Do you have some "just because" friends? I call them that since they often give gifts "just because." No reason, not necessarily a birthday, graduation, wedding, baby shower...no other reason than to bless.
Apparently, I have a fair number. It makes walking to the mailbox worth the while.
One day, I found these delights in a package from Mrs. T of Across My Kitchen Table. Sara, oops I just revealed her first name, actually writes several blogs, including a Christmas one.
Come Before Winter is a devotional. I love devotionals and have many. I think they appeal to my short attention span and my love of essays. (BTW, if you've never tried Twining's Buttermint tea...it is fabulous. So smooth and delicious.)
Abby from Little Birdie Blessings often pops a something something in the mail...graphics and booklets, but for my winter birthday she did something I have loved. I keep this treasure on the table beside my easy chair so I can look at it often.
Abby used a photo album and added these wonderful layers of images and ephemera and Scripture and created a personalized book just for me. If you are a creative type, you can find many of these same images on Abby's blog. She offers them for free.
I have a lot to learn from my Just Because friends.
workaround ☺
ReplyDeleteBIG SMILES. Yep, sure do...smiles. Hope you have a lovely week, friend.
ReplyDeleteThose are lovely gifts. I am looking at an amazing gift from YOU right now handing on my wall. ;)
ReplyDeleteYES! Twining's Buttermint tea is amazing. I enjoyed a cup many evenings this past winter (which was LONG).
Ummm... hanging on my wall.
DeleteI always say...friends like these know just what we love and give us gifts we really appreciate! It's fun to get a surprise in the mail. I haven't tried that tea...sounds good! Enjoy your day! (we are drinking most of out tea with ice right now but the herb teas are good cold too! lol)
ReplyDeleteVery nice to have these kinds of friends. Thanks for the tip on the tea!
ReplyDeleteHi Vee, These are sweet and thoughtful gifts; so precious. I will look for this tea. Visiting with you via the blog is a great spirit lifter for me. Have a pleasant evening. xo
ReplyDeleteWhat sweet friends and sweet gifts!
ReplyDeleteI’ve never tried that tea, but will definitely look for it!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely friends!
Just because friends are the best and you are so deserving of them! Hugs ....
ReplyDeleteFriends like these are precious, indeed.
ReplyDeleteYour just because friends are a blessing, and I have a couple of them I have met while blogging. Buttermint tea sounds like one I will look for.
ReplyDeleteI like how you've names these gracious friends. Sweet, sweet gifts. We all need these people, even just one, in our lives.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Nice to receive such a wonderful gift:)
ReplyDeleteThe tea sounds inviting. I've never seen it around here. Such beautiful friends you have. And they send you such lovely things. Enjoyed glimpsing over your shoulder some of your mailbox treasures. Wishing you a beautiful day, Vee! Brenda xox
ReplyDeleteButtermint Tea.....I love the sound of it.
ReplyDeleteSo many people love you, Vee! I am one of one of them.
I pray for you every day....
Oh Vee...what a marvelous feeling to have special gifts from friends across the miles....indeed you are special to so many...lovely and thoughtful gifts!
ReplyDeleteDear Vee, So glad your blog popped up on my e-mail list. I have tried to re-blog several times but can not come up with a way to do it. On my 80 th birthday in Nov. I decided I was going to learn to quilt. I can sew very well but never made a quilt. I went to You-Tube and had great luck. I have made 11 quilts since January and my plan is to make one for each of my 24 family members. Please keep blogging as I am missing all my old contacts. You knew me as Gueenmothermamaw or as Day of the Lily.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you again! Wow...all that quilt-making is amazing. I happen to know that you are a talented artist as a painting you did is displayed in my sewing room.
DeleteGift-giving is not my strong suit although I do my best to 'do the right thing' by standards of etiquette. I struggle to know what to give to who (whom?) and always wonder if it will be truly appreciated or not. Ungrateful receivers really bug me.
ReplyDeleteOther things 'ring my bell' and I find that what speaks to me is what I tend to give to others: words of affirmation and hugs, primarily.
Thanks for a lovely post. I am happy that you are free to express yourself to us, once again, via your blog.
