Gifts in the Mail...

You know I've been in a Strawberry Pincushion Swap, right?  (If not, just scroll down and see the previous post.)   Yesterday was the deadline for mailing out our packages.  So, I am thinking that I could possibly receive a package from my partner in today's mail. 

LO and BEHOLD!  I received a package!  Have I mentioned before that I absolutely LOVE receiving gifts in the mail?  Yeah.  So, anyway, I opened it and this is what I found...

  
It went through my mind that this was not quite what I expected from the swap.  But, who am I to question, right?  So, the first thing I opened was the little gift on the left.  It was a mulled cider votive candle...yummy!  But, I thought...mulled cider...strawberry pincushion swap...what?  Shrugged my shoulders and opened the card.  Well, duh.  It was from Dog Trot Farm's Julie!  I guess I was so excited that I didn't check out the return address.  Had I done that, I would have known. 

Anyway.  Turns out that it's a thank you gift for the tractor bag I made/sent for Julie's grandson, Travis Lloyd.    Here is everything she sent (oops, I must have covered up the feather)...

A bit of Fall decor for my kitchen!  A towel and potholder.  And, see the too cute little sign?  And, there's the mulled cider candle (which now makes total sense...~grin~)

And, the feather.  I feel very ignorant on this subject.  I know that to receive a feather is very special.  That it's a symbol.  That it can mean different things, depending on what kind of bird it's from.  So, I will ask Julie and let you know what she says.    

edited to add:  Julie tells me the feather comes from her Bantam rooster, Don Juan...and that it is a symbol of friendship.  Thank you!

Here's a closer look at the potholder.  Darling, isn't it?  Cutest scarecrow!

 

Thank you so very much, Julie!  Your gift, though totally unnecessary, is much appreciated.  I love it all!  I feel very honored to know you.

I must say that I have met the nicest women through my blog!  Women I will probably never meet in person, but who feel like close friends.  Women who share my interests, who cheer me on, who share their lives, who care about my life.   Women I care  about...think about...pray for...and whose words I read with love in my heart.     

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Tag is feeling better.  Eating rice eagerly...will get back on his regular food tomorrow.  Today is all about ensuring that his stomach is settled.  He is pretty much back to his normal self...looking for food...and not lethargic.  I am relieved.  Thank you for your well-wishes. 

 
 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

An Unexpected Package...

I love getting packages (especially big packages ).  Well, any mail, really.  Except bills.  But, I really don't get many bills in the mail, because I pay them online.  So.  It's either junk or fun stuff!  Today, I received a package that was totally fun stuff!  I was not expecting it.  At all.  From Kim.  From over at My Field of Dreams.  I ran across her blog earlier this year and have gotten to know her...she tells the most interesting stories and I thoroughly enjoy her blog.

Anyway.  Apparently, she felt the need to thank me for a box of rug hooking goodies I had sent to her.  Not necessary (but I'm not sending it back...just sayin').  Unexpected.  Totally appreciated! 

What fun...lookie!

Want a closer look?

Here you go...

Jif Peanut Butter (cuz of this post)

Blueberry Jam made by Kim...

Sweet Relish made by Kim...

AND, as if that wasn't enough...a fat quarter bundle of Hoffman Batiks!!!  ohmygosh, these are so gorgeous.  The name of this bundle is 'coconut'...simply luscious...seriously PERFECT!  I LOVE it! 

I love everything she sent!  What a wonderful and thoughtful woman she is.  Thank you so much, Kim!  I am so blessed to count you as a friend.  Thank you for being you.

   

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Tonight is Friday Night Sew-in!

Sure wish I could tear into that fat quarter bundle...

but, I must work on Christmas gifts.

 

Go here to sign up for tonight.

Bye for now...

must get sewin'!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Gifts...

I love gifts.

I seriously do.

It doesn't matter what for...

birthday, get well, anytime, anyplace.

I'm kinda greedy that way.  

Kinda deserving, is my thought. 

Better to receive than to give much of the time.

With me.

You think I'm kidding, don't you.

Okay, but really? 

I kinda am. 

Kidding.

But, not totally.

I like to think I reciprocate

(but I know I don't),

but I do what I can.

All that just to tell you that my birthday gift from 

Brenis arrived in the mail this week.

My birthday is in February.

5 months ago.

Better late than never!

As good an excuse as any, I suppose.

One year, me Mum told her 4 daughters 

- who all live out of town or state from her - 

that if we couldn't get her birthday gifts

into the mail on time to arrive by her birthday,

to just skip it.

So, I did.

That'll learn her.

Okay.

Mostly tongue-in-cheek.

But, not all!

Anyway.  Look what Brenis made for me!

This is so totally awesome, I cannot believe it!

24 x 24 inches.

See the hand-quilting?

This woman rocks.

Seriously.

More things in the box.  

She's my stash-builder...always sends me fabric.

That's some Joel Dewberry there, ya know.

Gotta love a friend like that!

And, I do.

And, see the iron?

I've been complaining for a year that

my $7.00 iron was a piece of junk (imagine that).

So, she bought me a new iron.

YAY!

Gotta love a friend like that, too...

one who pays attention.

 

What else was in the box...

quilt magazines, a jelly roll pattern, 

a whatchamacallit to hang around your neck

and attach scissors or measuring tape...

whatever you wish.

I think that's all.

Good grief!

It was a box filled with wonderful gifts.

Thank you, Brenis!

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Okay, must go now.

Gotta feed Tag & myself and

get busy with the Friday Night Sew-in.

My Birthday Gifts...

A few of you (nosey people...{grin}) have asked what I received for my birthday.  Here you go... 

From Lindy over at The Gingerbread House.  I think I showed this before, but I'm going to show it again.  Lindy's birthday is the day before mine, though she is not as old as me.  We like to remember each other's special day.  (Lindy, my gift to you has not been mailed, yet.)  

From Janer, my BFF, who lives in my hometown, Eau Claire.  She sent me a pair of wonderful slippers (I hate wearing shoes), flavored powder to add to water (I hate plain water), 2 candy bars (must have already eaten one when I took this photo), large safety pins, and a bottle of Skin So Soft lotion (Avon).

In the photo below this one, the beautiful handmade (not by Janer) rosary,

and in the photo below that...a poster of SHEPHERD!  When we were young and wild, we hung out with a huge group of guys and gals (we were hippies, ya know).  Shepherd was an excellent local band...and we were totally in awe of them.  Janer ran across this poster (a friend from 'back in the day' had a stash of them)...thought I might want it.  I do.

                          

This next photo...gifts from my family.  "The Guardian" Season 1...this was when I first became aware of Simon Baker {swoon}.  (He is now in this season's popular show, "The Mentalist").  Jafra skin care products,  (direct sales company I was once involved with...love their products...click here for more info on their skin, color & body care products), microwave popcorn which was given so that I had a snack when watching the dvd's given...but I don't have

a microwave!  I'll have to take them to work,  I guess.  2 chickens and an angel bell (every time an angel gets his/her wings, a bell rings), a gift certificate for Stitcher's Crossing (lqs), a gift certificate for The Calico Shoppe in Eau Claire (to use when I go home to visit), tealights for some gorgeous candle holders I received for Christmas, and, a cherry blossom exfoliating bar of soap.

Love all my gifts...thank you!