I Love Surprises...

Sharing some Blogland love today. I recently received this scissors fob as a thank you from Sherry at Createology blog. A sweet gift in appreciation for the 400th Follower Ltd. Ed. artist trading card I sent her. Shades of green and brown, with those sweet acorns hanging from the last bead. I love it! Thanks, Sherry! I really appreciate your thoughtful gift.
Lucky me! I recently won Kate's giveaway at Chronicles of a Country Girl. The winner was able to choose two (TWO!) of her prints. You had to know that I'd choose the acorn, right? The white blooms are beautiful, too. I'm looking forward to framing these and displaying Kate's beautiful work in our home. Thank you, Kate! I love 'em!
I received one other wonderful package this past week. I placed an order from the talented and generous Michelle Palmer and she enclosed these gifts for me. An apron embroidered with oak trees, acorns, leaves and an owl on it, and one large acorn button.

The apron is long, like the ones I remember the nuns wearing when I was a girl. (We lived just down the block from a huge convent when I was growing up.) It's all done in a single-color thread and it's old. Michelle cleaned it after she found it on one of her vintage linen hunts, and there are a few age/wear holes in it. I'm going to think about how I can conceal the damage and highlight the embroideries. It's really beautiful and I love it!

But look at this big, honkin' button! It's about 3" in diameter with a metal plate, featuring my favorite little gift from nature. Michelle, I'm just enthralled with this button and can't wait to figure out what I'm going to do with it. Thank you so much for both of your generous gifts!
Finally, I'd like to share the fabrics that I'm using in my newest project. A gift from my hands to a friend. I'll share more when it's finished and on its way to a new home.

I love surprises! When they're received, I am filled with gratitude, and humbled by the gesture. When they're given, I give with an attitude of love and appreciation for the recipient. I'm so grateful for the friends who share their talents with me...and glad that I'm able to share with them, too.

If you haven't read my Vanilla Extract Tutorial yet, please be sure to click on the giveaway button under my August Celebrations at the top of my left sidebar. I'm offering a bottle of my homemade extract in a drawing for one of my friends.

I hope you have something relaxing, fun and/or creative planned for this weekend. You know, I always wish the best for you. See you tomorrow.

And I Become A Child Again...

One of the stunning photos from Kate's Monday, April 19th post

On Monday, I read this post from my friend, Kathleen (Kate) Young at Chronicles of a Country Girl. You need to know just how much I enjoy reading what Kate writes. She shares her country life with her husband and their border collie, George (who has his own Facebook page!). I love sharing her daily walks on their property, and her incredible images (I covet her camera and her photographic "eye".)

When I left a comment on Monday, this is part of what I wrote to her:

Hi Kate: I simply adore (and miss) lilacs. Nothing like them in the whole wide world...and none in Florida. ;0( Thanks for sharing them with me, too.

Later that evening, I received an email from her asking for my address, and I asked for hers in return. We exchanged information that night, and I'm so glad. Here's why...
A package arrived yesterday with a return address I didn't recognize. Sweet Kate had sent her incredible images to me straight from her print service! My photograph doesn't do hers justice, and that's why I used one of her blog images as the first photo here today. These lilacs - which were captured from her yard - are stunning, and my heart swelled at Kate's generosity in sending them to me.

My eyes welled with tears at both her kindness, and the childhood memories of days long ago...lilac bushes coloring our backyard with their blossoms and their scent. Tall bushes, lovingly pruned by my mum, and their perennial promises to return every spring. If I close my eyes, I can relive those carefree days, and the thoughts make me smile.

I don't know if Kate has any idea just what a kind, meaningful and special gift she sent to me this week. I do know that I'll find the most perfect frames for both of them so that one can reside in our bedroom and one will have a permanent spot in the studio. I'll think of her with great fondness whenever I look at them...and I'm already working on a special gift for her!

Thank you, Kate, from the very depths of my heart.

If you haven't had the pleasure of exploring Chronicles of a Country Girl, please click on the image of her blog header and settle in for a bit. There's a lot to see, read and experience. I'm sure that you'll find that she speaks to you, too. Don't forget to say "hello" to her (and George!) when you visit. I know she'll appreciate it.

"Ten Things About Me" Contest...

You know I'm a busy elf these days as I work on Christmas gifts for loved ones. I'll be posting photos soon, but til then, I thought I'd do another little contest...fa la la la la, la la la la!

One of the blogs on my favorites list is Kate's, Chronicles of A Country Girl. She's got a great place to visit and I freely admit this idea is from one of her recent posts. She offered up ten things about herself - one item being false - and asked her blog readers to figure out which one was not really about her. The first person to guess the ringer would win a little prize.

Well, this being the season of giving and all, I decided to try this contest over here at Brynwood. I'm going to share Ten Things About Me. Only one declaration is false. (Mum, don't be too shocked by my Ten Things, please.) The first follower to figure out which one is untrue will win a prize from me.

Now...if you're an immediate family member or a really good friend, you're welcome to participate, but you won't be able to win if you come up with the right answer. Thanks to Kate for the idea. Remember, now. You're picking the one that ISN'T true...

Ten Things About Me...

1. I've been asked on a date by a Secret Service agent.
2. I have jumped off a 20'+ cliff.
3. I was forced to take off all my clothes in a field.
   
4. I've been face to face with a live, 6' long barracuda.
5. I have modeled for an international company.
6. I once won First Place in a strip joint.
7. I have swallowed a live goldfish.
   
8. I have only been married once.
9. I was a biker chick in the 70's.
10. I have smoked cigars.
    

Leave your answer in my comments today. I'll be back tomorrow with the answers, a few explanations and will (hopefully) announce the winner and what they've won. Good luck! I can hardly wait to read your responses. Have fun (she says, stifling a slightly evil laugh)!

The above photo is me in 1990 with two puppies from Bryn's second litter - King Friday the 13th, who went to live out his life with our younger son; and DC's Starfire Kyra, who I kept until her untimely death from cancer at nine years old. Sadly, they never live long "enough", but they sure left us with precious and happy memories.