A Haven for Vee: Blogger Meeting

Showing posts with label Blogger Meeting. Show all posts

Friday, November 16, 2018

Thanksgiving Greetings and Tag Book

~Looks more like Christmas out there than Thanksgiving~

Hello again. It has been awhile or perhaps you were one of the four who saw my last post. I am sorry that I pulled it, but when people are suffering as they are in California and there is sorrow upon sorrow, I didn't feel that that post was in the best taste. It had some pretty pictures, though. Perhaps I'll recycle them one day.

Today, I am chatting about my day yesterday when my sister and I met Abby of Little Birdie Blessings and her dear friend Judy up Augusta way. They were coming from the east and we were coming from the west, but up describes the destination well for all of us.

It is always a joy to meet again with friends. We tried to figure out when we had last seen one another, but couldn't.

We ate a leisurely lunch at a local eatery and took no photos of our lunches because we are terrible bloggers. My sister took a photo of Judy, Abby, and me using Abby's iPhone. (I didn't even bring my camera. Bad, bad blogger.) Nope, I am not sharing the photo, even if Abby gave me permission. I may do a cut and paste on it some day. Until then, it remains safely locked away in my files. ツ

We did exchange gifts. These are mine.

I have decided that there's something in the air down Abby's way that causes them all to be remarkably creative. This is a gift that I need as you can see by my legal pad list on the left. I used it for my grocery shopping this week and it was extremely unwieldy. Next time, I'll have this list maker, which can be tucked into my purse (if I remember where)...hope that it's not limited to counting blessings. One of my blessings is, after all, hosting Thanksgiving this year.

💛💛💛

Thank you so much, Judy! (She may not even read here, but Abby will clue her in, I hope.)

Abby made me a sweet tag book. It has a Thanksgiving, Scripture, Friendship theme.

Oh I can do better than this...

Maybe not.

This is how I have it displayed and I will encourage people to pick it up and look at it. There are many wonderful details to enjoy and thoughts to embrace.

I also received magazines to peruse...snow days allow a great deal of perusing. And the gift came in a sweet loon bag pictured below.

It was a fun day all around. I enjoyed time with my sister and time with my sisters in The Lord.

Now, because it is unlikely I'll return before Thanksgiving, I want to wish all my American countrymen a blessed Thanksgiving. We are blessed in spite of everything that is going on in our country and God is good. All the time. To that truth we cling.

Monday, August 20, 2018

Of Angels and Gargoyles and Vacations and More

A bunch of Thursdays ago at the end of July, I was in Freeport (flagship store of L.L.Bean) to meet my blogging friend Linda of Sew What and her husband Art. They were in the state to visit Bar Harbor.

I am so glad that they did not allow the foul weather reports ruin their trip because they enjoyed a fabulous week. (There hasn't been any better one in the month since.) I read about their vacation on Linda’s Instagram account. Hope that she’ll share her wonderful Bar Harbor photos on her blog so that you can see them, too. (Her Instagram account is private as is mine.)

You may remember that my last meet was quite recent (the post before this) and that every meet is fraught with troubles. This meet was no exception as I drove for miles in a miserable downpour. Further, Linda and I could both write a post about how not to do a meet. We were both at our destination, but we had failed to give one another cell phone numbers and email wasn't working out so well. They waited far too long a time when I was there. (They arrived ahead of time.) I had told Linda to look for the Hobbit from the Haven and...goodness I missed that description...it was more like the deranged gargoyle from the haunted castle. Wow. I did look a fright. 😳

Nevertheless, the deranged gargoyle did not seem to faze them and we exchanged pleasantries and gifts. I received a very special gift in the form of one of Linda’s angels made from my brother-in-law’s two wives’ wedding gowns. True. You figure it out!

↑This was where the Blessings Angel landed at my wee haven. In her new incarnation, she lives once again with my sister and her husband. My sister was so tickled with her. She said that the angel was not just going to be an angel on the Christmas tree. She'd be an angel all year around. ↓

The angel was not all... Tea towels, a candle, tea time napkins and more. I have been enjoying my gifts, Lin. Have you seen them showing up at Instagram?

As we “meet people” say, meeting someone you have known through blogging or even Instagram is as pleasant and easy as can be. Linda was a delight with her gentle sense of humor and her husband is a dear and patient man. Time flies and all too soon it is over.

Art and Linda

My nod to their Bar Harbor vacation. ッ

Thank you so much for everything, Dear Ones! If you ever visit Bar Harbor again...

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Dear Folk and Gentle People

Finally! We met. ッ

It was a wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs. T on Saturday last, she of both Across My Kitchen Table and Mrs T's Christmas Kitchen fame.

