"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, February 2, 2017

Five on Friday: ...Pausing...


Dear Family, Friends and Visitors,
Thanks so much for stopping by!  Although we often struggle with worrisome or grave concerns, the Five I have to share with you this week are mainly subjects of celebration.
Thank you Amy for setting up the Five on Friday link!

1. Meet Sebastian, my little Alaskan friend who seems delighted to model the hat I crocheted for him. I warned his mama that he might have to grow into it.
2.  Sunday, on the way home from church, my youngest son, Tim helped me get a couple of photos of Mt. Hood with my iPhone 7 Plus.
3. Both photos are zoomed in from near 212 in Boring, Oregon, USA.  It is a treat to get to see Mt. Hood in all her snowy glory, in between bouts of wintery weather when she is hidden in clouds.
4.  Wednesday, my dear friend, Teresa, helped me untangle my yarn.  Both ends of the skein were stuck just as I was ready to finish off the edging that most of you suggested I should put around the blanket.  I value your input, thanks!
5.  I wish a Happy Valentines Day to those of you who celebrate it, [and a happy day to those who don't] and I thank those of you again who have given me hearts displayed on this tree and around my room.

Monday morning my niece called to tell me that her dad, my brother in law, had unexpectedly died a few hours before. He was a loving husband and father, and a kind and good friend.  He and my older sister introduced me to my husband, Louis, and encouraged and supported us throughout our 38 years of marriage...many happy memories, and I am so grateful that when we irritated one another we were able to make amends!

Tomorrow I plan to fly to Burbank to be with family for eleven days, and I plan to not publish any posts for the rest of February.  I will try to pop in and visit those of you who publish posts, but even if I do not leave a comment, please know I will be cheering you on your life journey.

With love,
Gracie 💞 xx



40 comments:

  1. Enjoy your trip, so wonderful to see your family. Mount Hood looks so striking all covered in snow.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What an adorable photo of your friend's son. Glad you have help to sort out the yarn, I get so frustrated having to do that sort of thing

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely photos of Mt Hood. And that wool is looking gorgeous. Thinking of you and your family in the next few weeks. Take care. B x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Gracie take my hugs and love with you at this sad time 😯 and happy times of those beautiful Mt Hood photo's....💜💜 to you all

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so sorry for your loss, you and your family will be in my prayers. Sebastian was a joy to see, he has a beautiful face. Loved the hat. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sorry for your family's loss! It's always a difficult time.

    The Mt. Hood photos are picture post card perfect.

    And adorable hat made by you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the fact that there's a town called Boring! Is it? Or does it refer to some kind of drilling?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Boring is the last name of one of the founding fathers. It is just a bit of a town, and has in recent years become sister city to Dull, Scotland :)

      Delete
  8. Sebastian is too cute with his new hat. The images of Mt Hood are wonderful. Love your heart tree. It really is annoying when the yarn gets tangled. Glad you had an extra set of hands to untangle the yarn. So sorry to hear about your Brother in law.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a sweet photo of baby Sebastian in his new hat! Lovely photos of Mt Hood ... looks like it's floating there in the second photo. You have a nice way of displaying your hearts on the tree. Time for me to get my hearts out too. Sorry to hear about your BIL passing. It's nice to hear you and your siblings et al have had a great relationship through the years. Not everyone can say that. Mending bridges is so important to me as well. I hope the visit will be filling with just as many fond memories for you and your family.
    Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Adorable hat (& kiddo)! And gorgeous photos of Mt. Hood!! But so sorry to hear about your family members passing. Thoughts and prayers sent to you and your family. Have a safe trip.
    Blessings. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello Gracie, sorry to hear about your brother-in-law's death but how good that you were on good terms. I just spent 11 days in Southern California the middle of January. Flying home all the mountains in Oregon were amazing to see from above. Beautiful shots of Mt. Hood. That photo Sebastian in the hat makes me smile real big. Too cute! Hope you have a good flight and comforting time with your family.

