Swap Thanks

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say "thank you?"  ~William A. Ward

Today I am the very lucky recipient of a package to my front door.  I am expecting a couple of packages, both from across the seas, this one for me and another which will delight my two little princesses.  So little Eee and I are keenly waiting to hear the knock of the postman on our door as they are delivered.  We were not disappointed.  This package arrived today during lunch and, so as not to dirty the goods with grubby mitts, we downed our lunch in super record time while patting the outside of the package eagerly awaiting the time to clean up and open up.

Inside we were delighted and surprised to find these two sweet little knitted bunnies along with the contents I expected - a kitchen towel and a potholder.  All were beautifully knitted and crocheted (I think that's how she made the potholder) by my down to earth swap partner, Susan.  I love the warm golden yellow she has used... combined with our favourite - pink.  It is all beautiful.  Let me take a second to say a heartfelt "thankyou Susan".

Here is a little peak at what I made for Susan as well.

Enjoy the moments or hours you spend in your kitchen today cleaning and feeding, nurturing and chatting as well as singing, dancing and playing.  If you have a moment, take a little time to read what Rhonda of down-to-earth has written here and here about how these tasks nurture and make us.

Gratitude Swap

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

~William Arthur Ward

On my return home from our little trip away this is what I found in my mail. A lovely Gratitude Box filled with cards and tea and moisturising hand cream from the lovely Miriam.

Thanks so much Miriam. This is very generous of you. It is hard to describe how one feels when they receive something specially home-made for them from someone who has chosen to give yet does not know you at all.

I am truly grateful and feel privileged to be involved in a lovely community of people.

And this is what I sent to Miriam - a lovely strawberry themed Gratitude Wrap.





I really enjoyed making this having never made anything like it before. I think it might make a lovely Christmas gift.

The Children's Sewing Kit We Gave

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.

~Pierre Corneille, Le Menteur

Now that little Bella has received her Sewing Kit I can show you all that we made in order to participate in the swap and delight young Bella (and her mother :) ).


It's one of my zippered pouches - my own design. Quite large with lots of bits and pieces inside.


The best part of all is that Bella loves it. That is what we all want to hear isn't it. That our swap partners love the results of all the effort and love we put into making and presenting our goodies.

What a lovely swap this has been!

Our Children's Sewing Kit Received with Thanks

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Look at what has arrived in the mail this week! It is our swap from the Children's Sewing Kit Swap we have been participating in. Isn't Ess lucky!!! Thankyou so much Mel and Bella.

She absolutely loves her sewing kit and considers herself very lucky. "I love my sewing kit," says Ess, "I will never forget this day". I am so glad she is grateful. She is not too expectant. Yes, she has eagerly anticipated receiving her parcel since she knew we were being involved in this, but her focus has not been so much on what she might be getting, rather on what we might be giving Bella, our swap partner, and what she might like. She spent much time sorting through buttons to find the ones she thought Bella would like. We have packed up Bella's bag today and the package should be sent off shortly.

This has been such a lovely swap. It has encouraged Ess to think beyond our family, to focus on another, to focus on someone in another part of our country and to give more and expect less.

As you enjoy your day today remember to express your gratitude in words and deed and in the living of your daily life. It is very enriching.