Friday, October 9, 2009

The Mark of Friendship

When I opened this parcel, I didn't find any books. I found the most lovely notebooks, bookmarks and a magnet. All of them spoke of friendship and opportunity in the most beautiful ways. This is how I feel about you all; as friends across the miles and on the net through the forums. You're friends to me and will always be there for me; I will always be there for you.
Lone-Star-Lori, these are wonderful things to send across the miles to me on my birthday and I thank you very much. I will use them and remember you were the one who gave them to me. Some of them will stay in the Bookcrossing basket; as that's where a lot of the things that I've received has been placed; and other things will be used in other places around the house. Thank you again.

Inksmudge And Your Gorgeous Cards!

What can I say about Inksmudge and her trademark beautiful hand-made cards. They are one-of-a-kind and I love them. Last year, I received one with my screen name on it and I still have it on my bookcase next to the computer (Yes, I love it that much it's become part of the furniture.). Then, you sent Loey a birthday card this year for her Love Bomb (and she loves it too; telling people how well-known you are for your cards!).

And then this one showed up yesterday in Loey's letterbox. I was out and about at Garden City when I was told about it. When I arrived, I was thrilled to find the most gorgeous birthday card waiting for me. And isn't it lovely? It's now joined the rest of the other cards on my Grandma's piano for the next few weeks; until I put them into the purple basket that all your parcels came in. Thank you so much for sending this beautiful card. I love it and the verse inside is just lovely. You truly have a talent.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

And From My Birthday Buddy...

Today, my gift from Froggirlwendy arrived! Yay! I love receiving presents on my birthday from her. And I knew the gift was arriving this week some time if it didn't arrived on Monday. Anyway, I saw the 3kg bag and knew it was hers and borrowed a pair of scissors from the ladies at the post office and opened the bag straight away. Two lovely, glittery purses, a block of 'Greens' Dark chocolate and a book came out with two beautiful bookmarks slotted in the front; along with a gorgeous card. Underneath the card was a bookplate designed by Boirina and the 'registered by' part filled in already (by me; so I'll used this one for this book). What a present and I look forward to posting off her gift to her soon in about two weeks time.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful gifts. I'll get a lot of use from the coin purses and the bookmarks will most definitely be added to my ever-growing collection.

Hand-made Postcards.

I received this one yesterday afternoon when Mum came around to the Logan Art Gallery to pick me up from volunteer work. I opened the door of the 4X4 and there it was on the seat waiting for me. Givebookstokids had sent me a collection of postcards - some handmade, some not - from Wisconsin - all about her State, her garden and The Amish. They are so beautiful and colourful that as I read the accompanying letter, I searched through the postcards and handed them to Mum to look at. There's even one postcard of her snow-filled front yard at West Bend where the snow is coating the tress and it looks like a Winter Wonderland! So beautiful and lovely!

Thank you so much for you wonderful post cards, givebookstokids. I love them and your creativity. You must tell me how you make them; so we can make some from our garden and around our surrounding area too to send off around the world.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

My Presents from Mum and Dad

My day didn't finish with the gifts, cards, postcards and chocolates from my wonderful friends from Bookcrossing. Mum and Dad bought me gifts as well. Loey bought me a mug from a chemist with a lovely saying on it about daughters on it that brought me to tears, Dad bought me a 'PINK' cd (he even called me on Saturday and asked me about which cd I'd like; and I said anything from her work; he got one that do like); and they both bought me a paper shredder (so I can shred anything I don't need). My brother has yet to give me my present as he was in Melbourne for the weekend and couldn't make it to my birthday dinner last night.
S
peaking of which we went to the local RSL - Diggers - and had a lovely dinner there. Despite my pasta meal being slightly undercooked, we had a great time there, came back to my place and cut the cake. It's been a wonderful birthday. I've put all the cards on the piano and am still journalling the books and finding places for the rest of the beautiful things you have all given me.
And I thank you all for helping me celebrate my birthday this year - as you helped me celebrate my Mum's birthday - we've all had the best time! Let's do it again sometime!

An Asian Themed Present

This long box caught my attention when I was halfway through the basket; and so I pulled it out and opened it, and I was pleasantly surprised at the attention to detail heartthumper had put into wrapping everything. There's a chinese recipe book, two teabags, a calendar, post-it notes (that match the calendar) and a fern bamboo tea candle; along with a BC bookmark and postcard! I love it all. And the tea candle smells so delicate and beautiful that I'm hesitant in lighting it until the right time comes along.

And seeing all of this was wrapped up individually in tissue paper and packed so carefully, I thought to put this gift as lucky last on the thank you list for the international gift-givers.

Dancing for Beginners

As soon as I pulled this book out, I knew it was going to be different. 'Belly Dancing for Beginners' by Liz Byrski jumped out from the front cover and I thought straight off it might be an instructional book; but was mistaken once I read the back...hehe...

Thank you so much for this book. It's different from the other ones I've received and so I'm sure I'll read it when I'm in between two tough books or stuck waiting for a bookring. Thank you again!

A Spooky Book

I opened this envelope and pulled out a dark-covered book that I had never heard of before; but the blurb on the back sounded very interesting. Then I read the beautiful, handmade card and found it came from glenystasmania.

I wanted to open the book to the first few pages and begin reading it straight away to see what it was like; but found it would have been rude of me - after all, I had a visitor. Thank you so much for the creepy book that grabbed me at the front cover and gorgeous card!

It's All Roses.

JuneQueensland is another who sent me something besides a book - not that I don't like receiving books, I do! I opened the parcel yesterday and out came a beautifully wrapped box with a card. On opening the card, there were flowers on the front and then, the box wrapped in tissue paper was next; and it was a small box of 'Roses' Chocolates (which went straight into the fridge after the photograph was taken). Thank you so much for those... yummo! I've already opened them and had two! They're so much nicer cold.

The Gargoyle


When I pulled this one out of the parcel, I was so happy to have received it; and the card matched the book too! I've been looking at reading this book for a long time; and now I have it in my collection, there's no excuse not to read it; and I have to thank you, Yorkshire-lass, for giving it to me for my birthday as it makes it even more special. I can't wait to read it!