Monday, July 23, 2012

finding gold














dear friends, it's been a good week here of ordinary and epic proportions...
~ dinner for one, me, common for summertime with husband working all the time. breakfast and fruit make a light anytime meal.
~ new wool, that's always exciting! and epic! found wood piece while on a run,
i liked it so much it ran home with me.
~ a thrift store find, a cute scissor + pincushion bird
~ summer storm sunset, very epic
~ thrift store again, a lovely vintage handmade drop spindle
~ thrift store dress with lace
~ secret knitting is moving along, up to chart d!
~ books about alaska *
~ another project bag made by my friend, in giraffe print! epic! thank you amy.
~ ordinary and epic room of mine
is this what it feels like to be a magpie? picking up shiny things to bring home to my nest? hee hee while on a bike ride i found this vw metal type emblem. (does anyone have a vw collection? let me know, i'll send it to you).


* i came home from work wednesday to a husband with a sly smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye (sorry honey, it was a manly twinkle)   
he : 'pack your bags, your going to alaska with your sister. in one month'
me : for the next twenty four hours   'REALLY?'  'what? no REALLY?' and a text from my sister,
SURPRISE!  :)
my sister has been planning an alaskan cruise for over a year. one of her party cancelled, she called my husband, secretly, together, they made new plans, for me. EPIC. really incredibly epic. we are going to be on land and sea, on trains and glaciers, buses and horses and a helicopter. now i have to find an epic way to thank them both. 

42 comments:

  1. now, Alaska....
    there is a place I have visited many times

    as far from African beauty as you can be but no less breathtaking...

    I cannot WAIT to see your photos and see where your ports are! so excited that you get to have this time with your sister, Lori!
    Melissa

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  2. You'll have to come through the Port of Seattle--if you have a lay over, you've got a place to hang out! What a wonderful week. XOXO

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    1. I didn't even think of a layover...in my neck of the woods! if you can find time while in Seattle, take the Bainbridge Ferry (just down the waterfront from the cruise terminal) across the water to the island and visit Churchmouse Yarn and Teas (you can walk on the ferry and walk to the shop on the other side) ~ the ferry ride is perfect for pictures of the Seattle waterfront and the yarn shop is hands down one of the best....ever....you wouldn't be disappointed!
      Melissa

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    2. ah, i don't think we go to seattle! we end in vancouver, b.c.
      churchmouse yarn and teas, now i want to go there too!

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  3. Such lovely images. My dinners are usually either oatmeal with walnuts and blueberries or Special K with dried cranberries and walnuts. Yum! I like your little collection of giraffes -- yes, I have a few here, too. :) Alaska! How wonderful! Especially the fact that your sister and husband have planned it all out and surprised you! Now that it is epic. I know you will have a fabulous time. Best wishes, Tammy

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  4. WOW!! what an awesome surprise, amongst what sounds like a great week on its own!! Can't wait to see what I know will be awesome Alaskian photos!

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  5. WOW! Love this post almost as much as I love those little birdie scissors! Xx

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  6. what a lovley surprise! you´ll find a way ..I´m sure:) your photos are beautiful and inviting..such a cozy athmosphere!
    sarah

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  7. Dear, lovely Lori,

    I get such a feeling of joy when I visit you here and it is always contagious! Your photographs capture the beauty - or gold as you put it - of simple pleasures and your news about Alaska is AMAZING! I would go like a shot. I am truly fascinated by cold climates; that is beauty on a huge scale. Imagine going to Africa and Alaska in the same year! Fabulous. You better start planning your knitting projects to take and don't forget to pack your Tea Leaves to wear ;-)

    We too have had an epic week with small and big joys. Yesterday, Lori, I opened up my Etsy shop and I have sold out this morning! I am so grateful for this amazing blogging community which supports and lifts us all. The other joys? I will have to post about them soon.

    Stephanie

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  8. that is so awesome about alaska, my cousin is from alaska but lives in the UK, they talk about moving back there someday and when they do i will follow them out for a visit. my favourite part about him being from alaska is that he went to the north pole high school- how awesome is it?!

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  9. How wonderful that news is Lori! Alaska! It will be so interesting to hear about it, I am already looking forward to you going too! Loved seeing all your thrifted treats today.
    Enjoy planning your next trip :)
    Helen x

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  10. Dearest Lori, how very exciting! I must tell you that I am so very happy for you and your sister, what a great experience for both of you to share together. I am looking forward to seeing all the wonderful pictures I know you will take, Alaska has been on the top of my list to visit...one day!

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  11. How lovely Lori, a trip to alaska! Your week looked like a lot of fun! I wonder what you are knitting?

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  12. What a very exciting week. Such a tremendous surprise. I think you will have such fun. I giggled about your finds. My kiddos are always picking up "treasures" that they find when we are out and about. What are your plans for loft? I just grabbed some and plan to make a fair isle sweater. Still planning. Love again the small and big photos of your space. And that sunset - gorgeous.

