A surprise visit from the UPS man!

There is something about the UPS man arriving at your door when you aren't expecting him... Such was the case this afternoon here on the farm.  I couldn't for the life of me imagine what might have arrived.  I would have never, ever guessed that it was something I had been wanting for some time now.  And it is even more glorious in hand than it was in the photos!

Simone is a friend that I have *known* for ten years but only met about seven years ago.  She lives in London and is often the first person on my wish list to visit when I have the chance to travel.  She recently started a fabulous blog which is filled with delicious images and inspiring posts.  When I opened the box and saw what was inside, I was only momentarily surprised at who it was from.  The note read: "the perfect gift for the perfect friend".  Could you love her any more if you tried???    The thing is, we met on the internet, through a wedding chat room all those years ago.  There was a large group of us and, ten years later, there are still a good number of us who communicate every week.  Most of the ladies I haven't met, some I have been blessed to be able to, and some I have chatted with on the phone.  I consider them some of the best friends that I have and I know that they are one of my strongest support systems when I need them.  I feel so blessed by them, and by you, for even though I haven't met you, I feel your kindness, and your generosity, and the love~

As for the book, it is so much more than I thought it would be!  It is heavy, and the cover is almost puffy (so incredibly fabulous), and the paper - the pages are like velvet.  And then there are the photos - in a word - DIVINE~  If I didn't have my french class tonight, I would be spending the next few hours savoring every inch of this book.  I am so very excited to come home after class, climb into my jammies, and settle in with my newest treasure~  You can find the book and Vicki Archer's blog here.

So thank you dear friend, a million times over, for every single time you send your love.

xo