg Centigrade to day. So, I will bottle some up and send it your way x x x. Lovely pictures of a lovely lunch. Great fun.

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  3. Hi Gracie - wonderful photo's as usual :) I think I would prefer an icy blast to the floods and storms that my part of the UK is currently suffering! Can't wait to see your finished blanket - it looks very cosy, and your final shot just makes me feel all warm and cosy in the meantime.

    Stay safe and warm, hugs Sarah x x

    PS - I like the scarf you are wearing!!

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    1. I LOVE the scarf I was wearing, too. I am very proud of and grateful for my Sarah Cross original scarves!
      Thanks for your beautiful work, Sarah :) xx

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  4. Lovely photo's Gracie , Rose is so sweet, I hope you get just the right amount of snow, perfect for snowmen but not to much, your little Iris is so lovely we have some out in the garden but my little pot in the house is yet to flower. Keep Warm
    Clare x

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  5. Lovely photos again Gracie....and look at that sweet face...even with no smiles, she is adorable!!!!
    Love your knitted blanket. It looks really warm. I do have a question for you. Since I am new at knitting, about how many stitches can you cast on a circular needle to make a good size blanket. I have a circular needle with a very long cord on it but for the life of me, I don't know the size anymore...I through the package away and I can't remember. It does look like a size 7 compared to my other knitting needles which are 7. And.... do your stitches get all bunched up while working on a circular needle....seems like it would be harder to work on as it gets bigger.....I'm just curious....still learning!
    Keep warm in all that icy weather....xx Shari

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    1. Hi Shari :) The pattern for the blanket says that the blanket should end up being 65" by 56". It calls for size 32" or longer circular needle #13 or #15 and bulky yarn 13 skeins 115 yards per skein. I cast on 118 stitches and am trying to keep my tension loose so that the stitches slide easily from the cable to the needles. This is one of my first circular needle projects. I have one set of circular needles that has a sock on it, and another set of circular needles that has a hat on it so you and I are learning together :) xxx

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  6. Hello Gracie, I would be very happy to share our 2 feet plus of snow with you so your grand daughter can create a snowman this year. Love the Mt. Hood photos.. Isn't just lovely to have " Kindred Spirits" who live near you. I wish I could of gone swimming with you and Teresa. I loved seeing the sprouting Daffodils no signs of Spring here I am very sad to say. Hugs Judy

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  7. If I could, I'd send you all our snow! We got 5-6 inches Tuesday overnight and all the schools were closed yesterday. Today, schools are on a 2-hour delay and it's 20ish. We've had an unusually cold winter this year. Your darling Rose in indeed blooming and such a sweet face. It's nice that you get together with the ladies you've met and have made close friends. Have a wonderful day. Heather

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  8. Good morning dear Gracie. I love my visits here. First of all, baby Rose....oh my...what a beautiful baby girl! Those eyes!!! I so enjoyed seeing all of the posts from you girls about the lunch you recently met up for. Such fun. I always wish I could be there with you.
    I am very impressed with your Continental knitting! I have been trying to teach myself, since I am new to knitting, I thought it would be best to learn it right off the bat. But it feels very awkward. I know that once it is mastered though, it is much faster, and much less stressful on your hands. I think I will try to do a dish cloth, using that stitch only. Wish me luck!!!
    Love your photos of Mt. Hood!!! So majestic!!
    Stay warm, and keep on knitting!!!!
    xo Kris

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  9. Hi Gracie! It sure sounds like we're going to get snow today and Saturdays so the girls should be able to build your snowman for you. I don't think it's ever been this cold when I've visited Portland before. Dennis said it was -29 yesterday with the windchill in Spokane. It was -6 air temp. Brrrr. At least it's not that bad here. I had such a great time at lunch with you girls. I sure miss you when I'm at home. Love your cozy room and I'm still hoping to be able to see you again before I leave. It all depends on the weather in Spokane for my drive.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  10. Gracie.. what a magnificent post! Your photography is getting so good! I love the photo of the main street in Gresham.. good capture! Baby Rose is so CUTE!! Can't wait to see her again. I wish I'd taken my Lumix yesterday as it might be a while before Mt. Hood shows it's face again. I decided to stay home from the Portland Women's Forum meeting today as they predict blizzard conditions in the gorge. Thanks again for the glorious golden wool! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  11. If I could, I would send you a truck load of snow from my driveway here in east central Illinois! 28 degrees sounds wonderful to me...it is 4 above right now...at least the sun is shining! Stay warm and think of Spring!

