Surprise!

Surprise! That's what was written across the packing tape of a beautiful little parcel that arrived in the mail the other day from my dear friend Sheila.

Of course it only tweaked my curiosity even more so I tore into the packing until it revealed this wonderful collection of tiny magnets. Aren't they gorgeous?? They look like the beautiful Millefiore quilts that are populating blogland and Pinterest these days. Love them!!!

It really is no surprise that she sent them. Sheila and I met in university and she has lived in northern British Columbia for most of the time since then so we don't get to see each other very often at all, but she's one of those people that you can just pick up where you left off with as though you saw her yesterday. She has a wicked sense of humour - I live to read her Christmas letter - and a wonderful sense of adventure (in fact, she's off to Scotland on a cycling trip with a small crew as I write this) and though we're miles apart she has always been there for me. Such a gift in my life.

She has also always been great at sending me thoughtful little bundles out of the blue. I wish that I could say that I have returned the favour but I'm sorely lacking in that regard. I think of her often and now these beautiful little touchstones will be one more reminder of her....M