Tuesday, January 6, 2009

An Award and Gifts

Thanks Chris!

Chris of Welcome Friends to to Chris's Corner presented this award to me. The award focuses on the friendships that blossom here in blogland. Blogs who receive this award are 'exceedingly charming' say its authors. This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."So according to the rules I must mention eight more bloggers with whom to share this with award.
Donna at http://adventureswithtassie.blogspot.com/
Anne at
http://peekaboostreet.blogspot.com/
Susan at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Jennifer at
http://oldavonladysorders.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth at http://ebogie.blogspot.com/
Kitty at http://mykittyscraps.blogspot.com/
Cindy at http://onlymehere-justanotherdayinparadise.blogspot.com/
Dawn at http://dawnsdaybreak.blogspot.com/



A Few Meaningful Christmas Gifts
I was in kind of a fog over Christmas this year. I went through all of the motions of Christmas rituals but really did not appreciate the special gifts given to me by friends and family. This morning during a few hours of solitude I took time to go through these treasures and actually see them for the first time. I will share more unique gifts with you later.

This lovely keyring has a photo of my daughter, Sherry. It was given to me by her daughter, Erin. I am anxious to put my keys on this keyring. As I gaze at Sherry's picture, it is as though she is looking at me.
Erin also gave me this wonderful book. I will keep it with my newest book, Simple Abundance, so I will easily be in reach of it. I thank God each day for the blessing of my loving grandchildren.

My granddaughter, Ashley, also Sherry's daughter, gave me this exquisite table scarf that came from Italy. Ashley's friend visited Italy and Ashley gave her money to buy something special for me. There are three photos so that you can see the handcrafted beauty. I put this on my dining room table.


I hope that all of you, My Blogger Friends, are safe and warm. My daughter, Sheila, and her children, Mallory and Benton, are spending the evening with me. We are in the midst of an ice storm in Central Pennsylvania.

30 comments:

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh Sweetie...What beautiful gifts! They are real treasures! Please know that you and your family continue to be in my thoughts and prayers and will be in the months to come. I'm sending you a big cyber (((hug)))...Debbie

Sue said...

Sweetie--such beautiful gifts to remember your daughter.

I sent 2 emails Monday--did you receive? it is important to me to know if you received the emails.


Sue

Sue said...

What beautiful and special gifts. I thought about you during the holidays.

Kathy said...

Beautiful, special gifts, Sweetie. I'm praying for you...Kathy

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

What sweet wonderful gifts.You can tell they are from the heart.You are such a courageous sweet lady.

Thank you for the precious prayers.Am praying for you sweetie.

Tootsie said...

you are so lucky to have someone give you such wonderful gifts!
congrats on the award!

Anonymous said...

Congrats Sweetie on your award.I love the gifts.Lovely pic of your daughter as well.Im in central Pa too and yes what a storm we had.I think when it started we had about 3 inches of ice.Why dont we ever get snow here anymore.I wouldnt mind that just one time this year.LOL,have a lovely day Sweetie,God Bless!

Anne said...

Sweetie, thank you so much for this friendship award. I will add it to my sidebar of my blog and try and pass it along. I haven't had much luck with other bloggers wanting to pick up their award when I offer it to them for one reason or another. But I'll try it again! What beautiful gifts you received from you grandchildren. You can tell that a lot of thought was put into them. Stay safe during that ice storm.

Kitty Scraps said...

Good Morning Miz Sweetie,
Congratulations on a very well deserved award! And to pass it along to me? Awww, how very kind of you! Thank you! I'm in the midst of inventory at work so as soon as I can I'll pick it up and pass it along as well. But I wanted you to know that I truly appreciate you thinking of me when choosing to pass your award along.

I also agree with other comments about how lovely and precious your gifts are! This year I focused on making less more since economic hardtimes have hit everyone *smiles* and I handmade many of my gifts. In return I received from my future DIL a lovely pencil drawing of Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen in the movie Becoming Jane. Let me tell you the tears were in my eyes when I first saw what she had made me. All of that to say I know exactly how you felt to be given something so thoughtful and perfect for you.
Many blessings!

Unknown said...

First, I want to thank you for thinking of me for this wonderful friendship award.
Secondly, what a beautiful tablescarf and how thoughtful of your granddaughters to plan ahead.
I know what you mean about being in a fog, it's like things that are real didn't even happen when you think back.

Nancy said...

Sweetie:
You have received such love in these gifts. You can feel it though the pictures. Your family is wonderful and lifesavers.
I will miss visiting your blog until I get home, I leave tomorrow morning.
I will be thinking of you.
Love Nancy

squawmama said...

My dear friend Sweetie... Thank you so much for the beautiful award... It really means a lot to me to receive it from you... What beautiful gifts you received... and they were all given with such loving thoughts for you... The key ring with Sherry's picture on it will be a treasured gift I am sure... My heart & love was with you during the holidays and I hope you find great peace in the New Year... love you

(((HUGS)))
Donna

Linda said...