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  12. Love that sweet little Rose of yours, she does indeed look snuggly :-) We've hardly had any snow here yet too and just wondering when it's going to arrive - in the meantime it's just rain & more rain. That looks like a fun bloggy get together too. Take care of you & stay warm,
    Hugs xx

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  13. Beautiful photos, Gracie. Lovely baby, cosy house and the outdoor shots are very evocative. I've never been to Gresham but it's very pretty. Maybe next time I'm in Portland I will hope on the light rail and go there!

    I hope you're keeping warm. That is cold for Portland. I have vivid memories of the very snowy, cold winter of 1968 (I think) when my mother and I took the sled down to the grocery store for supplies.

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  14. Beautiful pics Gracie, and little Rose is the loveliest bloom of all! Hasn't she come on a treat in such a short time - I want to cuddle her! I saw the lovely pic of you girls on Taci's post - happy friends get-together and Happy Birthdays to almost everyone? Mt Hood looks so majestic in her snow coat - what a sight, but I do feel for you putting up with all that blasting cold weather and hope it starts to warm up some very soon! Happy Days and blessings on you and yours, love, Joy xo

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  15. I'm so glad your lunch with the ladies was fun. Everyone looks so happy to be together. Baby Rose is getting so big! What a beautiful little girl. I hope you stay warm and toasty inside until the weather warms up again.

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  16. I'm so glad you had a nice lunch with the girls. Baby Rose is getting big. What a beautiful little girl. Stay warm and cozy!

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  17. That's nice you all got together to exchange gifts! they look lovely especially the handmade wrapping with the hearts so nice. The photos were all so nice to look at I enjoyed scrolling down browsing. Have a great weekend!
    Lisa
    www.needlesandwool.blogspot.com

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  18. Gracie, you faces tell the wonderful story of the love you share for each other. I am so glad you had a wonderful time. Stay warm and safe.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  19. Love your little Iris bulbs! Baby Rose is SO beautiful and she looks amazing in her new hoodie! I know you'll be able to capture a smile on that little sweetie before too long.
    We have snow on the ground here--it's gorgeous and really lights up the yard, but it's SO cold that I am afraid to take my camera (or me) outside to take photos:) Hopefully you have some snow now too!
    Blessings,
    Aimee
    PS: Love your photo of Gresham. I've been there many times and have even seen my pioneer ancestor's home there--greatly remodeled, but still recognizeable when compared to an old picture a cousin mailed me long ago,

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  20. Wonderful pictures, Gracie! I really love the one of baby Rose, she is so adorable, and I love her sweet expression! What a happy bloggers lunch you had! The iris bulbs are beautiful and it all looks so cosy there. Enjoy your kntting....and keep cosy.
    Helen xx

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  21. Beautiful photos. Baby Rose is adorable. Mount Hood s spectacular! Take care in the cold. Hugs Anne x

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  22. I'm sure it will be a blastery day ( like Winnie the Pooh would say)... I'm so glad you are working on your continental knitting. It gets easier as you go, doesn't.t it ? Stay warm my dear friend. :)

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  23. Hi Gracie, thanks for cheering us on! We're on the home stretch I hope, I can't wait to be taking photos of the finished thing :-)

    Little Rose is adorable! I admire your patients, if I had to do 116 rows without a colour or pattern change I think I'd lose the will! x

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  24. Interesting picture in the town. I would like to have seen right up the street. Mount Hood in the snow is always spectacular of course.

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