"It's Time!....Time to Sign Up for my Very Vintage Christmas Swap"!!

   It is that time of year again when we all are beginning to think about the holidays!.....& for me part of that is hostessing a Christmas swap!...This year, I am bringing back the "Very Vintage" theme, with my swap being entitled.....Heidi's "Very Vintage Christmas Swap"!!.....and oh! how I would love to have you join me!
   For this swap, I am asking each of you to put together a delightful box of goodies that include the following.....(which will be made for your assigned partner!)

* a holiday recipe....
* something "vintage",... or "vintage in feel"
* something homemade....
* something  "new"...
* something "edible".....

   I am also asking each of you to make your box as exquisite as possible, keeping your partner's tastes in mind!.....Create a box you would love to receive yourself!!....With the economy the way it is, please try & be very creative, trying to keep cost at a minimum! :)....We're all talented women, so I know we can do it!
   I will be keeping this swap open for signing up from now through November 18th...will assign partners on November 19th & will need all your boxes sent by November 26th.

• If you are interested in joining me, please feel out the information sheet & e-mail it back to me at heididevlin@gmail.com!.... I so hope you will want to join me in this holiday tradition!! :)

Information Sheet:
Name:
Address:
E-mail address:
Blog:
Favorite holiday colors?
Style: (contemporary, primitive, cottage, mid-century, traditional, etc.)?
Do you like glitter? or prefer a more natural look?
Favorite scents for candles?
Favorite holiday treats?
Hobbies/pastimes?



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"it's getting to look a lot like christmas".....

"snow dusted candy canes/$18/pair"

with halloween over, thanksgiving on the horizon... & christmas right around the corner....we are all on the lookout for a few charming additions to our own collections of holiday decorations!

please come visit me at my etsy shop "heidi devlin design", where i have some of the most amazing handmade treasures!....all looking for a new home at your house!

all my items are handmade, hand painted & hand embellished & ever so sweet!

hope to see you soon!

your friend.....heidi xo

                                                      "ragball snowballs"......$18/5 balls

                                    "snow dusted candy canes"...in tan/white...$42/5 canes

                                                      "cozy winter pillow"....$34/pillow

                                                "fanciful santa claus pillow".....$38/pillow

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"Hopefully Tomorrow".....

Good Morning Friends, I am feeling very patriotic....Just filled out my ballot, along with my daughter & husband,... & am off to drop them off.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a turning point in this country.

Hopefully tomorrow real change will begin.

Hopefully tomorrow America will soon be on the road to recovery.

God bless America!

heidi

XO

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"November".....

Good Morning Friends! Thank you so much for stopping by.... & let me say "Happy November" to you all!....October was a lovely month here at our house, but a month that was so full of commitments, activities, birthdays & such that it seemed I was continually preparing for the next event!?....I know many of you have times like that as well,...& even though you enjoy it all, it is a bit difficult to catch your breath!
   So needless to say, I am tickled pink to welcome in November.....for me a month of busy, but slightly calmer weeks ahead.....or at least that is what I am hoping for!....Afterall,...we all know how quickly "nothing planned" evolves into " too much"!
   Off to cleaning up the remnants of Halloween & then onto a quietly busy day of pillow making.
    Wishing you all a lovely beginning to November.....Your friend, Heidi XO

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"Halloween Has Arrived"..... at Heidi Devlin Design!

 Good Morning!....
 Happy weekend to everyone!.....Well it appears that Halloween has truly arrived in my etsy shop "Heidi Devlin Designs"!!.....I have something for each of you!! The most charmingly "spooky designs ever!!! These are the most recent additions, but I invite you to visit my shop for even more!

The above pillow is my new "Halloween Subway Art" pillow....measuring 20"x20" it is simply the only pillow needed to welcome in October's favorite holiday!

My "Spider" pillow is very "creepy"..... but may I say in a very sweet way!!

