"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, October 17, 2018

Flying Through with A Little Ta-Dah!

Are you flying through this season of your life?  The leaves of our Maple trees are rapidly flying off the trees! Many of them land on my mini-van so that when I drive off they whoosh away in a flurry of colorful Fall loveliness. 




I have had a hard time capturing photos of just how pretty our area is in this season, but this view of our church parking lot gives a hint of how glorious it is. 



Then last week I found myself literally flying from big city Portland, Oregon, to little city, Santa Rosa, California, and back again five days later for another fun meet up with my two sisters.  I flew in and out of the Charles Schultz Sonoma County Airport, named in honor of cartoon character Snoopy's creator who lived here for many years.


Very near Santa Rosa is Bodega Bay where we enjoyed some perfect hours at the beach.


It was such fun watching the various birds we saw flapping and dashing about.


And I was surprised to find a sand dollar and my sister Margaret found some pretty shell fragments, too.


We had delicious fishy themed dinners at the Tides Restaurant and learned more about the history of the area from our placemats :)


Then while we ate we watched a number of different types of birds fishing for and finding their dinners which included some small crabs we saw.


A friend snapped this photo of us at the airport before I flew home.  From left to right, my older sister Margaret, her youngest daughter Holly, me, Margaret's oldest daughter, Heather, and my oldest sister, Carolyn.


The little Ta-Dah my blog title promised materialized Wednesday morning, October 17, 2018. I turned in this preemie blanket I crocheted in a repeat pattern of one-row single crochet one-row double crochet. The hat was knit in a rectangle by my sister, then seamed by a friend while my sister Margaret was visiting me in August.  The solid blue shows much darker in this photo than it appears to me in life, but either way the colors remind me and others in my stitching group of some of the pretty Jewish prayer shawl colors we have seen.


I got home on Saturday, October 13, and we had another house showing the next afternoon.  Several families have been interested, but not made offers yet and my patience is being tried as I try to do my part to keep things tidy while trying to carry on with normal life commitments.  One of the fun things I have done is bake ginger spice crinkle cookies just before a house showing so the house smells wonderful and we have a plate full of cookies to offer visitors!

Looking forward to hearing if you are flying through your current season of life... until next time,

Gracie xx :)

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and patient endurance that comes from Christ.... Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.  The Lord be with you all. 2Thessalonians 3:5, 16 NLT

22 comments:

  1. In the desert we don't see the physical signs of Autumn and I do miss that so much. Nice family photo. I see you three are in red and the girls look to be in purple. :) Was that planned? Nice finish on the baby blanket and hat. I tend to always do granny squares because they are quick and easy. Perhaps I should do a single/double pattern. My mom always made the biggest and yummiest spice cookies this time of year. I'm sure visitors are thrilled and definitely they make the house smell cozy and inviting. Have a good Thursday!

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    1. Four of us did not plan to co-ordinate the color of our outfits, but when we saw we were in either navy or red we convinced Carolyn that she should wear a red shirt, too, so the three sisters could all be wearing red :)

      I am embarrassed to admit I have never successfully made a traditional granny square, so I admire that you find them quick and easy…I no doubt need to have you tutor me! :)

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  2. Hi Gracie, I was glad to see your blog pop to the top of my list! I'm so glad you were able to fly down and spend time with your family. You three sisters look so happy to be together and what lovely nieces you have! Good job on the blanket finish and what a neat hat your sister knitted! I missed you at the pool today, Big Mike and Scooter Bill were there. I hope to see you there on Friday. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Love your post Gracie. The blanket is lovely. I am dreading selling our house when the other one is finished - all that tidying! I must say that our house was built in 1775 the date that was mentioned on placemat. Funny to think that people were discovering places and a house was built here. Jo x

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  4. You certainly can see a likeness and would know that you are all related. A beautiful photo. I know how hard it is to remain patient when selling your home, it is so hard. Hopefully it will be soon. It took 2 years to find a buyer for our old home. The beautiful smell of baking and home baked cookies surely must help. Sounds like you had a wonderful break away, always a joy to see the sea and beach. Take care.

