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08.26.2006 :: Blessings are rampant
I opened them! Want to see?
:)
First off, I have to say thank you to each and everyone of you who stopped by yesterday and wished me a happy day. I can't tell you how much it meant to me.
Now, I have to admit that all those packages make me a bit embarrassed. You know, that usually I mention my birthday like this: "Yesterday was my birthday". This truly is the first year there has been a build up of sorts and it was fun. I hope it was fun for you.
Let's look inside those packages, shall we?
Here is the stack. We will go in order from top to bottom. No favorites, remember.
Package number one:
Many thanks to the lovely Kim Gibson! (who also worked blog miracles, allowing me to post pictures today. Applause please, for Miss Kim!! )
A sheepy card that made me laugh, Sheep SOAP! ( I know! Who could use it??) Peruvian Baby silk that has me dreaming of wonderful mittens, perhaps, a linen scented candle, bringing to mind freshly line dried sheets and. AND, one of her wonderful, handmade pincushions! I can't tell you how much I love and cherish that pincushion. I will always give it a warm place in my home, reminding me of the kindess of Kim.
Thank you, Kim!
2nd up:
A yummy package from Margene! She tantalized the smell and taste buds. Which is ALWAYS appreciated.
Wonderful hand cream (do you know what a hand cream freak I am? I love it. LOVE. I have many. But never enough!) that feels lovely and healing but smells like a peach. Not just any peach, a fresh from the orchard peach. Note to self: go to Peach orchard today and buy peaches. And candy. Now, how on earth can anyone go wrong with some yummy ghiradelli candy? It's a miracle that they still exist but honestly, after my yearly fried clam extravaganza not even a morsel of chocolate seemed yummy anymore. Today, is another story though. And a beautiful tin of orange flavored candies. I love tins like that. But look at the card! SHE MADE IT! How talented is she?
This seems to be the birthday of the handmade. And is there anything more special than something someone took time to make for you? It's the best kind of gift really.
So, handmade inventory? Wonderful, personal card: Beautiful, cherished pincushion flower.
3rd package:
This is the long awaited one from Kimberly, my August Birthday pal. It was worth the wait, bloggers.
Trekking xxl yarn! Always wonderous and fun! It will have a home on my feet, I tell you! a rosebud printed bag with homegrown lavender in it. LAVENDER! HOMEGROWN. My heart is full. So are my lucky smellsensors. :) A needle case, handmade! In a pleasing, relaxing shell print. I live 3 blocks from the sea, this is perfect. HANDMADE stitch markers. Pretty ones, whimsical ones, funny ones (a hamburger! That is funny!)
And if that wasn't already enough, a wonderful fish sock bag. If you are inclined to sew even a little bit, you should rush over to Kimberly's blog and buy yourself this cute, wonderful pattern. I want to use it as a purse. It is THAT cute. Here's a closer look:
It is so well made and cute!
And look at the surprise lining! Don't you love it?
I have never ever been this in love with a fish before.
Thank you, Kimberly! I will cherish the gifts made from your heart.
Handmade Inventory? See how it's growing and growing? card, pincushion, fish, shell needle bag, stitch markers, lavender bag (gasping for air)
4th package:
(I know, it's a bit sickening, isn't it? Don't hate me!)
:)
This is the package that sent me over the edge. I had an emotional day (which I will talk about in another entry, too much is too much) and when I opened this gift, the tears spilled. And in a good way. I felt loved. And special. Many of those wonderful cards carried messages that were touching in a way that I have not been touched. And this put me over the edge.
A package from Cabin Cove. Thank you, Dave. A wonderful surprise indeed.
This is still an emotional package for me. He dyed yarn for me. The names of the yarn are as follows, from left to right:
Sandy's sky: sky brew
Sandy's sky: partly cloudy
Sandy's sky: Fair weather
I do think that tears got on this wool. My heart is warm. Could this kind of gift come at any better time? That's not the end of the wonderful gift though, this one has a theme!