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  13. Lori - you are going to love it - and will make such lovely memories with your sister! I can only imagine the photos you will take... Hats off to Chuck and your sis for collaborating on a wonderful surprise for such a sweet soul as yourself. xxoo

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  14. Dear Lori, wonderful news! Wow that was amazing surprise and you are going to make unforgetable travel with your sister! Your creative space looks so beautiful and that pincushion with the scissors is really special!
    xxx Teje

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  15. My father and step-mother went to Alaska and adored it. I bet you'll have an amazing time. (:

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  16. Isn't thrift shopping the best? I can completely relate to being a magpie. And I spotted your vintage linens on your desk. One of my favorite things. LOVE the little bird that holds the scissors, and the gaggle (hehe) of giraffes around the bag. Alaska! What a wonderful surprise from your sister and hubby. You will have a blast! xox

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  17. Lori, I admire your magpie talent! And, this upcoming Alaska trip is indeed epic, particularly following the African experience. Wow!

    So, let me very quietly let you know that the yarn color I'm using for the lace stitch experiment is "lowland." Maybe that keeps me going with your travel theme?

    xo

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  18. ALASKA! My in-laws have been to every state in the USA and every province in Canada and the Alaskan cruise they took was their favorite vacation ever! I love that VW symbol..I have a huge obsession with VW camper vans. That vintage lace dress is amazing!

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  19. Oh I can't wait to tag along in the epic journey to Alaska...

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  20. Lori, Alaska has always been a dream, right after Paris. What a wonderful surprise!
    And you deserve it. Lovely gold you found. xoxo

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  21. Wow, how amazing is that!!! So happy for you. I am sure it will be a great trip with your sister. I for one can't wait to see your pictures :)

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  22. You are going to have the BEST time ever!! I know you and your sister will have non stop fun and I am relying on you to bring lots of photos of your journey to share with us.

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  23. i'm so happy for you lori! you deserve all kinds of epic surprises. you are pure light and love.

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  24. I am sure it was a manly twinkle! :)
    Love thrift stores, you can find amazing treasures there. A handmande drop spindle is an incredible find!
    What a wonderful surprise. That is goig to be another amazing trip.

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  25. Hi Lori,

    Thank you for your kind comment on my blog! Your week sounds really good. Hope the next one will be the same!

    The colour of your wool looks very pretty!

    Madelief x

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  26. i cannot believe you are going to alaska since as you know i am going next spring! by horse?! hahaha, i want to know more about that for sure! happy for you, lori. be prepared for glisten

    i love thrift, flea and auction anythings too. where i now live has two auction places where one night a week the most incredible (cheap! inexpensive!) possibilities show up. i particularly like old furniture which i always say i will refinish or paint and those pieces still wait for me :^) i wish you will come with me one night!

    love
    kj

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  27. AHHH Alaska!!! A photographer's dream!!! Just when you think the scenery simply can't get any better....it does!!!! over and over and over!!!! Hope you get to the cannery at Juneau.....there were thousands of eagles...everywhere you looked....more eagles. (and the biggest darn dandelion plant I've ever seen...must have been 4 foot tall!!!) Oh, just can't wait to see your pictures!!!

    Such great flea-finds, too!!! darling little scissors holder!!!

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  28. Love all your new treasures,,,,,but oh WOW
    that trip!!
    I think you are very spoiled, and I am very jealous. (just kidding about the spoiled part,but not the jealous)
    EXCELLENT, wonderful surprise. And sister!

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  29. Alaska! How wonderful Lori~ I have always wanted to see it. Does this mean pictures of whales and polar bears?? Hooray!
    Your giraffe collection just is the most charming thing and different too.
    Wonderful finds
    xx
    julie

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  30. Alaska! I am going there in nine years for my 40th birthday :) Oh but I want to go now. I can't wait to hear everything about it. I am so excited for you. Oh and I love the scissor holder. The way you positioned the giraffes made me smile I love how you do that. I'll have to send you some roving from our alpacas to spin on your drop spindle!

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  31. so happy for you that I have tears in my eyes reading!!

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  32. It was so funny to see the Alaska books in the middle of your found goodies, but I knew there had to be a trip coming up. WOW!!! So wonderful to be going on that cruise with your sister! I have always wanted to see Alaska in their summer season. I know your photos will be extraordinary, just as all of the others you share with us.

    I'm so happy for you!

    xo
    Lo♥

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  33. Wow Lori, what a blessing. The minute I saw the books I guessed a trip was in the offing but what a serendipitous way to come by it. Have a wonderful time, can't wait to see the pics :D

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  34. THIS IS EPIC, EPIC. No doubt.

    Love you dear heart,

    S

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  35. Whoa, epic is the word, for sure! I'm crazy about your awesome thrifty finds, and your beautiful, sun-filled home is so gorgeous. So much light. Mmmmmmmm. :)

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  36. how awesome! what a fun trip that'll be - wowee.

    love your finds,

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  37. ALASKA???? Yay!!!! More photos for us to enjoy!

    Thrifty and found treasures are always such a delight. As is yarn, of course. And beautiful, happy homes. And family that plans incredible surprises!

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  38. Wow! Love all your epics in this post. Alaska, I'm sure, will be beautiful. I can't imagine how many sd cards you'll be taking with you. Photo paradise.

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xoxo lori