"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, August 16, 2018

The For Sale Sign is Up!

As some of you may remember I started blogging around nine years ago when I discovered fiber arts blogs that I started to follow. After moving to Oregon I missed the crafters I met with weekly while living in northern California and it took me years to find a weekly crafting group to attend in Oregon, so some of the fiber arts bloggers I followed became dear to me.  I never expected to meet any of the bloggers I followed, but I have! 

Most recently I met with my local blogging friend, Teresa, at the Crochet Guild of America Conference at a hotel near the Portland, Oregon, airport...and...with our very talented blogging friend, Mrs. Macawber, alias Sue Perez! Joy! If you haven't discovered her blog, I hope you will.  She very generously and expertly shares crochet patterns and tutorials. She also has patterns you may have noticed published in various crochet magazines. From time to time she also takes bike rides and shares on her blog gorgeous photos of the countryside and wildflowers near where she lives.  I have been trying to convince her to publish a book, and am happy to report she is working on one!  [No pressure, Sue, but I look forward to purchasing it! :) ]
Teresa, Sue, Gracie, and Gracie's sister, Margaret

My sister, Margaret had just flown up from Burbank, California, a few days prior to the conference.  She has done some beautiful stitching projects through the years, too.  After visiting with Sue and Teresa for a bit, Margaret and I drove on to meet my youngest daughter and her husband at Cape Lookout State Park on the northern Oregon coast where they were RV camping with some of my son in law's side of the family.  It was foggy when we arrived and foggy when we went to check out the ocean the next morning.

But on the way back to the campsite it was not too foggy to see this pretty thistle that reminded me of Thistlebear another blog I enjoy following.  So this is a photo especially for you, Jennifer :)



The next afternoon the fog rolled away long enough for folks, including my sister and daughter and me to go enjoy the beach and ocean in all its glory!


Those of you who have known me for a while know that admiring an ocean from the shore is one of my favorite past times!  I knit a dishcloth in between long admiring surveys of the sand and waves and rocks.


While my sister visited we explored possible places I might move to once our house sells, and we also got to see Multnomah Falls on our way to visit with a friend on the other side of Mt. Hood.



This was the only peek of the peak I recorded on my phone camera, but  Mt. Hood is amazing to me from any angle, and even if I only record just a bit of its beauty.


My sister went to my Wednesday knitting group with me, and she knit this sweet little preemie hat.  The pattern is a simple rectangle starting with about 35 stitches on size 8 needles.  She knit until she had about 12 inches in height, then our friend Sue stitched it up the side and closed the top.  You could also gather the top to form a bit of a poof.


Just after my sister flew back to California, my youngest daughter gathered our first batch of apples and she and I made some yummy applesauce.


Yesterday I picked the last of our peaches which were flavorful but bruised.  It has been particularly hot for a long stretch and I think I did not pick them soon enough.


The plums are still ripening and I am still wondering if we will get to enjoy eating them before we move.  I suspect we will.


Our house has been officially on the market for a week and has been shown once to folks who like it enough to put it on their list of possible purchases, but they have not made an offer yet.


Meanwhile, I am grateful to be living here and am amazed it has been nearly nine years since my husband died and we moved into the house.

I am finally packed enough that I have some time to check in with those of you who blog to find out what is new on your blogs; and whether you blog or not, know that as you read this that I am asking the Lord to bless you. :)

Gracie xx

17 comments:

  1. You are SO busy all of the time Gracie. I’m glad you and Teresa got to visit with Sue. A trip to the ocean and the Falls too. Lucky girl. Are you planning to stay in Gresham or exploring other parts of the area too? I enjoyed my visits to your home and loved how cozy you made your space. The cups of tea are remembered fondly. :-). I hope all goes quickly and smoothly for the sale and you find a place you love to live.
    Blessings always,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Best of luck in selling your house. That is always such a stressful situation!
    But seeing friends and enjoying the ocean and Mt. Hood are great ways to relax.
    My fingers are crossed for a quick and easy selling period.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bless you Gracie and do hope you get a good price for you house ♥ So neat meeting other bloggers and I feel I have even met you and Teresa just by our comments and some emails too. Lovely post and amazing I will be so close in Vancouver 29th Aug but no time to visit xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. How nice that you got to meet up with Teresa and Sue. Looks like you and your sister had a very nice time together. Fingers crossed the house sells soon. July was my 9 year anniversary of blogging. It has been great virtually meeting and sometimes actually meeting so many bloggy friends.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a joy to meet other bloggers and spend some time with them. Hopefully you won't have to wait long for a buyer for your home and find the home of your dreams. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aww, thank you, Gracie. I'm so touched to know you were thinking of me. I wish you lots of luck with your house sale and that it happens fast and you get a great offer. I've only sold one house myself, and I had a lot of worries, but it worked out as good as we could have hoped. I enjoyed catching up with you and I hope everything is well with you and your family. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  7. A very nice post, Gracie! I hope the house sells fast so you can get re-settled in your new home of your choice and get started on the next phase of your life. A short comment as I need to get up to the lake. Hope to see you soon.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's so good to hear from you Gracie. I know you have been so busy with getting your home ready to sell. I do hope that it sells quickly and that you can find a place which you will like for your new home. You're such a blessing to us in blogland! Hugs, Pat

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Gracie, praying for a quick sale on your home and hope you find a new place you will love.

    God bless you much!

    Erika

    ReplyDelete
  10. Glad you were able to meet another blogger...always fun! Kindred spirits. Glad your sister camd for a visit and enjoyed the coast. Fog happens! I enjoy the coast to and will next month. Will be praying your house sells soon and for a nice house for you. Hugs and miss you! God bless! 💖

    ReplyDelete
  11. Busy times Gracie. Thakyuou for visiting my blog and being so kind and generous with your words. I have been reading back your blog posts which I missed and am having a little laugh at imagining you trying to take a bee photo. It will not amuse you to say that my daughter took my bee photo in a garden centre! I was on the flower and still for such a long time. Hope you get an offer on your house. Jo x

    ReplyDelete
  12. God bless you as you sell and move...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lindas imagens. Feliz dia. Cumprimentos.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello Gracie, how lovely to see you blogging. I wish you well with the house sale and search for your next home. Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello Gracie ....it was lovely to read your post today. I hope your house sells quickly and that you find somewhere just right for you to create your next cosy home. How nice that your sister came to stay and you had some great times. Sending love and blessings back to you xxx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello dear Gracie, I've been on a summer break and have not visited for a while. It is so nice to finally stop by and hear all your news. I am always in awe of your energy, you always have something going. I hope the sale and the move go smoothly and send a big big hug.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  17. Glad you are back to blogging Gracie. Your trip to the beach sounds wonderful as does your meet up with fellow bloggers. Hope your house sells fast and you find the perfect new home. B x

    ReplyDelete

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