A lovely bundle of a package arrived this week from Ilse and her sweet family in Belgium. Ilse's blog isn't in English, so I can't read a bit of it (is there a way to do this? I've never known), but I've loved looking at her photographs and have assumed that our families have a lot in common. I got such a clear confirmation of that this week when I opened this package - from so far away - to find it full of things so familiar to us. It was such a comforting feeling, that feeling of connection across continents and language, to think of another family - just like ours - with the same values and 'things' in their home, and the same nature -based handwork happening. Such a good feeling, and one that I was happy to share with my babes, as they're just beginning to grasp this whole concept that the world reaches beyond our little city. Ilse sent along these three adorable knitted kitties (I made just one of these years ago, which can be seen here. Now I suppose I need to make a "papa" kitty and we'll have a whole family?), three felt gnomes (so so cute), and three rocks that are local to her. All so very thoughtful, and now right at home on our nature table.
And she didn't forget to spoil the mama, by sending along these AMAZING vintage wooden, painted buttons. I love them so much. Ilse, thank you so much for your kindness!
And making the postal worker even more loved in our house this week (okay, the Zappos order arriving didn't hurt either), came this package from Barb, of Woof Nanny. Barb has been such a long time (you know, in internet years) reader of this blog and I'm always in love with the vintage finds and patterns she posts about. If you're ever in need of some gushing to be done, check out her vintage apron pattern collection. Wow! She was ever so sweet to send along some of her finds - these books and patterns are all big hits here (We LOVE those 'All Around Us' books!), some for me and some for the babes.
And this fabric, too! Calvin wants to know why the scarecrow isn't busy scaring crows, and Ezra is curious as to why that fork has so many 'sticks' on it. So fun. Thank you, Barb, for sharing some of your thrifty finds with us!!
