An Award to GET and GIVE and A GIFT RECEIVED

I received this award from Chris of Greetings From The Shady Grove. I like what this award stands for, friendships made in what I refer to as Blogland. Below are the guidelines for this reward and I in turn would like to give it some of my many friends here. Here are the guidelines for this award: 'This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes for self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. I give it to Cris, Artist in Oregon.http://crisinor.blogspot.com/ She and I have actually met in person since meeting through our blogs and have become close friends. I give it to Soul Brush, http://soulbrush.blogspot.com/as she and I too have a special bond here. And we share our art with each other. I give it back to Chris of Shady Grove, http://shadygrovestudios.blogspot.com/, for our friendship and shared quilting experiences in ATWI20Qs. I give it to Corryna, http://corryna.blogspot.com/, for her sharing of her inspirational art quilting techniques. I give it to Human Being in Iran, at http://dearteachercrow.blogspot.com/, for her friendship and love I feel from so very far away as if she were next door. I give it to Teri C, http://painteddaisies.blogspot.com/, for her on going encouragement and inspiration. I give it to Sukipoet, http://sukipoet.blogspot.com/, for her caring and giving ways to everyone. I give it to Andrea at http://cestandrea.blogspot.com/, for her friendship and encouragement. I give it to Jude at http://cariadincrete.blogspot.com/, for her company and friendship in blogland. These friends span the two coasts of the USA, The interior of the USA, The Netherlands, Paris, France, London, England, Crete, Greece and Iran. Who would have thought two years ago that today I could say I have friends in all these places? I am so blessed. I appreciate everyone who comes to my blog and if your name is not mentioned above know that YOU ARE INCLUDED in my heart. I simply got tired out writing all those names above...I hate thinking anyone would feel left out, you are NOT you are IN! You all may now bestow this award on your blog friends as well. ************************************************************************************* Last Friday I came home to find a package waiting addressed to DH and me. It was from our dear friend Sam in Oregon. We opened the box to find wondrous treasures. Sam is an artist of great talent. She made t his little "bird house" with it's newspaper decoupaged roof, photos of my family all around, even the cat! And a special quote about said cat: "One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home." This clipped to one side of the roof with a tiny wooden clothes pin under a sign that says "our family". The top right photo is the front of the house with pictures of our grand kids and the words: Home Sweet Home stamped around the bird's door hole. Top left hand photo is DH and me and the bottom right photo is my daughter and her DH. The lower left hand photo is our cat, Henry V and above him hangs a little purple heart and a tiny key. The top middle photo is a decoupaged picture of paint brushes and the words: "The Artist Is Nothing Without the Gift But the Gift is nothing without Work" Emile Zola (1840-1902). The second photo from the bottom left is a plastic tote bag with an adorable collage on it. The words under the baby say: "Take care of my future". She sits on a globe of the world. And finally the middle photo is a special gift to my DH from his dear deceased friend, Jim. They are the picks for guitar playing that Jim and Fred bought together 30 years ago and filed down to the size each needed to play properly. Both being musicians par excellent! DH was incredibly touched to receive this gift. Thank YOU SAM from the bottom of our hearts! We love you so!!!!