And of course my "Skeleton Hand" pillow needs no introduction...simple, graphic & completely Halloween!....I would love for you to stop by & see what is in store for you this Autumn at Heidi Devlin Designs! See you soon!...Happy haunting!......Heidi XO

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"Heidi's Halloween Swap 2012"

Hello Friends,
    I am at home today, puttering around keeping house,... & somehow my mind wandered over to remembering a few years ago when I had so much fun hosting holiday swaps!....I met such lovely friends, & had so much enjoyment putting together wonderful boxes to send to my assigned partners!....Not sure where swaps went?...but ladies, I am in the mood for a good old-fashioned Halloween swap!.....
   If you know me I love anything vintage, hand-made & charming, but I also love items well made. And if you're like me, I also appreciate a box that has been thoughfully put together. one where each item is prettily wrapped & some time has been put into the selection of each item included. Items can be hand made, bought or repurposed, but again it should be a box you, yourself would like to receive.
  So here is how my "Heidi's Halloween Swap" will work. If this sounds like a swap you would like to participate in, please e-mail me at heididevlin@gmail.com & I will add you to my list. Also please fill out & send me the form that I have included in this blog post. I will leave the swap open until Sunday, September 16th and on Monday, September 17th, I will e-mail you with your partner, as well as her information sheet.
  You will have till Saturday, September 29th to create your swap box & send it off, & please let your partner know that her box is on it's way!
  I am very much into traditions of the past, & feel this swap is a perfect example of that!
  I look forward to hearing back from all of you!!!.....Let's get busy!.....Your friend, Heidi XO

Information Sheet:
Name:
Address:
E-mail Address:
Favorite colors in your home:
Favorite colors to wear:
Halloween Style: cute, spooky, gothic, vintage, mid century, etc.
Personal Style: modern, clean country, primitive country, traditional, etc.
Halloween colors: black, orange, black/white, or a mix of all colors
Favorite magazine:

Favorite candle scents: 

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"2016- Obama's America"...A Must Go!

Hello Friends, A few nights ago my husband, daughter & I went to see "2016 Obama's America". Written by Dinesh D’Souza, it is one of the most eye-opening documentaries ever. This is a movie everyone should see before voting in November.

    Democrat, Republican or Independent, "2016" will reveal facts about this man that very few of us have heard or fully understood before. Facts that have been out there, but ones our liberal media/government do not want us to know.

   This may be one of the most important documentaries you will ever see, & one of the most important elections ever held. Tell your family, friends & everyone you know! 

     Knowledge is power.

Your friend, Heidi XO

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" Late August"....

August 15th, 2012
How are you all? I hope you all have been enjoying these months of Summer!.....It certainly has flown by, hasn't it?.....I cannot believe that fall is just around the corner?....
Here at our house the garden has taken over in a very big way!....The hot humid temperatures have helped the tomatoes ripen, the zucchini produce uncontrolably.... & have given my lovely tomatillos over to the pestiest little caterpillars!.....
However, I also am so enjoying all the produce we are being given!...Yesterday I made pesto & this morning zucchini bread!.....Dinners are consisting of lots & lots of fresh salads!, all of which incorporate tomatoes!..sunburst, cherry, yellow pear, green & heirloom!....All so amazingly pretty hanging from the vines like little round earrings.
This summer has seen a lot of  8 year old activity as well, in the form of my grandson Andrew!...He has spent many days & nights here at out house....which I have to say that I, as his "nini", absolutely love! We have played Legos around the clock, worked adding soil to raised garden beds, have taken lots of walks & have enjoyed "cocktails"each afternoon, the ingredients being peach Kool-aid & fizzy water & lots of crushed ice!
I also have been piling up the sewing projects, something I am very good at, "piling" that is.....jammie pants for Andrew, maternity tops for his mom, curtains for the kitchen & maybe a few items I could  tuck back for Christmas gifts. All my intentions are sincere, but summer has a way of pushing these "to-do's" into the weeks of September, which will have to do.
Summer this year has been a good one....& one I will continue to enjoy for a couple more weeks!....With company coming, I believe a few more evenings spent on the patio are in store.
Experience each  August moment!......Your friend, Heidi XO

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"Unusual Bedfellows".....

