"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

Thursday, December 25, 2014

One Thousand Gifts and More




December 19th, soon after arriving at my good friend, Taci's, beautiful new home for our Bloggers' Lunch, I met our newest blogging friend, Becky.  Becky knows how to knit, but is especially interested in photography.  In her blog she recently held a giveaway that I won, much to my delight and surprise =)  Becky brought my giveaway gift, One Thousand Gifts: Finding Joy in What Really Matters, by Ann Voskamp, and gave it to me.  One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are was on the NY Times bestsellers list for 60 weeks.  I was interested to learn that Ann not only is a successful published writer, but also writes a daily online journal.  She also is a homeschooling mother of six and supports Compassion International as a global advocate for needy children. The book Becky gave me contains excerpts from her bestseller.  I am eager to give it more focused attention soon.  Thank you Becky, for your generous gift to me.

Becky also made candy, and, lovely calendars for each of us, using a photo she took on a nearby Oregon farm.  Taci gave us pretty, hand crocheted washcloths and magnets, and candy.  Teresa gave each of us one of her wonderfully crocheted, Scandinavian red hearts, and a pretty red globe Christmas tree ornament and a piece of candy.  Betsy gave each of us shell necklaces from her recent trip to Maui, pretty cotton yarn, and cute winter outfitted seagull statues. Our blogging friend from across the pond, Helen,  sent us lovely hand-stitched heart ornaments through Betsy. I admire the creativity of each of these lovely ladies, and thank each of them for the generous gifts they gave me, but I especially am grateful for the gift of friendship they share with me each time we have contact.

On Christmas Eve two of my children and I attended a vigil 10:30p.m. to midnight service at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Portland...a new and beautiful experience for us; but we did not get home and into bed until 2:00a.m. My four little granddaughters and their parents were up at 7:00a.m.  to investigate what Santa had left in our socks.  Mercy!  Our sock investigation was fun!  We had a yummy breakfast of Christmas oranges and waffles and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus...without a birthday cake this year. We gave, admired, received, and unwrapped gifts much of the day, and had ham and salad and olives and sweets throughout the day.  However, in the midst of our celebration, we sympathized with little Rosie when we realized she had stopped bouncing on her pony, Pokey, and had settled down for a bit of a winter's nap.....


Notice the sheep on Rosie's sleepers?  I think she did not have to count sheep to fall asleep today, and I strongly doubt I will have to count sheep to fall asleep tonight!

On whatever day you may be reading this, have you been busy creating, recognizing, giving and receiving countless gifts...and getting the right amount of rest you need?  I hope so!

xx,
Gracie






24 comments:

  1. Wow, Gracie.. that was a late night and an early morning for you! I hope you get lots of rest tonight. What a cute picture of your littlest grandbaby asleep on her mighty steed. We had a nice quiet day yesterday and just one son's family today.. so it's been nice and easy. Will you swim tomorrow? I'm game. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  2. Merry Christmas and a very Happy new year Gracie, I'm resting up today recovering after a very busy and fun family Christmas 8 people and 5 pets in attendance.
    Clare xx

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  3. Hello Gracie hoping you slept well and enjoy the rest of Christmas. I used to go to the very late service - our sons were in the choir . I cannot cope now with going to bed so late and rising early. We went to the family/children's service on Christmas Eve. I have been busy as DH and I are hosting Christmas this year. It was a lovely day with my son, his wife and granddaughters here. It is Boxing Day now and we are waiting for our eldest son and family to arrive from Yorkshire. We will all be together until Sunday all being well. We have received some beautiful gifts - but the best is being with family. God Bless you and your family. X

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  4. Sounds like you've enjoyed a wonderful time with family and friends. We were up at 6 a.m. to open gifts and we all slept in today to make up for lost sleep. Enjoy your day, Heather

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  5. I hope that you and yours had the best Cnristmas Gracie, and that 2015 is kind to you all x

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  6. A Belated Happy Christmas Betsy, it sounds as if you have a lot of fun!

    I am so happy that you liked the little gift I sent to you, Betsy was a real sport playing Santa for me.

