the unwrapping

 I felt like I was in a scene from Pride and Prejudice. That scene where the sisters pour over a letter, examining the penmanship, and looking for other clues to tell about the sender of the letter. A package from Pondside arrived in the mail this week. I had just come home from a busy 12-hour shift. Such a welcome surprise to find it waiting for me. I didn't rip it open; for awhile I just looked at it. It had come such a long distance across the country. The address was beautifully written and a heart or two here and there decorated the brown wrapping paper. Lots of tape. Just the way I send a package. I took it with me to my office, but then decided I should bring it downstairs so the Gardener could join in the fun of opening it.

 I don't often participate in blog "giveaways" and have only won one other that I can remember--an Elizabeth Goudge book from  In a Garden (she had two copies of the book; you can see one on her sidebar). But when I saw that my blogfriend Pondside was having a giveaway of a sweet counted cross stitch she had done, along with some tea...I just had to toss my name in. I used to be an avid counted cross stitcher...and I love tea...and I feel a kinship with Pondside as we share a few things (at least) in common. For one, the Gardener and I celebrated our 25th on the island where she lives. And last summer Pondside kindly helped us figure out what to do with our fireplace by searching and sending us our inspiration picture. So when I added my name I just so KNEW I would win.

 Her shoebox opened to reveal beautifully wrapped little packages, along with a sweet note in a graciously flowing handwriting (still in the Austin mode here). Three boxes of tea (each one individually wrapped and tied with a pink ribbon ... isn't the unwrapping half of the suspenseful fun?) A tea strainer with the tiniest teapot attached to keep the little chain out side the pot where it belongs, and her beautiful handwork! Thank you my creative friend! Your blog always inspires me!