My dear friend Sue of Vintage Sue sent a surprise gift to me in the mail. That girl is something else. She has been such a generous friend. Sue doesn’t just send a box – she decorates the box. Here’s the back side of the box (yes, the front was also decorated.)

By the way, I always save Sue’s boxes! Sue is a true junker – she loves a flea market, an old antique store, or a great thrift shop. Here’s what was inside:

A treasure trove: paper ephemera, a vintage hankie, two beautiful pieces of fabric that I think might have been napkins, creamy vintage buttons, a pretty blue velvet ribbon, vintage jewelry, a great chandelier prism, a beautiful cuff that Sue made, more sea glass (Sue sent me some this summer) and rocks, and a piece of bark cloth! Oh boy! All my favorites. My sea glass collection is growing, thanks to Sue, who happens to live near the shore in Maryland. And I love rocks, not to mention vintage fabric, jewelry, ribbons and buttons. I love, love the cuff, Sue! The chandelier prism is hanging in the studio window already. And how about a close up of the bark cloth? This piece is truly gorgeous.

Sigh. Swoon. Happy Claudia.

I won a giveaway that my friend Kate of The Garden Bell had recently. She is a crocheter. In fact, her gorgeous posts and scrumptious photos inspired me to take up the hook again. She also dyes yarn. Those of us who won got a skein of yarn in our favorite colors. Here’s mine:

I can’t wait to make something with this! Thank you, Kate.

I treated myself to a little something from my friend Meri. She is so very talented and has been creating the most adorable shadowboxes lately. When I saw this one, I had to have it.

Isn’t it delightful? It is on the piano for the holidays, but will soon travel upstairs to the studio where I display it all year round.

Meri snuck in an extra for me, this beautiful ornament.

I have it tucked in with the silver balls and greenery that are displayed in a McCoy jardiniere. Thank you, Meri.

As you know, Don and I are far from our families at Christmas. My family is in Florida and Michigan and Illinois. Don’s is in California and Washington. We can’t really leave the dogs in a kennel as they were rescues and wouldn’t understand that that they weren’t being abandoned. And Riley needs more and more special handling. They wouldn’t do well in that sort of situation. So we make the choice to stay home here at MHC. These lovely presents and thoughtful gestures, along with your sweet holiday messages and lovely comments make my holiday brighter. Thank you.