Thursday, February 13, 2014

Home Again!

I finally ventured out on the highways yesterday and made my way back to Spokane.  This is what I encountered along the Columbia Gorge. Wet highways but no snow on them.  Up to two foot of snow was piled alongside the road though and I'm very gtrateful that I stayed a few extra days and didn't drive while that was falling.
The heaviest snow began around Multnomah Falls and continued until I passed The Dalles.  Then the sun came out and it was 50 degrees when I arrived at home.  Most of our snow is gone too but more is predicted this weekend.
A frozen lake right next to the Columbia.
While it was very beautiful on the mountainsides, I'll take a warm summer day anytime!  :-)
Here is the newborn sleep sack that I finished at Mandy's. It's for one of my online charity groups that requested them and provided the pattern.
This is my next project.  Do any of your spice cabinets look like this?  
I bought this at the store this morning. Canning jars and chalkboard paint.  I've begun the project and I'll let you know next time if it worked out.
I started Teresa's piano doily/cloth last night just before bed.  That is one huge ball of cotton thread.  I bought it in Portland at michaels for 40% off plus I used a gift card I got for my birthday. It was a $15.00 gift card and I got the Paris box and birds I showed you last week plus this thread.  All of it only cost .56.  I did very well didn't I?
Remember the little cloche I found at the antique store with Teresa? I wasn't sure what to put under it and didn't want to buy anything right now so this is what I came up with.  It's a tiny candleholder with a silk rose on it.  It sits on the coffe table right next to my bird collection and really looks beautiful.  This photo doesn't do it justice.  It looks so delicate and the etching on the glass sparkles.

When I unpacked my suitcase last night guess what I found?  One of Pipers socks!  She helped me fold laundry and put it away Tuesday and when she put my things in the suitcase she must have put her sock in too.  I looked and looked for that sock.  It is so tiny and you know how the sock monsters always eat socks when you wash them.  I put it into an envelope and mailed it to her this morning.  :-)

I started going to a new, (to me), Bible study this morning.  It is called BSF, short for Bible Study Fellowship.  I guess it's been around since 1952 but I just heard of it a few months ago.  This particular study is all women, about 130 of us!  We sing, break into small groups and then get back together for a lesson given by a lady I happen to know.  This same exact lesson is done by women all over the world each week.  It is very structured and has printed lessons that every group follows.  Women of all denominations are there and one of the rules is that you don't ask anyone or tell anyone what church you go to.  This is so no pre-conceived barriers are erected.  I've never taken part of anything like this and look forward to seeing what it's all about.  There are three months of "pilot lessons" before the main studies begin in the fall.  I missed the first week last week, but they were gracious enough to let me begin today.  Lots of homework goes along with it.

Now I'm going to go sit In my chair and crochet for awhile.  Thank you for the wonderful comments and prayers for me as I drove home.  I truly appreciate each and every one of you!

Blessings,
Betsy

26 comments:

  1. I was so worried about your trip home! I don't know how you made it as I-84 is closed at Troutdale today because of the rock avalanche onto the roadway. Did you see the rockfall? Or did you just miss it? I'm so excited about the piano doily! It's very pretty! I'm glad you're enjoying the little cloche.. that is a real treasure. Enjoy being with your hubby and have a fun day tomorrow! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. I must have just missed the rockslide! I hope you and Dayle have a great day too!

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  2. Oh I am so glad you to hear you made it home safely Betsy! My....that sure is a beautiful sight over there.I know it's bitter cold so I am hoping it will warm up just a bit for you soon!
    I think it's just adorable that Piper put her sock into your suitcase!!! little ones are the sweetest aren't they. Good for you on the new Bible study group.
    Happy Valentine's Day and thank you so much for my birthday wishes!
    xx Shari

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    1. Happy Valentines Day to you too! I'm glad to be home too. Snow is predicted every day next week.

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  3. What a pretty drive home you must have had! At least it's pretty to me. Love it! Too funny about the sock. So precious. I'm curious to see what you do with the jars and paint and spices...hmm...

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  4. It was very pretty! It was hard to take pictures while driving. I just held up the phone and clicked without looking!

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  5. I'm really glad you made it home safely. It sounds like it was beautiful when you got there. I can't wait to see what you do with the spice cabinet, I love projects like this!

