Meals on Wheels...

 Denise G. and I have known each other for thirteen years...and we've become

good friends without ever having been in the same room together. The 

Internet is a wonderful thing, indeed. We have always exchanged gifts for 

special occasions, but we often trade with each other for no particular reason at all.

Denise is much more organized than I am this year, so her gifts arrived way

ahead of her receiving mine this Christmas. She always includes goodies from

 Vermont, but there is always something completely, uniquely, perfect for me.

 This year, tucked in among the maple candies, home-grown holly and special

syrups, I found a new book entitled, "Meals on Wheels". She found a book

written specifically for trailer campers in her friend's antique shop! WOW!

 Although it looks nearly new, this little gem was written in 1937.

 

I couldn't help but smile when I looked at the illustrations.

I might just have to transfer these to fabric, stitch one or two and

make pillows for the Flying Cloud (and Denise) when they're done!

 I've already read the book cover-to-cover and loved every bit of it. There's 

information ranging from "Housekeeping" to recipes, but one of the chapters 

that was most fun for me was the chapter on "Cooking Equipment".

 Handsome and I are always aware of the amount of weight we add to our

tow package, so you can just imagine how I giggled reading this list. It's 

actually much, much more than I would ever pack onboard for traveling. 

When I turned the page, there were more items that they considered

"optional", like a waffle maker, pressure cooker, or roaster. That's crazy!

I showed the list to Handsome, suggesting that I tend toward 'underpacked'.

He laughed. I don't blame him, either. While the book is loaded with useful

information, they definitely are willing to add more frivolous weight than we are.

Denise suggested that this might be a good addition to our travel library. You are 

so right, my friend! Thank you for everything you carefully chose for us this year. 

I'm looking forward to "tucking in" to all our goodies. Your package will be

 on its way this week. I hope you and Neil enjoy what I've chosen for you, too!

Merry Christmas hugs across the miles.

B.L.E.S.S.E.D...

I don't know what I've done in my life to deserve such beautiful and generous friends. I recently received two surprise packages that filled my heart with joy.

Denise and I have been friends, sharing our lives online for over ten years...and we've never met in person (yet!). She and I have been sending packages and cards back and forth across the miles between Vermont and Florida all this time.

I originally "met" her when I left Wisconsin. I had been a Sales Director with Mary Kay, but decided to leave my business behind when we moved. Denise, a consultant at the time, very generously offered to provide the products to me at cost and that was the beginning of our association.

Since then, we have come to know each other and our families through our cards and emails. She and her husband, Neil recently celebrated the marriage of their son and I was like a shirttail aunt proudly viewing all the photographs!

Denise always sends delicious goodies from Vermont, including maple candies or Lake Champlain chocolates, and she rarely sends a gift that doesn't include something related to acorns for me. This time, I have to say she really outdid herself!

I love every single thing she sent in this box! Leaf-shaped serving dishes with acorns, and four cups and saucers with a pastoral scene amid acorns and oak leaves. I now know that they are called "Memory Lane" from Royal Ironstone...and I want to augment this set. I love them!

They remind me of the Currier & Ives dishes I had in one of my first apartments. They make me smile.

There was a tiny quilting book with a thimble-embellished ribbon bookmark. Inside the covers were many quilt-related quotes...and a tiny sticker that Denise had found inside another book she'd recently purchased.

I'm thinking "The Acorn" is the name of a bookstore in Portsmouth. It's about the size of a postage stamp, but it's so cool! I'm going to have fun mounting this inside a tiny frame to keep it safe.

Denise, your generosity never ceases to take my breath away, and I'm not quite sure how I'll be able to repay your kindness. It's going to be fun trying, though! Thank you, dear friend. Thanks and thanks again.

Sweet Jeanette and I have also been friends nearly since I started blogging. Last week, a package arrived from Valrico, FL with a gift tin inside. I excitedly opened the box to find a gorgeous big pewter acorn atop a super-size paper clip! This is perfect for keeping all my current notes handy on my desk.

I'm not sure if Jeanette created this herself or found it already made, but either way, I'm loving the acorn love from my friend.

If you've never visited Jeanette's blog, click here to stop over and say "hello". I'm always inspired when I visit, and you will be, too.

Thank you again, my friend. I love, love, LOVE your thoughtfulness and generosity! Jeanette, I never realized that we lived so (relatively) close to each other. Perhaps we'll have to plan a day to get together some time this year? I'd really like that!

I know, Shell. S.P.O.I.L.E.D. But I don't think so. I prefer B.L.E.S.S.E.D. with all my fabulous friends.
xoxo