Friday, April 17, 2015

good things happen...

I love quotes - I always have a quote on the retro typewriter in the living room and


the chalkboard in the guest room has revolving quotes.


I googled friendship quotes for this post, but ended up finding one about strangers instead.


Blogging has introduced me to so many strangers who are now friends and those friends have been incredibly generous lately.


 Kris of Junk Chic Cottage sent me a trio of cookies


that came in handy yesterday when a friend came by for help with her website - it took much longer than we expected and sustenance was definitely needed!


 Cindy of Consider It All Joy  sent me a cute little starfish box ages ago and I have never shown it off.


I think of Vera of Rowhomes and Cobblestones every single day when I make the bed - the La Mer pillow looks perfect in our bedroom.


Kathy of Kluless sent me these adorable little place cards - I need to have a dinner party so I can use them.


I tested the cards out using stickers that peeled right off - I can use the place cards again and again!


Bobbie of Cottleston Pie bought me the sweetest numbered napkin rings and there is a funny story that goes with them.


If you notice, the #1 is not in the box although it was in the box when she took it to the cashier.


Bobbie was in town to attend Craftcation and we were able to fit in a day of thrift and vintage store shopping.


Bobbie handed the box to the cashier who tipped it upside down to check the price without realizing that there was no top on the box -  #1 shattered as it hit the floor.


When I posted this pic on Instagram and told the story many of the comments were that at least no one would be competing for #1!


Due to my hand surgery, my garden was a disaster when Bobbie was visiting Ventura, but like a true friend, she assured me that she wouldn't judge me.


It was so embarrassing when I brought Bobbie to see the house because the yard was not in any condition to be photographed much less to be viewed in person.


Today, most of the yard has been whipped into shape, but of course Bobbie is back in Idaho and can't sit here to enjoy an iced tea and


talk about all the good things that happen when strangers become friends!

61 comments:

  1. You are one of those people magnets and will always have these stories to tell! What a happy post box you keep!

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  2. OMG you have a beautiful yard…so bright and colorful. I would love to just sit and be HAPPY!!!
    Rowena

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  3. Carol, as always, this post is full of positive messages and beautiful, bright colors. Visits to Art and Sand are happy times indeed!

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  4. So much good stuff in your post. Thanks for sharing. xoxox

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  5. :))) I like the thought that no one will have to compete for #1!! And folks ~ don't believe her about the yard ~ even a bit "winter weary", her garden is a serene delight!
    I'll be back for that iced tea, Carol!!

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  6. I couldn't have said it any better than Sarah ^. It's always a treat to see your post pop up in my blog roll list! Happy Friday, Carol.

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  7. I agree, you are a people magnet! and I wish I could have come and helped with your garden when you needed it done. I love to garden!!

    Have a happy weekend Carol!! xox

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  8. Yep! Good things do happen when you meet strangers! I love all of the goodies you received from everyone! So lovely Carol! And your garden is bright and beautiful and so creatively you!!! My son has been sick so I have had no energy to blog or take photos....and you know what...I found myself missing my conversations with you all. It is so wonderful to have these connections in our lives! Happy weekend you!! Nicole xoxo

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  9. Nice quotes on friends! Glad you are feeling a bit better.

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  10. I'm sure Bobbie came to visit YOU not your garden! But I think it always looks lovely because it is colorful and green, things we don't see here often enough! So happy you have met so many nice new 'stranger friends'! They are the BEST! Hope you are healing well and are able to do more and more each day! Blessings, Cindy

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  11. Lovely post about friendship. I love Vera's pillow! It is perfect.

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  12. I too feel so blessed to have turned so many strangers into friends. You being one of them!! Wonderful gifts! I am not familiar with Vera or Bobbie, but love the pillow and the napkin rings! I remember that fun story about #1. I'm sure your garden was just fine Carol. So glad you are doing so well!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  13. Such sweet blogging friends! I love all of the color in your home - its so bright and cheery!

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  14. I have been reading so many lovely stories of blogging friends this week! Your home looks lovely as always and it's nice that so many treasures have come from far away strangers...I mean friends! ;)

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  15. I always leave your blog with a big smile on my face!