For sometime now I have collected flower arranging "frogs"......My love for these little utilitarian objects began many years ago.... with the "influence" of a mother who always enjoyed flower arranging, along with that of Martha Stewart....my one or two frogs quickly took on the importance of a true collection....

I had just purchased a sweet Ethan Allen end table that was actually a curio cabinet on legs, so to speak, with a glass top that you could open, being able to display items inside....At the time, this beautiful little table was quite a splurge for my husband & I.....& I loved it....

Feeling that whatever I chose to "display" in the velvet lined cabinet, was quite important & wanting very much to make a interesting & unusual decorating statement, I decided to choose my gardening "frogs"...

So humble they were, some green metal with bits of rust clinging to their bases....others clear glass & quite sparkly....& a few almost lethal in the amount of sharp spikes they sported.....And my table, so very "fancy"....glass & dark polished wood, exquisite workmanship....What a charming juxtaposition!.....The very "plain & everyday" frogs against the "richness & luxuriousnes" of the black velvet lined table.

So it was to be...a match made in heaven.....I have enjoyed this unusual pairing now  for many years...and still always feel that "odd bed fellows" invaribly make the most fabulous interiors.....

To all our decorating indeavors!......Your friend, Heidi xo

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All My Projects & "Kitchen Skirts".....

 Good Morning Friends, Thank you so much for taking time to stop by for a visit!....As usual & like many of you...... I am constantly trying to make time for work, gardening & decorating & cooking.....not to mention quilting, sewing & O.K exercise.....but at the moment the "item of my obsession" is these ever so charming "Kitchen Counter Skirts"! I must have one if not a couple in my little house!!

 As you can see from some of these exquisite kitchens,.... whether the "skirts" are burlap, mattress ticking or common everyday muslin, or even a darling prairie cotton, these skirts add so much softness & interest to the room!

 So even with all my interests, I must carve out a bit of time to whip up a "kitchen skirt"!!....I will keep you posted on my progress!....And looking once again at this photos makes me think I may not only need a skirt, but shelving, an antique table & possible a whole "new" kitchen!

Have a happy day working on all your projects!!.....

I'm off to get started on mine!...

Love you, 

heidi XO

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"Quilting".....

One of my New Year's resolutions was to began quilting again.....& so I have. It seems that as soon as I learn one new technique, one of my friends has another quilt that needs to be learned!?....And so the sweet madness of quilting continues!....

   So lovely to be surrounded by talented women who share the love of fabric, design & one of America's oldest handicrafts.

Now the quilts above I would love to claim as my own...but instead they are only "inspiration" in the purest sense...which is fine for now....

Off to the fabric cupboard!....

Heidi 

XO

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"A Girls Trip".....

Last week some dear friends, my daughter & I,.... returned from a little trip to Washington State. The trip was divided into two parts, the first few days spent at my friend Debbie's amazing family lake home, "Rosebud Cottage" on Lake Chelan..& the second half in Spokane for the Farm Chicks Antiques Show!....What fun we had!....
Antiquing....
chatting....
relaxing....
chatting....
eating...
chatting...

Just what girls trips are meant to be!

   Thought you might like to see a few snapshots of our trip!......

Enjoy your afternoon!....

Heidi XO

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"My Favorite Pastime"....

"Puttering" may be my favorite pastime. 

I love wandering from house to garden....
from upstairs to downstairs.

I love checking on the radishes....

the lettuce...

the broccoli...

 (still cannot believe I actually have real live heads of broccoli in my garden?...how cool is that!)

I love folding warm laundry.

I love deciding on dinner, & preparing it early in the day.

I love that my kitchen table constantly has a project strewn over it.

I love sweet aromas softly spiraling throughout my home.

I love that I am O.K. with imperfection.

I love being home.

Enjoy yours....

heidi

xo

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"Quilted Decisions".....

