Of Lefse, Rosemaling + Celtic Harps: Pt I

Every summer, at about this time of the year,

Junction City is transformed into a magical, happy place filled with:

 

plants and flowers

 

crafts and pretty tapestries

(pretty sure this was part of Desiree of Sweden's collection--love these rugs)!

 

a BIG dala horse

(every year we 'hunt' the Dala to capture a photo of him).

 

Big Vikings...

 

 

and little dancing Vikings too:)

 

 

Trolls of every kind

(this was a pesky--but oh so funny one)

:) more of him later...

 

 

and Nordic treats of many kinds including this very, very yummy lefse!

 

Mmm, lefse:)

 

More to come...

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Photos:

Scandinavian Festival, Junction City, Oregon

 

Links:

http://scandinavianfestival.com/

 

Lazy Days of Summer? I Don't Think So!

I've heard it said that summer is filled with lazy days,

and when I was a child it seemed like this season went on and on--

 till one actually became a little bored with it.

 

But things have changed since then--

and this summer the days have been anything

but lazy or boring!

Here are some of the things we've been doing this summer

(and this was just part of one day).

We've been...

 

 

jumping

(well mostly one of us has been).

 

 

And we've been doing some running too

(again mostly one of us).

 

We've been doing some crafts--

molding (dinosaurs of course)

 

and learning to make sand 'casts' too.

 

 

And we've been doing a whole lot of dog watching, dog petting and dog hugging

(because we are all HUGE dog lovers)!

This is for you Sam:)

 

 

We've also been trying some new things...

 

but sometimes not enjoying them very much at all:)

 

But the best thing we've been doing this summer is hugging...

LOTS and LOTS of hugging,

and truly that is making these not so lazy days of summer a most wonderful time!

 

So what are you doing these days?

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Coming soon:

Of Lefse, Rosemaling and Celtic Harps

(Farmer Boy and Aimee go to another Scandinavian Festival)

 

Photos:

North Oregon Coast

(between Garibaldi and Rockaway)

© 2013 A. Blessings. All rights reserved.

Please don't copy.

Early August Garden

Viewer warning:

The following photos were not taken during the golden hour of the day.

They were not taken early enough to catch the beauty of the early morning dew

or after a wonderful, refreshing summer shower (I wish)...

and they were not taken with a tripod

(and should have been)

but still I hope you will enjoy them :)

 

 

I am always amazed at the visitors to our garden...

both the 'wild ones' and the plants that keep arriving unexpectedly!

This year we were blessed with this beautiful sunflower in the midst of our lingonberries.

I love sunflowers at this time of year and one of my favorite things to do is to walk through a field full of them...

 

Kiwi progress shot...

I love the way the kiwi leaf underneath almost looks like a bowl for them.

These are fuzzy kiwi and every year we harvest lots of them...

and I do mean, lots!

Another fun thing I like to do is visit kiwi farms...

where they actually know what they are doing:)

 

Crocosmia time--I can never get enough of these either.

Each year I wait (impatiently) for their gorgeous flowers to beautify our yard;

each year I am not disappointed!

And of course, this year I was sorely tempted to buy another one...

but where to put it?

 

Another volunteer plant we see a lot of--

besides our native moss which is taking over one of the paths by the upper pond (yippee!),

is the fern...

and I can never have enough of them too.

I almost feel like marking out the area where I wish them to plant themselves...

 

This daylily is one of my most favorite--

I love the pastel yellow

(hate the lighting; love the flower).

I can tell autumn is getting closer--

this week my friend cut a good part of our daylilies to the ground.

Am I ready for fall to begin?

Hum...

no, probably not--although I have found myself enjoying the

 cloudier, cooler conditions we have had lately.

And (I almost hate to say this)--

I caught myself wishing praying for rain earlier this week.

Fortunately God knew what was best for this time...

 

Barrels a waiting...

yes, another project has been added to my 'to do' list

(along with the bamboo taming, lace stepping stones crafting, deck repair, etc., etc.)

 

And with this photo, taken in our miniature rose garden,

 I bid you adieu because my day is about to get very, very crazy in a little while...

(and there is also great hope I will see the small bubbly one today)!

 

Have a blessed weekend!

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

A Day of Firsts: Part II

There are those moments in your life you will never forget--

intense, momentous, significant moments...

and who would have known that not too many minutes after this photo was taken,

one of those moments would occur...

(and this is the PERFECT photo for what was to come).

 

 

And-- did I say I wouldn't have my camera with me during

 that "intense, momentous, significant" moment in time?

Nope! And you'll understand why in just a bit.

 

But on with those 'other' firsts--first...