A needle case (handmade) and a sock bag in a wonderful SKY FABRIC. I'm still choking up about it. Sky fabric. Can you imagine? And,there was some lovely lavender handgrown by Mr. Dave that seems to have not made it into the photo. Lavender. I did not realize I loved it so much. I will be growing some myself now.
Phew! It's almost too much, isn't it?
Handmade inventory: card, pincushion, stitch markers, needle case, fish bag, lavender sachet, 3 skeins handdyed yarn, sky sock bag, sky needle case, more lavender to keep me calm.
You should, by the way, head over to Dave's Cabin Cove Mercantile to buy up every single bit of his lovely hand dyed yarn. You will not be disappointed!
5th package:
This was a surprise. From yet another Kim. It truly was a Kim birthday! She was truly generous of spirit as well as gifts.
There is alot of yarny goodness in thie package. Mostly yarns that were not familiar to me, which is exciting, isn't it?
Blizzard yarn which speak MITTENS to me (what yarn doesn't lately?), some (prewound! THAT is a gift in itself, is it not?) Misti cotton, pima cotton and silk: feels heavenly! Some Imperiale S-print that screams SCARF to me! Serenity windchimes that I can't wait to open up and hear and chocolate. And cookies that were opened and consumed on the spot. Andy is thankful for THAT part of the gifts! :) AND. Knitting needles with the cutest kitties on the top of them. She included a card with the most lovely things said inside. I cannot thank you enough, Kim! I have plans to meet her at the Boston Knit out! You should go too if you live around here!
The handmade inventory is up there with the addition of the kitty topped knitting needles. So many people do not GET what a handmade gift is about. I do. I get it.
A big thank you to Margene, Gibknits Kim, Berlin Kimberly, Dave and Some bunny Kim. You made a truly difficult day into one of love.
And each and every one of you that played along, thank YOU. I appreciate all of you.
I feel blessed.
And if all that were not enough, today is Derek's 20th birthday!
Leaving his teen years behind, he has grown to be a sensitive, hard working, caring, wonderful young man.
Happy Birthday, Derek!
Posted by Sandy on 08.26.2006 AT 10:17 AM
Comments
Happy birthday!
That many gifts from online friends and still you wonder about being special??? Silly girl! I think you can checkmark THAT box. ;)
Posted by: Laura on 08.30.2006 AT 10:59 AM
Wow! Those are great gifts!
Love the sky yarn and fabric. How totally appropriate for you.
Posted by: Dorothy B on 08.30.2006 AT 10:24 AM
What wonderful gifts. The sky yarn is absolutly beautiful. Happy "belated" Birthday.
Posted by: Alisha on 08.30.2006 AT 09:35 AM
Dear Sandy,
Please come and visit my blog and join in!
Happy Belated birthday to another classy August broad!
kamsarmer.blogspot.com
Posted by: kt on 08.29.2006 AT 11:36 PM
Happy Birthday to you, Sandy, just a little late. Birthdays should be celebrated for at least a week, anyway! And, my son turned 20 on the 26th, too!
Posted by: Cindy on 08.29.2006 AT 05:09 PM
Oh, dear, the last 2 photos are not to be seen (shame on me for being late to the party - Happy Belated Birthday!). Can you post them again?
Posted by: Julie on 08.29.2006 AT 08:20 AM
You sure did get spoiled, lucky girl. :)
I'm glad your birthday was a good one.
Happy Birthday Derek. :)
Posted by: Samantha on 08.29.2006 AT 08:04 AM
Gotta love those August birthdays! I'm so inspired by your patience, by the way. Very admirable!
Posted by: Theresa on 08.28.2006 AT 01:02 PM
What a lucky girl! You feel loved because you ARE loved!
Posted by: Imbrium on 08.28.2006 AT 12:43 PM
Sandy,
Happy birthday!!! I'm a little late, but please just think of it as a prolonged celebration of you!
All those prezzies are AMAZING. Bloggers are just the best!
What better gift on your birthday than yarn dyed to match your joy? Sky yarn, who woulda thunk it?