Today I am thinking quilts. I am so ready to pick a design, choose fabric & get started.I am thinking possibly a simple "nine patch",.... but done in colors that are exuberant, yet "antique-y"....shades a bit unexpected,...slightly off.

 

moss green/faded yellow?

 

melon pink /soft red?

 

french blue/ worn browns?

 

Decisions?...Decisions? 

I'll keep you posted....

 

heidi

xo

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"Greetings".......

Greetings from my home to yours!.......I have been away far too long from this beloved little blog of mine!.....2012 hit & it seems our household & family has had one thing after another needing our attention.
My dear sister-in-law passed away a few weeks ago & traveling, & attending her funeral & saying our last good-byes was something that was sad, but healing at the same time. It seems that during the course of each day, something reminds me of Jackie, & I find myself smiling....I know she is with me always.....
Then three weeks later my beautiful daughter Holly was married!.....a very hands-on, home-made wedding...& may I say an incredibly lovely affair!....We were told over & over that it felt like a party in our own home, which I took as the highest of compliments!
And now it seems that my darling daughter Mallory is knee-deep in designing costumes for a production of Peter Pan here in San Diego....In fact my sister-in-law Terri & I spent all day yesterday working at the theater, "bedazzling" costumes & making tu-tu's!!....What a great way to spend an afternoon!
So now back to my blog!....Spring is here & I for one am so ready!....
I have so enjoyed reading many of your blog posts, all about subjects pertaining to Spring! So I too want to join in!
I also want to let all of you know,......who are receiving & requesting my free monthly newsletter,.... "Living Little with Heidi", that I am writing an early Summer issue that will be going out next month!...I apologize for not sending one recently, but you can see I was juggling quite a lot these last couple months!
If you would like to receive my newsletter please contact me at heididevlin@gmail.com...& I will make sure to send a copy off to you!...If you love decorating, thrifting, cooking, gardening & entertaining .....I think "Living Little" is for you!
And if there is a topic or question for me, please just ask, it may be one I include in the next newsletter!

Wishing you all a delightful weekend!

Your friend,

heidi
xo

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"Mr. & Mrs."........

This past Saturday my eldest daughter Holly became Mrs. John Long.....The newly married couple is "over-the-moon happy"!........& so are we.

Here's to love!

heidi
xo

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"Glittered Ragball Easter Eggs"...vintage inspired & incredibly charming!

Happy Sunday to you all!
A little news from my shop, "Heidi Devlin Design"....
the "Glittered Ragball Eggs" are back!..... & all ready to be the most charming centerpiece for your Easter table!
I make these large 5" eggs, just like old-fashioned rag-balls, using my oatmeal-y cotton... & then encrust them in "mica flakes & crystal glitter"!!...They are so pretty piled in an old basket or ironstone bowl!....
And using the brown paper grass gives them such an old-world, vintage-y feel!

Come visit my shop this week & browse a bit!

heidi
xo

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The simplest things.......

fingerling potatoes + olive oil + kosher salt = heaven

Long live spuds!

heidi
xo

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"sweet aromas...happy family..."

This evening I thought I would whip up a batch of the

"Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies"( lazily I'm making bars)....we all have a crazy yearning for something sweet, so to make them just a tad healthier I am using whole wheat flour. The family is getting better about accepting "whole wheat", so I am truly using it in about all I bake these days!.....another step in the right direction, even though chocolate chip cookies may not be?

Deciding to bake cookies while making dinner, especially in our tiny kitchen may not be the best idea?....but proceed I did.

....flour, baking soda, chocolate chips & nuts....

And tonight I was able to chop the walnuts in my new Martha Stewart "nut chopper"!...I remember my mother having one of these little jars, but it didn't have the measurements on the side, so this little feature is so appreciated!

Here they are...my Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Chip Bars.....warm from the oven....

sweet smelling house, happy family.......

all is well.

Enjoy your evening....

Love, heidi xo

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"Trying to Live Healthy"....

