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Who’s a spoiled princess?

That would be me! And it’s not even Christmas any more. 😀

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The other day I spied the first snowdrop in my garden. So I ran out, picked it, and put it on my bedside table inside the little ink bottle where I’ve forced some forsythia, pussy willows and poplar twigs. Waking up to this little bit of captured spring makes me feel so very pampered.

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But then, you’ll never believe what happened next!

A gift arrived from Norway, from my wonderful friend Vibeke. In it was this beautiful hat, the rosebud hat, which she knitted herself. Isn’t she so clever to be able to knit such a beautiful thing? But I didn’t just get the hat. V also included a lovely notebook and some tea. I absolutely love notebooks and absolutely love tea.

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I’ve already worn rosebud on a walk at the beach and it’s so soft and warm that I can tell it’ll be a treasure for years to come. The notebook will be filled with daily positive thoughts, and, in that way, will also become a treasure for years. Thank you so much dearest V. If you all have a chance, go visit Vibeke’s beautiful blog “a butterfly in my hair”. Guaranteed you’ll love it…and her…as much as I do. Oh, and I have a big secret to tell you. She will be hosting a humongous giveaway in the month of March as part of her birthday celebration, and some of my stacking rings will be involved.

So I was just feeling spoiled to the max, when a lovely lady came to the door. Her name is Rosemarie and she reads my blog. She came to my Art in the Garden weekend, and has been keeping in touch ever since. She is so sweet. She brought me a beautiful little book and some Ms Grey tea.

She had to send away for this sweet little book to Castleton, New York!!! It’s called “If You’re Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbows”. It’s written and illustrated by Cooper Edens.

I love each and every page, like this one; which says:
If tomorrow morning the sky falls, have clouds for breakfast.

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And this one:
If you have butterflies in your stomach, ask them into your heart.

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Butterflies in the heart. I love that. Much better than asking them into my brain…which I must be doing because it’s where they usually end up…butterfly brain…that’s me. 😀 Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift Rosemarie.

I also have to show you two other little gifts from two more thoughtful friends. My neighbour to my East snapped this photo of Morgan sitting on the old window box supports outside my bedroom window. My neighbour loved it so much that she made some cards from it and gave one to me. And, the last time I visited Dalyce, at my most favourite used book shop, she threw this little booklet into my selection of books for free. She’s incredibly generous and always saves me old books, photos, pictures, old magazines, anything she thinks I would love or can use in my art.

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Love this little booklet. It’s written in that strong salesmanship style which promises financial freedom, untold riches and fame if only the customer buys the course. The 4 page, hand signed letter was written to a Mr. R. T. Williams P.O. Box Drawer 687, in Victoria BC on May 3 1921. I wonder if Mr. R. T. ever took the school up on it’s SPECIAL OFFER FOR TWENTY DAYS ONLY SO ACT TODAY splashed in red all over the newsletter, and, especially since the cost is “a trifle” at $65, and 15 yr old Rob Brennan is already selling cartoons to a newspaper just days after beginning the course.

Somehow, I suspect not, because the stamped return envelope is still there in the pocket on the first page.

What fun for me to have this pristine little piece of history.

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What ever shall I do with it now. I think I want to paint on it. Hey, do you know about my FB friend Mark Powell? He’s the most incredible artist, and, like me, loves to draw on old documents. Except he uses black pens. He’s amazingly talented. Bet he’d fill the pages with some wonderful portraits.

Off now to gather my thoughts and maybe do some painting.

Oh, Drawing challenge, if anyone would like to join, is hosted by our friend Joke right over here, and the the words are: The Unexpected. Pop over and tell her you’re in and she’ll link you up for the weekend. What fun we’re having. 😀

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Comments: 21

  • Jo

    January 27, 2015
    reply

    A delightful post – such lovely spoilings you have received – you are a pampered princess. The gifts are all so wonderful. And I can’t wait to see what you paint.

  • January 27, 2015
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    Lovely gifts….the hat is gorgeous!
    Looking forward to seeing what you choose to paint…

  • January 27, 2015
    reply

    Oh my goodness…..all those sweet gifts…..I love the ephemera the best. I collect that sort of thing.
    How thoughtful of your neighbor to take your fur baby’s pic and make it into a card. I am sure you are thinking of your dear friend whenever you wear that gorgeous hat…….color me jealous.

  • Catherine Llewellyn

    January 28, 2015
    reply

    loving the noir portrait of R on the nightstand x

  • January 28, 2015
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    Sounds like these are all “early” Valentines to you!

  • daryledelstein

    January 28, 2015
    reply

    what a windfall of charming and caring presents … lucky girl, you

  • January 28, 2015
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    De très belles crétions sur ce blog.
    Amitiés.

    Roger

  • January 29, 2015
    reply

    hello
    merci de ton passage
    je viens de temps en temps et figure toi que je n’avais pas vu ou déposer un commentaire
    j’éspère que tu as profité de ma nouvelle fonction sur mon blog
    tu peux mettre une petite vignette qui représente ton blog
    juste en bas de mon billet
    j’attends moi aussi les premières jonquilles
    voir enfin un peu de couleurs dans le jardin
    bonne journée
    tendresse
    edith (iris)

  • January 29, 2015
    reply

    i don’t know what happened with the comment i wrote (above) and i am not able to delete it either, sorry!: )

    i am SO happy that you liked the Rosebud hat and the few other things too.
    and a BIG thank you for these touching words dear V, they made me VERY happy and touched.

    xxx

  • January 29, 2015
    reply

    How lovely to have such nice friends ! The hat is wonderful and I stopped by her google site ! Mark is very talented and I so wish I had time to join Joke ! I have a dutch female friend named Joke too ! Last year I forced curly willows to bloom. This year I am not certain, most likely some hyacinths beside my head at night!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

  • January 29, 2015
    reply

    You deserve to be pampered! Go ahead and soak it all in. So glad your friends came by and brought you much cheer.

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