Thank You!!! And a few of my Favourite things

Dearest Readers~

Thank you so much for the wonderful birthday blessings! Your kind words in your comments brightened my day immensely, and I am truly grateful for dear blogging friends! You are all the best, and do not let anyone say other wise.

Well, I suppose some of you are wondering how old I did turn. And my grand age is:

14

I really cannot believe fourteen years have passed all ready. I am so thankful of the blessings and favourite things the Lord has filled in my life. To celebrate 14 years I am going to list 14 wonderful blessings:

1. Family! My family is so supportive, so wonderful! No words can even half-way describe my love to them.

2. Friends~My friends are so wonderful. This blog has not even been established for a year, and I have all ready gained so many dear friends who I am eternally grateful to have in my acquaintance. A few of them I have written and Skyped with; every letter, note, and Skyping message is always a joy!

3. My neighbors~We are very blessed to live in a good, safe neighborhood. When I was younger, I envied people who lived in neat neighborhoods with sidewalks (yeah, we don't have sidewalks), and filled with many children to play with. Now, I see that I would rather have the neighbors we have currently, then a neighborhood filled with kids who would be influence me to do wrong.

4. Pen and Paper~ School has been a major source for my writing skills. I am immensely grateful that Mother has been willing to homeschool me since kindergarten!!!

5. Good Books~ Many thanks to Nancy Drew, Vision Forum, and Jane Austen! (There's a rumor going about that Charlotte Bronte is better than J.A.! Hmm?:)

6. A Cup of Steaming Tea~they warm me inside and out on those dreary days!

7. Letters and Packages Tied Up with Strings~These are a few of my favourite things!!! Yes, letters sealed with a bright red wax seal, is such a pleasant sight!!!

8. Sewing and Crocheting~A wonderful art filled with so much to do!

9. Sweet-scented Soap~It is true. Sweet soap cheers me up whenever I take a bath. Right now, I am using a very nice bar of Rosewater soap!:)

10. Roses, Lilacs, and Lavender!

11. Music!

12. Road to Avonlea and Larkrise to Candleford are a joy to watch!

13. Giveaways!:) Everyone loves a good giveaway!

14. My Blogging Sisters in Christ~You are all such wonderful blessings! Your comments are a bit of sunshine, and your kind words so refreshing!

Lots of Love,

~Grace~

A Very Special Birthday! (My 150th Post!)

To-day (the past four days;) have been such wonderful days! So many friends and family have made my birthday ever so special. So many things have happened within the few days, I do not know where to start!

My actual birthday was really to-day; however we celebrated on Sunday (and Friday and Saturday and today!:) On Sunday afternoon, after church, my parents took me out to a special brunch in Cambria. I had a scrumptious Egg Tart (or small quiche) that was filled with bacon, carmelized onions, bleu cheese, and was ever so yummy! The entrée came with toast and peach preserves, potatoes and squash, and fruit salad!

The cheery fire in the fireplace made the atmosphere more cozy and homey! Besides, it was rainy weather by the coast, and the warmth was very inviting....

The waitress was very sweet and gave me a yummy ice cream sundae with a sparkling candle. (When I heard her speak, she had an English accent; I immediately told Mother I liked her:).

The rose was so pretty, I decided to take it home and press it (between my Jane Austen books of course!:), to remind me of my *age (you have to guess it!)* and special birthday!

Mother and Father shared the chocolate moose! So tasty not to mention well presented!

After brunch Mama and I went shopping in my favourite herb shop...

We also went in a sweet (and cozy) yarn shop. I was tempted to buy all the yarn.

Such wishes from friends and family warms my heart. Each and every one of them are tremendous blessings in my life.

On Friday, I visited with my dearest friend Joanna and had a lovely lunch/dinner with their family. She gave me a lovely scarf (see bottom of post). The doorbell and phone has been ringing all the day long. Joanna was our last caller, and she stood in the doorway with a package wrapped in pink ribbon. Her parents cried from the car, "Special delivery," and I was so touched. Thank you, Joanna! You made my birthday extra special! Lots of Love!

On Saturday, Mother took me to the park and we browsed among the neat booths of the flee market (post coming soon). I bought some lovely linens!

Of course, on Sunday we went to brunch. (See the basket? Is it not lovely. A gift from my sister. During the summer months, I shall use it as a farmer's market basket; for the winter months it shall store my yarn supply!:)

My dear neighbor came over with a delicious, cake-sized cupcake!

It is so yummy!

~~~~~~Gifts~~~~~~

Of course, I cannot post about each and every gift I received; however, I shall show you a few for now:

This lovely crimson scarf is oh, so soft! A sweet gift from a dear friend!

A cute tea cup from my dear friend's sister-in-law!

My parents gave me some lovely presents including a sewing machine (hopefully I shall post pictures soon;) and this pretty scrapbook, I picked out while on our trip to Yosemite. (I wish we had a JoAnn's!!!)

On Friday, I talked to my good friend Johanna, and opened my presents. She is such a dear and sweet friend; whom I am greatly blessed to call my friend! Such sweet presents she sent me!

My other, dear friend Jenna sent me this lovely apron. I LOVE it dear friend!!! I was able to chat with her on Saturday.

To-day, my dear friend Miriam called me which was a special treat. I feel greatly blessed to have such wonderful friends!!!

And, finally, my sweet, past violin teacher sent me this darling lamp! What a special gift! I shall cherish it always, and hope, to find a special place for it soon. Thank you so much, Shawna!!!

Well, I should perhaps, prepare for bed soon. I have too many things to do before my "Old Fashion Christmas," event coming soon. I have to gather my stories, giveaway sponsors, video tutorials, and not to mention gifts!!!

Now, I am off to soak in my heavenly-smelling lavender salts (another gift from a neighbor!:)

Oh, and by the way...can you guess how old I am? :)

Lots of Love to all of you,

P.S. A few people have been leaving my garden in which I do not blame them, for I have been very lazy with my posts:). I just wanted to say a big thank you to my dear and faithful readers whose loyalty I am truly thankful for!

P.S.S. My "Old Fashion Christmas" event is coming up soon, starting I think, day after Thanksgiving. Be preparing your tutorials and ideas!:) I have some pretty neat giveaway items in mind and am SO excited!!!:)

Another Sweet Smelling Giveaway!

Click HERE for a giveaway you won't want to miss!