"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

Monday, February 29, 2016

Rooted and Grounded in Love

 Happy Leap Year!  As I type to you on February 29, 2016, I am not doing any leaping or following any sort of leap year custom. I am just noting the once in every four year extra day :)

However, at my worship art group on Saturday the theme of our project was being rooted and grounded in love...thus the reason for my post title.  The bottom right picture was the work of our group facilitator.  I think it is fascinating to see how the rest of us launched from her example to our own interpretation. [Mine is the upper middle.]
 Across the street from the church some of the trees are showing pink blossoms, and a Camellia bush has pink blooms.
 I have been experimenting with this recipe, using smaller loaf pans than suggested.
 This yarn leaped into my shopping cart recently because I thought it would make a nice preemie blanket, and it will, but I forgot I was looking for worsted weight yarn and this is fine, so I had to go down from a size 8 to a size 6 of my KnitPicks circular needles.
 This morning my oldest SIL, Jason, alerted me to the presence of ducks on the front pond!  I have seen Mr. and Mrs. Mallard frequently, in the last few weeks.
 However, this morning they briefly had visitors!
 Their plumage is so interesting!
 Our Daffodils are beginning their colorful dance around our tree, even though it is cloudy out.
 The Primroses from last year are filling out beautifully.
 The Hyacinths are opening up although I could not catch their sweet scent this morning.
 The hedge of Camellias across the street at our neighbors are blooming in pretty shades of pink.
This past week I got some more Primroses, too, since they seem to like it here :)

As I type, I know that some of you are dealing with illness or great loss, and I am holding you dear in my thoughts and prayers.

What are you finding rooted and grounded in your lives this week?

Gracie xx

23 comments:

  1. A lovely post Gracie and did so like seeing those ducks....baking is always fun and tasty lol .....beautiful arty work and plants....here a LOT of weeds lol and HOT xoxoxo

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  2. Spring has sprung in the Portland area! We have had warmer temperatures but absolutely NO flowers of any kind yet. The talent in the paintings is amazing. I honestly couldn't pick a favorite, (although of course I love yours.) I love seeing your ducks on the pond. Dennis and I drove out to the lake on Saturday and there is still ice on parts of it. No spring there yet either, but hopefully soon. Love you Gracie.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  3. So much lovely spring! And we are getting snow tomorrow -- but not enough for a snow day. Oh well. I actually like winter so it's OK.
    I love your version of Rooted and Ground in Love. It has a lot of punch to it.

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  4. Things are looking very spring-y there! You had WOOD DUCKS? I'm so jealous!! I love them so much! I enjoyed swimming with you today.. except for that lady who swamped me in my lane. :-) I think your new preemie blanket will be sweet. I think your painting came out very well! Bravo!! See you on Wed. Let me know when you want to meet me for crab salad before we swim. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. I loved seeing all of your spring flowers; they are absolutely beautiful! The bread you made looks so delicious. My niece loves to make paleo food. And, the yarn for the baby blanket is so bright and pretty. I hope your week is off to a great start. Hugs, Pat

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  6. Thanks for sharing the lovely flowers!! I have never tried primroses. They look cute!! your baby blanket yarn has sweet colors:)

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  7. The paintings are lovely from your worship art group. I was at a painting event last night with a friend. Now it's next to my computer, for now. I want to move one thing that's above my computer so my painting will fit. I'm rooted in God's love and mercy. Also remembering a dear friend of mine, Evelyn, who died last night. Good memories of our times together growing up and keeping in touch in the past several years. Waiting for the tulips to pop up...mid March, looks like! Chilly day with a bit of rain tonight. Hugs my friend on leap day!

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  8. I like to have a good sort out and clean early Spring so that has been my task for the past couple of days. The garden is next on my agenda. Loved the yarn for the blanket, so pretty. The art work is wonderful, a lot of talent around.

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  9. Love the paintings Gracie. How each interprets the same thing differently...rather like life, and our personal walk of faith.

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  10. Your worship group is a talented bunch. The paintings are so lovely. Since I celebrated my 50th during leap month, I'm telling everyone I'm 50+. :) I like using small loaf pans for all sorts of breads -- they cook much quicker and are nice for sharing. Have a great day. Tammy

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  11. Those rooted and grounded in love collages are so lovely, those spring colours are so cheerful! It's so good to see spring emerging in your garden too! Sarah x

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  12. A welcoming Spring post Gracie! sending you love. Jo x

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  13. Lovely post, Gracie. It looks like everything is bursting to life with the promise of spring - just beautiful.
    I have Elana's pale cookbook and have been dying to try the bread. I know it calls for a smaller pan than usual - did you use that? Also, how did it taste - it looks delicious.
    You have such talent, Gracie - your painting is so sweet and I love the subject of the project. And your preemie blanket is going to be lovely, such beautiful colors.
    I hope you have a lovely day. xo

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    1. Hi, Susan! I used two 5"x3" pans for one loaf's worth of batter. I think she suggests using a special 7"x3" pan. I like the flavor and texture of the bread, but it is heavy in comparison to many breads. Thanks for visiting, Susan, I enjoy visiting you through your posts as well. At the store yesterday I saw one of the magazines you read at the bookstore and thought of you :) xx

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  14. Lots and lots of flowers blooming here from the roots of the California poppies. Sages are blossoming too. Last week we started smelling the orange blossoms!

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  15. The artwork is so pretty and you're right, there are many different interpretations and they're all lovely. I enjoyed seeing your flowers blooming. I hope you enjoyed the bread, it looks good. Hope you are having a good week, Gracie.

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  16. Your post is so full of the hopefulness of spring! I won't see those colors outside here for another couple of months, so I am so glad that you shared them. :) I LOVE the colors of your stripey yarn...so sweet and fresh! Sending you love and hugs, Gracie! :)

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  17. Isn't it wonderful how everything wakes up in spring? I love ducks, I can't be sure but could the visitor be a mandarin duck? There is a lot of talent in your art group, I hope some of those lovely paintings get framed. x

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    1. Our colorful visiting ducks are Wood Ducks. I found this site has lovely photos and descriptions :)
      http://www.birdinginformation.com/

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  18. What an awesome project! Everyone did a nice job on their "rooted and grounded in love" pictures. The flowers are all so beautiful! It's been a long time since we've seen flowers blooming outside here. Lovely to see spring! Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  19. Spring is here too Gracie! I have planted and cleaned out flower beds. I am enjoying the warmer breezes before the intense summer heat starts. Looks like you have had a wonderful week.

    I am holding a few people close to my heart too, you are one of them!
    Meredith

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  20. What a lovely post. I particularly like the pink blossom in front of the wooden houses - I miss wooden houses. The past few weeks for me have reminded me how grateful I am that, despite my many questions, I have faith that we are all individually loved by God. That keeps me "rooted and grounded". Soon it will be time for gardening, which is also very grounding. Your spring is ahead of ours!

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  21. Such pretty blooms, both drawn and in the ground!! And that Wood Duck...Oh my....he is one of my all time favorite water birds. My Mom has a pair on her lake, and I adore them! So striking!
    Happy Spring my friend!
    xo Kris

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