    ReplyDelete
  12. My condolences on the loss of your brother-in-law. Losing family is so hard!
    I hope your family time is healing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. So sorry for your loss. ((hugs)). I love your blanket, something so cuddly about a knitted blanket. Oh the photos are beautiful. You truly do live in a lovely part of our great country. That hat is so cute on your little friend, he's all smiles and giggles, so sweet. I wish you safe travels on your journey. Blessings always.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello sweet Gracie. I hope all is well with you on this snowy, icy Friday. My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you travel to be with your family. I'm sorry to hear about your brother-in-law but happy that you have so many good memories. I do love the baby hat and that happy little smile on the little guys face. :-) He's the perfect model! Your photos of Mount Hood are gorgeous. Have a wonderful time with your family my sweet friend.
    Blessings, Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  15. Have a peaceful break Gracie, God Bless.
    Do so love the little one in his hat.....soon it will be too small. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I hope that you travel safely, as I said before, my condolences to you and your family at this sad time. I am and will be thinking of you and sending prayers and good thoughts. Hugs! xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Well said on making amends with loved ones. You just never know when you're going to lose one.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sorry for your loss. I'm praying for your safe travel especially at the airports. Your blanket looks nice and cozy. Mt Hood is lovely as always! Hugs and blessings Gracie.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm so sorry, Gracie. My condolences to you and your family. Safe travels and take care.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hello Gracie. I'm sorry I've not contacted you before. I was sorry to hear the news BOT YOU B.I.l. I know that you will be a great comfort to your family at this sad time. I wish you a safe journey.
    The little on in his hat is so cute. Love the photo of My Hood. Hugs Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Grace, Sorry about the loss of your brother in law. Love the colors on the baby hat and the blanket. Happy Valentines day to you and God bless your February.

    Erika

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sorry for your lose. The pictures of Mt.Hood are so beautiful! Glad you got your thread sorted, love the look of your afghan.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm sorry to read of the loss in your family, Grace, and hope that you will be comforted as you gather together. The smile on the little baby is surely a cheering sight. Mt. Hood's majesty is perfectly captured in your photos. Safe travels.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello Gracie.. I hope when you read this you are safely landed and surrounded by family. I'm so sorry for your loss. The good part is he had a nice long life, that's all we can ask for. Your hat looks very cute on your little Alaskan baby. Good job on getting your Valentine tree set up before you flew away. What project will you work on while away? We're iced in for now. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh, I am so sorry to hear this, Gracie. I'll be thinking of you and sending prayers for you and your family as you go through this difficult time of loss. Lovely to see your pretty needlework - the little one in the hat made me smile :) Mt. Hood certainly looks majestic, rising above the valley. Your heart tree is wonderful - full of 'love'. Sending hugs and blessings for your journey. xx Karen

    ReplyDelete
  26. So sorry to hear your news - we wish you a special time together with your family. It is sad when such occasions bring everyone together but amongst the grief families reunited is a good thing.
    With love
    Wren x

    ReplyDelete
  27. I hope you and your family can grieve and remember all the wonderful times together so it hurts less. You are a wonderful sister Gracie, take good care.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dear Gracie I am so sorry for the loss of your brother in law. I hope you and your family find comfort in being together. Your photo of the baby hat being modelled is so sweet, and I enjoyed those beautiful pictures of Mount Hood. Wishing you safe travels and thinking of you.
    Helen xox

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great baby hat! You sound like you are thankful for your brother in laws being in your life! I hope your month is full with warmth and look forward to hearing about it in march!

    ReplyDelete
  30. So sorry about your brother-in-law. One of the saddest parts of aging is losing family and friends.

    Safe travels. Enjoy the sunshine.

    ReplyDelete
  31. You found a great model there! I'm so sorry to hear the news about your brother in law. Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sebastian the Alaskan with his new hat is adorable.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sending you love while you are with family and friends. Jo x

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm so sorry to hear about your brother-in-law, Gracie. I hope you have a lovely time with family in Burbank. Thank you for posting those photos of Mt. Hood. There is so much snow!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Great shots of Mt. Hood! Your crocheting looks good. I just finished a scarf earlier this month--my first crocheting project in a long time.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hello Gracie
    Sorry to hear of your loss - it's always sad when lose family members and friends.
    I enjoyed your five photos especially as you had taken them with your iPhone 7plus.
    I have the same phone and use it to take photos too - any tips you can give me would be appreciated!
    Mt Hood looks majestic especially covered in snow.
    Shane
    I've joined your followers do pop over and join me to!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Just want to let you know you're in my thoughts and prayers, dear Gracie. I'm truly sorry for your loss.
    I took some time off too - 3 months! I guess I just needed a break for awhile.
    Wishing you the best. See you when you get back. xo

    ReplyDelete
  38. An adorable baby hat. Sending you love. Jo x

    ReplyDelete
  39. Welcome home Gracie .... I really just came to look at the darn cute baby again!! Jo x

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting me today! I welcome your comments!