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    1. The snow was all melted at home when I arrived, but it's falling again today so winter is not done with us yet!
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  6. Hi Betsy. I am so glad you are home safe and sound! Looks like it was a beautiful ride though. I chuckled when I read about finding Piper's sock in your suitcase. That is so cute.
    Your Bible study sounds interesting! And I will be eager to see your doily when you are done. I have yet to venture down the doily making road just yet.
    Love the baby sleep sak as well!!!!
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Hi Kris,
      The drive was beautiful and I'm glad the roads were good. I'm just getting ready to sit down to two weeks worth of homework so I'm curious to see what the study all involves.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  7. So glad you are home safe and sound, Betsy! Your views on the way home were beautiful, even though I know winter is not your favorite season :) I love your rose under glass...reminds us that blooms are precious, yes? Although I heard of Bible Study Fellowship and visited one in NY several times, I never actually stuck with the lessons. I will be interested to hear how you like it. I LOVE that Piper sent one of her socks home with Gramma :) Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours! xx

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    1. The rose turned out nice didn't it? I'm getting ready to start two weeks of homework this morning so I'll see how well I like it. :-) Seeing Piper's socks reminds me of playing, "this little piggy went to market" with her and I get all teary again. Silly Gramma.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  8. I am SO happy that you made it home safely! LOVE the doily you started on and can't wait to see your finished pantry project (I am one big Pandora type lady)!
    Your Bible Study sounds great--I am looking forward to being part of one soon.
    Blessings + Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow,
    Aimee

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    1. It's snowing again today, but not too much. I'm hoping the pantry project turns out well. I'm waiting for paint to dry at the moment!
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  9. So happy you made it home and that you got there safe and sound :) I love the beginning of your doily it looks so pretty. Did you say u r making it for Teresa? She will love it . I have seen the table cloths you can make and they are fabulous!!! I'm sure it was so hard for you to part with that little sock...but I'm sure you felt so good spending all that tome with her while here in portland. It was really great to see you my dear friend.

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    1. Hi Taci:
      Teresa has been wanting a doily/cloth for her piano so I told her I would make her one. I enjoy making thread projects and I'm running out of room. Just let me know and I'll make one for you too!
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  10. Happy Valentine's Day Betsy. I plan on wearing your beautiful heart pin today, close to my heart where I keep loving thoughts of you! Glad you are home safe and sound, and I think that little sock was a tiny gift to you, a little reminder that Piper is with you every day, maybe not right nest to you, but you are in her heart as much as she is in yours. Have a love filled day my friend.
    Meredith

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    1. Meredith:
      I'm glad you like the heart. Happy Valentines Day!
      Bleesings,
      Betsy

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  11. I am so very thankful you made it back safely home....and missed the rock slide, too. :)

    Too sweet about her little sock in your suite case...I know it had to make you smile when you saw it.

    Oh I love your doily start...what pattern is it?

    Wishing you a most wonderful and happy Valentine's Day sweet friend. :)

    Blessings to you and yours always

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    1. I'm glad to be home too. A friend told me the highway could be closed through the weekend because of the rockslide so I'm glad I came home when I did.
      I'll have to look up the name of the doily. It's free on Ravelry.
      Happy Valentine's Day!
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  12. Your bible study group sounds wonderful. It sounds like something I would be interested in :)
    Awww I bet that little sock made you smile, I am sure mum will be glad to have it back though.
    How talented are you with that doily??? It is so intricate, I am in awww, and your lovely rose reminds me of Beauty and the Beast x

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    1. I thought of Beauty and the Beast when I saw the picture too! How funny! I already miss the little sock. I should have kept it instead of mailing it back. :-)
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  13. Glad to hear you waited it out and then made it home safe and sound. They say that the weather is supposed to get better for everything over the weekend so I hope that will be the case. .56 for all that you bought -- now that is a deal! The start of your doily is lovely. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Tammy

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  14. Glad you had a good trip home. That frozen lake by the gorge is beautiful. I saw it a few years ago when I went up to Multnomah Falls when it was frozen. Rock slide happened Thursday evening. We made different plans for my birthday outing today instead of lunch at Multnomah falls lodge. We had a good time. I loved the story about finding Piper's sox in your suitcase! Sweet! Happy Valentines Day! ♡

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  15. Hello Betsy, I am happy you had a safe drive home. I agree I would take Spring and Summer anyday to our blustery Winters,.. Lovely photos of your trip home along the gorge.. Such a beautiful place. I really like your Pink Rose inside your "Cloche". Very pretty indeed. The start of your doily is very pretty. I reckon Piper wanted you to have a wee token of her to take on our trip home. Hugs Judy

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  16. Gorgeous images. Okay, i think I may be knitting a sleep sack soon

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