It was a very, very happy mail day......

Do you love going to the mailbox? I do........and there is always an optimism that something great will be there! Does it happen very often? Well, truthfully, I don't view bills as something great, nor do I view a mailbox full of junk mail something great either. I do, however, see notes from friends a happy surprise. In our world of fast paced communications and quickly sent emails, a hand-written note is a treasure these days. As is a package! Something I ordered? Well, I do look forward to finding that in the mail or on the doorstep. But in a completely DIFFERENT category is an unexpected package, a parcel with your name on it and a return address that you don't expect to see in your mailbox too very often. Well, that is what I found yesterday!! Such a happy mail day for me, because you see, my husband brought home the mail and in it was a large manila envelope addressed to me. From a dear friend that I've only met in real life once!!! But she is a DEAR friend. One I've known via the internet for several years now. She has the heart of a dear sister, a saint in whom I have much in common. She is a mother, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a teacher, and a friend in whom I find much in common, and also in whom I admire greatly. And she is so thoughtful. Recently, she and her family planned a vacation to St. Simon's Island, a destination that is on my "bucket" list. I really want to go there someday. I've heard how gorgeous it is, how quaint it is, but have yet to see it for myself. Afterward, she wrote a fabulous review of her vacation and the things they so enjoyed doing.....I lived it vicariously through her and her review. Well, what came in the mail yesterday and just where am I going with this story you might ask????? Well, my dear friend sent me a cookbook from the island and included the most precious sentiment. She knew (knows) of my longing to go there, as well as my love of cookbooks, I might add!! She sent me the most beautiful cookbook from St. Simons Island, Christ Church, Frederica Cookbook......Well, just look!
Throughout the cookbook, there are descriptions of each of the stained glass windows in Christ Church.........and there are prayers at the bottoms of many pages, too. From the front to the back, it is full of gorgeous photos, expressions of faith, and fabulous recipes!!!

What a treasure, and one I will cherish over the years. I will place her handwritten note in the front of the book so that I will always remember what a special surprise it was from a special friend. And I will look forward to trying out many of the yummy recipes found within its pages.....thanks so much, my friend!!! I love it, and I love you!