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  5. Was it by coincidence that you three were wearing red tops? Made me smile
    And please, what is a sand dollar?

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    1. Two of us happened to wear red so we convinced the other to join us so all three sisters would be wearing red tops :)
      Here is an interesting link address that describes sand dollars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_dollar

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  6. I just googled sand dollar, I had never seen one before, or heard of one. What interesting creatures they are. I am so glad you had a lovely family time in California. The little blanket is very sweet, I like the block colours very much. x

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  7. Hi Gracie, I'm glad you had a nice visit with your sisters. I visited Santa Rosa once many years ago and I thought it was a lovely place. Your blanket and hat are adorable, how nice to have a collaborative project. I hope you're doing well. Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog.

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  8. WE were in that waiting time to sell our home and I know how unsettling it is. I do hope you place sells and you can move on to the next phase. How nice to spend time with your loved ones.

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  9. Sounds like you had a wonderful family visit, Grace, and liked seeing the matching red shirts on you and your sisters. We know full well how frustrating it can be waiting to sell. Hope the repeat showings bring an offer.

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  10. It was good to read your comments on my blog and do went to find your blog and there's a new post from you. Glad you enjoyed your visit with your sisters and spent time at the beach! Hope your house sells soon. Continued for that and yes it's been busy here too. Leaves all over our lawn. Hugs and blessings!

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  11. There are no signs of Autumn where I live with the exception of very heavy oak tress with many acorns. Our acorns are small, are squirrels are too! I hope the house gets sold Gracie. I know it has been hard to pack up and now you are in a bit of limbo waiting to move on with things. I love the blanket and hat, and the wonderful memories you shared on your most recent trip. You have such a wonderful family. Sending you love.

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  12. The colour of the maple trees is wonderful! Your trip with your family to the sea is wonderful the seashore looks similar to here but the sea dollar and birds are so different! I have never see a sea dollar before. Hope the house sale goes through soon and you can feel more relaxed and settled. Sarah x

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  13. Hello Gracie. So lovely to catch up with you. I'm afraid that I've not blogged in ages - life has been hectic.
    Such a lovely visit with your sisters- I am trying to persuade DH to take a couple of days or so away and to see the sea would be a bonus. We were by the seaside two weeks ago with my brother and his wife, visiting mum. Sadly not a happy visit - lots going on and my sister being very difficultand unpleasant, it is very sad.
    We are having a relatively quiet week this week. Just my granddaughters guinea pig to take care of. It is half term here and both son's and families are away.
    I have been very busy crafting so am just enjoying a break from it at the moment. Take care. I hope the house soon sells, it is such a stressful time. Hugs Anne x

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  14. Great to see your post, Gracie, and thanks for visiting my blog. The maples around here have been dropping their leaves like crazy the last few days. It was fun to see your photos of Bodega Bay. Our nephew got married near there at Goat Rock and your pictures brought back fun memories. Happy Halloween!

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  15. Lovely to catch up with you and see your lovely autumn pictures. What a happy visit with your wonderful family. Love the little blanket and hat, they are very sweet. I hope all goes well for you dear Gracie. XxX

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  16. Gracie I have been away for so long and loved reading your post today and hope I have not missed others. A lovely photo of you and your sisters. Those leaves are gorgeous and saw for myself when in Vancouver British Columbia 2 weeks apart such a change. xoxoxo

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  17. Hey great news on your house. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly. Jo xxx

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  18. I'm a bit late stopping by to catch up on all your news, dear Gracie. Glad that you've enjoyed your visit with your sisters and all the colors of the season. I love the changing colors of autumn leaves but we don't have that around here. Our trees are either green with rain or brown without :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  19. Flying would be a good way to describe life here for me. The evacuation made the weekend simply disappear. Now it's time to get back to our routine. We are thankful to have a safe home. And it's time to focus on being ready for my son's family to arrive TOMORROW for Thanksgiving!

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