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  16. I feel so fortunate to have met so many wonderful bloggers that have become friends even though I have never met them.
    Your home always looks good Carol and I'm sure your friend didn't even think a thing about it. People come to see friends, not to see if there is dust.
    So glad that your hands are getting better my friend. Take care of yourself.
    Mary

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  17. I feel so fortunate to have met so many wonderful bloggers that have become friends even though I have never met them.
    Your home always looks good Carol and I'm sure your friend didn't even think a thing about it. People come to see friends, not to see if there is dust.
    So glad that your hands are getting better my friend. Take care of yourself.
    Mary

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  18. I have met many wonderful bloggers over the years, and they are a very sweet and generous bunch!
    Brenda

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  19. I love that quote because stranger so become friends and that is blogging to me! Love the napkins rings and story!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  20. Carol,
    Love your cottage, your quotes and you! It's easy for us bloggers to find a special space in our hearts for you. You're kind, talented, caring and endearing. Glad you are enjoying "La Mer".
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  21. Isn't it amazing how when we all first started blogging...we were strangers, but now we are all good friends. Some that live closer to us...we get to meet, but all of our blogging friends hold a special place in our heart and lives.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  22. Blogging friends are the best! Thanks for sharing, loved it all. Jo

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  23. They just said that we may have frost this coming week. My daughter had snow and ice the last couple of days. My husband suggested we go get the flowers and plant them for the open house. I told him that we can't plant til the week after Mothers Day. That's the old fashioned saying on when to plant. But, it has proven itself many times. I have a couple pkgs of pansies. So your gardens would look wonderful to me in any condition. I love my bloggy friends.

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  24. Carol,
    Every friend was a stranger at one time, but with one kindness after another a friendship was created. Your many kind words have encouraged a whole group of friends in the blogging world.

    Best wishes to continued healing,

    Judith

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  25. Carol, you are so right! Some of the nicest people I have ever met I have, well, never MET! I'm happy to find out those place cards are re-usable. Who knew!

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  26. Carol, I think your garden looks wonderful and inviting. There are so many "green thumb" bloggers and I'm so .....not. I'm trying though. Yours looks so refreshing. Glad your hand is better.
    Sandra

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  27. This is so true--(non-blogging) folks don't believe me when I tell them that I have become great friends with other bloggers!

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  28. And I love and prefer to think of others as my friends, ALWAYS! Me too Carol, I as well can look around my home and see friends everywhere. I have a curio cabinet filled with the loveliest gifts and purchases I've made from on-line blogger pals. I have another trunk full of cards and tags, and memories. We are lucky, aren't we!

    Wishing you a perfect cottage day by the sea. LOVE! Anita

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  29. Hi Carol, Your gifts from strangers turned friends are so very special. I too have the same treasures everywhere I look and decorative boxes filled with cards, tags and special keepsakes. All mean so much. I love the napkin ring story. My favorite is your quotes in the typewriter. I just love it and have been looking for an old vintage style typewriter to do this too as I love quotes, but so far I have found nothing under 500 dollars. I'll keep searching. Thank you for that inspiration.
    Hope your hand is doing better.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Sending Hugs, CM

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  30. Hi, Carol!

    I love receiving your blog post in my in-box! Your blog is one of the very few I subscribe to. Your posts always make me feel good.

    With gratitude,
    Terry

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  31. I used to be very skeptical about what kind of relationship could be formed via the internet. Now I am thankful that I opened my mind and eventually my heart to the wonderful people I have met from around the world thanks to my blog.

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  32. I agree with so many other of your friends here about nice relationships online. I am so very happy to have connected with you.

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  33. You know that I love quotes, too...and I really like the one you featured about strangers becoming friends. I'm sure that your gardens were absolutely beautiful just as they were when Bobbie visited. And in any case, what was most important was the visiting and enjoying your friendship!

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  34. Hi Carol, if I lived closer I would love to help you with your weeds, as your hand mends. There is a therapy in pulling weeds that clams the soul. I rather enjoy the chore. Next week I will have the honor of meeting one of my blogging friends, face to face, I've never had the pleasure before . . . it's exciting:) Have a lovely weekend, enjoy sipping tea in your delightful garden.
    Connie :)

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  35. I love the garden too, very bright and inviting! And that open blue window??......wow.....so pretty!.are all the windows like that or just the one? So fairy tale pretty!

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  36. That picture of your blue window is stunning!

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  37. I can't really imagine your garden ever looking a disaster, I think it would always be a wonderful place to sit and have a cup of tea. Your gifts are charming, and so is the gift of making friends over the internet. People I talk to in real time raise their eyebrows when I talk of my friends all over the world, but they're just missing out, aren't they !

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  38. Your comments on quotes made me think of Dorothy Sayers who said she liked quotes because it kept her from having to have an original thought. What lovely thoughtful friends - positive thoughts to keep you cheery while you heal. Your garden looks lovely. My will be in disarray this year while we are under pool construction but seeing your lovely garden inspires me to dream. Angels to you!

