A Gift...

Hello everyone.. 

Welcome to the Blessed Hearth this evening.. 

Just a little post for you.. 

Almost everyday I think about a sweet friend of ours who passed away several weeks ago.. 

Her name was Marilyn and I thought the world of her..

She was married to my husband's first cousin and I met her in 1970 at our wedding.. 

We did not really get well acquainted for several years but we would meet at family gatherings and so on..

In the late eighties I started selling crafts at some shows in St. John and she became a customer, as well.. 

When we had open house here twice a year she and Clayton would always arrive and down through the years we became close.. 

Christmas was her favorite time of year.

She loved the season and excelled at preparing for it and everything she did was done with love and joy.. 

I thought I would share a few Christmas memories that I have from my sweet friend that seemed to make Christmas more special. 

To begin with when we went to the front door there would be a basket hanging and filled with  red and white berries, cedar and pine. There would be some white lights and when the door opened it would smell like Christmas... 

In the front hall there were little lamps lit and some fresh greens would make it so cozy.. 

She would send out gorgeous Christmas cards with her wonderful script.. 

I always enjoyed opening the envelope from them.. 

She also loved books.. 

 Beatrice Potter and Rosamund Pilcher were faves.. 

And Tasha Tudor, of course... 

She introduced me to Tasher's work many years ago... 

She encouraged me to buy the Victoria magazine and to study it and learn whatever I could from it.. smile.

She was a teacher in all of her ways.. 

 When we would just drop in she would prepare a little snack.. A lovely drink with crackers and a delicious spread, tiny gherkins, wedges of different cheese and some wonderful shortbreads and sweets along with her famous fudge of white chocolate and cranberries. 

And a nice hot cup of tea.. 

It would all be placed on the coffee table with her beautiful old dishes.. 

It always made me feel special that she would take the time to entertain us so beautifully..

It always felt kind of old world like if you know what I mean.. 

She bought gifts for her many friends but I doubt there would be  anyone who loved her gifts any more then I did. 

I would look forward to them like a little kid .. 

I told her once that I hoped she would never forget me at Christmas.. grin.. 

The dear girl.. 

To begin with the gift would be in a very special container.. 

Perhaps a hat box, a big old basket,  or maybe an old tin or gorgeous bag..

There would be tissue and Christmas Chocolate lining the bottom..

Then a new Christian Christmas novel tied with a piece of ribbon.. And always a little bit of something Irish and it would be all wrapped up with a sweet seal sticking it together.. 

She knew I love anything Irish and she gave me sweet tree ornaments, plaques and such..

And an antique piece of some type.. 

A glass depression dish full of Christmas pot-pourri that she had purchased at auction from the Red RoseTea mansion.. 

Or a beautiful old silver piece that she thought I could fill with greens for the dining table.. 

One time there was a dear old vase that was her mamas. She had it sitting on her dresser and would fill it with a little fresh flower..

 I appreciated that she would give me something that meant so much to her.. 

Sometimes there would be bottle of celery relish or some preserve.. 

But always there would be a piece of Belleek pottery. 

I think most of my collection is from Marilyn.. 

As you can see had a special talent for gift giving.. 

 She would put so much effort into each one and make it so special.. 

Her Christmas spirit was genuine and visiting with her would inspire me to come home and get at it.. grin.. 

I miss her.. 

Belleek ..

I am so thankful for my friendship with Marilyn and all of the friends in my life that God has blessed me with..

They are a gift from God.. 

Christmas is all about gift giving..  

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.. (NIV)

God gave us the perfect Gift when He gave us Jesus!..

He is the perfect gift.. 

Well, my dears this is all for now.. 

Like everyone else we are busy but I will try to share some Christmas decor pics with you next time.. 

Thank you so much for visiting and your lovely comments.. 

I hope you are having a great time preparing 

for the special day..

God bless !