 

 

The aforementioned moment occurred here...

at beautiful Fort Yamhill--located above both the Grande Ronde and Yamhill River Valleys.

This is a wonderful, very historic spot that I've been visiting for awhile now and it is part of the Oregon State Park system.

 

The fort was originally built in 1856 and...

it was built, I found out,

to not only protect the settlers

but also to protect the Native Americans that were on the reservation

(there were concerns that the Native Americans might be attacked by those concerned with the problems in southern Oregon at that time).

 This photo brings back some 'historical' memories...

LOL

I would almost 'swear' that in this photo,

my granddaughter looks just like her dad eons ago...

well except for the whole pink sunglasses and sandals,

floral sundress, long hair and female DNA thing:)

 

I think it was during his Teenage Mutant Ninja phase...

 

 

This house was another first---

for it is,

despite what the Wikipedia article says,

one of the original officer's homes.

Yep!

It was set to be destroyed (I believe by burning--shudder),

when someone realized that this was not just some old farmhouse.

That very brilliant and very wise person

recognized that under the 'improvements'

was the original home of one of the officers stationed at the fort.

 

So the home was saved, put back into its beautiful, incredible, original condition

(yippee for historic preservation and those who worked on this house to restore it)

AND

it's set to be moved back up on the hill where it once stood!

 

BTW, I saw this house before its restoration and I can attest to what a wonderful job they have done.

I can also attest that this (well not this specific house but one like it)

would make a dream house-cottage for me...

of course I would need indoor plumbing,

which this one never had:)

That is because I am NOT a pioneer woman

(even though I am a descendant of quite a few of them).

 

Isn't this house a pretty little thing?

I LOVE the whitewash

(done with a lime solution and not paint);

I love the design!

It would be perfect for a loving couple and their three dogs.

 

Oh it was also here that my granddaughter and I first learned of something--

but we'll keep that quiet for awhile because it might become a future post:)

 

 

First sightings of these pretty wildflowers by a creek in the forest.

 

And that brings us to our last first--

for today that is.

It was here,

on this very spot,

not too long after this photo was taken...

and we had walked down to the creek,

that my granddaughter and Papi became a temporary living totem pole:)

 

But you'll have to take my word for it because I can't show you that photo--

I will show you another goofy granddaughter face though.

 

 

And that "intense, momentous, significant" moment that occurred at Fort Yamhill?

Well, as I said, there are NO photos

(thankfully)

but it involved a first for my granddaughter...

using a vault toilet

(with a bit lot of support--literally--from grandma)

And it was good that I didn't have my camera at that very moment

for more reasons than one--

because it would most likely be at the bottom of said compartment right now:)

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Photos:

Fort Yamhill and Oregon coast range, July 2013.

© 2013 A. Blessings

All rights reserved.

Please do not copy.

Thanks:)

 

Notes:

Fort Yamhill--Oregon State Parks site

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Yamhill

(some errors on this site but has information on the notable people who served at the fort during its history--including Phil Sheridan)

and to see photos of the condition of the Officer's Home before its restoration,

please see this great blog I found today

http://pnwphotoblog.com/2010/03/11/fort-yamhill-polk-county-oregon/

(I LOVE blogs about history)!

If you follow Rick's links in this post you will also find photos of the original blockhouse that served the fort till it closed--this was moved to Dayton and is now in a park there...

(And yes, I have photos of these items --

I am a history nut after all--

but I like his photos better)

:)

 



A Day of Firsts: Part I

It was a day of firsts...

 

 

First ice cream cone in a bowl...

 

First horseback ride

(such a big girl)

 

First, but definitely not the last,

scramble to rescue beach toys from the incoming tide.

 

First chance to say thank you to the horse (Chinook) who gave you your first,

but definitely not last, horseback ride!

(Grandma and grandpa both had horses when they were younger;

grandma has never lost her love for them and still on occasion takes a ride).

 

First water fight with grandpa at the coast...

SO much fun

(for you both)!

 

First, but most assuredly not the last, goofy granddaughter face by the bay...

 

 

A day of firsts--

but this was definitely NOT the first smile grandma captured that day...

 

To be continued...

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Photos:

All photos this post © 2013 A. Blessings.

All rights reserved.

Please do not copy unless I have given you permission to do so.

Oregon's central coast. late July 2013.

 

 

 

Words That Give Grace

"Communication is like a little path into a person's heart and words spoken in a positive way give the listener life."
Julia

I am SO not perfect and sometimes, especially with certain people, I just lose it...
Here is an excellent post (with gorgeous photos) on the legacy we leave behind by the words that we allow to come forth out of our mouths.
Do we like the book of our lives that we're all writing? It not there is still time to make the next chapter better:)
 
Blissfully Content: Words That Give Grace

Blessings,
Aimee

Photo: along the Salmon River in Oregon's Coast Range (summer, 2012)
Notes: Julia, of Blissfully Content also has many great ideas for home and garden! Did I say she is also from the PNW?? :)

Of Alpacas, Lavender, Provence + Tea: Pt I

Happy Monday to you!