Vee, you are loved. Sweet, thoughtful gifts from sweet, thoughtful friends. I'll be looking for that tea you mentioned. ♥
ReplyDeleteYou certainly do have some wonderful "just because" friends and the gifts you received from them were so very thoughtful. I am sure they brought much joy to your heart and a smile to your face. I always loved listening to Chuck Swindoll on the radio...I bet the devotional book is a good one!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasant surprise to see me mentioned and linked on your blog today. I'm so happy you're enjoying the scrapbook. I had fun making it for you. You are a treasure. Love Abby
ReplyDeleteThose are such lovely gifts from your "just because" friends! Yes, I have a couple of those . . . friends whose hearts are in tune with the things that make me smile and who are thoughtful enough to do just that (make me smile)! I need to do better at being that kind of friend!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet that you shared this Just Because post. Glad you liked the Buttermint tea!
ReplyDeleteThat book Abby made for you is amazing. What an encouraging read to keep beside your chair. Reading through it would be a blessing every time! I just might try something similar to that next time I get an offer for a free photo book. I know it wouldn't be the same as handmade, but I think it would still be nice.
Just because friends are wonderful and Mrs. T always has the best book recommendations.
ReplyDeleteThose "Just because Friends" are the dearest. What sweet things Vee. I too love devotionals and have many. I try to rotate them around. I enjoy Charles Swindol and about anything he writes is good. Enjoy your sweet gifts dear Vee. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the butter mint tea tastes anything like those butter mints we used to have at showers. I'm sure your friend received much joy in creating that little book for you. "Just because" are the best!
ReplyDeleteVee, I did not know you began blogging again! It's good to see your posts!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend that surprises me all the time with little fun things in the mail, and I feel bad as I can't reciprocate as much as I'd like as I don't shop as often as I did in Brooklyn. I have to drive 2 miles just to get out of my neighborhood, and when I shop it is always with a purpose and not just to browse around the stores as I used to. I miss Home Goods and a lot of other fun places that used to be close by where I live.
A sweet surprise fro me these days is watching a doe take care of twin fawns she birthed in my next door neighbor's yard a week ago. The fawns are so cute!
Aren't those surprises in the mail just the best? Sweet gifts! I was surprised by a sweet gift 'just because' from total strangers yesterday. I was behind them in grocery checkout and suddenly realized my groceries were going through with theirs. Turns out, they had instructed the cashier to put my order on their tab. I tried to protest, but they said to 'pay it forward'. I hardly knew how to respond. That's a first!
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by to say hello. Hope all is well with you. I love "just because" gifts!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is wonderful!! My gifts from friends these days consist of cat hair rolled up against the porch screen, bless little Tommy's and Smokey's hearts.
ReplyDeleteWOW...such thoughtful wonderful gifts from your lovely "just because" friends. I love it! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely and thoughtful gifts from your "just because" friends. One of my favorite things about this blogging community is the kindness being shared whether through surprises in the mailbox or the inbox. I have been blessed to be on the receiving end many times through the years. I treasure each of these gifts and am reminded of the givers each time I use them.
ReplyDeleteThat buttermint tea sounds delightful.
What lovely, thoughtful gifts from "just because" friends, Vee! I have tasted the buttermint tea, and thank you for the reminder to look for some.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're having a nice weekend. I'm sorry that I'm late in visiting, but better late than never. xx
How nice. Surprise packages in the mail are the best. I should cultivate some 'just because' friends of my own. Or become one.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Oh Vee, I didn't realize that you were blogging again. I've just read your posts and have gotten caught up. So glad you are here again. : )
ReplyDeleteVee, how lovely. I've always thought "just because" gifts (and friends) are the best kind.
ReplyDeleteHi Vee~
ReplyDeleteWhat thoughtful gifts from wonderful friends. I love it when someone sends me an unexpected card or small gift, it just makes my day. Thanks for sharing with us, I love them!
Hugs and Love,
Barb
Those are such thoughtful gifts. It's always so fun to find something special in the mailbox!
ReplyDeleteYou have some very caring friends, Vee. How truly thoughtful of them to do that for you. Random acts of kindness means so very much.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
I wish I was better at being a "just because" friend. I know it comes more naturally for some than others. When I finally get to retire, this is something I am praying about doing ...being more intentional with my thoughts and ideas to bless others, just because. Those gorgeous books that Abby puts together are definitely to be cherished...you can tell she puts so much love into them and you are blessed to have been the recipient of them. It is pretty apparent that you are dearly loved by many! ♥
ReplyDeleteEveryone loves you, Vee!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are loved and blessed, Vee!
ReplyDelete