Yesterday's Delightful Surprise!

Yesterday, in between studio time, I came up for a snack and drink and thought I would go check the mail, which occasionally runs a little early on Saturday. I open the box and what do I see inside but this delightful package, and before I look at the return address, I know it has had to come from Bernadette, because--well--because! It looks like a stamp she would own and she is one of the few people who would take the time to do this to a wrapper.

The wrapping was too good to tear, so when I got it inside, I carefully opened the back and then proceeded to open the little silver box inside, and again......attention to detail and presentation!

I turned the card over before unwrapping the tissue and found this note:

"Anne, this is a gift to you from Jan Brattain. (can we clone her?) Love, B."

At that point I was pretty excited, because I was *hoping* it would be one of the monkey pins Bernadette has on her Etsy site, and sure enough, there it was! This wonderful little shrine that has the most minute detail one can imaging and Mr. Monkey, with the heart swinging from his tail!!!!

Jan---

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! XXXXOOOO!!!!!!

Bernadette---

It never ceases to amaze me how you do the work you do--the infinitesimal pieces, all smooth and lovely and no glue showing, like the creation sprang into being from the half-shell that Venus stands upon!

To both of you---you don't have any idea how wonderful the gift is and how much I appreciate it. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!

The generosity of friends is worth more than anything else in the universe. The thoughtfulness, the consideration......I could ramble a while, but you both know how I love this piece.

Mr. Monkey is mine!!!!

It was a VERY GOOD DAY!!!!!! ;)

P.S. These pins are worth every single solitary CENT. I cannot photograph the detail good enough for you to really see how much work this was.