"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, May 30, 2016

A Growing Tribute













As the final days of Spring spin toward the first days of Summer I find myself noting and celebrating the growth of much in the natural world around me. [I have been mourning some slug and snail munched leaves, but have managed to catch a few of the munchers...and am not sorry.]

Although I am just sharing a photo that shows two growing ducklings, we have seen four dashing and bobbing about in the yard by the front pond. Most of our photos have been blurry thanks to all the dashing and bobbing, but my youngest son, Tim, managed to get the photo I am sharing so that you can appreciate how much the ducklings have grown in the last month...even with herons lurking about.

I finished knitting the baby blanket on size 6 needles, with one skein of Lion Brand acrylic DK light worsted weight Creme Glacee Helado  Tutti Frutti yarn.  Then I crocheted an edging.  I am pleased with the softness of the blanket, but for the new baby blankets I have started I am using thicker worsted weight acrylic baby yarn. One blanket I have cast onto size 8 needles.  The other blanket I am crocheting with a size I hook, but am going to experiment with a size N hook.

We celebrated three family June birthdays yesterday, [my oldest daughter, Mary Kathrine's, and her daughters Joy's and Molly's] with a cookout by the pond.  Molly will soon be seven and I crocheted an art bag for her out of Lion Brand's Incredible nylon ribbon yarn with a size I hook, and all in single crochet. I showed you the bag I crocheted for Hayley in November in an earlier post. I had purchased four balls of yarn at an "incredible" sale price, and have now used up all four balls by making two bags. The bags are nice and stretchy and it is fun to pack them with art supplies.

My oldest son in law made the rounds of our fruit trees and bushes this morning and said I could show you the photos of this year's growing fruit crop he took with his cell phone: cherries, peaches, apples, and blueberries.  We might grow enough for each of our thirteen household members to have some bites of fruit if all goes well.

Also this morning, my oldest daughter, Mary Kathrine, and her girls helped me decorate my table for Memorial Day which we are celebrating in the USA today. We continue to grow in gratitude for those who have given their lives for the cause of peace.  

My great nephew is currently serving in the Army, and Mary Kathrine put his photo and the Peace Be With You card on the table, too.  We are thankful for so many around us who continue to invest their lives in the cause of peace.

A few hours ago my youngest daughter and her husband drove to a nearby camping area on the eastern side of Mt. Hood National Forrest. I plan to drive there with my youngest son on Wednesday, and will be without reliable internet service for the next two weeks so I will not be visiting posts or publishing posts for the next few weeks, but you will be in my thoughts with love and I will be wondering, "What is growing around you?"

xx
Gracie :)  

18 comments:

  1. Lovely post Grace and may your trip be wonderful xxoo

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  2. Gracie, your baby blanket came out really beautiful, I love the stripes and the color! I look forward to seeing your next one. I was touched to see your table display in honor of Memorial Day. This was the first time in 14 years that we did not go to clean Dad's marker - neither of us wanted to risk our tenuous health. I know Dad would understand. I'm excited for your camping trip. I also was very impressed with all your baby fruit.. I didn't know what the fuzzy one was! :-) *H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to your granddaughter.. it looked like the girls were having a wonderful time. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Gracie I love that baby blanket. Those colors are so pretty and perfect for a little one. The border is so nice too. You are busy, already having two more on the hook and needles. Your springtime photos are so lovely and your birthday picture of your "girls" is precious. Happy BIrthday to each of them. I hope you have a wonderful time camping and take good care of yourself. I also thank you for your Memorial table. I am so grateful to all of the veterans who have served our country.
    Blessings always,
    Betsy

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  4. So lovely to have fresh fruit available right in your own yard. It's abundant in Jordan and so wonderful to see and taste. I find that projects solely in sc take so much longer than they should ... I much prefer a dc ... has a nice rhythm to it, at least for me. :) Enjoy your time away.

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  5. Gracie, I love the pace of your life, so much time to love nature and your family. Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating. I am wishing you a wonderful trip camping, enjoy all the beauty that surrounds you. Thank you for your kindness my friend.
    Meredith

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  6. Beautiful baby blanket, love the colour mix such beautiful yarn. Hope you have a wonderful time away with your family creating some lovely memories to treasure. Take care.

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  7. Good morning Gracie! Such a lovely post today - the ducklings are so sweet. It's such an incredible time of year - our lilacs have just finished but that means that our local strawberries should be right around the corner and then it's time to make JAM!! xo

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  8. Your Grandbabies are growing up, and such beauties!!! Happy Birthday to all of the June girls!!!
    Love your Memorial Day décor!
    Have a fabulous time camping with your son and his family. I hope you will be posting lots of photos when you get home! Bring your yarn, and relax!
    Thanks for your always lovely and cheerful comments on my blog Gracie. Always warms my heart!
    xo Kris

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  9. Lovely blanket Gracie and those faces on your grand daughters are a joy. Enjoy your trip out. Love Jo x

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  10. A pretty blanket Gracie. lovely to grow your own fruit, I have planted some strawberries. We think our apple tree is diseased :-( - we only have a small garden so apart from herbs that is all I'm growing at the moment. Hope that you have a lovely trip, I could do with a trip - feeling stressed as well as unwell. Hugs Anne x

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  11. This is such a lovely baby blanket you have created. My, your fruit trees are really beautiful with all the fruit. I hope you're having a lovely time on trip. Hugs, Pat

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  12. I love catching up on all your news, Gracie. The girls are lovely and so is the baby blanket and the garden is looking great.
    Amalia
    xo

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  13. The girls look like they are enjoying themselves! Great job on your crocheting project, Gracie...and good to see so much good fruit flourishing!

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  14. Hope you're enjoying every minute of your camping trip, dear Gracie. Love all your fruit trees - will there be some pie baking in your future? I see you've been very busy knitting and crocheting - lovely baby blanket and fabulous tote bags - love all the colors! I bet you brought your hooks and needles with you.
    Have a ball! xoxo

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  15. Wishing you a wonderful camping trip Gracie! Loved seeing your sweet grand daughters in this post...and all the lovely fruit growing there too. Your baby blanket is beautiful and the art bag is such a nice idea. I hope you are having a fun time!
    Helen xox

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  16. Hello! I am only just visiting after you visited my blog recently. Sorry about being so long, I have been rather occupied, but better late than never! Hope you are having a good time!

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  17. That blanket is so pretty ! lucky baby!

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  18. I know you will enjoy the camping trip! What's growing around me? Kale, sweet potatoes, potatoes, lettuce, carrots and cotton!
    I certainly hope that you have plenty of YARN along with you to create with around the campfire.

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