A Very Special Birthday!

Last Friday was my Birthday and it was by far the most special and meaningful Birthday that I've had yet. I'm not posting this because I want to "flaunt" the items that were given to me, but because I am truly thankful and tickled pink over what my family has done for me!! I honestly can't keep it in!

Friday morning dawned humid and rainy and totally put to rest any thoughts that I had about gardening; that was okay though, there were other things to do and projects to work on!
Momma let me know first thing that I was not allowed to do any house work, but I managed to wash some dishes and help out a little!! My dear Momma included Sawyer in the cake making process and he rotated between playing with the jeep and talking about making the cake! He likes to "helw" in the kitchen!

Sayre requested that I talk about the cake.... We have a recipe that has you save part of your batter to use as your frosting; the layers are raspberry jam and the combination of the frosting and the jam is perfect!! Not to sweet which is what I like!! It was delicious!!!

Momma received a package from dear, sweet Paula and we were thrilled to pieces to find several gifts included for me!!! It brightened our rainy day up immensely!!

Paula had made wall quilts for both Momma and myself. We are eagerly anticipating using them and are amazed at the amount of care and thoughtfulness that she put into them.

Mrs. Paula also made me this beautiful tote bag that I just cannot wait to use!!! I used it for Church yesterday and felt so feminine walking around with it on my shoulder!!
Thank you Mrs. Paula, you don't know what a blessing you are to us!

Last Tuesday I walked upstairs after giving piano lessons and found these roses and card laying on my bed!! My friend Adah had remembered my birthday and this was her gift! These were extra special as I have only received flowers once before!! They are beautiful and are still looking great a week later! Thank You Adah!

My first sewing machine arrived last week!! We found an add for it in the IWANA; it's fourteen years old and is totally mechanical which I'm going to have to get used to. It's in excellent condition for it's age and has allot of use left in it!!

Momma, Daddy, and the boys all contributed into my sewing notions gift! I'm using all of it as I type!

I love this print from Trivium Pursuit!! Johannah (Bluedorn)Stanford is a talented artist who has written/drawn several scripture picture books. We all sit and study her prints and feel so refreshed and invigorated after seeing them! You can see more of her art here.

I recieved many useful and needed things and I feel truly blessed to have such family and friends!
I'm off to garden!

Gift Giving

This past June my family and I were up in the Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown (Virginia) triangle to take part in a week long celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown that was coordinated by Vision Forum. It was an eye opening time as we learned about God's providence in many of the "firsts" of our country. While we were there, some friends of ours (who were also attending the celebration) took us to the HUGE Yankee Candle store somewhere in the vicinity. Actually, let me rephrase that~ the LADIES went to the Yankee Candle store!! Of Course I had to buy some samplers for my "consumption" and a few extras for friends! Pictured above and below is how I packaged them up for my friends. I was quite pleased with the results!!

I didn't just want to hand them to my friends with a "here you go"~ I wanted to get creative for a change!!! I finally decided on mailing the gifts, even though they live 20 minutes away from us. I know how much I enjoy getting gifts or even letters in the mail, so I thought this would be special for them too!!! I "wadded up" a half sheet of tissue paper and put it as the background in a cello bag. Then I arranged the candles to my satisfaction, and secured the top with raffia. I also wrapped up 2 half bars of soap that I make (our family business is handcrafted soap and sundries) in red gingham tissue paper. I included a note letting my friend know that I had been thinking of her, affixed the address, and sealed the box. It was so much fun thinking about her as I packaged her gift!

Sawyer was "spending time with sissy" as Momma was out grocery shopping today (believe me, it's an all day affair!) and he had fun puttering around as I made two batches of soap and did various and sundry other things out in "The Shoppe". Here he looks as if he is ready to make a run to the Post Office for me!

I sent out a box to one friend last week and I was so tickled at her gift in turn (which I wasn't expecting at all!). Right after she received my "box of goodies" she went and baked some special treats and made this card for me! THEN, she called my brother to stop by her house on the way home and pick up MY gift. I was so touched when I saw what she had fixed for me....... She spent TIME (which she doesn't necessarily have a lot of anymore) fixing those goodies for me! Adah, Thank You!!!

This picture and the one before it are of the card that Adah made for me! I need to get some of that paper!
I really do enjoy giving gifts! I give them because I know it's going to make somebody's day and make them feel loved. You never know how much your gift, even if it is small and simple, will mean to somebody! Mmmmmmm...... now I'm Inspired..... :o)
Supper calls. Oh boy, it's taco's tonight with (hopefully) homemade salsa!!!! Must go cook! Have a terrific evening!