Christmas All Over Again

It started snowing around noon yesterday and we just didn't bother to head out to the mailbox until this morning. Then, it was Christmas all over again! I had a package from my Christmas swap buddy in New Hampshire. In November, Patrice at Everyday Rurality, asked who might be interested in a gift exchange. That's the sort of thing I love doing, so I signed up. Patrice couldn't have done a better job of matching me with another blogger. I was matched with Courtney, author of Sassafras and Winterberry. I had not bumped into Courtney's blog before and was astonished at how many connections we have. We are both teachers. We both have two sons. We both enjoy simple things in life. We both enjoy handcrafts.

So, my gift arrived. I was excited! (Courtney had told me it would be delayed - she had a very busy Christmas and ... well, you'll see why it took her a bit of time....)

I was excited about opening the box!

This little box contained so much!

Even the bag with the crow on it was cute!

I kept the bag - it might

be inspiration for some sort of project!

The box contained home-made blackberry jam. Yum!

I received this cute little note pad, too.

I hit the jackpot;

two skeins of home spun Alpaca & Border Leicester

yarn. It has beautiful flecks of brown and tan.

Have you ever seen a Border Leicester?

I hadn't... so I looked it up.

Isn't this the cutest sheep you've ever seen?

It looks like a cross between a bunny and a lamb!

And finally, the most incredible gift I received this Christmas...

A mat that was hand hooked and uniquely designed

with a vintage horse.

Isn't it the best?!!

  I love it!

I don't have anything like this.

Isn't it darling?