Awake at 5 AM.
In the early morning lamplight – a view of the tabletop next to my blogging chair.
How do I manage to cram so much onto such a small space? You’ll see: at least two eyeglass cases; notebooks; pieces of paper with handwritten notes to myself; earbuds; coffee mug full of hot Peet’s French Roast; my iPhone; a piece of Hull pottery full of pens, pencils and a nail file; my pencil case in a piece of fifties-era pottery; the vintage lamp.
And a view of the coffee table in the den: a basket full of reading material, catalogs, new television warranties, etc.; the remotes, two coffee table books, Collected (more on this book later) and Undecorate (more on this later in the post); a wooden piece that Don gave me; my Kindle, where I’m currently reading a wonderful book that I’ll review next week; a spiritual book I find inspiring; and Michael Connelly’s newest (yes I bought it) The Burning Room.
And Scout, in her tunnel position.
Will there be any room for Don’s things? No. But he tends to pile his stuff on the coffee table in the living room. So it all works out. I just have to rearrange things in the evening so that we can put our feet up on the coffee table.
The other day I picked up a package sent to me by Barbara, a lovely reader of this blog. She had written me to say she wanted to send me some miniatures. Of course, I said.
The box was heavy.
Inside? A treasure trove of wonderful gifts, most of them completely unexpected. I kept gasping as I opened each beautifully wrapped package. Let me share them with you.
Paris/Eiffel Tower Magnets, a Kelly Rae Roberts “Create” ornament, a beautiful red leather journal with a bird design, and the Old Farmer’s Almanac 2015 calendar.
A beautiful handwoven scarf and a pair of gloves. How did Barbara know that my winter gloves are in terrible shape?
A lovely bracelet, with charms representing Wellness, Prosperity, and Happiness. Perfect. I feel blessed.
Miniatures and beautiful card stock.
More miniatures. Oh, my heavens!
And a copy of Undecorate along with a beautiful card. I wrote about Undecorate on this blog a few years ago. I loved the whole concept of the book: real people living real lives whose rooms reflect their personalities. Rooms that don’t look impossibly perfect. I spent a long time in the bookstore thumbing through the pages, and though I wanted my very own copy, I never did get one. Just recently, when I was at the Strand in NYC, I saw it again and was very tempted, but I had already bought some books. So I held off. Again.
But here it is – from Barbara.
Honestly, and I’m not saying this with any sense of false modesty, I don’t know what I did to deserve this. Time and again, I am amazed and humbled by the generosity of this blog’s readers. Blown away would be an even better way to put it. I’ve been so blessed by all of you; via comments and emails and the very fact that you stop in to share some time with me, with unexpected gifts from the heart, by your loving support when I need it most.
This blog has been so much more than a daily journal. It has opened up a whole world to me that I certainly wouldn’t have known otherwise. It has brought all of you into my life. What a blessing you are.
I wrote Barbara, of course, but I want to say it here, as well. Thank you.
I told Barbara that I’m thinking of it as my first birthday present, though the actual day isn’t until two weeks from tomorrow. (And even though I received it in late October, I’m considering Teresa’s gift of the egg cup to be a birthday present, too.) I’m going to make November my Birthday Month.
On a very sad note – if you missed my post about the death of dear Judy Clark’s husband, John, please scroll down one post. He died yesterday after a valiant and brave battle with cancer.
Happy Thursday.
You bring such joy and pieces of yourself into our lives every day! We are also blessed and thankful. Enjoy your day!
Thank you for your kind words, Linda.
I am th very same way with my piles of things sitting near by– and I wonder how did it get to that point?
As I’m clearing out and going thru things for a future move– I find a lot of things I thought I liked but they belonged to someone else.? I’ve not seen the book UNDecorate.- except here-but am curious about the concept. I’d like to see it for myself!
All of your surprises inside your box are lovely– and you are every bit as deserving as the next person Claudia– you do have a sweet spirit I know and like many readers– you make us feel comfy here at MHC –you are a friend. Happy birthday Month! :)
I think I inherited my piling mentality from my mom, Pat. She always had piles of things – and a small house with 4 kids and all their stuff!