Actually, our meeting was a lot like sitting at her kitchen table happily chatting until first the mosquitoes and then the drunk showed up. < thud > Into every blogger meet a clinker must fall. Sigh.

The Ts love getaways and had been in Maine to attend a wedding up Bangor way. They were killing two birds with one stone so to speak. We had been scheduled to meet last year, but then my father passed away unexpectedly. Mrs. T’s father passed away not long after. Life happens and plans must shift when it does.

Except for photos of her adorable little girl self, Mrs. T does not share photos of herself. I recently caught a glimpse of Mr. T in passing so I thought I’d probably be able to figure out whom I was meeting.

As I skidded into the parking lot, Mr. T was the first one I saw. He was sporting four things: Mrs. T, a t-shirt created by his grands, and two black eyes. Gotta love a grandfather who proudly wears his grands’ gift. (The black eyes? Not my story to tell. 😉 ) Sara is just as lovely a person as you can imagine she would be from reading her blog: warm, attentive, gentle, and godly.

We discussed many things. Mrs. T mentioned how much she would like to meet a certain blogger...hope that happens! She said how much her life has been blessed by blogging. Yes, we do find our own here.

We exchanged gifts...these are mine...she knows my color well! You might have to visit *this post* if you don’t recognize the other. I had never seen them before reading there, but I have the feeling that some of my readers will recognize that darling box.

Using my crocheted hot mat to protect my mixing bowls

As we were saying our goodbyes...in fact, I was already in my car...I realized that you might not believe me if I didn’t have pictures. Mr. and Mrs. T indulged me and I have two. The first is a very nice photo...the second is even more wonderful and my favorite after employing my photography trick. You know the one...

That is not a wee hatchet in Mr. T's pocket... I had to look twice!

Such a cute couple!

Thank you, dear folk and gentle people, for coming my way, which was quite a bit out of yours. I appreciate it very much. ♥ It was a joy to meet you at last!

Monday, December 12, 2016

Thursday Last

I feel like the White Rabbit just before he disappeared down the rabbit hole lamenting all the while I'm late, I'm late, for a terribly important date. That many of us are feeling similarly is a sign of the season. It, whatever "it" is will all get done I keep telling myself...it always does.

One of the many things I am late about is this very post. So where were we? Ahhh, yes, Thursday last. I was saying that I was excited about the day, but did not share why because it is not always wise to share on a public blog that one will be away from home. Lots of us do, though, but perhaps some have a German Shepherd, a house sitter or nosy neighbors. I have none of those.

Earlier in the week, I had requested from my darling daughter a gift of her time and she had readily agreed asking me what I'd most like to do. (Laurel is a very busy woman with a full-time job and is also a full-time student so this was a big gift from her.) I replied that I wanted to see Abby. Well Laurel made it happen!

Plans were made and so, on an overcast Thursday morning, we struck off. Destination: Moody's Diner, Waldoboro, Maine (at Abby's suggestion). We found her and her husband Bill waiting for us in a cozy, quiet corner tucked in the back. We spent a very pleasurable hour and more chatting and enjoying the iconic fare...Moody's is famous don'tcha know. (I am still chuckling over a story Abby told on her pastor husband that could be in one of those "God Has a Sense of Humor" books. Perhaps you can get her to share it on her blog, but only if Bill can handle it again. 😇)

Afterward, we visited Moody's Gift Shop and managed a bit of Christmas shopping. We gals were taken with a rack of cute gloves and each of us purchased a pair. This will become important in a bit.

~Abby's Purchases~

It was just so good to see Abby and Bill again. This makes our 4th visit and I hope that there will be more once winter is past. Abby is so good at putting up with my nonsense. What nonsense you ask? Well, like forgetting the hour and putting in an urgent text request for photos that didn't even make the blog until today. Little stuff like that. 😏

You see, we did not take any photos. Zero, zip, nada. No photos of delicious hamburgers, sweet potato fries or fried eggs. No photos of steaming mugs of coffee. No desserts. No smiling faces or cute selfies. Sigh. I asked Abby what kind of bloggers we were anyway! Obviously, not the kind who take pictures.

So, in an effort to prove that we all were actually there together, I asked Abby to send a photo of her gloves and I'd share a photo of my gloves. I resisted the urge to ask Laurel to share a photo of her gloves because she pushes back against such silliness, unlike Abby who is longsuffering and tolerant. Shortly after sending my photo, Abby texted requesting that I rethink my photo as it looked as if I had missing fingers. LOL! Retake? I don't think so. Who knew that Abby was going to be a glove model stickler?

~missing fingers and a mug for my dad who loves Moodys~

[Abby, have you worn your gloves beyond photo taking? They are soooo warm and comfortable...soft, soft, soft. They were perfect in yesterday's arctic blast.]

~Abby models her glove...now that's how you do it!~

Alas, we bid our goodbyes. Bill tried to sneak off without a hug, which I did not allow you'll be happy to know. There was a brief exchange of gifts and I am sharing one of mine next time. (Camera battery dead as a doornail.)

Feel free to split off if this post is growing too long. If? If? I hear you saying.

Laurel and I visited another iconic Maine store called Hussey's General Store in Windsor where Laurel dropped a couple hundred buckaroonies just like that. (My sister bought her wedding gown there many moons ago.) Watching other people spend money is so satisfying to me and almost as good as if I had done so myself. I did buy a hat there for myself. I am spending way too much money this year on gifts for me. I have never done this before. Never! I did consider making this purchase for my sister, but better sense prevailed.

Oh and mine is not a "what happens at Nana's house never happened" either. I have no intention of giving the grandsons free license to misbehave...I have higher standards for them than that!

~a capitol building Monet~

Laurel and I wound up our day shopping in Augusta, which happens to be the capital of Maine, and eating, yet again, at Pat's Pizza. I do love a thin, yummy crust.

↑When we got back into the car after eating, Laurel noticed this driver in the car beside us staring at her. She took a photo with her iPhone and he turned away. So funny as each time she put down the phone, he stared at us, and each time she picked it up, he turned away. We were tired and could have played at that game for some time. Poor Pup.

~not Christmas music, but good music~

Then home with music in snow squalls. It was just a lovely day with my darling daughter who did all the driving. A total win~win for me.

How wonderful the ways that God gifts us with friends and family who make each day a little brighter and better.
Thanks for reading today. You deserve a medal!

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Meeting Donna

It’s so much fun to meet a blogger. Donna of Cottage Days and Journeys is the ninth whom I have been privileged to meet in person. A meeting is an extension of the friendship that has already been established for some years. We all say that. Meeting seems just as natural as natural can be. If you ever get the chance to meet a fellow blogger, grab it!

Donna was in Maine with a group of photographers taking pictures of iconic Maine. I am so looking forward to seeing some of the photos that she took while here. I have one and here it is…

This is one that Donna took with her iPhone and shared with me via email. She did not give me permission to use it here so I'll have to beg her forgiveness. It is just so cool! It's the kind of photo that one can expect to see at Cottage Days...

This is another, the only photo taken at our meeting. It was almost an afterthought and a way to prove that we actually had been there at the same time in the same place.

She wants me to tell you this: Please remind everyone that I am NOT a portrait photographer, nor do I take selfies. What an embarrassment for my standard of photographic quality! Hahaha... The photo simply documents two dear blogging friends who finally met in person (after many, many years) and loved each other more as a result.

I can’t say it any better than that.

We met in Freeport (home of L.L. Bean’s flagship store) at a pizza bistro where we enjoyed yummy brick oven pizzas. No pics. Sorry! We were there after lunch and a few hours before supper so it worked out well for us to chat and chat. Donna is just as cute and vibrant as she can be. She was dressed as she would be in the field — like the photographer that she is. She had been up before the dawn to take pictures of the sunrise at Pemaquid and still she was soldiering on through a blogging meet after a long drive. Our conversation was our own and I am blessed that we had it. I’ll not soon forget all that Donna shared.

~Jams and Donna's own photography in Note Cards~

After saying our goodbyes, I left with gifts and a full heart and the determination to get John into the car for a drive the following day.

I’m happy to report that the drive happened and John and I had a lovely forsythia seeking adventure culminating with supper out. Meals out two days in a row...woot!

~forsythia~

~a yard full of daffodils~

~looking down upon our town~

Thank you, Donna, for everything. It would be lovely if our paths should cross again!

ツ

Friday, September 4, 2015

Meeting Abby and Bill

It is unlikely that Abby needs an introduction here today as I often feature her wonderful graphics on my sidebar. Oh look! There's one now!
Abby blogs at Little Birdie Blessings. She and I have been blogging buddies for at least three years, perhaps longer. Sometimes I wonder about the connections in Blogdom and have finally concluded that The Lord Himself brings together whom He pleases.
We, Abby and I, have spoken of meeting from time to time since we live in the same state, almost on the very same latitude line. Early this summer, I made it my goal to meet before summer's end. I prayed and asked The Lord to make it possible.
Two weeks ago, I emailed Abby to ask if I could come visit and go out for lunch with her. Nothing doing. John and I would be welcome to come visit right at her home. She knew a local lobsterman who would provide lobster for "lunch" and she would put together some sides. I said that John would love that and I would bring a peanut butter sandwich. (How rude of me!)
Abby and her husband Bill live in Midcoast Maine. Bill is a pastor and also the lobsterman she knows well. A week of fog and humidity later, John and I struck off for Knox County on a bright sunny day with only a few clouds in the sky. It is a two hour drive.

Abby and Bill live in the parsonage right next door to the church Bill pastors. (No, Knox Mansion is not their home, but getting close!) They are both very active in the church and the community.
They are hospitality experts. Both John and I felt at home right away. Their home is quintessential New England with many terrific features such as original moldings, hardwood floors, tin ceilings, and a curved staircase. Abby has added her charming touches throughout. (That's a garland of all the grandchildren on the dining room mantel. Note the unique molding above the door leading to the farthest room.)

~cozy parsonage~
Though I have lived in Maine nearly all my life, I had never eaten a lobster. Nevah! Lobster rolls—yes, a lobster still in its shell—no. My sister was incredulous that I ate lobster. I was, too, but Abby carefully taught me what to do. All that and she cleaned more lobster to send home with us! There'll be more on that in another post. Did I like it? Yessum, I surely did. It was so tender, sweet, and delicious. Bill knows how to find a good lobster and he knows how to cook it, too.

~the welcoming table~ At one point, I looked up to see everyone, including John, eating their lobsters daintily with their forks. I was mortified as I had been chowing down with my fingers! (The only way I ever saw anyone eat it.) Abby assured me that there is no right or wrong way to eat lobster. In addition, Abby served a delicious potato salad, fresh corn on the cob, fresh tomatoes, fresh cukes, and later, we'd have home-baked apple pie, blueberry pie, and coffee for dessert. We had Poland Spring water (our fav brand) and iced tea for beverages.
While we were eating our lobster, we saw four stretch limos drive on down the road. Abby and Bill surmised that something big was going on...perhaps with a Supreme Court Justice or something. (I'm totally name-dropping here. ☺)

~Abby's daughter and grandsons~
Personally, I was more interested when this van pulled into the ice cream shop across the street. Abby's daughter and grandsons were in it and John and I got to meet them!

~chatting about world affairs?~
After dinner (largest meal of the day), we were taken on "the driving tour," which was terrific with many ocean views, seaside towns, and lots of lovely homes. Many of you have already enjoyed a glimpse of their corner in the movie Forrest Gump. That's all I'm going to say about that. Many people of note live in their corner. The aforementioned Supreme Court justice, a famous artist, and a famous businesswoman, too.
We shall leave them to their privacy. It can be a challenge for "the regulars" to live in a town that doubles in summer from the usual 1600 and welcomes thousands of tourists. Crazy! It was very interesting to listen to the stories as Bill is something of a local historian, too.

~beach walkers~

~perhaps a familiar scene?~

~a memorial~

~not a Revere bell~

While Bill and John chatted above the shore, Abby and I walked along the rocky beach. Abby pulled a "treasure bag" from her purse for me to collect rocks in.

~still chatting~

It was a glorious day!

Did I say "glorious"?

↑Oh my. This qualifies as the worst photo I took of the day.

↑One of my favorite photos!

↑And another

Do I look as if I had swallowed the canary or what?! Pretty much describes my attitude about the entire time. How blessed am I?!

We also received a tour of the church. Abby's history in the community goes way back to to the original pastor of the church in the mid 1800s who was a multiple great-grandfather. You may recall my Pilgrim Story. Abby has one, too. Her multiple great-grandfather was William Bradford. My multiple step-great-grandfather was William Bradford. This means that we are half cousins many times removed. We'll take it!

Bill was raised by his grandparents right in town. Lots of history there! We both enjoyed the conversation with Bill as we were given the church tour. Those parishioners have a loving, kind, and good pastor who is faithful to preach The Word. I have listened to a few of Bill's sermons myself over the past three years. We prayed together twice...once before our delicious meal and once before we left. John always holds hands when praying with anyone. He just automatically reached out for the hand on either side of him as is his habit. Bill kind of chuckled at that and so it made us chuckle, too. Later, when Abby asked Bill to pray for traveling mercies, John held his own hand and it was Abby who reached out her hands. I loved that! She is a natural at making people feel at ease. The day ended all too quickly and soon we had to leave arriving home just after dusk. I asked John this morning if he would like to describe the day in one or two sentences and he said, "Can we do it again next week?" Silly boy!
Thank you, Abby and Bill, for a most wonderful day. It was a pleasure to meet you both!

P.S. And I have gifts from Abby to share and recipes and projects so I hope that you'll come back one day next week for the rest of this story. (Though I certainly believe that you deserve an award if you made it to the end of this one. So many blogs; so little time.)

ツ

P.P.S. For Abby's perspective of the day, click *here.*