A package arrived in my mailbox the other day – from Italy! Dear Monica, of The White Bench, had a giveaway and I was one of the lucky winners.
It was wrapped in this lovely handmade bag. The image is so beautiful it breaks my heart. The words “Tendre Souvenir” are stamped on a piece of fabric attached with two buttons. Utterly charming.
Inside were 3 beautiful examples of Monica’s photography and a lovely handwritten note. The present was wrapped in tulle with a little bundle of dried lavender. And here is the treat that was inside:
One of Monica’s beautiful hearts. Oh, that girl is talented!
I’ve hung it on the hutch in the kitchen. I think we need a little pink in that corner. Thank you, Monica. I treasure it.
My pal, Rizzi, sent me an email recently. In it she asked if I wanted some dollhouse hutches that she’d had around the house for a while. Of course! Yesterday, a package arrived in my mailbox.
That cutie wrapped everything in Valentine’s Day paper, along with a sweet card and some candy hearts. Here’s what was inside:
Wow! I’m going to have some fun with these. Thank you, Rizzi! By the way, Rizzi is Frog Hollow Farm Girl’s aunt. If you remember, FHFG sent me some of her late mother’s embroidery supplies a while back. Generosity clearly runs in that wonderful family.
Speaking of the dollhouse, I put the first coat of white paint on it the other day. Today I’ll do the second coat. I was hoping some of the supplies I ordered would arrive in time for me to do some more work this weekend – but alas, they aren’t going to arrive until Monday. Monday is the first day of rehearsal. Darn it!
Snow. It has taken over our lives and the lives of many, many others in the Northeast. I’ve spent most of my life in the upper Midwest and in the Northeast and I’ve never seen a stretch like this one. Seven major snowstorms in a month’s time and snow as far as the eye can see. Please cross your fingers for me. As I have to start traveling back and forth to the city next week, let’s hope the snow only falls on those days I don’t have to be there. Or better yet, how about no more snow???? I think we’ve had enough.
Buongiorno Claudia,
sorry about the weather, that’s terrible! You need a break….Love your beautiful gifts and the HEART is so well done. Looking forward to see the doll house. Ciao Rita mammabellarte
what a perfect quote. i’m going to send that to my father in law who lives in northern utah.
you have the nicest readers!
xo
janet
Claudia,
At one point I had a doll house and lots of things to go in it. I’m not sure what happened to the box but if I find it I will send it to you. Your doll house is just going to be beautiful.
Carol
Ooooh, wonderful gifties!
I can’t wait to see what you do with the hutches.
I hope that the weather improves for next week and that your first week of work goes brilliantly.
Hugs,
Terri
Lovely gifts for
a lovely lady!
I hope you are
pushing back those
winter blues…
Hey, it’s almost
February, right?!
Have a wonderful
weekend, Claudia!
xx Suzanne
I adore Monica, and that is the cutest heart! And I love her photography, too, and the sweet bag. She’s an angel. And your other friend is, too, to gift you with those darling pieces of furniture. I hope this will help dispel some of the cabin fever you’ve been forced to endure. Wish I could wrap up some sunshine and send your way. XO
Such a lovely gift bag! And everything in it! I also find that photo of your own hutch utterly charming. I wish you well with the weather. My son lives in New Haven so my thoughts are in your neighborhood all the time!
Claudia, your gifts are lovely. I especially love the heart. My thoughts have been with you knowing the trials the snow is causing to those in the NE. Best wishes to you and have a wonderful weekend! Twyla
Don’t you love receiving such wonderful things in the mail? Monica’s heart is beautiful – love that pink plaid peeking through. Safe travels to you next week.
Oh, lordy, what a scary quote! Scary because it’s true!
Lovely, lovely goodies, Claudia! Wishing you snowLESS days for all your commuting!
Donna
What wonderful gifts! Those hutches are adorable!
Snow? I really wish we would get some more down here in the South. I think my girls are about ready for it to be over up there though!
YOUR VERY WELCOME CLAUDIA, ENJOY…….