I am simply in awe, of those of you who make almost everything from scratch!?...
I so want to be YOU!.....
With the beginning of the new year last month, my daughter Mallory & I went on this ridiculous cleanse. Well, it didn't seem so ridiculous...you were able to eat meals, very limited ones....no gluten, no meat, not caffeine, no sugar. Sounds O.K. right?...well you were supposed to be on this for 21 days, but we both lasted two...barely.
At the end of the first day, Mallory was seeing spots, with the most incredible sugar withdrawl ever. I felt O.K. but was so calm it was eerie.
Then on the second day I simply had no attention span?....I couldn't concentrate on a thing. I decided to sit for a bit on the sofa, where I practically ended up in the fetal position!....My husband came home, witnessed me almost comatose,... & told me to go make myself a cup of coffee!...He begged, "Stop this nonsense!...Just eat healthy!"....So that is exactly what we have been doing!....and both Mallory & I are feeling great!
What the "cleanse" did do for us though, was to get me off of diet soda, Mallory to stop nibbling candy all day at work,... & it made both of us very conscious of what we are putting in our bodies....so here is where I get back to the idea of "cooking from scratch".
Lately I am reading the sides of boxes & cans...& OMGoodness! It is so scary!...Even on many of the items that seem quite healthy, there remains a few ingredients that you cannot pronounce?..or have no idea what they are?....Isn't that creepy?
In the light of our new awareness, both Mallory & I are trying to adapt a "chemical-free" diet. We are trying to make more & more from scratch, instead of purchasing the already prepared variety, like spaghetti sauce or soup, etc. We are also attempting to create meals where we have to prepare very little, eating "cleaner" I guess. Veggies that are simply drizzled with a little olive oil, sprinkled with kosher salt & roasted....Broiled fish, prepared in a similar way, & we have even been grilling fruit with a bit of brown sugar, instead of processed desserts!...and I have to say we are both finding it all quite exciting!...
Like I said above, both Mallory & I are feeling much better, realizing just this morning that neither one of us has had a headache for weeks!...I am happy to say I've lost almost 10lbs....we both have lots of energy & our cravings for caffeine & sugar are becoming less & less.
In short, eating healthy works!
I know we have just begun our journey, but I think we both are headed in the right direction!
If any of you have "clean" recipes or tips, please let me know! I would love any ideas you may have!....and may include them in one of my upcoming newsletters!

Here's to being healthy & happy!
heidi
xo

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The Valentine's Issue of "Living Little" has been sent!

Greetings Friends,
Happy Friday to you all!....I wanted to let you know that the "February".... & that means the Valentine's issue, of "Living Little with Heidi" is on it's way to all of you!....
I was very happy with how this month's issue turned out!..... & hope you all agree with me!

In this month's issue....

* "Decorating with Blue/White Transfer-ware"
(historical in design, but also perfect today!)

* "Blueberries in Winter" Recipes
( all delicious, but tart is over-the-moon!!)

* "Shopping for Red"
( darling items for your home, yourself & for valentine's day)

*"Sweet Craft Idea for All Your Girlfriends"
(a "living little" idea that all your girlfriends will adore!)

Wishing you all a delightful February!....If you would like to subscribe to my free, monthly on-line newsletter, "Living Little with Heidi", please write me at heididevlin@gmail.com & I will be happy to send you both the January & February issues!
"Living Little" is all about "creating a beautiful life with little time, little money & little space"...something I believe we all can relate to!
I write about what works for me in the areas of decorating, cooking, gardening, crafts & entertaining!..... & love sharing my ideas with all of you!

Wishing you a cozy winter weekend!

your friend,

heidi xo

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"R.S.V.P.-ing"?????

I am very frustrated to say the least. Let me explain. I have always been the mother & wife that enjoys entertaining, whether it be birthday parties, family dinners, or holidays. I love the planning & the execution & the actual event. I love opening my home, sharing meals, & special days with our friends & family....& I believe our guests enjoy it too.

