Ahoy! Thanks for sailing in through cyberspace today to see where I am near the grand Mt. Hood close to Portland, Oregon, USA., and to learn a bit about what crafting I have been involved in July 2020.
February 21, 2020, just before we were asked to stay safe at home except when providing or getting essential services, I filled the gas tank of my 2005 minivan. Mainly since then, I have gone out once a week for groceries. One Friday several months later my youngest daughter came to drive me to the grocery store because I had pulled something in my upper right arm and was having trouble driving. She drove me to a grocery store that took us past this nearby view of Mt. Hood where I used my iPhone to craft a photo. July 24, 2020, the gas gage in the car still said I had a little over a fourth of a tank of gas but I had it filled again, five months since the last fillup!
Day by day I crafted tried and true recipes like these GF dairy-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies most of which are still in the freezer. I think I have concocted some sort of soup and salads every day as well.
In July when crafting a mile walk in our neighborhood I took a photo of these stunning purply blue Hydrangeas that are growing nearby.
From the tiny garden I crafted on the patio, the three Sugar Snap Pea plants I planted in the planter boxes produced these yummy pods and a few more.
Because I am not a very crafty gardener the hanging plant and the Cala Lilies at the front of the unit have been amazing to view and try to tend.
Although some of my Wednesday morning group of ladies who knit and crochet preemie blankets for a local NICU only met online in Zoom meetings these are one batch of blankets and hats that was dropped off in July!
A soothing satisfying craft for me is crocheting double-thickness potholders like the one in the photo above that I finished in July for a friend. The style is my favorite kind of potholder and one I made long ago and use all the time is in the photo with the cookies I showed you.
These blankets and hats were made by a new crocheter who is in her seventies. Another friend from our Wednesday church group is a prolific knitter and crocheter and she also crafted these sweet rocks and dropped them off in my patio one day. 💕
During the hot days of July, I have also been crafting cool drinks of almond milk swirled with various kinds of frozen fruit. I am especially fond of melon and blueberries!
In this batch of blankets and hats that were dropped off are ones crafted on round plastic looms by a friend who has limited mobility in her hands. She enjoys making them and does so with love.
The little rose bush in the front of my unit is producing its second round of summer roses. I crafted this display of some of them amidst blue glass on the kitchen windowsill. You might really enjoy the rose's delicate lovely scent~ ~
One of my favorite spots on the patio is this corner where I crafted this pottery fountain made from a bowl that my mom bought from a potter in Nederland, Colorado where I lived for two and a half years in the early 1980s.
This morning I pulled the spent Sugar Snap Pea vines from the planter on the left leaving the Sweet Pea flower vines. Do you think they will produce some colorful scented flowers? In the right planter, I have a Clematis vine mingled with Morning Glory vines. The Clematis has finished blooming for the season and the Morning Glory has not produced any flowers yet. I have had mixed results in crafting gardens throughout my years, but I am ever hopeful for good results!
The July online prompt I got from my Joy of Artful Worship facilitator focuses on crafting the following verses onto decorated index cards to share with others.
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
1Corinthians 15: 1-4 NIV
16 For the Lord, himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thess. 4:16-18 NIV
Another thing I have been crafting in July is this blog post. I have been using the new Blogger format and have not figured out how to sequence photos in the order I want, but other than that I have survived😊
and you have too if you are reading this. Bravo! Please let me know how you are crafting your life these days.
Gracie xx
Ah Mount Hood, it seems like an old friend. I've only filled my car up with fuel twice since April. Love that you have been crafting so many things. Keep safe, CN xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy to visit your blog today and read through your activities and crafts. I am crafting my days by using the internet to listen to our church services and working through a bible study with some of the women from church using zoom. Where would we be without the technology that is available these days. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you crafted a blog post! I think you're doing very well keeping active and productive during this difficult time. I'm trying to do so as well. I'm enjoying the coolness of today after many days of too much heat. We have windows open and I'm going out to the gazebo soon to work on the lavender wreath. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteHello Gracie. Glad that you are crafting and staying safe during these difficult times. Anne x
ReplyDeleteGracie so good to see your post here. Made my day brighter 😀😀
ReplyDeleteIt's SO good to see your post tonight Gracie and read about the ways you're spending your days crafting goodness and love with those around you. The cookies, dishcloth and flowers are all lovely.
ReplyDeleteUntil we began going to the lake I had the same story with the gas in my car. I only drove about 2 miles each way to Walmart to pick up a grocery order about every 3 weeks. Now we go through a LOT of gas until our next move since Dennis has a long commute every day.
I would love to have a group to craft with. You are blessed to have your Wednesday Zoom group. We do that on Thursday nights for Bible study. Your group has made some absolutely beautiful blankets. I'm especially impressed by the lady in her 70's who has just learned to crochet. Her blankets are works of art.
Gracie, I'm praying for continued good health for you and all of those dear to you. We have been watching church online and taking communion together, but I long for the day when we can safely worship with other believers. Our virus numbers have been setting records daily recently. I stay at the trailer now that we're done at the house. We hope to close the end of this week or early next week. Please pray that all will go smoothly with that and with the trailer move.
Take care my dear friend.
Blessings,
Betsy
Wonderful to see your post today Gracie. I have made myself a cup of tea and am sitting in my deliciously cool living room (thank goodness for AC it is 33ºC today) enjoying this read about how you have been spending your days recently. The cookies sound delicious for a start! Cookies do not last very long in my house! That almond milk sounds very refreshing indeed. Beautiful roses,the blue glass a perfect setting for them. I love to see generous piles of crochet makes....all so pretty! stay safe Amanda x
ReplyDeleteIf everyone stayed at home as much as you have, this country would not have 150,000 Covid deaths. Staying home as much as possible is way to honor God, don't you think? It shows a deep respect for life. My Torah study group has been meeting on Zoom, and it works quite well.
ReplyDeleteYou have certainly used your time well -- and charitably. I have also been very happy to shelter in place and do creative things at home. I love your idea of mixing almond milk with fruit!
Stay safe and healthy!
You have been very busy crafting dear Gracie as have so many of your friends, making lovely items that will be cherished. Stay safe and Happy August.
ReplyDeleteGracie, thank you for the words of the Lord today! And i love the blue vases and your flowers . My clematis bloom twice usually. THey are explosive in May and then die off but by September if I keep their feet wet, they are blooming again. Hope you get two showings too.
ReplyDeleteWhere do I begin? So many things crafted and accomplished. You certainly are not letting the grass grow under your feet♥ Be safe and well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet and refreshing post, full of lovely photos and encouraging words! I find myself thinking more and more about the Lord's return these days. Creation is groaning indeed right now. What a blessing that we still have flowers blooming and vegetables producing. God is good.
ReplyDeleteYour blue glass is so vibrant and pretty. Thank you for sharing it, and your crafts, with us!
I love reading your posts, they are always uplifting and I love seeing all the cool places you go and the pretty things you make. Your pot holder is awesome. What stitch do you use to make it look that way? It is lovely. I also love all the pretty flowers and photos you shared. I hope you are feeling much better now. :) I find it is in the quiet of being creative that I find Him. There is no greater time than to spend time with Him. Love the idea of the index cards to give to others. Now every time they see them they will be refreshed by His word and also smile because of your kindness. Blessings to you always. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteSo nice to catch up on your news, dear Gracie, you've been keeping busy even if the gas gauge hasn't moved much :-) I love the photo of the peanut butter cookies with the crochet dish rug, it has a wonderful homey, vintagy vibe.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo