Grace At Home

Autumn Swap

Holland, Dulcie and I recently participated in an Autumn Swap within a group of other mothers with daughters. My friend Kim from Graceful Girlhood, and her sweet daughters, drew our name. We were so blessed by their gifts.

After receiving our parcel, we didn't open it right away. I wanted to wait until we were able to truly enjoy the time together opening it and not be rushed because of ballet or school or this or that. Finally, we opened it Thursday. My girls were beside themselves with anticipation! The box was over the top with lovely and creative things. Kim had crocheted each of us the most charming teacup and saucer and the girls have been having tea parties with them ever since we opened the box, along with the faux pumpkins and gourds that we will use on our nature table. The teacups were beyond adorable. Holland & Dulcie have been enjoying them with their dolls and we may hang them on a tiny Christmas tree in our homeschool room. Kim made a commonplace book for each of us, just like the ones Thomas Jefferson and Ralph Waldo Emerson kept, to preserve things such as special recipes, lovely poetry, proverbs and prayers, thoughts we want to remember, etc. Sometimes I see a new word that I want to tuck into my memory but often forget it. This will be the perfect place to write down those words! Dulcie's book is almost filled already (giggle) but Holland and I are being more discriminatory with ours. We each received a personalized bookmark (something we will certainly use as we all love books). We also received a pretty recipe card of our own. Holland will soon start her own recipe collection and this will serve as her first one. I told Kim I was saving Dulcie's for another year until her penmanship improved a bit. :) Kim also made me a CD with other recipe cards and stationary, etc. on it. I told her that I felt like I had been given a treasure box! Oh and she made each of us the sweetest tiny gift enclosures. As we first saw them, we knew which one was for each of us, almost as if Kim and her girls knew us as well as we know ourselves.

We will treasure these gifts for a very long time and will always remember your kindness. Kim, Boogie, and Boot Scoot, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your sweet gifts. You have given us a very special memory for this favorite of seasons. We will always remember your thoughtfulness.