On the drive from Sonoma to Santa Rosa, California, this is one of my favorite views as Winter moderates to welcome Spring.
The orange flowers in the field are we think a variety of Calendula, but do any of you viewing this recognize these?
Sadly we can also see some of the devastations from the October 2017 wildfires that took 41 lives in this region.
The burned trees on the hills are a stark contrast to the vineyards that now have Mustard plants growing in them to improve the soil quality.
My oldest sister, Carolyn took most of these photos from the car with my iPhone 7plus as we drove to one of her chemo appointments.
Even though this photo is a bit of a green blur, it captures some of the beautiful plant growth along the way that has us thanking the Lord for life in spite of the fires.
This is the slouchy hat I just finished crocheting for Carolyn. I used an H hook and USA double crochet stitches. Forming a sliding circle I crocheted a flat circle twelve inches across. At
Teresa's suggestion, I used Lucy's great tutorial on her blog,
Attic 24. I crocheted five more rows on the twelve-inch circle then began decreasing until it fit Carolyn's head. The yarn is 100% acrylic Red Heart Unforgettable Jewel medium weight and I did not use the whole skein.
Carolyn loves the colors, softness, and lightweight feel of the hat and we are having fun flopping it into different slouches on her head :-)
Carolyn's last CT scan shows improvement in her condition! We are thanking the Lord for that and appreciate so much the prayers and good thoughts sent out for her healing.
This week while Carolyn's oldest daughter and some Grands are here from Nebraska, I plan to drive back home to Boring, Oregon, and stay long enough to submit my taxes and go in for a dental check, visit family and friends up there...then fly back down here to help Carolyn out for a bit longer.
I am missing communicating with many during this time but hope this post will help to catch those who read it up on my activities and let you know I am cheering you on in your life adventure as best as I can at the moment.
Gracie :-) xx
Ooooh so lovely to hear from you and love that hat on your beautiful sister. Much healing hugs her way 💖💖💖💖 Fires devastate so many beautiful places and destroy lives.....sadness for sure. Enjoy your trip back to family and friends and will keep your sister in my thoughts. Wendy xxoo currently in NZ
ReplyDeleteOh sweet Gracie it was so good to hear from you. The photos are wonderful although the fire devastation saddens me. We have much forest land burnt here too, but not the loss of life. How tragic.
ReplyDeleteThe hat you made for Carolyn is just gorgeous. Every stitch made with love. I have surely been praying for her and the news of improvement is SO good to hear.
My prayers will be with you as you drive northward. Please take good care and enjoy your time with family. We all miss you here in blogland.
Blessings always,
Betsy
It's wonderful to hear from you dear Gracie. Carolyn looks so lovely in the beautiful hat you made for her. I hope she continues to heal in her recovery. Have a safe trip. Hugs, Pat
ReplyDeleteWIll pray for full healing for your sister! She looks so happy in the hat your created from a loving heart and hands!!
ReplyDeleteHello Gracie. Lovely to catch up with you and so pleased that your sister is showing some improvement. The hat is super. Safe journey home. Anne x
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear of Carolyn's improvement! Bravo! You did a fabulous job on the hat! Be sure to tell her to put the seam on the back when she dons the hat. I always do that with all my hand-made hats. I hope you drive very carefully back here in a few days! Please keep me in the loop of your progress and especially when you get safely home. I am very much looking forward to our lunch together and a swim, too. We need to celebrate your belated birthday!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Grace, what lovely pictures and a pretty hat. Praying for your sister and God bless you all. Enjoy your time at home.
ReplyDeleteErika
Carolyn's hat is so colourful, so pleased you have some good news. Hope you won't be too busy on your trip home. Sarah x
ReplyDelete... and just stopping by to cheer you on from Thailand! You have a lot on, your slouchy hat is wonderful and Carolyn looks radiant.
ReplyDeleteWren x
Thanks for sharing photos of where you're at in California. Slouchy hat is cute and your sister looks nice in it. I'm glad she's feeling better. Prayers for her healing and safety in your travels my friend! God's blessings to you and and your family.
ReplyDeleteHi Gracie, your hat looks so soft and bright on your beautiful sister. I'm so glad that you could be there to help her along. Lovely photos of the countryside and nice to see the tragically burned areas regenerating with the spring. Take good care of yourself, too. Sending hugs and blessings to you both. xo Karen
ReplyDeleteI am sending good wishes your sister's way. I'm so glad the last CT scan looked good. Such a long and hard process!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that your sister is improving, dear Gracie. She looks so pretty in her new hat. And I enjoyed the drive, the views and the open spaces.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
I don't know if you are still home in Portland and were there for Easter. Wherever you are, Happy Easter to you!
ReplyDeleteThe photos are lovely. How I love it when spring returns and brings the flowers!
Hello Gracie,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE the hat you made it looks so soft and drapey and comforting somehow! I hope it brings lots of love and hope to your sister (there is always love in crochet stitches) and that she continues to hold strong. Much love to you both,
Lucyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx