Monday, September 21, 2015

A Rare and Unusual Day

We have a busy household here on the farm.  Our son Travis, DIL Kristi and grandsons Hayden (7) and Caleb (6) live here while saving to buy a house.  Our son and DIL went on a 6 day trip for their anniversary and we took care of the boys.  On Friday her sister Nikki and her husband picked up the boys and took them to the beach for 3 days.  On Saturday Dayle was asked by our older son to help him pick up an older truck he'd bought for his son, Dayle was to drive it home from Lebanon for them.  He was gone most of the day.  Travis and Kristi didn't arrive home until Saturday at 5 pm.  Where am I going with this?  Well... I had a "rare and unusual" day to myself.  :-)  Here I am, crocheting on my wedding afghan for my niece, watching FOOD Network, Giada de Laurentiis, cooking in her villa in the Amalfi Coast in Italy.  This photo is of her famous grandfather, Dino de Laurentiis and his glamorous movie star wife.


I'm endeavoring to finish this blanket so I can get busy on 3 pairs of pink baby booties for 3 baby girls expected to family and friends.



In the sunlit quiet of the day I would then read on my iPad - I'm reading "The House Riverton" by Kate Morton.  It's really well-written.  Very "Downton Abbey-esque".


Buddy curled up in his daddy's easy chair waiting for him to come home.  We adore this little golden dog.  He's so devoted to us.



From my easy chair I rested, crocheted, read and occasionally looked at my view of the dining room filled with golden light.


I would glance at the light coming in through the window to my left and enjoy the sunshine reflecting through the beveled glass hanging there.


Then I'd check and see if anyone had played a game of Scrabble or Words With Friends.. play a few games, check my email.. then crochet some more.  :-)  I did enjoy the day.. but was also glad to see Dayle arrive home.. then my son and DIL.. and the next day the boys arrived in the early afternoon.  Life is back to normal now.  



Yesterday I walked about on the deck to see how things were growing.. the "Briza Maxima", or called "Quaking Grass" or "Rattlesnake Grass" is looking very pretty!


Kristi got us a white geranium this year and it's really pretty.



The red-orange begonia we got in the Spring has done really well.  I kind of just stuck it in the side of the pot and it's done better than it's host plant!


The stream and pond garden in Autumn.. the hydrangeas even look pretty in their dried state.. the late afternoon sun is shining in the forest.



A few sections of our Pin Oak tree are turning red.. soon the whole huge tree will be brilliant red.


My blog friend Kathy recently said on her blog that she'd make a tissue holder for anyone who asked.. wasn't that nice of her?  I received this on Friday.  I love it!!  Kathy's blog



My graphic designer friend Marita contacted me recently and asked me if I'd like to put some of my photographs up on a website with one of the company's she works with.  I thought it would be fun to try.  Click HERE to check it out.  They host my images, people can order prints, and I get a percentage of the sales.  It will be fun to see if any of them sell.  :-)



A busy afternoon ahead, I will be swimming with Gracie and then have two meetings with the Friends of Multnomah Falls later.  A meeting to debrief on the 100th Anniversary Event then the regular board meeting.  I'm glad I had a nice restful weekend to recharge.  I hope you did the same and are ready for your week ahead!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

31 comments:

  1. I love to have the house to myself with no real expectations or chores to do. And then everyone comes home and it's that much better.

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  2. How wonderful to spend some precious time alone and concentrate on what you want to do for change but I am getting the distinct impression that you prefer the hustle and bustle of family life and were glad to see everyone home. Your garden is still looking beautiful in the late afternoon sun, you are blessed.

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  3. I love alone time. I have always needed some time just to myself to recharge. The beveled glass is beautiful. And very cool about your photos...hope you get some sales.

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  4. Oh Teresa! What a wonderful day. Peace and quiet, I do envy you.

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  5. Some how in the telling your quiet day still sounded kind of busy! At any rate, a bit of a change of pace. I got 5 more rows crocheted on my shawl...had to undo an end of skein tangle and wind another skein and work in some ends, too. I hope you get a good response on selling prints of your photos!
    See you soon :) xx

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  6. How nice to have a quiet day all to yourself. It looks like you made the most of it. I really like that blanket, it's coming along very nicely. I hope you're having a good day today.

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  7. How lovely to have a day of relaxation on your own. But I bet it felt strange! And no doubt you were glad to have everyone back in the end. I'm so in love with the Amalfi Coast. I saw a programme a while back with a fantastic kitchen overlooking the sea and a terraced kitchen garden. Oh it was perfection. It will stay in my memory for always I think. Wishing you a good week Teresa. CJ xx

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  8. I love to get a quiet day like that Teresa - but it is good when DH comes back and family/friends visit. Beautiful photos as always. My week last week was pretty awful but we had a more restful and pleasant weekend. Hugs Anne x

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  9. Those "free" days alone are great! Time to recharge your batteries and just relax. Your blanket looks so nice; love the low volume color scheme. Thanks for sharing the info about the photo website.