Posted by: Steph VW on 08.28.2006 AT 12:41 PM
WOW....what fantastic gifts!!! Love them all....the fish bag is wayyy too cute!! Lucky gal to have such good friends!!!
Posted by: crazy for yarn in alabama: Darlene on 08.28.2006 AT 10:00 AM
Happy Birthday!!! Very fun to read about your day, esp . love the yarn from Dave, so thoughtful! Your daughter will love UNH, my alma mater! Hope at least one of my three will enroll there. Well, of the two left, #1 son is at UVA , via semester abroad in Paris. Cheers!
Posted by: Diane E. on 08.27.2006 AT 11:33 PM
I think I know why it's been such an emotional day - I just got back from dropping my one and only dear child off at college.....no need to say more....
Posted by: Michele on 08.27.2006 AT 06:59 PM
Wonderful things! That sky yarn is stunning and amazing.
Posted by: Chris on 08.27.2006 AT 06:07 PM
Happy Belated Birthday Sandy! I'm sorry I missed the actual day but it looks like you had a grand one!
Posted by: Rebecca on 08.27.2006 AT 03:04 PM
What wonderful gifts! Thanks for sharing Sandy!
Posted by: Kelly on 08.27.2006 AT 10:30 AM
So you're THE Sandy! Happy Happy Birthday. You're gifts are just wonderful and totally tell the world how much others love ya!
I've really enjoyed being a part of Saturday Sky even if I'm too stupid to set up the ring thing. Heck I still haven't figured out how to put links on the side :-(
Posted by: Susan on 08.27.2006 AT 08:00 AM
Happy Birthday for yesterday, Sandy! x
Posted by: Donna on 08.27.2006 AT 04:20 AM
Wow!!! Such LOVE!
I have to say I love Dave's stuff the best!!! That Dave!!
Posted by: Scout on 08.27.2006 AT 12:18 AM
Oh, what a nice pile o' presents! ; ) Very sweet, every single one -- love that "sky" yarn. I'm glad they helped make your day.
Happy Birthday to Derek!
Posted by: Vicki on 08.26.2006 AT 11:09 PM
Wow! That's a wonderful bunch of stuff--and you deserve it, too. Who else could have gotten so many people looking up at the sky? I love the sky-yarn from Dave, too--it's perfect. Everything's perfect!
Happy birthday to Derek, too!!
Posted by: --Deb on 08.26.2006 AT 09:55 PM
Oh how lovely... Happy birthday weekend to you all! Enjoy those gifts.. you deserve them!!!
Posted by: Beth on 08.26.2006 AT 07:14 PM
Happy Birthday, Sandy!! :D
Lovely Goodies.
*eyes your Cabin Cove* ;)
*OtterHuggles*
Posted by: KnittyOtter on 08.26.2006 AT 06:48 PM
Dude! Nice haul! I always make a HUGE deal about my birthday (even named my blog after it) - isn't it so much fun?!
Hope you have a great day today - and HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEREK!
Posted by: Cara on 08.26.2006 AT 04:32 PM
I am so glad you liked the goodies. I admit that I wanted everything to be related either to the Sky (the mohair reminds me of rich sunsets, the Misti reminds me of my noon-time walks) or Mittens and it looks like I did good! My favorite would be the needles because I thought the sky blue kitties seemed perfect for Fig and you. :)
Happy birthday!
=:8
Posted by: Kimberly on 08.26.2006 AT 03:53 PM
Happy, Happy Birthday sweet Sandy!!
Posted by: Kathy on 08.26.2006 AT 03:22 PM
I'm so glad you had a happy birthday:-)
Posted by: Janine on 08.26.2006 AT 03:13 PM
Happy belated bday, Sandy and Happy bday to Derek!
Love the sky package from Dave! How creative and very thoughtful!
Posted by: Jean on 08.26.2006 AT 03:07 PM
Happy Birthday, Derek!
Who's birthday is tomorrow? ;^)
Yay for pictures in the blog!
