This morning, I spent a couple of hours bell ringing for the Salvation Army. I am the one in the blue coat. Chris B., on the left, is our new guild president. I had a really good time. It was great fun greeting people and sharing Christmas greetings. I was pleasantly surprised at the generosity of the people who came by us. In these hard times, and in this depressed area, it was really heartwarming to see just how much people are willing to share. It was a good morning, and I plan on doing this again next year.
When I got home, after a side trip to Puyallup to the quilt store, I found a box on my porch addressed to me. It was from Friends4Kenya. I didn't know what it was, or who they were. I brought the box in and immediately opened it. Look at this beautiful basket that was inside! I was stunned and couldn't figure out where it came from or why I would deserve such a thing of beauty. So, I went online. Friends4Kenya is a small group of women, mostly quilters, who work with women in an area outside Nairobi. They have taught these women to make these beautiful cloth baskets. Be sure and visit the site and read about these wonderful women. Once I found out who these women are, and that I am related to two of them my marriage, I began to figure out how this beautiful basket came to me. Willa, I assume this is from you. I love it. Thank you.
And just why would someone send me this beautiful basket? It is almost my birthday. That's right. I will be turning 65 next Saturday, the 10th. I have thought of many ways to celebrate this event here. I decided on a giveaway. Then, I had to decide on something I could afford for the prize. When I went to Puyallup, I found this Ruby charm pack and this very cute Schnibbles pattern that is charm pack friendly. I love the Ruby line for Moda and hope you do, too.
If you want to enter to win these two things, please leave me a comment telling me about the best present you remember ever getting. Why was it so special?
I will leave this open until next Saturday, December 10.
Good luck, everyone. I look forward to reading all your stories.
25 comments:
My tenth birthday...I go my very first bicycle. It was blue, with a white wicker basket. In a family of 7 kids, big gifts were few and far between.
You look like you really enjoyed ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.
I love your basket. One year for Christmas I made all the women in the family a fabric basket. However, mine were not as beautiful as yours. I know you will treasure it.
My best present was when I was 12 my parents said we could do whatever I wanted. My birthday is in October and it's my favorite time of year. I picked having a picnic at a park about 4 hours away. We got up early and took off. We had breakfast cooked on a grill at one park and then had the best picnic ever at another park. I remember all of us have such a great time together. I will never forget it.
Thanks for the giveaway. Hugs
One year, shortly after my daughter was born, my husband gave me a Suzuki Samurai for my birthday! It was a total surprise - he did it because I said in passing that it was a really cute little car! So romantic!
Nice to see you ringing the bell - I'd like to do that someday! And I can't believe you're going to be 65 - you sure don't look it!! Have a wonderful birthday!!
Happy, happy birthday, Miki! I hope you'll celebrate all year!!
Happy Birthday Miki!
I hope you have a great day!
I love the basket - do you know how to make them? I'd love to learn!
Happy Birthday. the best gifts i can remember are the ones I would get from my kids when they were smaller. they almost always came from the dollar store but i knew the kids put a great deal of thought into them. I still have the majority of them.
My best present was when I was 13 and my parents bought me my first horse. He and I had great times together.
I love Ruby fabric and Schnibbles patterns.
Best gift ever was the kitten my dad brought home for me one summer day when I was about 10 years old... no special occasion, he just knew I would love having my own cat. I adored it, and every other cat that's come into my life in the 40 years that have somehow passed since that day. Happy birthday, Miki!
You are such a generous person, year round, and so deserve such a beautiful fabric basket! Hope your birthday is wonderful, and I'm sure it will be. I don't have a favorite gift that was given to me as I have loved them all because they were given from the heart of the giver.
Happy Birthday, Miki! I hope you have a great day! I have gotten so many great surprise gifts over the years...my engagement ring, our children, our grandchildren, my sewing machine, many blessings...
Thanks for the giveaway!
Great picture of you ringing the bell for the Sally Army, a wonderful organisation. I am so lucky to have a husband who is a genius at surprise Christmas present buying - two that stand out are a bicycle and fifty machine threads, all different colours. Best wishes for your birthday on Saturday.
Girl, you cannot possibly be turning 65...no way! Love the bell ringing pic - I can never pass by the bucket without putting something in. SA does such great work. I think my best gift ever was our daughter - she was born the day after our wedding anniversary, so I call her our present! Thanks for the chance to win!
My best Christmas present was my son - born 5 years ago Dec. 19th. He had some complications and we spent most of the day in the NICU with him.
Conventional gifts? I still remember playing with my Krissy doll for years after I got her - she 28" tall and he hair grew of went short. And I still have a battery powered manicure set that I got in high school. So, every time I think of tem I think of the enjoyment I've gotten form them and who gave them to me.
Ha ha, December birthday girl :-) So many people with birthdays this month. Thanks for visiting the cottage.
Happy birthday for the 10th. :-) Great idea for a birthday giveaway.
Best thing ever on the 7th December for me was we moved into the Cottage.
History for my birthday,. Good luck to everyone and I look forward to reading all the stories too :-) X X X
Happy birthday!! Love the basket. My best present was a guitar when I was in college (a long time ago), from my parents for Christmas. It was a surprise, which are the best kind of presents. Thanks for the wonderful birthday giveaway.
Happy Birthday! What a beautiful basket! One of the best birthdays was when I recieived my first watch. There is nothing like being given the gift of time to spend with friend, family and loved ones.
One of the best gifts was a bike when I was about 10 years old. I loved it!
Happy Birthday. The best gift every year was my birthday cake. My mom baked me one every year until she had her stroke seven years ago. It was a red velvet cake.
My best present was when my husband, then boyfriend, walked ten miles to visit me on my 18th b-day. walked because we had a blizzard and all the roads were closed to vehicles for an entire week.
Happy Birthday!! 65???...can't believe that...
When I was about 10 my Aunty Pat gave me a present in a man's suit- box-sized box. "Only one present?"... I thought (greedy little girl). But I began to open the box and as the lid came off I was speechless...inside was an entire wardrobe of handmade clothes for my doll...flannel jammies, jeans, a suit, a lined coat, a sweater, bathrobe and...amazingly, a satin wedding dress with a pink fabric rose at the waist. More than appreciating the gift, more than being amazed at the hand work, more than anything, I knew I was loved. My Aunty Pat is now 86 and works everyday in her antique store. We talk on the phone often, and she doesn't remember this gift, but I do.
Best present ever was my first duvet when i was 13. Worn out to threads when i threw it away.
Have a wonderful Birthday!
I have gotten so many wonderful presents over the years, it is so hard to chose. One of my favourites is a little - 2" - stuff toy bunny that my son gave me when he was little. It still sits on my bedside table. It reminds me how fast children grow.
Thanks!
Happy Birthday, Miki - you wear your years well! Best childhood gift - I got a bike (recurring theme, it seems), not for my birthday or Christmas - but after my first piano recital in the 3rd grade, total surprise! The beginning of my lifelong love - majored in music, and I teach piano. Best recent gift - my daughter gave me a label maker! She knew the nerd in me would love it!
What a nice giveaway. The best present I ever received was a blue bike when I was about 12 years old. It was such a surprise and I used it and loved it for many years. Thanks for the opportunity to win your giveaway.
My best birthday present... so many years to think back on! I think it must have been the Singer sewing scissors I received for my 16th birthday. I still have them but let the family use them as general purpose scissors now. But they are still MY scissors when I go looking for them - "has anybody seen my scissors?"
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