"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

Saturday, July 12, 2014

A Crocheted Surprise Arrived!

















The hazy days of summer have definitely developed in the Portland, OR, area!  While driving into Portland about a week ago the car thermometer registered 104 degrees...a rarity here.  I have really been glad Teresa and I have been able to go swimming as often as we have, but we got to the pool Friday only to find that it was closed for repairs :(

Somehow though, even though I hate being hot, I have found myself opening the car windows and relishing the warm air wafting in as opposed to closing the car windows and turning on the AC.  I have been enjoying donning my sunglasses to avoid being blinded by the fabulous blazing sunshine.  It is the warmest, sunniest summer I can remember in the seven years I have lived here and I am relishing it!

Some of our family gathered at our home to celebrate USA's Independence Day on July 4th.  My oldest granddaughter lost her upper front tooth. [a milestone :) ]  I planted some pretty striped red geraniums.  My oldest granddaughters got cooled off by water from the hose. We have picked blueberries from our bush and cherries from our wild cherry tree. 

Then, several days ago Tammy from T's Daily Treasures sent a beautiful doily she had crocheted for me in thanks for our blogging friendship. She blogs from her home in Kuwait, a part of the world that I would know much less about were it not for viewing her interesting posts, and I hope you will visit her through the link I posted above if you have not already done so.  It fascinates me that common interests in things like crochet have introduced me to bloggers from around the world!  Thank you, Tammy, for your generous gift which is currently under the sugar bowl on my tea tray.  Sweet :)

What has surprised you lately?

Gracie xx

19 comments:

  1. Great photos Gracie! Your granddaughters are so darling!! Big news to lose a tooth! Always exciting around here too!!! I am sure the triple digits in your area are quite a surprise!!! So glad you are having such a sunny summer though!
    I am busy as a bee here with my gardens and chickens and grands. Always so much to do. But I do love it. I do look forward to those cooler days, as that is when I tend to do more sewing and crocheting!!
    I saw Teresa's pretty doily too. What a nice friend!
    xo Kris

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  2. Your holiday celebration looks as though it was great fun Gracie. It's been very hot here too-103 forecast for this weekend. We've been spending a lot of time in the lake swimming recently. Tammy was so sweet to share her pretty projects with so many of us. I hope to see you girls soon. So far no takers on the house but we're hoping it won't be long.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  3. Such a beautiful post today Gracie, I love the family festivities, and oh my a lost tooth! That is indeed a milestone. Tammy is so lovely and gracious, I love reading her blog and I so enjoyed my gift from her.
    Wishing you a wonderful day,
    Meredith

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  4. I'm so glad you're having a nice, sunny summer. I love seeing photos of the girls, they're all getting so big! I haven't had too many surprises lately, but I do love them and look forward to new ones! Hope you're having a good weekend. :)

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  5. It looks like you had a wonderful 4 th of July together and what a nice cute surprise from Tammie, she is such a sweetheart and I love her blog. Can't wait until I can see you Gracie ! I miss you :)

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  6. Hi Gracie.. looks like you and your family had a fabulous 4th! The girls are growing up fast, aren't they? Let's hope they get our pool fixed asap.. I'm going to miss it! We took down our 4th of July decorations yesterday and now we're back to "normal", whatever that is! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. Looks like the weather was really kind for the celebrations! And aren't bloggers the best, such a lovely and thoughtful gift.

    Helenxx

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  8. Great family photos Gracie--I especially like that first one! Love the tea tray with Tammy's crocheted doily! I am loving the sunny weather but rather dependent on the a/c as I am super sensitive to heat and especially heat combined with high humidity.
    Have a great weekend!
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  9. It's so lovely to see your happy family pics Gracie, and look at how baby Rose has grown already - remarkable - such gorgeous girls all of them! I'm looking at this post and thinking, happy, happy, happy, and I'm wishing you loads more of these sorts of times - family togetherness! Loving blessings, Joy xo

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  10. Glad you are enjoying the heat! For some reason, our last two visits to Portland in the summer, it's been over 100 degrees. I know it isn't always like that. What a lovely surprise to receive. The nicest surprises in my life these days are watching my daughter progress.

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  11. Lovely family moments captured here, and your girls are all adorable! Such happy times enjoying the wonderful summer! Your crochet doily made by Tammy is such a sweet gift....she is a lovely blog friend and so generous to her blogging buddies around the world!
    Wishing you a happy week, Gracie.
    Helen xox

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  12. Hello Gracie. Your granddaughters, like my grandchildren are growing so fast. Tomorrow and Tuesday sees the end of looking after Phoebe after nursery school. She starts school full time in September- the last of our grandchildren to do so. Where did the time go? Glad that you enjoyed celebrations for the 4th July. I think what has surprised me most this week is that I have managed to make a model ( out of modelling paste) of Olaf from the film Frozen. It is for a friend of my D.I. L. I was ready to admit defeat as it was not going well. One went in the bin!!! Got there in the end. Hugs Anne x

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  13. Enjoyed watching your granddaughter's pics :) we are done with summer in India and having rains now...but not as good so far.
    Nice to visit you after a long time. I was on a blog break .

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  14. The colors in this post are my favorite summer colors! And those blueberries! Oh, my, but it is so hot where you are! I can't believe how quickly I have acclimated to the temps here in the Rockies. Anything over 80 degrees, and I am feeling it! Very thankful for box fans sitting in the open windows this summer. *hugs* :)

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  15. Beautiful Gracie, what a lovely lacy doily....and all of your pictures, lovely family and they have all grown xo
    I am slowly catching up on blogs and must do mine with a few snaps from end of our trip, now home and
    sitting in front of the heater lol

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  16. Glad you received it Gracie! Awesome photos in this post. 😀

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  17. I love these pictures of Independence Day celebrations, I find them so full of joy! What a lovely gift to receive in the post, one to be treasured.

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  18. How children everywhere love playing with water.

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  19. I just love your posts my dear friend Gracie. ( I just don't get updates from your blog often) so today I'm catching up with all your wonderful makings and travels. You are so busy and that is wonderful :). Miss you and hope to see you soon . :)

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