Wednesday, February 27, 2008

PARCELS FROM AMERICA AND A BOOK OF SURPRISES........

Isn’t it exciting when the postman knocks on your door and hands you a parcel, especially when its your birthday. Yes..... its my birthday today!

My birthday parcel was actually delivered on Monday 25 February, it has been mighty difficult to resist opening it and I have to admit that since Monday I've walked by it many times with a longing look, I’ve even given it a gentle shake, but it has always been a tradition that presents and cards are not opened until the big day arrives and here it is, so please join me as I open my gifts from my very dear friends Betty & Edward in America.....



Opening the parcel revealed a colourful array of prettily wrapped gifts for both me and John whose birthday follows on 7th March.....
Here are my gift displayed on the dresser, you’ll see them better if you click on the pictures and enlarge them......

Lovely cards from Betty and Edward expressing sweet birthday greetings, plus a birthday card from ‘The Red Hatter’ girls... what a surprise this was...., they’d all signed it too.... A Get-Well card - which is very much appreciated. A sweet little blue bird - who will look great with my collection of little birds. A exquisite pewter book mark with a diamante studded angel. I have a great fondness for angels. A gorgeous rabbit, I must ask what he’s made of, he’s quite heavy, I think it may be bronze. And last but certainly not least, a book full of surprises.....




Here’s a closer view of my blue bird, rabbit and book mark....


Now, here is the book of surprises. I love it!!! What a cleaver idea Betty....

The book has a page for each month of the year, on one side there is space to make a note of ‘Birthdays’, ‘Anniversaries’ and ‘Special Occasions’ and the opposite page is made into a pocket allowing things to be tucked in......


Come, take a look as I turn through the months of the year......
Of course, February contained my birthday cards....March held John’s birthday card, a birthday banner and, a packet of ‘Birdhouse Gourds’. They will be interesting to grow! This picture also includes John’s birthday gift which will be opened next week.....



Now I turn to April....... more seeds and another card, this got me guessing???? We have no celebrations this month was my immediate thought!!!! so being curious I opened the envelope....
A sweet little kitten greeted me..... Betty knows too well of my fondness for cats......


I opened the card and read the words..... Of course, I was instantly reminded of what we have to celebrate in April.... We are anticipating with great excitement what awaits us in May.....

Turning the page to May, I am thrilled to find more seeds.... We are going to have such a colourful garden this year. Now! I think you really will have to click on the picture this time to see what I have tucked behind the seed packets........ I’m so thrilled to tell you our wonderful news..... what you see are our flight tickets with Delta Airline that will take us to visit our dear sweet friends Betty, Edward, their family and friends on 18th May. Isn’t that the greatest thing! I still can’t believe its really happening.

Now I turn to July...... Betty and family are off to Amelia Island. The postcard enclosed shows it to be a glorious place with a stunning beach, where you can catch shrimps, stroll the quaint Victorian streets or research history at Fort Clinch State Park. Happy Holidays Betty!!!
Finally onto December..... Here I find a Christmas card and Wedding Anniversary card awaits. Thank you dear friend, I’m so impressed with my book of surprises, each month a precious gift in itself.

************

Now before I end this post.... the other parcel that I have to tell you about arrived on 25 January. It was posted by Betty & Edward in good time for us to have received by Christmas, however, it went astray and didn't arrive until 25 January. Naturally Betty was getting very anxious wondering why it was taking so long to get here. She even wanted to tell me what the parcel contained thinking that it must have got lost. Well, I like surprises, so I said no, leave it a while longer, I think it will turn up and so it did. Having taken about 7 weeks to get here.... I would just love to know where it has been.....Actually, opening a Christmas box in January certainly brightened up a dull day! And what a wonderful selection of Christmas gifts were revealed too....

For me.... An exquisitely beaded spectacle case - simply gorgeous! A black beaded bracelet.... and a 'Red Hatters' bracelet and ear rings - I love them! A purse - just what I wanted! And the prettiest miniature cup and saucer!

For John..... A smart pen - He loves it! and a nifty little compact calculator, that not only tells the time all over the world, its a calendar, a clock.... and I'm sure if John was sat beside me now, he would point out other clever things it does.
If that wasn't enough.... on opening yet another bag, we found a huge packet of pecan nuts - so delicious! Oh! and I mustn't forget.... a Christmas card!