On our last visit I left you in the hills of Helveta--

a beautiful rural area located not too far from the hustle and bustle of Metro Portland.

And I believe I left you admiring my favorite hat--a pink one of course--in Helvetia Lavender's outdoor tea pavilion...

so that is where I'll start today.

 

 

Last year my honored guest was my DH--so tea was not an option

(he is a coffee lover through and through)...

this year I brought my best friend so tea in the pavilion was a definite yes:)

 

 

We had a very yummy scone with juicy, sweet Oregon berries and whipped cream.

I had iced tea with stevia; my friend hot tea...

did I say it was sweets with a very sweet view?

 

 

During the Festival the farm has many garden areas...

this water feature has been a favorite of mine for two years now!

LOVE the colors:) 

 

My friend and I spent quite a bit of time here learning about spinning,

touching (and admiring) the beauty and softness of alpaca wool.

Oh and picking out the sweater of my dreams--if I can lose some weight that is:)

 

 

Now I LOVE alpacas and have been wanting to visit a alpaca farm for a long, long time--

so you know I was in heaven getting to meet this little one year old.

Do you know alpacas sing?

Or maybe they hum...anyway this little cutie was vocalizing while I was admiring their beauty.

Ah! I think I'm in love...

 

Back to spinning...

it was really exciting and interesting getting to know more about this age old process.

The spinner (actually this whole farm family) was delightful--

we really enjoyed our time there,

and it made my desire to learn how to knit and crochet even bigger!

I SO need to talk to my SIL about lessons:)

 

Back in the gardens -- I LOVED this plant but have forgotten the name.

*Update (7/22): it's a Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides)*

 

Isn't it beautiful?

I love white flowers and always include them at home.

Speaking of gardens,

mine is going to need some TLC this week because it is going to be a warm week.

How's yours?

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Next post...a bit of Provence in Helvetia.  

 

Notes:

Here is the link to Helvetia Lavender Farm

http://www.helvetialavenderfarm.com/index.html

Festival is over for this year (sigh),

but it is my understanding that

their tea pavilion will be open the next 2 Friday and Saturdays for tea

and that profits from tea benefit Good Samaritan Ministries.

I like that:)

 

And here is the link for Oregon Alpaca Farms

http://www.alpacasoforegon.com/

Love that alpaca yarn!

 

 

 

 

Of Alpacas, Lavender, Provence + Tea: Pt II

 

It's Friday Monday and time to return to beautiful Helvetia and the Lavender Festival.

As I mentioned in part I,

there are many different garden areas at this farm--

ranging from smaller ones made in old wheelbarrows to larger ones.

I love garden designs like that-

where there are hidden treasures around a corner,

or up above your head...

 

 

Such gorgeous colors at this time of the year...

so many textures,

so much detail,

so amazing creation is! 

 

Do you like the pastels

or do you prefer the brighter, more dramatic colors?

 

 

They had several birdhouses...

I LOVE these

and I loved the red ones they had on a ladder.

 

So many things to see on a warm sunny summer day...

these things brought a BIG smile to my face!

You see I have been looking for this particular vendor ever since I had seen her featured in another blog quite awhile ago....

 

I loved these little bread baskets?

They are SO cute:)

I wish I had realized what they were while I was there...

but my mind was totally focused on placemats.

 

Don't these colors and designs make you think summer?

Perhaps they make you think of a sunny town in southern France by the beautiful Mediterranean sea?

They do me.... 

 

 

Loved these fabrics and the summery designs!

The fabric is very easy care also...

any guesses to which pattern I chose?

Any guesses as to my second favorite?

 

And so, as I've been wanting to do for quite awhile now,

 I had to bring home a little bit of Provence

to remind me of the feel of the summer sun on my skin,

the fragrance of purple lavender in the air,

and a special time spent in the foothills of Helvetia:)

 

Beautiful, amazing Helvetia--I love you!

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Photos taken at Helvetia Lavender Farm (and nearby)--

http://www.helvetialavenderfarm.com/tea_pavilion.html

(looks like this Friday and Saturday are the last days for tea in their tea pavilion).

 

Also here is the link for Soleil de Provence (on Etsy):

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SoleildeProvence

 

Disclaimer:

 I am, as always, not associated in any way with either Helvetia Lavender Farm

or Soleil de Provence except as a happy visitor/customer.