Lovebirds

This week we have had the privilege of meeting and catching up with some long time dear friends of Phil's. They have spent the last year in the Solomon Islands and I have really been looking forward to meeting them for some time.

Jair and Lauretta are such lovely people. I feel really blessed to be able to have met them and have had such good conversation! I think everyone could use a Jair and Lauretta in their life.

Lauretta surprised us with a gorgeous belated wedding gift-- this pair of little love birds with a little egg to match!! I LOVE THEM! I have them sitting next to me right now just so I can gawk and ooh and ahh over them.




The stitching kills me! I love handmade gifts. They are so marvelous.





Aren't they gorgeous? Seriously, what a treasure.

Thanks again, Jair and Lauretta! We love you guys! A lot.

xoxo
Talia Christine

OH MY!

This morning I've been a busy bee. I don't have work for the rest of the week so I'm able to catch up on a few things I've been wanting to do!

I resized the vintage dress we picked up at the church rummage sale.
I made a pumpkin pie.
I finally put away all our clean laundry.
I sewed up Phil's jean pockets (they had holes in them).

Today was a very productive day.

The greatest part though, was the surprise ring of the doorbell. One of the ladies at church (who also shares the same last name as me) stopped by to bring me pounds and pounds of wool!



She used to be a spinner herself but has taken to felting since her spinning wheel broke. The wool has been in storage a long time and she wanted to see it go to a good home.



I'm so excited! The wool came from their sheep they raised and I'm looking forward to spinning some up. All of it is undyed in its natural colours. Yum.



I forsee alot of woolen things in my future.

xoxo
Talia Christine

Happy Birthday Week: Monday

Tomorrow is my birthday and today is my birthday week.

In my family, we don't just celebrate your birthday. We celebrate your birthday week. (And throughout the month we acknowledge that it is your Birthday Month) The Garduña's love to celebrate and make things special. Mom would give us little treats, like a candy bar, during the week of our birthday week. It was the best! (P.S. - Thanks Mom for making us feel so special.)

Two weeks ago when I was driving to the daffodil farm with Jess, I mentioned our little family tradition to her and how fun it was growing up. Growing up I didn't realized that everyone didn't celebrate their birthday week. I thought that's what everyone did! Being far away from my family, thinking about our little traditions makes me miss them. Since it's my birthday week, I miss them a lot.

Yesterday at church Jess handed me a card and said that I had to open it that day. Curious about the card I opened it in the car on the way home. It was a birthday card! And it wasn't my birthday yet! Inside was the loveliest message from Jess and Paula saying Happy Birthday Week! And to look in the mailbox this week for surprises.

I really have the loveliest friends anyone could ever ask for. They make me feel so special and blessed and they make me feel at home.

This morning I woke up to a little special present in the mailbox!! What! For me?? Amazing!



A jar of pinto beans!! Believe it or not, you Americans, they are hard to find in NZ. I asked several people and they had never heard of them. This was such a special little present to me! And so creative. I love it!!



Thank you Jess and Paula for making me feel so special and for making me feel right at home.

Love, love, love,
Talia

Look!

Look at what my man got for me!!!

I have always wanted a set of my own pearls. (The flowers are gorgeous too. I looooove tulips.) This necklace is sooo beautiful. I cried. He is so special and makes me feel so loved. I couldn't ask for anything more.

I love him.

xoxo
Talia Christine