What I will never understand is the lack of consideration when it comes to R.S.V.P.-ing?
What is with that?....
You send invitations, asking if the recipient will let you know if they are able to come or not....not difficult. Now keep in mind it used to mean calling, but now more than not it is simply e-mailing the hostess, letting them know "yes" you are coming or "no" you are not....very, very easy, right?...
So again I ask, why don't people do it?....
Were we all not brought up to R.S.V.P?...I was brought up in a middle-class home, not terribly fancy, but there was not an invitation that went through our home where I was allowed to ignore calling the hostess.
I was taught that taking the time was respectful. Respectful of the hostess's time in planning meals & decor.
It was called having good manners....
& so I raised my own children.
Today however, this issue seems to be getting worse & worse!....I still entertain quite frequently, but receive only a handful of calls, usually having to check-in with people to see if indeed they are coming?....And most recently my daughter Holly, who is getting married in the next few weeks, has been given some lovely bridal showers...& of course half the people invited do not R.S.V.P? OMG!!??
My message here is this.....use the manners your mothers taught you!....act responsibly & politely!....
If you were thought highly enough of, to be invited to an event, then be responsible & respectful enough to R.S.V.P. to the host/hostess.
Remember to treat others the way you wish them to treat you.

Forgive my lecturing....

heidi
xo

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Pretending.....

It is January 27th here in Southern California today...& it was 80 degrees.

There is no denying it was a lovely day, but in winter I would love to look out & see white!.....white in the form of snow that is!.....I yearn for snow laden trees, a snow covered roof & snow gracefully fluttering down from a dark gray sky.

I dream of being snowed-in, being forced to spend weeks, cooking soup & sewing in front of a crackling fire.
I wish to wear fluffy wool sweaters & cozy rag wool socks.... & drink mug after mug of hot chocolate.

Luckily for me, the evenings here at our house do drop considerably. I will light all the candles & make a small fire....& maybe soup.....

& I will pretend the snow is falling....

I am happy.

heidi
xo

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"Holly & John".......

My oldest daughter Holly, is engaged to be married in just a couple months, so needless to say our home is a "swirl of wedding talk"!.... wedding invitations, wedding favors, wedding preparations of all kinds!....
In keeping with the event, Holly & her fiance John, spent the afternoon a few weeks ago, having their engagement photos taken.....& as a proud mother I thought I would share a few!

It is so incredible to see your child so very happy, finding that perfect person to spend her life with. It is what all of us want for our children,....to be happy, content & loved.

I believe these two are just that.....

Holly + John = forever.


heidi
xo

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"Living Little with Heidi"..... January issue is here!

Good Morning....Just a little note to let you all know that the
January issue of "Living Little with Heidi" was sent out yesterday!.....
For those of you who have no idea what I am referring to,....."Living Little" is a monthly, on-line newsletter written by me. It is filled with seasonal ideas for decorating, entertaining, gardening, crafting, as well as delicious recipes....& it is FREE!

My philosophy for the newsletter is "Creating a beautiful life with little time, little money & little space", which is something we all can appreciate living in these times!
The newsletter is very pretty!...filled with lovely photos, inspirational quotes & my own ideas for creating a charming home for you & your family!

If you would like the January 2012 issue e-mailed you you, please let me know at "heididevlin@gmail.com" & I will be more than happy to send it right out!

Thank you to all of you who have written me! I am thrilled you find "Living Little" a publication useful & quite enjoyable!.....

Happy reading!....
Your friend,
Heidi XO

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"Kindred Spirits"......an amazing story of friendship

A few days ago, I received the most amazing e-mail. I will post the actual letter at the end of this blog post, but I feel the need to give a brief explanation before you read it.

A couple years ago I hosted a lovely "St. Valentine's Day Swap".... here on my blog. Many ladies signed up to participate....among them a lady named Donna who lived in Wisconsin & another who lived in Arizona named Lynn.