YOUR GIVE-AWAY-GIFTS ARE SO NICE. I LOVE THE PINK HEART, IT IS SO PRETTY, LIKE THE REST OF THE GIFTS MONICA SENT YOU. I JUST TALKED TO MY SISTER IN COLORADO, THERE TEMPS ARE 60 DEGREES…HER DAFFODIL’S ARE SHOOTING UP….NEXT WEEK THEY’LL HAVE A SNOW STORM. HAVE A NICE WEEKEND. RIZZI
I was thinking of you this morning as I got ready for the day and the news said your part of the world got even more snow! The heart is so beautiful- I love the lace/crochet(?) over the top-gorgeous! I am excited to see what you do with the hutches- will you bash them? I think I have heard someone say a little time in the microwave softens the glue enough to pull them apart, but I’ve never tried it because I’m scared of breaking the micro :) I have gotten them separated with a screwdriver and gentle prying…and patience. Have a wonderful, snowless weekend Claudia and best wishes for rehearsals on monday!
Hi Claudia,
What beautiful items. The heart is so pretty and looks so perfect with the lace.
Hope things are well w/you and you’re staying warm!
We’ve been dealing w/Zeke being very ill so everything else has taken a sideline to him, I know you can relate.
Take care, sweet one!
xoxo~Tracie
Such lovely gifts~ You have the busiest gifty mailbox of anyone I know! Your friends sure do adore you!
I’m so sorry for you and my other blog friends in the northeast~ I can’t imagine having to do all that shoveling. It’s all I can do to just get the poopy-scooping done around here!
Best wishes for better weather for your travels next week~ stay safe and warm!
Hugs,
Jill
What beautiful presents, and the doll house furniture is great. I’m thinking about working on my daughter’s doll house, she is 14 and focused on other things. Hope we all get a break from the snow:)
Oh I love that quote at the end of your post, Claudia! Such wonderful gifts are sure to keep a little warm spot glowing inside of you.
We in the fortunate South are thinking of our northern neighbors with all their snow! Ann
That is much better than all of the medical bills that have been coming in my mailbox! You are a lucky girl!
What a wonderful mail surprise, so beautiful! Now about those mini hutches!!!! To stinkin cute! Lori
Winter is an Occupation… I like that.
However we have had the big H in the sky above our house for two weeks now. It has been like spring. I hear it is ending soon, though.
Maybe it will go hang over your house!
Lovely gifts to brighten your snow filled day.
Love and miss you, will call you later,
Mere
Dear Claudia,
I love that heart…..pink wool plaid………WOWSA! You are so blessed, and deservedly so! Have a great weekend.
Love ya’
Meri
Oh, I love these treasures!!!… what a nice surprise on on such a dreary winter day. Actually the sun is out.. but it’s still dreary because of all the work involved.
I sure hope this nor’easter they are predicting for next week gets diverted out into the water. Enough is enough!
;) Enjoy your treats, Claudia! Can’t wait to see what you’re going to do with your dollshouse. I already am in love! Silly me.
Monica xo
Hi Claudia. Just popping in to say ‘hello’. Haven’t seen you pop up on my sidebar lately for some reason. Will get that fixed pronto.
Di
Claudia the gifts are fabulous. What I would do if a gift arrived from Italy like yours!
And I can’t wait to see what you do with the doll hutches. Fabulous!
Oh,wow…what a fabulous post.
So so much fun stuff.
You are getting the snow this year.
Love the gifts you have received.
Oh my oh my.
Have a sweet weekend.
Oh, Claudia, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you will have relief from the snow. What a winter you’ve had!
I love your sweet mail…what beautiful gifts you’ve received this week!
Good luck with your rehearsals!
Safe travels, Claudia. May your first week of work be exhilarating. Peace. Brianne
Such beautiful gifts my friend…you will treasure them. You have had a long long winter. xoxoxo
Claudia, you have received such wonderful gifts from all over! I do love Monica and her gorgeous blog….I too have wonderful gifts from her, she is just the sweetest gal!! Love the doll hutches, you make me want to build another one again….I love to see such inspiration. We are in the deep freeze again and I am so far behind in trying to be ahead I am all turned around….
I finished the book I won from you, so hopefully I can get a review done and posted soon!!!
Have a safe and warm week, enjoy the stop at the bakery, you lucky girl!
Hugs,
Margaret B
Such beautifull gifts,Claudia–
the heart is absolutely wonderfull.
Claudia, I have heard of the storm you will have this week- and I hope it will not be too bad–stay warm,inside-and take care.
Hugs,Dorthe