Samichlaus!! THANK YOU CATSWORLD!! (pic heavy)

Jultomte has visited here!!  A wonderful surprise Christmas package from Switzerland!!

Catsworld, you are a SWEETHEART!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

Well you know the feeling of an unexpected package,    and when this arrived this week it was a much needed pleasure! There were so many goodies in the parcel...would you humor some pictures  

There was this darling Trollbeads book with gorgeous illustrations. Have never seen one before. There are fairies, frogs, and dragons, mushrooms and lots of other whimsical pictures. Why it is like something out of a dream... will treasure it always.












A lush pouch...all tied w/a gorgeous Catherine Michels silk...now what could be inside?



The card is a lovely advent calendar/votive candle cover. Have to admit I quite look forward to opening the little window panes every morning!



Just love the darling images on this one...



So yes yes the beads; yes, not one but TWO treasures that I'd longed to have in my collection. . .



Had been kicking myself for not getting the OHM limited edition sugar sleigh bead (while I was "humming and hawing," who knew they'd go so fast!), but did not want to whine about it here...so HOW did she know!!

As if that was not enough (Cats, you sneaky!!) She also shared another treasure!



A christmas ornament dangle! Had never seen these irl but this is such a classic Christmas look and reminds me of my grandmother's ornaments as well as those huge christmas bulbs that are impossible to find anywhere anymore. Just love it!

The blues and pops of red on the advent calendar inspired this design...it is still not quite right...maybe w/a few tweaks, but here is a try:











OH! my kitty Little Man was not left out (Tequila will try to steal). He's such a sweet boy and needs extra love now b/c his brother Big Boy passed during the early fall. They were "dropped" off and wandered to us as wee kittens two Thanksgivings ago. (This loss has been to hard to talk about). Anyway, Man's spirits are up more now and this will help lift him!    



This has been a tough year for everyone I'm sure. With all the international crimes and crisis and domestic turmoil here in the US...plus I teach at a university that has been very much in national news for its own tragedies. This semester has been difficult to say the least. Anyway sometimes you just go numb, you know, it's so much to absorb at once, especially lately it seems.

But this forum helps to keep the twinkle going and sense of goodness. Sorry for rambling but it can feel like such a gap sometimes between my "bead world" and the real world...sometimes I even feel silly for chasing "things"...then I remember that it's great people like those on this forum who make such a meaningful bridge; it's never about the things, but about people, and joy, and relationships.

So THANK YOU THANK YOU sweet sweet Cats!!,     You, and sister dragons, and all the lovelies here on the forum help make the world a dream. Merriest Christmas to you, Cats, dear buddha of beads, and to all!!

Such wonderful gifts. It just makes one feel so special. And yes, this forum helps me to get away!

Oh, that is a lovely package. I'm glad that it could lift your spirits a bit

Yor parcel is gorgeous and it could not have gone to a better home I am so so sorry that you lost yor dear Big Boy and then on top of it all the other ugly things... So I am triple happy that the forum and we all can give you happiness and I send you many many hugs

What a very special package for you. I love the way you photographed that sugar sleigh right on top of some luscious looking berries. And then that same vibrant color showcases the wonderful ornament bead. And then a hilarious present for the cat too!
The Buddha of Beads nailed it.

What a lovely package to cheer you up, enjoy  
The beads are gorgeous and perfect for the season (as is your bracelet).
The forum is really a happy place

Oh how wonderful and how lovely to hear that it's cheered you up. This has been a horrid year but gifts like this are like rays of sunshine on a cloudy day.

WOOOOOWWWWW!!! Whaaaaat a surprise!!!
If I were to identify you with one bead, I would definitely think of the sugar sleight!! Cats is very very smart and lovely!!
I agree with you, this is a lovely place, I hope we will all try to make an effort to make if going!
Merry Christmas to all of you, to sisters, to friends to all!!!!

What an absolutely gorgeous package! I really love the bright happy colors of your bracelet combo with your wonderful new beads!
I hope the bright happiness of your bracelet will find its way to your real life so that you will leave the hard times behind you and will enjoy a wonderful 2015!!!

What a great and thoughtfull parcel - wonderful gifts and best of all - what a wonderful way of cheering you up! Hope 2015 will be better for you - I am sorry for you loss! (I really know how that feels)

ah you dear dear Plumbun, thank you so much for being a wonderful friend! So many lovely pics,
I just want to say, this forum is great, and yes, this is more a magical world, it is often not like the real world outside, I am often glad there is a place to escape from reality....