Santa Claus actually arrived at my front door this past Christmas Eve! True, he was wearing a suit of blue, had apparently shaved off his white beard due to the unseasonably warm weather, and was driving a truck.............but he was carrying a good sized box, nicely wrapped and addressed to me, and this made him "Santa" in my eyes.
recent great giveaway and I was the winner!
Look at these fabulous gifts. Mandy was so generous and picked such lovely things to share. The vintage silver dish is gorgeous, perfect for holding the delicately perfumed herb and floral "Cottage Garden Potpourri" from Mandy's own garden. The sweet embroidered pillow "Don't Forget to Smell The Flowers" is trimmed with a little fabric flower and button. The plaque stating "A Garden of Friends is Always in Bloom" will be hung in the garden come Spring. Love the paisley patterned Vera Bradley makeup bag ~ just the right size for my purse. And the book............I'm thrilled with this Rachel Ashley of Shabby Chic fame "The Gift of Giving". I'd never seen this book despite having Rachel's other decorating books. There are so many fabulous ideas inside, all beautifully photographed, for making, gathering, collecting and putting together the perfect gift for anyone by recycling and reusing things we have, or can buy, without spending a lot of money. I am going to use this special book often!
Again, many, many thanks Mandy. I'm thrilled with everything the box held............and I'll always believe!
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Congratulations on your win. It looks like all very nice gifts.
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a good day.
Nancy
Mary, this prize must have been meant especially for you. Each unique and special item seems to call your name.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful collection of goodies! I've never seen that RA book either. Sounds like a good one to have on hand for those giving occasions!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Mary!
Beautiful gifts. Santa (and Mandy) were good to you! Hope your new year is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky were you Mary to win such a wonderful giveaway! Looks like it was chosen especially for you :-) Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a special surprise - those are indeed wonderful gifts, and seem to be designed just for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely little treasure trove of gifts. I have 3 Rachel Ashley books which I bought through Amazon.com. I must look for this one too. The nice thing about Amazon (despite the obvious) is to get a parcel in the mail. I remember when most of the Christmas parcels from out of towm family arrived before Christmas wrapped in brown paper, tied with string and sealed with red sealing wax!
ReplyDeleteOh, Mary, we also celebrate Boxing Day in South Africa. It is an official public holiday. I was also going to do a blog about its origins but never got round to it. I am pleased you did. Yesterday I saw a comedy movie that you will enjoy: Mrs Radcliffe's Revolution. It is about a Yorkshire family, enamoured of Communism in the late 60s who 'emigrate' to Eastern Germany and then try and return. I think you will love it.
ReplyDelete"Nonsense!" says Mrs Radcliffe briskly to the Secret Police, during an interrogation, "I am British and now, if you don't mind. I'm going home to have my tea!"
Hi Mary, Your gifts from Mandy are so sweet. I believe in Santa too. Smile. He wears lots of different outfits. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWe arrived home from the Biltmore just now. Boy am I tired. We have season passes and my grandsons got in free. Fun time today.
Our daughter is here from FL. and she brought my grands and Tanner. Come over and see. We have fallen in love with him. He is good therapy after losing Babette.
Love...Jeanne
Hi Mary, You are so deserving of this giveaway! Thanks for all the kind comments.
ReplyDeleteHave a most wonderful New Year,
Mandy
Mary... you are a poet of the camera... I love your photos. I agree with the others posting comments... it appears as though this prize was meant to be yours, although I suspect your camera artistry has a little something to do with that...
ReplyDeleteHappy New year... Hugs... Dixie
Congratulations on your fabulous win!
ReplyDeleteYou had a wonderful Christmas surprise with your giveaway gifts. Enjoy them all as they look wonderful and handpicked just for you.
ReplyDeleteHugs ~
Heidi
Wowza! Wowza! You did good! Fun, huh, to win something - like at the fair when you finally toss that ball into the fish bowl! How fun - glad it was you- have a great New Year's Eve.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Mary! Beautiful giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2009!
Missing you dear! I wish a wonderful New Year and lots of good things!! Love, Vanessa
ReplyDelete