Birthday Fun Part Two ...GIFTS!

Now I know right off the bat that my dear friend Paulette is going to be turning a variety of shades of red as she sees this at the top of my blog post, but I did try to give her plenty of notice before it's posting. Isn't this pin just fabulous?! Paulette, also known as Beedeebabee is the artisan who crafts these beautiful creations. I have to say that one of the highlights of my birthday week was actually speaking, by phone for the very first time, to Paulette. A little more on that in a bit. When I look at the craftsmanship that goes into the intricate sewing of these pins, it amazes me and I am so thankful to now own a Beedeebabee original! Love you girl!

So, while I was taking photos of all the fabulous papers I shared with you last night, my doorbell rang with a parcel from the UK....talk about excitement! While Paulette's gift was a complete surprise, I knew to expect this parcel because, well...it's from Sarah and it was my birthday!
Sarah knows how much I LOVE some of the British craft and stamping magazines, so she lovingly gets them for me along with other goodies and sends them along. I reciprocate with things from the US that she would love to have, but the book that was a part of this parcel was a very lovely surprise! Sue Roddis is one of the UK's artistic stamping 'celebrities' and Sarah has done a number of workshops with her. This is Sue's brand, spankin' new book and of course, IT'S SIGNED! I looooove it! Sarah....you know your are my very bestest friend! Love you!

So...this cupcake totally loses something in the translation....IT'S HUGE and it was YUMMY! This was a treat from my mom after we enjoyed lunch together the day before my birthday. Lemon Creme and French Vanilla...oh my goodness!

Here comes the lovely stuff.......I never thought in a million years that I would meet a person via the internet and connect in a way that would change my life for the good...well dear friends, that has happened twice in the past 9 years. Those of you who experienced this have your own unique story, I'm sure. I shared how Sarah and I met back when I first started my blog...the link isn't quite working, so just go back to my June 2009 archives and look for 'My Favorite Friend From England'. Now...enter Paulette and now....click here for our story.
I remember my very first phone call to England to speak Sarah. After that call, I talked about her to Paul for hours. When I spoke to Paulette on my birthday a few days ago, same thing. When you put a voice to the photos and messages, it changes everything, and in our cases, definitely for the better! Sarah and I have been through LOTS of personal triumphs and tragedies together and would imagine that the same will be true for Paulette and I. Sarah and I have had two occasions to spend spans of time together, she came to the US and stayed with Paul and I and on our last trip to see my mother-in-law, we spent a few days at 'the manor house' with Sarah and her wonderful family. I would assume that it will only be a matter of time before I will meet Paulette face-to-face as well.
Finally....the really cool thing now is that both Sarah and Paulette have become followers of one another's blogs as well, I JUST LOVE THIS BLOG LAND, don't you?!

Thank you for indulging me for a bit...not only about my birthday celebration but also about the personal things that make coming to this computer a joy...I mean 'who'da thunk, huh?!'