Natural Wonders

comments: 87

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Our girls' beach weekend was so much fun. The house we rented in Cannon Beach was great. We had a great time. We talked, we laughed, we cried, we cooked, we lounged, we shopped, we sunned, we slept, we toasted marshmallows, we listened to the sound of endless waves and gazed at seemingly endless numbers of stars, and just generally marveled at the incredible beauty of the world. About a million times. I'm kind of at a loss for words, actually. It was so awesome to see my friends altogether again. We calculated that it had been twelve years since all eight of us (two others couldn't make it this time) have been in the same place at the same time. What a privilege and honor it was to host everyone, and stay in this breathtaking location. Ah. Still thinking about it.

Back at home, we're sliding quickly into silvery fall weather, along with runny noses and sore throats and coughs. Amelia and I are laying low today. Getting back into our routine. The wind is blowing through my open windows and it is cool and rainy and sweet. How grateful I am to be here, right now, watching her play the ukelele in her pajamas, with a mitten on one hand and her toes curled under, our yellow lamps lit and the leaves rustling and red. Later we'll stroll up to the store to get more milk, then have some butternut squash soup I made on Wednesday. Oh, sweet mystery of life. How grateful I am for all of this! How blessed. How blessed.

I have about forty-five other things to tell you, but I'll be back next week, when we're all settled back in.

87 comments

Michael Payne says: September 26, 2014 at 09:37 AM

The Oregon coast has to be the best and most diverse of any state. From the vast beaches of southern Oregon to the rocky, wave slashed shores at Yahats, to the agate beaches at Cape Mears. There's lots to see and all of it breath taking. The monolithic rocks, the cliffs, the sand, the sunsets and wind-shaped cedars, it's bee-ootiful. I wish I lived there again. Up every morning to walk on the beach, every afternoon with a cup of coffee and staring out at the waves, every night, the window open, falling asleep to the sounds of the surf...it was glorious and I miss it all the time. Your pics are great. Hope to see you tomorrow but if you can't make it...well, there's always next year. me

What a breathtaking spot for your girls weekend! Wow, I think I'd have been speechless, too. Glad to see you had a wonderful time. We all need to take time like that for ourselves, even if it's just for a few hours!

Oh welcome back. It sounds like you had an awesome time away. But it's so good to be back isn't it...
Have a cosy weekend.

Kristi Shreenan says: September 26, 2014 at 09:47 AM

Wow. Just wow.

You are making me nostalgic for Oregon and Cannon Beach with your beautiful pictures! I lived about 30 minutes from there for ten years and it was one of my favorite places to go.

I'm so happy for you that you were able to spend some great quality time with some of your best friends. It is such a treasure!

Also, to comment on interior design...I love the round wooden lamp that I assume was in your cabins living room!

"sliding quickly into silvery fall weather"

That's just exactly how it feels here in Seattle, too. Beautifully put.

I visited Cannon Beach from Florida last year and loved it in spite of rainy weather, but I did not capture its beauty like you did. I love your pictures and know I will be headed back to see my BIL and maybe revisit this place with a willingness to appreciate it's beauty no matter the weather. Sorry you and Amelia aren't feeling well and I wish you a speedy recovery. You always make me appreciate life so much more than I normally would.

Could be scenes from a great novel turned into a movie..
LOVELY.

such amazing photos of the coast in all its mist and moodiness. as i was scrolling i thought ' well that's a group of smartly dressed beach-goers' then as i scrolled a couple more i thought 'oh yes, that must be her dear friends she is spending time with' … so much fun and what a great place to stay, with a bit of a mid-century vibe… you captured it beautifully :) looking forward to your 45 more tidbits once you are all well :)

I think I audibly gasped at that first photo. It is such a truly beautiful world we live in! Thank you for sharing, xo.

Sheila Donlevy says: September 26, 2014 at 10:58 AM

Oh! Oh! Oh! I live in a beautiful part of the world (North west coast of Ireland) but those photographs are stunning. That fog rolling in over the sea. Just Beautiful. Sounds like you had a lovely time. So great to catch up with old friends (who really know you). Still loving your blog. Here's to a good a autumn.

These pictures are just wonderful! You're so lucky to have Long Time friends! I moved so much ( soldieŕs daughter) that i didńt manage to keep in touch with my friends...

What beauty! What rest! It's so lovely to have friends with whom you can share all the wonderful things in life with!

The word picture of Amelia~ haha!

The word picture of outside your home~sigh!

Get some rest, enjoy your soup, get well! Blessings!

incredibly, magically, naturally beautiful. so much so i could cry. true beauty in nature grabs at me and makes me catch my breath

The Oregon Board of Tourism should send you a check. A monthly thank you fee.
I am already smitten, already charmed and romanced by Oregon, but you never fail to rekindle
the flames of my Oregon crush. What stunning images. And how fun for me, since I am immersing myself, up to my eyeballs, in learning about color palettes. Any of your gorgeous captures would make an excellent palette for a breathtaking and soothing home.

Sounds a great weekend and the photos are stunning! Hope you and Amelia are soon feeling better
Caz xx

Oh, my, what fabulous photos! You are so talented. Thanks for sharing.

You manage to capture 'gorgeous' through your camera lens.

Flock & Fiber Festival is tomorrow & sunday in canbyland.

Safeena Wagner says: September 26, 2014 at 12:19 PM

Oh heck, I bought those plates in 1971

oh my goodness.
Those photos are breathtaking.
Glad you had a great time xx

Oh my goodness, that's just such a beautiful part of the world it is literally breathtaking. And much as my seaside doesn't look like your seaside it still fills me with a little longing for the big space and the wide open horizon of home!

Such stunning photos!!!!
Sounds like the perfect weekend.

I am so happy for you! Girls trips are always so much fun! My husband and I are on our anniversary trip in Portland this weekend and we are having the best time! I have been reading your blog for years and I absolutely have fallen in love with Oregon. Your blog is so beautiful, when I picture the perfect life with my family, I think of your blog. I love my home in Utah, but Portland is the place we keep coming back to. Thank you for sharing so much of your life and so many beautiful pictures with everyone:)

We are off to Oxbow park this afternoon! Thank you for so many wonderful recommendations on things to do in Portland.

Did you know that Terrible Tilly (the lighthouse) used to be a columbarium (a repository for cremated remains)?!?! It lost its license but the urns are still there. I love everything about that lighthouse.

NY Times article (though they got the spelling wrong!): http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/24/us/24tillie.html?_r=0

Oh-so beautiful, all of it! Sounds like a great time, and what a view y'all had to enjoy. Incredible.

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About Alicia Paulson

About

My name is Alicia Paulson
and I love to make things. I live with my husband and daughter in Portland, Oregon, and design sewing, embroidery, knitting, and crochet patterns. See more about me at aliciapaulson.com

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