The Most Wonderful Surprise

The easiest way for me to write this post is to copy the email I sent to my sister yesterday. The rest is self-explanatory!
"I'm going to wait a day or two before I blog about this....just so it doesn't seem like I'm running a Monica Fan Club. Mind you, I haven't shared 1/4 of the things she sent me from our swap. There were 2 packages jammed with Italian goodies (magazines, pages from antique books, vintage stamps, etc.). Yesterday there was a slip from the post office in my mailbox, letting me know I had to pick up a piece of registered mail. Of course I'm thinking: Now WHAT? I didn't even notice that it said 'Italy' in a tiny box on the slip. Backtrack a minute....when Monica got the package I sent her, she emailed me right away, but said she needed to brew a pot of tea before she opened it (I think I blogged about that). I had written her back, saying I'd wished I was there to join her in a cup of tea while she opened her goodies. Okay....back to today :-) The lady at the post office hands me this big box and I immediately recognized Monica's handwriting. There was a card inside that said: 'You said you would have liked to have tea with me...now you can! Love and Hugs~ Monica'. I'm attaching some pictures of what she sent me...handpainted by her. I just can't believe how sweet she is! And I SO needed a good surprise today!

More Monica Goodies!

I will, undoubtedly, be inundating my blog with posts that refer to...or are primarily featuring...all of the amazing goodies from my friend, Monica. The plethora of treasures she sent me is overwhelming and I am still discovering hidden surprises! Everything she sent me is still sitting on my dresser, en masse. I can't make myself put things away just yet. It's a bit like Christmas morning: when you start the clean-up process, it's an indicator that the gift giving has reached an end.
I wanted to share my absolute favorite thing she sent me, a handpainted china bell. Ever since I fell in love with the movie "It's a Wonderful Life", I have a sweet soft spot for bells ("Teacher says 'every time a bell rings', Daddy, 'an angel is getting his wings'."). Again, this is something Monica did not know about me, yet she gifted me something I shall treasure always! Monica painted the most beautiful, intricate peach & lavender flowers on this particular bell. Since I have not an ounce of traditional artistic talent (painting, drawing, etc.), I am perpetually astounded by people who are talented in this arena. Monica is absolutely one of those fortunate people.
The bell is sitting right next to my computer, so I can gaze at it often. Every so often, I pick it up and give it a tiny shake...just in case Zuzu was right about ringing bells!