Thursday, December 13, 2007

Wow, Lucky Me!

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I'm always amazed at the wonderful friends I've made through blogging! I really wish we could all live closer together in a wonderful neighborhood. Can you imagine how much fun that would be! Anyway, I wanted to share some of the wonderful things I've received from some friends I've made through my blog and through Flickr. The beautiful napkins above came from Angela ~Cottage Magpie. She saw my post I did about losing out on some lace napkins on eBay. She had bought these at a thrift store and wasn't using them so she sent them to me. About the same time I finally won a bid on eBay and they are almost identical to these. Now if I have a big party I'll have plenty of matching lace napkins!
Yesterday I received a package from Debbie (also known as "Debbie without a blog"). You remember Debbie...I showed you lots of pictures of her BEAUTIFUL home, here, here, here and here. Well, now Fifi is going to Debbie's home soon to photograph it for Romantic Country Magazine! I'm so happy for Debbie. She sent me these beautiful vintage Christmas ornaments above and they came with the big giant peppermint bark candy bar below. The candy bar was tucked into this adorable fabric envelope and that was put into the beautiful red bag.

I met Sue through Flickr. We did a teacup gift swap with each other a couple months ago. It was so much fun that we decided to do an Christmas ornament swap. Below are the ornaments she sent me. They are so beautiful!
Below is another gift I received. This one was to me, from me. This is my early Christmas gift to myself. I figure since I don't have an husband or boyfriend I need to make sure I spoil myself once in awhile (okay...I probably do this a little too often.) The best part of NOT being married is that I don't have to justify my purchases to my husband...that is THE ONE thing I hated most about being married! If I want it, and I can afford it, I buy it! I really didn't NEED this chafing dish. I actually have one that has never been out of the box but it's not nearly as beautiful as this one. I saw this at Marshall's last month and I put it on layaway and I finally picked it up yesterday.
I'm in a supper club and we are meeting at my home on Saturday. We're doing appetizers and a cookie exchange. I'm going to make Swedish Meatballs so I can use my chafing dish!

45 comments:

Janet said...

Cindy,
Love that chafing dish and it will be the perfect vessel for Swedish meatballs. How do you make yours an what do you use for sauce?. I looked for a recipe ( in my cookbooks, not online) awhile ago and couldn't find one that sounded "right".
Janet

Mary said...

Oh Cindy, I'd love to live next door to you -- preferably in CA since the weather here in NJ stinks today! We're getting a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain -- whoopie! All your gifts are beautiful, especially those ornaments!
xoxo,
mary

Rosemary said...

What nice blog friends you have.
Love it. Good purchase from Marshall's.
Enjoy,
Rosemary

Anonymous said...

Love all your gifts. What wonderful blogging friends. You must let us all know when Debbie's home is in the Romantic Country Magazine. Can't wait to see it. I'm still waiting on my silver tray I won on E-bay so I can make a black board out of it !

Shelley said...

Lovely chafing dish. I can picture great dishes served in real style in it. Love the napkins too. How very pretty.

Kathleen Grace said...

Gorgeous chafing dish! You have certainly gotten some beautiful things from blog friends and what a treat that your friends home is going to be in Romantic Country! I loved the glimpses you gave us and will look forward to seeing more:>)

Anonymous said...

I love the dish and I know they will taste awsome with you making them. Isnt it awsome to be loved and have so many friends?You have already had Christmas this week,
blessing to you,Brenda

Alison Gibbs said...

Cindy what a lovely place blogland and Flickr are. You have recieved such lovely things from Debbie and Angela. Good for you buying something you like. It will be wonderful to use it for your dinner. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Alison

Angela @ Cottage Magpie said...

OOoh, that chafing dish is just gorgeous, as are those pretty ornaments! I can't wait to see Debbie's house in Romantic Country--you'll have to tell us when it comes out! Scrummy!
~Angela :-)

Anonymous said...

Oooooh, aaaaaah, it's all so pretty! It looks like Christmas came early at your house and you got fabulous things because you've been such a goooood girl! Lovin' it all, Cindy. Enjoy. (And congrats to Debbie!)

Note to Fifi: All of us "Cindy fans" would love to see her beautiful home showcased in a magazine too (please, please, pretty please!)

Kim said...

Cindy,
Your blog is beautiful! I will be adding to my favorites!
Kim

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Yes, Lucky You indeed! What lovely gifts from lovely friends. I love your chafing dish. It is beautiful.

I have often thought about how wonderful it would be to live near all of my wonderful blog friends, but the poor thrift stores would never have a chance to stock their shelves if we all lived in the same area!
Penny

Rosie's Whimsy said...

That is a beautiful chafing dish.....sure beats me putting my meatballs in the crock pot....LOL

BumbleVee said...

ooweee what a haul! What fun!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Beautiful chafing dish and you received such beautiful things from your bloggy friends!

Manuela

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

All of your gifts are beautiful. I love your chafing dish. When ever we have company thats when I go off my budget and make my guest feel like its an experience not just dinner, to every detail! When I have dinner parties I like to put floating candels in the bath tub with flowers. I widh I was in your supper club,it will look amazing.
ginger

Unknown said...

Cindy - I love your Christmas decorations and your sense of style.
I'm new to the blogging world but I know there are many good friends to be made out there.
I live in NJ, as does Mary who posted, and yes, it's a frozen mess out there. Great for holiday pictures though.
Joan

Anonymous said...