I love it when good things happen to lovely people. *hugs*
Posted by: Cookie on 08.26.2006 AT 02:48 PM
darn it, I missed your birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY anyway. (Crazy week at work) That's a fabulous array of goodies, enjoy them all! (BTW, yes, that WAS a squeaky carrot Sabby had - it's in the "repair" pile right now.)
Posted by: Terri on 08.26.2006 AT 02:16 PM
I am so glad your birthday was filled with delightful surprises!
Posted by: Kathleen on 08.26.2006 AT 01:13 PM
Look at all that Knitter Love! You so deserve it.
Dave went above and beyond. Tears were required.
I'm so glad to hear you got your fried clams. We haven't been there this year.
Posted by: Karen on 08.26.2006 AT 12:48 PM
Hey! Wait! There's something missing...where's the cake? Who was gonna get the cake??? Damn! There's always that one little detail that gets forgotten.
Happy birthday again, you got some great goodies there. And the shhep soap is GREAT, as are all of the items.
Posted by: Dave Daniels on 08.26.2006 AT 12:44 PM
Happy Birthday to your boy Derek!
What a lovely birthday you had and Dave did a perfect job of knowing just what would make you happy! PERFECT!
Posted by: margene on 08.26.2006 AT 12:42 PM
And you deserve every bit of pleasure you get from this!
Posted by: Chris on 08.26.2006 AT 12:32 PM
you lucky lucky girl. and i don't even know dave, and i got misty at the sandy sky yarn line.
so pretty.
i'm glad you got all of the fun loot.
Posted by: maryse on 08.26.2006 AT 12:27 PM
Everything looks like so much fun! And it's obvious that you have touched just a many people as have touched your heart! Enjoy the Birthday bounty!!
Posted by: Leah on 08.26.2006 AT 12:13 PM
Okay, I was doing just fine, laughing and enjoying the gifts right along with you, until you got to Dave's. OH MY GOSH. I do believe that's the most wonderful gift I've ever seen, and so clever. Sandy's Sky Yarn. It brought tears to my eyes, yep. That's so cool!!!!
What a great photo of Graduate Bethany and Derek!! Happy Birthday, Derek! Twenty! Girl, we're not old enough to have kids that are TWENTY!?!
Big hugs---have a great day!
xoxoxo
Posted by: Kim on 08.26.2006 AT 11:59 AM
Holy crap, woman, YOU'RE WORTHY. And especially since you have raised two such wonderful children and done your motherly duty and kicked them out of the nest. :)
Such lovely, lovely gifts. Each and every one of them is so beautiful and thoughtful. Yay you!
Posted by: Norma on 08.26.2006 AT 11:46 AM
It's about time you got around to opening those! The sky yarn from Dave is really a show-stopper. Enjoy knitting that!
Posted by: Beth on 08.26.2006 AT 11:28 AM
That is a FABULOUS haul! I can't get over the Saturday Sky Yarns. They are so, so lovely! And I can absolutely understand your love of lavender. It's such a calming, grounding kind of scent--makes perfect sense to me.
Enjoy it all! (Let's see some sky socks, eh?)
Posted by: Beth S. on 08.26.2006 AT 11:24 AM
What wonderful birthday gifts. I'm such a slacker.
Oh, and that yarn from Dave? Made me cry, too.
Posted by: Carole on 08.26.2006 AT 11:02 AM
What a treasure trove you have there! Well worth the wait ....
Posted by: Ruth on 08.26.2006 AT 10:52 AM
Yours is a blog that I look forward to for all the sincerity and warmth that emanates from your writing.
The warmth was genuine in those delightful synopses of your gifts, and yes, it WAS fun to go along with this whole "guess what's coming" idea.
You are a bright spot in the corner of the internet, even if the skies are grey on Saturday.
Posted by: inky on 08.26.2006 AT 10:39 AM
What wonderful, wonderful gifts, Sandy - you deserve to be so spoiled!
My son was born the day after my 22nd birthday; is there any better way to spend your birthday than in labor?
Posted by: Teri P on 08.30.2006 AT 01:33 PM