Claudia, I also use vintage pottery to hold papers, pens and other ‘stuff’ on my desk. I have to go through everything once in awhile and clean it up. I’m a stacker! Love the gifts that Barbara sent you. I think your friendship touches so many of us and we just love you and see things you would like and well there you go!! I think celebrating your birthday for the whole month of November is perfect!
I know you will be bringing Don home soon and I’m sure you and Scout are ready!
hugs,
Linda
Picking him up tomorrow, Linda. Can’t wait!
You’re welcome!
“When we share – that is poetry in the prose of life.”
— Sigmund Freud
xoxoxo Barbara
Ahhh, another lovely peek inside your gorgeous cottage. Thank you. Yes, I have piles too and need to go through them. My husband has even more piles — everywhere — and that does drive me crazy (though, for once, while he is away I have not moved/touched/re-arranged/or done away with his piles!!). What lovely gifts you received Claudia. I agree with what Linda says, we are out and see something that makes us think of you…or someone else…and there you go. I have a bag in my closet full of little gifts for friends that I have collectd over the past couple of months. It’s fun! Finally, Happy, Happy Birthday Month. Enjoy celebrating!!
Thank you, Vera. Might as well celebrate!
Claudia, What an amazing gift. I know you were probably so excited opening it. Such thought things too. Blessings for a great weekend. xoxo,Susie
Have a wonderful weekend yourself, Susie!
Such wonderful things to receive for your ‘birthday’. I can’t wait for you to start on the doll house again. I just love what you are doing with it.
That is a beautiful scarf. I love the colors. pam
The colors are gorgeous, Pam. Very rich and jewel-tone like. Love it.
Well…I feel blessed to have found you, and look forward to each day’s post. You bring a refreshing perspective to the blogging world…and I guess I feel a kinship with you, which is why I keep coming back. Your coffee table sort of looks like our coffee table…it’s a working coffee table…not just for show! That was quite the gift you received from Barbara…love those miniatures! ;)
Definitely a working coffee table, Donnamae!
It is like you won the lottery, Claudia! What wonderful things in that magic package. And I believe in celebrating for the whole month for your birthday! My husband and I both have Dec. birthdays, and I have always felt they get lost in the madness of the month. Our kids think it was “mean” for us both to have BDs in Dec. as well. :-)
I didn’t see the post about Judy’s husband yesterday. I am so sad. She is such a wonderful lady and her blog is inspiring as she is so very creative. I know he will be missed by his family and so very many friends.
I sometimes get crazy over piles my hubs creates on the coffee table, kitchen table, bedroom, and then I think of something like this, and I think how much I would miss every single “messy” thing. Puts things in a whole new perspective. Little things really ARE little things.
I would too. The ‘mess’ which is really just a sort of display of what’s taking one’s fancy at the moment, tells a great story.
What wonderful gifts. I am a stacker too. It happens when we live in small spaces. xo Laura
Absolutely!
What wonderful little treasures you received..love those miniatures..my desk looks that way also Claudia..I must go give my condolences to Judy..such a sweet lady..
Such a sad day, Nancy.
I really, really, try not to be, but I am constantly surrounded by piles of stuff. Guess that’s the way it is when you are interested in many different things. That is a lovely bunch of gifts from Barbara. Enjoy each and every one. Tammy
Thank you, Tammy!
Hi Claudia,
WOW! That’s not just a gift, that’s an extravaganza of fun! You are very lucky, what a dear and generous friend.
Enjoy your bounty!
Amazingly generous!
Oh my goodness, what fun you must have had opening up this package!! I love how sweet gestures like this can brighten a day, and put a smile in your heart!
It was such fun – I couldn’t believe how many packages there were!
Lovely gifts for a lovely person. I always enjoy your prose, and needless to say, you are my favourite blog.
Oh, thank you, Lea.
How wonderful! And yes celebrate YOU all of November!
It’s a deal, Sharron!
Scarf, red gloves and your red shoes: your ensemble will be beautifully coordinated!
I can’t wait to see where you place the miniatures in your dollhouse, and I’ll bet I’m not the only one.
Hang in there. You’ll see some of them today (Friday!)
What lovely gifts..You are truly blessed…You must be living right..Bloggers are truly generous and kind..Have a wonderful weekend..