Cindy,

Oh, what lovely gifts! Aren't these on-line friends the greatest!
Can't wait to see Debbie's house in the Romantic Homes book. Love your dish, and I hope you have a great time at your dinner. Wish I could join too.

Hello to Joan and Mary! I live in central NJ also, and it is indeed a mess out there. Be safe!

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Cindy, I just wanted to tell you that I was just now looking at an older issue of Victoria and April of 1998 and on page 79 there are some napkins almost Exactly like the ones the nice blogger sent you. Thank-you for inspiring me Cindy. I a 46 and sometimes I still have a hard time knowing what is my decore taste, but thanks to you and other bloggers I am figuring it out.
ginger

Anonymous said...

Cindy,
You are so right there are so many sweet sweet ladies in blog land....
I had to laugh when I read Penny's message.... about the thrift store not being able to keep up if we all lived close.... I think we should plan a trip and all meet in CANTON for First Monday.... and shop and laugh wouldn't that be fun... Texas is in the middle of the country.... and there would be enough goodies for ALL of us.... what a sight that would be...

Nan said...

I love all your new napkins, ornaments and your chafing dish gift to yourself. My Mom gave me a round chafing dish that I used for a chocolate party that I had back in February. It was fun to get the silver out.
Nan

Debbie Kay said...

Cindy,

You always hit the jackpot at Marshalls! I love the chaffing dish, what a lovely find....I never have that kind of luck. I think it would be awesome if you were my neighbor. I would steal all of your amazing ideas!

Debbie Kay

Anonymous said...

Wonderful gifts and I love that chafing dish.

~elaine~

Elle Jay Bee said...

Yep, Angela is a sweetie...and you obviously have many other great friends, too!!
Love that chafing dish!

Linda

linda t said...

I am atending a dinner on Saturday night where we all bring traditionsl foods from our childhood. I'm bringing Swedish Meatballs (and lefse)!
That chafing dish is perfect for the meatballs... much better than the crock pot mine will be served from!

A Cottage Industry said...

Oh Cindy! The napkins are so beautiful! You lucky, lucky girl! That is the one thing I lust after that I can't seem to find...I've been beaten out on ebay as well, and have never seen any as lovely as these in the shops. *sigh*
The chafing dish was a real score too!
Tracey

Marilyn said...

The chafing dish is beautiful. What a great buy, and of course, you do deserve to treat yourself!

Those napkins are so elegant. They will fit right in with your comfortable, romantic decor! Simply beautiful.

Marilyn

bj said...

What beautiful treasures you've received, from friends and from yourself. I LOVE that chafing dish and the ornaments are so pretty...
bj

Anonymous said...

I love your special presents - how fun! Blogland is the best! You are so deserving too! The ornaments from sweet Debbie are gorgeous! I'm so happy for her! I love your chafing dish too - enjoy it, as I know you will!
xo,
Kim

Rhondi said...

Your blog is just delightful and I enjoy seing the lovely things you have to show and the interesting things you have to say! I am meeting some wonderful people in blogland. That includes you.

Unknown said...

I am so glad that your friend's home will be featured in Romantic Home magazine, I thought her home was so gorgeous when you wrote your post. Your gifts are lovely and yes it must be so nice to not have to justify your purchases. Lovely post and lovely gifts. Karen

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Hello Cindy,
I just wanted to tell you I took a picture of the napkins and posted it on my blog. There not the best pictures but I think you can see how much they look alike.
Thank-you for sharing your beautiful things with us.
ginger

Alicia ~ Time Worn Style said...

Wow Cindy, you have some lovely friends sending you all those pressies, so very nice!!
alicia ~ time worn style

Chris@Cats On My Quilts said...

Justify a purchase to a husband? Never! And I've been married almost 33 years.

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Sweet Debbie sent me a package too!!! That candy bar didn't last long at my house. I ate it while I linked all the homes for the party this week. It kept me going through a whole day at the computer!!!

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

LOVE the chafing dish! I never find anything that nice at Marshall's! You're one lucky lady and your friends will love seeing it!

Anonymous said...

I am a new fan of your blog, I love your site.
Chris in Iowa

Carrie said...

What a beautiful chafing dish -- a great Christmas gift, for sure!

Do stop by for a visit to my holiday home:
http://oakrisecottage.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-holiday-home-part-i.html
Carrie

savvycityfarmer said...

What time is dinner?

I used to make these meatballs all the time when my kids were little...it's time again...thanks for the inspiration..

Everything looks lovely.

my little farmhouse tour is featured on my 200th post.

Tutti Chic said...

Such pretty, pretty pictures! Love the napkins & the chafing dish! The ornaments are just gorgeous~I know I'd love to live next to you! :) chris

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy, love your chafing dish! Such pretty things you have there from blogging friends. Wouldn't it be wonderful to all meet up someday?! Have a lovely week :) Jenn and Jacqui

Elzie said...

So many lovely ornaments and what a thrilling present you bought for yourself. I can understand you're absolutely up in the air after getting all of those.
Hope you're having a great Monday evening.
Love Elzie

Fete et Fleur said...

Everything is so beautiful! Your chaffing dish is lovely.

:<)

Anonymous said...

How I adore your christmas swap ornaments..they are just beautiful!!!
I love your new blog and wwould like some help on starting my own...care to share???

Herman Grans ♥ said...

Lucky you :)
Love the napkins!
Grete