To our dear friends Betty & Edward.... John and I are so thrilled with the gifts you have sent us a very big thank you.... Hugs and kisses for now, can't wait until we can actually give you a loving and strong embrace in May. I'm off to enjoy my birthday now..... Have a great day everyone - Bestest Love - Marion xx




19 comments:

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Dear Marion,

A very happy birthday to you!!!! What wonderful presents you got. I love that little birdie and the rabbit is so cute! And then that absolutely wonderful book of surprises! Wow! It's chockful of lovely surprises and it will be no surprise to you when I tell you that I loved the little kitten! ;-)

It's truly fantastic that you are going to meet Betty and Edward for real. It's something really special so I hope you will all enjoy it very, very much!

In the mean time you have a lot of sowing to do I see. ;-)

Aqeela said...

What lovely gifts Marion, especially the book with all the little suprises tucked inside, what a wonderful idea. I must find one of those - or make one!
I like your blog, i only found it about a week ago - cant remember how.
Keep it up!
Lindsay xx

Betty said...

Dear Friend Marion,

Happy Birthday dear friend....Edward and I do wish you a wonderful day...by now you and John have celebrated with a delicious lunch out...I'm looking forward to hearing all about 'your' day.....

Thank you for the kind comments about your gifts...

Edward and I, plus our family and friends, are elated that you are coming to our home, Lord willing...
we eagerly await May 18th....Love and Prayers....Betty

Barbara said...

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..... dear Marion? Did you hear me singing the song??? All the very best wishes and a wonderful day today!

Hope said...

I just came over from Betty's blog to wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I just can't believe all those wonderful gifts you received from Betty and Edward, especially that book that keeps on giving! After reading your post I can see that your greatest gift will be to meet them in person! How exciting for you all!!

It is very nice to meet you and I hope you enjoy your day!

Hugs,
Hope

Barbara said...

Belated birthday wishes Marion. What a wonderful surprise box. I am glad you have your tickets all sorted out now for your trip.

Kerri said...

You have certainly struck up a very special friendship between the 4 of you, and how wonderful that you'll all be able to meet in May!!
That's a marvelous package Marion, full of treasures. I especially love the surprise book. Betty is very creative and thoughtful.
I'm so glad the Christmas package finally arrived..a little extension of Christmas in January.
Happy, happy birthday to you dear Marion. I hope you had a wonderful day!
xoxoxo

Wurzerl said...

Dear Marion,
Happy Birthday! I hope you had a great day? I wish you a good health and more wonderful gifts.
Have a wonderful weekend Wurzerl

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Marion, happy birthday! Looks like you are blessed with wonderful, thoughtful friends in Betty and Edward! What a treasure. And thank you for sharing your gifts with the rest of us...that surprise book is such a great idea! Blessings to you throughout the coming year. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your May visit...that's exciting.

Sara

Mountain Mama said...

I'm very late but want to wish you a very happy Birthday and a wonderful year.
Your gifts are so uniquely wonderful. No wonder you are so thrilled with them.

Sigrun said...

Happy birthday also from Mr. W. and me, Marion.
It is so nice from Betty, to send you such a lovely Parcel!

Sigrun

Tea said...

A late happy nbirthday to you Marion!
Lovely gifts and I`ve enjoyed catching up.

tea
xo

Boxwood Cottage said...

Happy belated birthday wishes to you and John dear Marion!

I hope you new year auf life is filled with health, happiness and love!

And let me say that I'm terribly sorry that I did not get around to visit you here more often.

Hugs Carol xox

Viooltje said...

Best wishes for the future. And what a wonderful blog, I'm overwhelmed both by the garden photos and by welsh countryside. Looking forward to future posts.

Unknown said...

I agree. I can hear the diesel motors of the UPS and Fed Ex Trucks when they show up outside and it;s ALWAYS fun to see what arrives. Wishing you HEALTH, LOVE, AND HAPPINESS!!!

Barbara said...

Missing you. Hope you are OK.
Happy Easter.

Barbara said...

Missing you. Hope you are OK.
Happy Easter.

Wurzerl said...

Dear Marion, miss you!
Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter
Wurzerl

Mmm said...

Man, i want a friend like that who sends me such fantastic care packages/b'day pressies! Love it.