Thanks to Amy from her Love Made My Home blog, I am posting Five on Friday. As I mentioned in my last post, I planned to drive to California and back to help my oldest sister celebrate her 75th birthday, and I did! 28 hours of driving over four days, mostly in the rain, was still beautiful, and I loved the time I had with family and friends.
 |
| One: Heceta Head Light |
Even in the mist and rain, I love the Pacific Coast! From this lookout I looked down and saw many sea lions stretched out on the rocky shore.
 |
| Two: Mt. Hood and the moon from the corner of Orient Drive and Waybill Road |
When I got home I launched into a busy week of family celebrations [a small group meeting in our home, two family birthdays and a family couple's anniversary] all of which were impacted by the surprising results of the USA elections. By the end of the week I was exhausted as I grappled with my part in all of the above.
 |
| Three: The night after the Super Moon |
It was cloudy here the night the moon was so spectacularly close to earth, but the next night I snapped this photo...just to celebrate the historic event.
 |
| Four: Joy and her Dad crowning our tree with starlight. |
Then it was Thanksgiving, and I celebrated several times in various settings. It is our tradition to put up our Christmas tree as soon after Thanksgiving as possible which was Friday night this year.
 |
Five: The first Sunday in Advent 2016
Sunday night our church home life group started exploring verses that predicted the coming of the Savior of the world. Next we looked at verses describing the coming of Jesus Christ, and finally we considered verses that declare He, who announced He is the Light of the world, will return to judge and rule and reign forever.
As the days work their way to the darkest day of the year here, I find myself turning on lights and lighting candles sooner and more! This last month I have been knitting a preemie blanket and working on some paper folding craft projects. I yearn to be cozy and warm and crafting in the light, do you?
Gracie xx
|
Such a wonderful post Gracie. I'm so glad you were able to celebrate with your sister. It sounds as though your life is busy and humming right along. I've put out a few decorations but no tree this year. With no family coming home I just don't have the energy to put one up. Love your home groups study. Perfect for this season of joy. Enjoy your preparations.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Lovely - how nice of you to drive so far to celebrate your sister's birthday! Wonderful photos and thoughts. Wishing you a relaxing and blessed weekend. xx K
ReplyDelete28 hours driving time - this is epic! I am glad you enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the way though. Family is so important and I am so happy you enjoyed seeing your sister and celebrating with her and her family. I liked to read about your tradition of putting up your tree soon after Thanksgiving, it is nice. We don't get our tree until about the 20th of December. Traditionally, when I was little, it would go up on Christmas Eve and stay until Epiphany. Have a lovely weekend. x
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the cozy blankets and fragrance of lightly scented candles this time of year as well. Not done much knitting lately. I'm pulling out small fiber optic tree this day so grandchildren can enjoy it while they stay with us. I pulled out advent book and read first day. Love this time of year. Glad you had a good visit with family. Hugs and blessings!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! That's quite a drive. We have to move daughter from Michigan to Minnesota soon - over 900 miles. Not looking forward to it. We're hoping to do it in one (very long) day lol.
ReplyDeleteHappy Five on Friday
How sweet to get to spend your sister's 75th birthday with her! So wonderful! Loved the photos taken during the trip. Love that you also had a blessed Thanksgiving. So did we...invited by friends from church to share in their big family gathering. It was very sweet. God bless you and yours as this Christmas season approaches! We are still here in Tucson but will be leaving before you know it. Please pray for our safe travels with this December weather!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, so glad you had a good trip and well done on all that driving. I love the photo of Joy putting the star on top of the tree...so sweet. Enjoy your weekend, dear Gracie.
ReplyDeleteHelen xox
The photo of Joy on her father's shoulders is so special and will be a wonderful memory in the future. The photo of the coastline is just gorgeous; we really would like to drive that one day.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend and savor the focus on looking for the light.
Lovely post, Gracie. You've been busy. So nice you were able to celebrate with your sister. Beautiful photo of Joy and her Dad. Happy Friday and light more candles! :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the view on your drive down to wine country in California to spend time with your family. What a beautiful lighthouse! I also loved the photo of Joy putting the star on the tree.. the stuff of memories. It was fun to see your purple sheep in that last photo. I hope you feel better soon! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteWe Wish You a Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ We Wish You a Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas We Wish You A Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪...And A Happy New Year!♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪..
My goodness you have been very busy, I can see why you would enjoy some time to sit and relax and enjoy your advent preparations. Hope you had lots of fun with your various family occasions!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a good sister driving all those hours to spend time with your sister. The photo of topping the tree was a real delight, memories for you to treasure. A beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteHi Gracie, I'm so happy you had a great trip to celebrate your sister's birthday. It looks ike you have been busy but having fun at the same time. I love the idea of the candles and Bible verses as we anticipate the nativity of our Lord. Hugs, Pat xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a long drive! I would have hated it!! It has been so busy lately and we haven't finished yet! Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteA really lovely post. Thank you for sharing all the pretty pictures and all the fun adventures you have been having. Blessings always. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm head over heels in love with your moon photo. The best one I've seen.
ReplyDeleteWonderful five and beautiful photos. It sounds as if you have had some special family times. Such a long journey you went on to see your sister I'm so glad it was enjoyable too:)
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful photos. Glad you had a safe trip. We're from northern California originally.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo's looks like you've been very busy enjoy the season
ReplyDeleteClare x
Wonderful sceneries and Christmas delight!
ReplyDeleteGracie your post today mad me smile. You are so active and happy, that is what really matters. I am lighting a candle as soon as I get home from soccer with Little B, I hope to enjoy it well into the evening.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and that must have been some journey. Sounds like you had a special time with your family.
ReplyDeleteThat is true sisterly love 28 hours driving in the rain!
ReplyDeleteHappy cosy, crafting!
Wren x
OH yes! I do. I love the little one topping the tree!!!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, you have been busy making memories with your family!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how much I love that very first photo. Gorgeous!
Hi Gracie. What a nice thing, to go visit your family in CA for your sister's birthday! I hope you don't make that drive alone though!!
ReplyDeleteI have not been blogging, or even reading blogs lately. I was so put off after the election, to read what people were writing on their blogs. I just stopped looking.
I hope you are well my friend.
xo Kris
Lovely photos. Definitely sounds like busy times where you are. That's a whole lot of driving. Glad you are home safe and sound. Happy December! Happy Holidays! Happy new week. Tammy
ReplyDeleteIt is always wonderful to spend time with family, but that is some drive! You are a very good sister :-)
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Hello Gracie and thank you for visiting me. sorry you've been unwell as well. What a drive that was! Lovely photos. The photo of the little one putting the star on the tree is one to treasure. We have a star on our tree as well. I may be a bit odd but I like winter. Love cold crisp days, pretty lights, candles and a real fire. Take care . Hugs Anne x
ReplyDeleteYou have been so busy, that does sound a long way to travel! I thought the Pacific Coast looked wonderful despite the rain and grey skies. Your image of the moon looks so magical. I hope you have a more restful week. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to share your sister's special birthday with her, Gracie. And the drive sounds
ReplyDeleteglorious! Wishing you and your family a beautiful holiday season.
You have been busy with all your celebrations. That was certainly a mammoth journey to California. We can't even grapple with such distances over here :)
ReplyDeleteYou have had a busy, but wonderful time recently with family and friends. Wishing you a restful Advent season.
ReplyDeleteReally love your Advent table---simple but quite lovely and peaceful! Also really love your coast photo 😄Happy to hear you were able to celebrate such an important birthday with your sister! God bless, Aimee
ReplyDelete