A Crocheted Bouquet From Cindy

So Cindy, who makes the BryonySeries Ribbit-Ribbits (her name for them), surprised me on Mother's Day with a bouquet of flowers, all crocheted, just like her Ribbits, just like Bertrand the Mouse.

She  brought them into the house as Timothy was setting out the Mother's Day brunch he made (just as I was coming downstairs to make breakfast).

I can't even begin to imagine the time she put into creating this lovely gift (did you noticed the purple rose and the blue vase?) that will become a cherished keepsake for a very long time.

Aren't they lovely?

Blue Birthday Towels (and Cash for Shoes)

Good morning!

I'm holding off posting a new recipe for Sue's Diner today. Rebekah had a rough day yesterday, but she has a special recipe she'd like me to share. 

So our nineteenth century chicken salad recipes with homemade crackers is still on the Sue's Diner menu if you haven't tried it yet.

Instead, I'd like to show you this lovely birthday gift from Cindy: a set of dark blue towels in a dark blue bag with dark blue tissue paper, a lovely card, and $50 toward shoes.

That might seem like an unusual birthday gift, but I'm also the type of person that loved a shower curtain birthday gift. 

Here's why the gift is so thoughtful and shows Cindy gave from her heart.

Dark blue is my favorite color. Just looking at dark blue makes me feel good.

I love objects that project happiness. I mean, just look at that card! It projects joy and smiles.

I almost never buy shoes and clothes for myself until the need for both is high. It's partly because I don't like shopping in general (unless I'm shopping with someone else because they like to shop and I'm just there for the socialization).

It also has to do with the way I budget my money.

I have an overall life philosophy of "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." (In short, I'm cheap).

It also has to do with the fact it's difficult to find shoes that correctly fit my feet. And shoes are expensive.

But as a walker (and an aging walk at that), good shoes are important.

Soooo...

Cindy's gift will take me good places with a smile. And when I return home, and it's time to relax and a pamper myself, I'll be surrounded with a stack of soft blue towels.

Happy Wednesday!

It's So Pretty!

My two oldest sons called back-to-back late on Mother's Day evening to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. 

That worked out wonderfully as I'd had a very long, very intense working Sunday (I only sent my own mother a Happy Mother's Day text).

I let Joshua know that Leila had a gift coming but it would not arrive until Tuesday (it actually arrived on Wednesday).

Then he said I had one coming, too (also on Tuesday), from Canada of all places.

Well, it did show up in the mail on Tuesday and it was from New York.

But it's not important if the gift came from Canada or New York when it comes from the heart, right?

Anyway, I opened it and cried out, "It's so pretty!" 

As Joshua said, the necklace has the blue as well as the vintage look I like so much.

Scroll through the photos and see.

Especially since the box had a message of its own.

"That's Part of the Mother's Day Magic"

Timothy presented these flowers to me on Saturday night, in advance of Mother's Day and in the middle of an extremely busy working weekend.

They're lovely down to the vase. I asked him where he bought these and he refused to divulge, saying, "That's part of the Mother's Day magic."

Scroll down for a few personalized closeups that make this gift extra special (as if the gift weren't enough).

For instance, blue is my favorite color. And I love flowers Timothy included a blue vase with floral designs and blue flowers.

Roses are my favorite flower. And purple roses is a motif in the BryonySeries.

Gorgeous, right?

Happy Monday!