"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, August 5, 2015

Once in a Blue Moon

Can you see the moon rising?

The sunsets were often amazing at Oregon's Tillamook State Beach.


It was fun to try to capture a good photo of the Blue Moon...[two nights in one month when the moon is full].

This beautiful hydrangea bush was at the entrance/exit of the campground where we stayed.

The Coleman pop up tent provided a comfy, cozy home away from home for me.

I enjoyed crocheting  more rows on my Ruby Shawl.

And I also got to knit more rows on the baby blanket I'm making.

Very few folks braved getting into the cold ocean waves, but I was glad to be comfortable wearing a sweater when the temps inland were in the 100 F degrees!


The campground had many of these pretty berry bushes between campsites.

One day we really enjoyed exploring the little Tillamook museum.

The Native American arrowhead displays were amazing!

Also I marveled at the gorgeous Native American bead and leather work!

Did you know one could carve a wooden chain?  I didn't. WOW!!!

The sunset/sunrise light and our campfire light and warmth was wonderful!

Just before I left home I received a surprise package!  Thank you again, Tammy, for sending me these wonderful gifts from around Kuwait, and the dream catcher you crocheted for me.  I used the Bethlehem bookmark to mark my place in the encouraging  book, "Dreaming with God" by Bill Johnson that  I was able to finish reading while camping.  I appreciate so much our blogging friendship :)

And I was welcomed home by a package and sweet note from my blogging friend, Jennifer, whose generous blog giveaway I was blessed to win.  Thanks again, Jennifer!

I used some of the napkins and straws from Jennifer's gift right away for a tea party with my oldest daughter and granddaughters.  My daughter made a vanilla cake with homemade blackberry jam from our blackberry crop. [Also note some of the sun gold cherry tomatoes on the turntable from our plant! Harvest time is here :)]

With very little turnaround time, I am repacking to leave early tomorrow morning to drive to Burbank, CA, with some of my family members to celebrate my sister and brother in law's 50th wedding anniversary :)  I hope you are having happy times, too, and I look forward to catching up with your news soon!   <3

Gracie XX


18 comments:

  1. You are one busy lady, Gracie! It looks like you had a wonderful time camping - crocheting at the ocean's edge, sightseeing. And now, heading down to California - It all sounds wonderful - enjoy every minute of it!

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  2. Wow what a great time and wishing more fun now xo

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  3. Hi Gracie. It looks like you had a great time camping. Tillamook is a lovely area. I haven't been there for ages. Your lovely photos brought back find memories. Have a great trip to California. Pat xx

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  4. Gracie, I totally enjoyed this post from top to bottom. Your top two photos are spectacular and so evocative of the coast! I enjoyed seeing you wrapped and cozy in a chair watching the ocean while you crochet a gift for a baby. That berry plant is very typical beachy.. Salal. Now I will have to go to that museum. I so enjoyed having a yummy crab salad with you today and then swimming with you. You are a wonderful, treasured friend. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. I just love your posts Gracie. So full of family, contentment and happiness. We need to try to find that museum sometime...if I ever get back to the coast again. I love your cozy tent and your knitting on the beach. So strange to see a sweater though, as hot as it has been here. The tea party looks like a wonderful time. Such a blessed Grandma. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip sweet Gracie. Be safe. Love you lots.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  6. Beautiful and heartwarming post and lovely photos.

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  7. GREAT pics! I enjoyed seeing every one. Such a beautiful sunset with the moon rising too. Those hydrangeas are gorgeous! I've got to get a couple of those planted around my yard next spring. It's a must-do. Love that inside shot of your tent too. We need to get ours out and practice getting it set up after the disaster we had on our trip. A windy day is just not the day to do it and that's all we had. Oh well. We'll try again another time to camp around here someplace. I'm sure there are plenty. That vanilla cake with the blackberry jam looks and sounds wonderful. YUM! You really scored on the gifts from blog friends. Isn't it great?

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  8. Hello, what a lovely bunch of girls. I love your moon photos. We were driving back from seeing family late the other night and the arcing moon provided much entertainment at 10pm in the car as it popped in and out of the streaky clouds. Love to you. Jo x

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  9. Lovely to see your pictures from the sea the sunset is so magical. We enjoyed seeing views of the blue moon last weekend too! Sarah x

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  10. What lovely pictures Gracie the blue moon was very impressive this year. I love Tillamook and of course never miss going to Tillamook's Cheese factory.

    Hugs Diane

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  11. Hi Gracie, it looks like you've been having a very nice time lately. I enjoyed your blue moon photos. I didn't get to see it in person. I think it was cloudy here that night. I'm so glad you like the giveaway prizes. Your tea party with the girls looks like it was a lot of fun. Thank you for the book recommendation you made in your comment to my blog; I'd never heard of that book before but it sounds very interesting. I will have to see if I can find it at the library. I hope you have a lovely weekend, Gracie.

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  12. So glad you are having a wonderful summer my dear friend. I am getting ready to return to work on Monday after 3.5 weeks off. But only 1 week in the office then off again for 10 days. Our students don't return until 1st Sept so really appreciating some timevtonrecharge my batteries before hitting the academic year!

    Helenxx

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  13. Oh wow, what a gorgeous sky! And camping! With crafts! Lucky you, Gracie.
    Amalia
    xo

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  14. Hello Gracie I thought I'd left a comment previously. I can only assume I am not pressing publish properly :-( Lovely, lovely photos. Your camping trip looked marvellous. The cake looks delicious. Hugs Anne x

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  15. Hi Gracie! I got excited about the blue moon too! Your tent looks very cosy, makes me want to go camping too. I'm the same as you, bundled up on the beach but still knitting. CN x

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  16. How in the world did I miss this wonderful post? Well I found it this eve and loved it! The Tillamook museum is wonderful and -- well you know how much I love the coast:) The lighting in the trees (campsite photo) is exquisite and those red sheets of yours are quite lovely. Safe travels!
    Blessings, Aimee

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  18. What fantastic photos! I love the one of the sunset, and of you under your beach parasol. Your ruby shawl is looking great. I'm so glad that you're having a good summer with good company. Nice to see that you have been the recipient of such lovely parcels. Everyone needs a treat now and then. (Also, I think that the blue moon is when there are two full moons in the same month. In July the moon was full at the start of the month, and again on the 31st.) Enjoy what's left of August!

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