Sweetie, very special gifts from your loving family. Each time you see or use them it's like a hug from them.
Congrats and your lovely award...you are most deserving...hugs, Linda

Love Bears All Things said...

What a very special gift the key ring is! I love the antique look. Your granddaughters put a lot of thought into what you'd like and took time to find something special. I'm so glad you are feeling like looking at these things again and finding pleasure in them.
Congratulations on your award.
Mama Bear

Sharon said...

What wonderful gifts from your granddaughters. Congrats on the award, you sure do deserve it.
Glad to hear that you had someone to stay with you during your storm. Prayers for all of you.
God bless

Deb said...

Hi Sweetie! Lovely gifts and wonderful grand children! How are you Sweetie, I hope the Lord continues to embrace your family and you are in my thoughts and prayers. I will be taking some time off from blogging for a while I will try to visit from time to time with you all. But right now I'm just not who I need to be, wife, homemaker,etc. Take care of yourself! Deb

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

wonderful gifts and thank you for the award!

I have passed it along!
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/01/moi.html

Anonymous said...

What wonderful gifts.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Dianne said...

You are such an amazingly strong woman. An inspirtion to many who will or have faced great sadness. God's Speed to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Sweetie,

I have missed you! Congrats on your award!

Your grandaughter gave you very meaningful gifts. I love the keyring! :)

I often think of you... I still keep you in my prayers.

HUGS,
Donna Marie

Anonymous said...

Sweetie,

I have missed you! Congrats on your award!

Your grandaughter gave you very meaningful gifts. I love the keyring! :)

I often think of you... I still keep you in my prayers.

HUGS,
Donna Marie

ksarra said...

Hi Sweetie, just wanted you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers today. Thanks for visiting. I know that you are a Momma who loves like my own and that your children are blessed to have you in their lives. Have a good day, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Sweetie, I am new to you and your blog, and came here, via Betty Jo, @ Digi Scribbles, as am a close friend of hers. I've been here, tearfully, for quite a while today, soaking in your beautiful site, your wonderful attitude towards life, and also the depth of the loss that you have experienced, with Sherry Jo, and also your dear husband, Johnny, so recently. I am as overwhelmed with the depth of your losses, as I am with you and your family's deep choice to heal together, honor Johnny and Sherry Jo's lives, and be open about your journey through this difficult, painful time.

It is so touching, the dear and meaningful things that were given to you by your family. Am so glad you are all near one another. I love this award that you were given, too. I can see why! You and your blog are incredibly inspiring to me. Am so glad to meet you, Sweetie, and will sure keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I'll be back. :-) Hugs

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Sweetie, I'm thinking of you and sending much love your way. This was such a touching post.

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Sweetie, I'm thinking of you and sending much love your way. This was such a touching post.

XO,

Sheila :-)

onlymehere said...

Sorry it took me so long to come by. It's been crazy here. Try to stay warm during this ice storm. I'm grateful that we never experience them. We're actually having a pleasant day with temperatures in the 30s so I feel like it's a heat wave, LOL! Thank you so much for the award, I'm truly honored. I will definitely pass this on later when I get a chance. Craziness right now here and it's been so busy. I'm glad you've had a minute to reflect on those wonderful thoughtful gifts. That's such a nice picture of Sherry too. What a loving family you have. I'm so glad they're there for your at this time. {{SMILES}}}. Cindy

Anonymous said...

I'm delighted you came back to my blog to read some more. You made my day with your comments.
Hugs,
Charlotte

Elizabeth said...

Hi Sweetie. Thank you for your sweet comment. I'm so glad you came to visit and hope you will return. I've enjoyed visiting your blog and will be sure to return. Wow, 6 girls. We have one daugher, also an Amber, and 2 sons. We are scattered all over the place, but I try not to dwell on it and enjoy and be thankful for the time we get to spend together. Our daughter is expecting our first grandchild next month so I will be going to Chicago for a couple of weeks and I can't wait. I'm so sorry to read about your daughter and your husband. Remember, the Lord is near to those with a broken heart and He tells us to cast ALL of our cares on Him. I know what it's like to lose loved ones and regardless of the circumstances it's never easy, but the Lord has given us the wonderful gift of memories that keeps them close. Enjoy those memories whether they bring a smile or a tear. God bless and please come and visit me again. It's been nice to meet you. Stay safe and warm up there in Pennsylvania.
Elizabeth
Oh, and I hope you do get yourself some "Southern" napkins. If you have a Marshall's, T.J. Maxx or Tuesday Mornings I find really good deals on them there.

Anonymous said...

Hello Sweetie, No wonder your holiday went by without your heart in it. Your gifts are all gifts of love and they are a treasure. You are loved by your wonderful family and as a mom and grandma, isn't that the most wonderful part of our lives?

Love...Jeanne

The Muse said...

Im not sure how blogger has managed to wipe me off your bloggers follow list...but im still here!

thinking of you always!