From looking over their information sheets (needed for any swap), they seemed like the perfect swap partners for each other,.... sharing similar interests & tastes....so I indeed made them Valentine swap partners!

They both fully enjoyed the swap, each e-mailing me afterwards, telling me how much fun it had been & how wonderful it was to meet a friend through a blog!?......So over the last two years, Donna & Lynn, even though never meeting in person, became dear friends......

Then like I mentioned above, I received this incredibly touching letter. It made me remember, it made me happy & then it made me cry.... sad tears,.... very sad tears.
After a good cry, I realized this is also a very inspiring story. A story of two ladies, brought together in the simplest way. Two ladies who have become the best of friends through sharing their lives over the internet...... sharing their best experiences & getting each other through the worst ones. It is a story of true "kindred spirits"......

Thank you Donna for writing me...& reminding us that true friendship can be found in the most unusual ways........In friendship, Heidi XO
***************************

This is Donna's letter to me.....

"A Sad Farewell to a Blogging Friend"

Dear Heidi,
Back in the winter of 2010 you hosted a Valentine's swap. New to the blogging world and haven't done anything like this before I was hesitate but somewhat curious and decided to sign up. Well what a beautiful experience and special friendship I formed with my new "friend". We seemed to have been matched together not only by you but by someone with much high powers. We clicked together immediately and continued to correspond and share "surprises" as things arose. A few months later we were both struck with a terrible, devastating tragedy and leaned upon each other for strength and companionship when we both felt so isolated from the world. We continued through the past two years, though never meeting, or even talking on the phone, continued to open one's soul and bare our most intimate fears. We would continue to make gifts for each other and would share our vintage finds with each other trying to bring some joy and smiles to our somewhat dark, gloomy lives we were forced to endure. Heidi, my dear friend, Lynn, whom you introduced me to, is struggling to stay alive while fighting a brain tumor. As of late October, she was still hand stitching me things for my kitchen and sending me vintage surprises.....then weeks passed and no correspondence.
While busy myself with the holidays and starting a new job (and keeping the old one) I just assumed she was caught up in lost time and was busy preparing for the holidays. When the first of the year arrived and still nothing from her, I became worried and tried to reach her. I just received a short, but brief e-mail from her husband, "Lynn will be entering hospice care". I cannot think of how many times she lifted me up in prayer when I was struggling with my own hardship. I will miss her thoughtfulness, her kind words and the way she gave me strength when I felt so weak. I thank you Heidi for the opportunity to meet a new friend along life's journey and to gain so much from a brief and yet, so powerful friendship. I have many friends in my life, some from years ago and others more recent, but this "blogging" friendship was unique. I will be deeply saddened should I receive news of her passing. For now she is still with us, though struggling and fighting this terrible demon that has overtaken her body. Please share with others through your post, to add Lynn to their prayers and believe that through God anything is possible. Thank you. Donna Z.

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"The Last Lovely Days of 2011".....

january third, 2012......

I am sitting & writing this post tonight in a very tidy house. The tree has been taken down & the ornaments all tucked away for next year. All the decorations have been carefully packed & every sign of Christmas is gone.
Then I sat down & while going over photos on-line realized I had taken these pretty pictures that I had been to busy at the time to post? So I am sharing them now....

Christmas came & went a bit too quickly once again....I have never quite figured out how to make those magical weeks after Thanksgiving slow down...really slow down, you know, like when you were a child. Happily though I did capture a few glimpses of just how magical the house looked & how enchanting it felt.

Every year I basically use the same decorations,...but try & arrange them in different & fresh ways.....& this year was no exception. There were lots of little sparkly fairy lights, candy canes & holly everywhere & our angel watching over it all at the top of the tree.

The presents were wrapped in tiny prints & checks.... & the color "red" made quite the appearance!
It all came together beautifully....& we loved it all once again....memories were made....

And as I do appreciate the clean, somewhat bare look of our home tonight....I cannot help but be enchanted by..."the last lovely days of 2011".

happy, happy New Year.......Love, heidi

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