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  39. It's so nice to see all of those nice gifts in your home! You deserve to receive them as you do so much for others too. Your garden area looks so pretty right now. I'm sure you're enjoying sitting out there as you continue to recover from your surgery. Hope it has helped your hand!

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  40. Hi Carol,
    So happy the cookies got to you in one piece and they were yummy. I thought you might need a nice little snack with your recovery. We do bond with the best friends in blogland. It it hard to explain that bond to peeps that are not into blogging. It is so amazing how we find each other and connect quickly. You are a special friend Carol and I love that we have gotten to know each other in this crazy world they call blogging. Take care of those hands and hopefully soon you will be back to doing some or your creative projects and back into the garden. Patience is the name of the game with healing and that is not my strong suit either. Sending you sweet hugs.
    Kris

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  41. what fun stuff and I love the story of the missing #1. Anything with a 'one of kind' story is much more special. I am sure your friend didn't mind one bit that your garden wasn't whipped into shape. She was there to SEE YOU and I know friends don't care about anything else.

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  42. Meeting so many kindred spirits through blogging has truly been a joy! You definitely have the knack of drawing people into your circle of friendship, Carol. I'm blessed to know you and call you friend!!!!
    Mary Alice

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  43. You've got the knack, Carol. You make everyone feel special.

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  44. Great post, great quotes! I love quotes too and have a Pinterest board dedicated to them. I feel the same way about the "strangers" I have met through blogging. Such special friendships! I always leave here smiling Carol...you have a way of making everyone feel good about life. Hope your hand is back to normal soon. Have a lovely week!

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  45. I love quotes, too. Some are simply timeless. And the blogging world is a special place...these tokens of friendship can really make your day.

    Jane x

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  46. A good quote can really make my day!
    It is amazing how the web can bring together complete strangers and turn them into good friends.
    Tina xxx

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  47. Having blogging friends like you and others is a great part of blogging! I love quotes, and enjoyed yours. Gardens can never look ugly....as long as it's in bloom!

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  48. Nice gifts. Even a messy garden is a good garden. :)

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  49. Such sweet gestures from your blogger pals, Carol! You know, your white stucco home with Greek blue shutters would fit in perfectly here in Crete!:)) Enjoy your goodies and hope the hand is healing well!

    Poppy

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  50. You have had good things happen when you meet strangers.. Just don't meet them on a train..That's when bad things happen. LOL. That quote made me think of the book I recently read called Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith. Your garden did not look bad. There's no way.
    How is your hand doing now? have a beautiful day!

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  51. you are blessed with many friends Carol :-) the good things happen when you meet strangers is true!

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  52. Your garden and your sweet cottage always look perfect to me! Love all your quotes and the creative ways you're displaying them. You are truly blessed with so many generous blogging friends. Beautiful treasures!!

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    2. Ooops! Sorry Betsy...didn't mean to reply to your comment. A slip of the fingers.

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  53. Whew, Carol! Now that I got that straight.....Love your post and love that we also became friends through our blogs. I can't imagine your garden looking anything but fun and beautiful. And, I'm sure Bobbie thought so, too. You sure do have some generous friends. How nice to receive such wonderful gifts!!!

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  54. I adore your yard! I want one just like it. Isn't blogland amazing?

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  55. Carol I've been thinking about you! I don't know if my comment went through on your last blog I didn't see it there. But I just loved your wedding shower details. I just kept thinking what a special time it is for you right now. Blending families and getting a sweet daughter-in-law all at once. I can't remember when the wedding is....but they look so in love.
    I'm so happy to know your hand is healing nicely, we were driving back from my son's regatta at Stanford and I thought of you and Steve when we passed Ventura. Michael's rowing season is almost over and I still haven't given up on driving up to meet you. Our weekends have been so busy during Crew season and it sounds like you guys have a lot going on too. Thank you so much for your positive comments on our house, it really looks like a construction site and some days it feels hard to be patient. Your home is my inspiration! :)
    hugs,
    Leslie

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  56. Blogging is brilliant.

    Your yard looks brilliant too !

    Hope the hand is healing well now,

    Take Care

    All the best Jan

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  57. Blogging is brilliant.

    Your yard looks brilliant too !

    Hope the hand is healing well now,

    Take Care

    All the best Jan

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  58. I'm so glad that gift giving between bloggers is still going on. It doesn't seem to happen as much though.

    What sweet friends they are :)

    xo

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