I was so late because Kevin was at search and rescue training later than planned and now he is off to the emergency vet with our dear kitty Midnight. He very suddenly lost weight and is throwing up blood. We don't know what is wrong with him but it's not looking good. If you wouldn't mind, please keep him in your thoughts. He's K's special little kitty and I don't know what would happen if we lost him.
Anyways, on to something completely different.
Ever sense I gave up using my credit card to buy things we didn't have the money for ahem, opening our mailbox has become quite sad to me. I haven't even had the chance to participate in craft swaps, lately, and boy do I miss them! I used to watch for the mail lady every day and get so excited when it was time to run down my driveway to that magic box that held beautiful treasures from all over the world. Even postcards and letters made my whole week. It was almost like a drug for me. I would get so thrilled. Alas, the only things we get now are bills and junk mail. Blah. Wheres the fun in that?!
But then the other day a package arrived at our door. I think I may have let out a little squeal when I saw it was addressed to the girls and I. It was from Purple Grandma and oh what fun was inside! I read her letter while the girls tore the box apart, it really made me smile.
She sent us a sweet nativity book and enclosed a picture of Kevin as a little boy dressed as one of the three wise men for a church play. The girls love seeing daddy like this, and frankly so do I (there have been some faith issues around here)!
She also sent some hair clips for the girls. What do little girls do when they see a whole package of hair clips before them?
Why put them all in their hair at once, of course!
But the absolute best part of the package... you ready??
A complete set of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. Not just any set but the set we have been searching for, one of the early releases (1950s) with Garth Williams' illustrations. Do you know what a hard time we have had trying to find these? She found them at a local antique store and thought of us. She always has the best luck. Most of my beloved Butterprint pyrex came from her. We are so very grateful for her thoughtfulness.
Look at this, it even still has the original fabric ribbon on it and the original owners' name. I think you all know how much we love Laura Ingalls Wilder and just how much her stories inspire us and the way we live, so you must know how huge this was for us!
Since the books are old, they are fragile so we keep them up on a high shelf for now. We started reading 'Little House in the Big Woods' right away. We will continue reading this book over and over until the girls are a bit older and ready for the rest of the books. I have to admit we are having a bit of a time with some of the things in the book. Since the girls are being raised as vegetarians and they are so young - we are not quite ready to go into detail about animals being used for meat. So we have to skip over those parts but some are pages long! Eh, we'll get by.
Pure ecstasy, I tell ya! Thank you Purple Grandma!

caroline · 713 weeks ago
Crystal · 713 weeks ago
Crystal · 713 weeks ago
Stephanie K. · 713 weeks ago
Stephanie K. · 713 weeks ago
Nadja · 713 weeks ago
Our set of Little House boos is beginning to look like that! My very favorite one is Little House in the Big Woods, and I just know your girls will love it! How could two little girls hear about Mary and Laura and not love it?
The hair clip shots are wonderful...
Tanya · 713 weeks ago
eidolons · 713 weeks ago
Speaking of mail. Someone I know (oh, that would be me) greatly enjoys sending out little somethings to people whenever she gets the chance. If someone else I know (that would be you) felt comfortable with sharing her mailing address, I'm sure smiles (okay, packages that would hopefully produce smiles) could turn up on doorsteps in the future. Just a thought. (:
My oldest read Little House in the Big Woods recently. He'll be nine in less than two weeks. We *do* eat meat and he was still a little uncomfortable with the scenes about hunting and such.
boatbaby2 85p · 713 weeks ago
thiscosylife 81p · 713 weeks ago
Nahuatl Vargas · 713 weeks ago
Cristina · 713 weeks ago
Lucy · 713 weeks ago
Ellen · 713 weeks ago
Tammy · 713 weeks ago
heirloom seasons · 713 weeks ago
I think one of the first thoughts I had after we got off the phone yesterday (and after I went out and burst out laughing at the girls surprise..) was that we forgot to talk about Laura Ingalls love!!!
That is the exact set of books I had when I was little! When we purchased our own set last year I almost went with an extra old set like that, but I knew how much use and wear these books would get so I went with a set that was somewhat newer. I would still like to get an old yellow set someday though.
Oh kitty, I will be thinking of you all. XOXO
jumbleberryjam 58p · 713 weeks ago
Stephanie · 713 weeks ago
caroline · 713 weeks ago
rose1953 32p · 713 weeks ago
I wanted to share with you that when they were young I skipped over many parts and they never knew. There are parts that show Ma's negative attitude toward Native Americans and other things here and there. I myself am not a vegetarian so didn't censor that part. Anyway it's a fantastic read.
healinghillary · 713 weeks ago
Now I am on the look out for a set for my cousin.
Provincial Homemaker · 712 weeks ago
jenny · 712 weeks ago
Moment to Moment · 712 weeks ago
I warms the heart so, and the children get so excited..
I do wish you would have shared one of the illustrations from the books. We have the series as well, but many different prints and none illustrated by Garth Williams I think. Enjoy!
Bless
Nikki · 712 weeks ago