    Helenxx

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  7. What a day and night. Rest up Love from Jo x

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  8. Oh Gracie, that picture of Rosie is the sweetest!!! I have loved reading all of your blog posts about your lunch at Taci's! What a wonderful afternoon!! I wish I were there too.
    Time to rest and slow things down! I am taking it easy today!!!
    xo Kris

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  9. It sounds like you have had a wonderful time my dear Gracie. I think I feel like Rosie today, in need of a good nap.
    Sending you a hug,
    Meredith

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  10. It sounds like you had a lovely day Gracie. Your granddaughter is so cute. All the excitement is exhausting. :-). Our grandkids body clocks are one hour ahead on maintain time so we're up at 5:00 every morning. I didn't mind...it gave me more time with them. They left for home this morning and the house is very, very quiet. Too quiet. I'm glad you had a good Christmas Gracie. Lots of love to you and yours.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  11. Oh you sound like you had a lovely time and great to catchup with bloggy friends too, gorgeous little grandbaby xoxo

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  12. Glad you had a good day. Family time can be special. I enjoyed the time at our blogger lunch. Yes, I knit and sew as well, but have not done it in awhile. I need to get Phil's slippers started. Thanks for letting me learn how to do continental stitching with your yarn and needles for a bit. I think I caught the drift. But I'm not going to use it on the new project!!!! Or it will take me much longer.!!!! Have a great new year, my friend! Glad you like the book!!!

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  13. It sounds like you had a great time my dear friend. I sure enjoy every time we are together, you r such a precious gift to me. Baby Rosie look so cute. She is growing up really fast.

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  14. What a late night and early morning, Gracie! It all sounds so special though. Sweet baby falling asleep on horseback, such a darling! Enjoy the rest of your Christmas week.
    Helen xox

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  15. Glad to know that you had a lovely time with your family. Rosie is such a cute baby :) enjoy your gifts !!

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  16. Love your photo of baby Rosie-SO very precious! Glad you all had a good time at the blogger luncheon get-together! I wanted to go to a Christmas Eve service this year but, sadly, it was not to be-hopefully next year.
    Blessings, Aimee

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  17. Hi Gracie, I've been busy shuffling boxes around and emptying them as we return to our home after three months. Our Christmas Day was spent very quietly with one of our sons, but we skyped or talked with the others.

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  18. Your bloggy get-together sounds just perfect! How nice that you all live close enough to meet.

    I can sympathise with Rosie ... we are catching up (slowly) on sleep. We have a dear niece and her family staying with us, and some of them are sick - there's a lot of coughing in the night going on, poor souls! But it will be awfully quiet when they're gone.

    A Happy New Year to you, Gracie! :)

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  19. What a wonderful get together with the ladies and so many lovely gifts. A very festive and busy holiday indeed. That Rosie is a cutie! Bless her! Best wishes for the rest of December and for the new year. Tammy

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  20. Gracie.. Thank you for sharing your life with me x

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  21. Sleeping in heavenly peace alright. and adorable.

    I LOVE the chairs on the calendar.

    IM finally catching up on a week of being downtown overnight, up early to the airport, as in 0430 a.m. and tons of fun. BUT I stayed healthy amid sickies around here! hooray. Santa was so good to me

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  22. Hi Gracie, thanks for visiting my blog after Lisa's guest post. It's so nice to meet you! I see we both have a love of the sea - funny to think you're on the other side of the Pacific to me. I love the look of your home. So cosy! I look forward to popping over here frequently and getting to know you better. x

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  23. Hi Gracie - Looks like you had a beautiful holiday season. How wonderful that you were able to meet up with fellow bloggers - that had to be so much fun, spending time with kindred spirits. I want to wish you a very happy, healthy New Year. So glad I found you! xoxo

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  24. What a beautiful, happy post! I just love all of this for you! I have just recently discovered Ann Voskamp myself. I read through her Advent devotional "The Greatest Gift" this last month and was so encouraged by it. I have "One Thousand Gifts" on my must-read list for this coming year. And, oh my goodness, but that little Rosie! She is just a doll! :)

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