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  10. Aren't we funny? We want that QUIET Time alone..then it sounds too quiet! I do the same thing when I have a day to myself. Wouldnt want it to be the norm, but somedays its a nice change.

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  11. It's just all go with you, isn't it! - ha ha ha
    What a luxury to have the house & Buddy all to yourself.
    Lovely photo's as usual.
    Enjoy this cooler weather - perfect for making blankets.

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  12. It sounds as if you have had a lovely day. I enjoyed all of the photos here. Hasn't it been so wonderful weather-wise lately here in Western Oregon? Wishing you a happy week.

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  13. Those unexpected, quiet moments are the best! I hope it helped you recharge!

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  14. Sounds like a lovely day. If you have to be all by yourself for a day, it's great to do all the things you love!!

    Judy

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  15. Sounds like an absolutely blissful day. You need that alone time every once in awhile. Have a good week.

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  16. You probably enjoyed having that blanket on your lap while making it this weekend, huh? I had a good few days by myself. Got some clearing out of my office done but not enough. Did a bit of shopping at the outlet mall on Sunday afternoon. Take care!

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  17. Your blanket is looking beautiful Teresa. I'm sure it will be loved and appreciated. I enjoy time to myself, but I always, always, look forward to Dennis walking in the door, because then I am complete. I'm glad you had a good day to yourself but I know how much you love your family. I am so jealous of the time you and Gracie have together. Maybe someday I can live closer to you both. You just never know do you?
    Blessings my sweet friend,
    Betsy

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  18. What a lovely recharge for you Teresa....your blanket is looking beautiful.Welcome to autumn x

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  19. Your flowers are lovely as is the crocheted blanket. Sometimes we just long for a day of peace and quiet and then spend it waiting for everyone to come home!

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  20. Good luck with your photo sales Teresa. I love that first one of your garden - so very pretty. No matter what time of the year, photos of your pond are always stunning. Your day alone sounded very peaceful and happy - glad you enjoyed it. That afghan is really lovely for a wedding gift - I'm sure the recipients will treasure it for many years. By the way, I tried to comment on your last post but after having written what I wanted to say, my iPad went stupid (again) and I lost everything - so I gave up. I actually think its the modem/router that's playing up as I intermittently lose internet connection. Anyway, enough of my woes. Have a great week. xox

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  21. There is nothing like a little time to yourself to regroup. Love your photos, I know they will be best sellers.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  22. Your wedding afghan is going to me so pretty, they will cherish it for many years to come. What a sweetheart you are. Even when you are resting, you are staying busy :) Your garden and flowers are so beautiful . . . you must have a green thumb. This summer has taken a tole on our garden the vegetables love it but the flowers, especially the roses and my poor baby dogwood tree have been struggling with the heat. I do hope that next year is not a repeat of this year's heat. It's nice to see you with your feet up . . . have a sweet week.
    Connie :)

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  23. Sounds like a perfectly delicious and cozy day to yourself! I love days like that. I love your ripple blanket and the calming colors. Such a nice gift!

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  24. I love a free unexpected "day to myself"... even with DH around and no children, seems like I always get interruptions! Being alone is quite a gift now and then as I love a day with NO interruptions. Sometimes I just like to sit and eat and watch some of my fave TV shows........ or read..... or sew..... but seems like I still manage to get distracted somehow. Glad you got recharged and ready for your (as always) busy weeks ahead!

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  25. You are surrounded with nice things.
    Love your dining table too:)

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  26. Made your sourdough pancakes this morning. Delish!!! Second time even better than the first. Still feeding my starter. THANKS TO YOU

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  27. It sounds like a blissful day at home! So glad you enjoyed the time that you had to yourself! xx

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  28. What a lovely quiet day you had...so nice to have time to read and crochet and contemplate in your lovely light filled home :) But also so nice when everyone returns again! Your photos are beautiful, and I am sure they will be very popular.
    Helen xox

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  29. Your quiet day was still very busy too me lol and beautiful crochet Teresa xoxo

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  30. It's so fun to have a quiet day for yourself, but I can see how nice it's when our loved ones return to the nest :) congratulations on having your photos on your friends website. It is well deserved my friend as your pictures are marvelous !!! 💕

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  31. It is good to have some "me" time, but it is good to have everyone return safely home. Hope you do well with the photos and make some money doing it. How fun will that be anyways. You sure do have a lot of pics that are interesting and pretty. Good luck with that.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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