I just have to say that I have some of the sweetest blog readers on the planet. I could tell many stories to prove my point, but here is a specific example.
This particular example is centered around a box. But it’s not just any box.
No. It is this box.
This box showed up on our front porch Wednesday after making a journey all the way from Utah.
What could possibly be in The Box?
Sarah and I set out to find the answer.
However, we quickly discovered that finding said answer would require a lot of digging on our part.
A WHOLE lot of digging.
After our concerted and coordinated excavation efforts, we at long last began to see daylight. Or at least we began to see the beginnings of the outline of the mysterious item contained within The Box.
We carefully lifted out the item and discovered that it was a . . . well, it was a . . . um, stiff, rectangular item completely encased in bubble wrap!
Just what I always wanted! Hooray!
(By the way, that weird round thing in the background is a cantaloupe, not a rock. Just in case you were wondering.)
Oh wait. There was more unveiling to be done.
What could it be?
It was a picture! A lovely, beautiful picture enlarged and matted and mounted. And sent to me!
So how did this fabulous photograph happen to land on my doorstep?
Well, one of my faithful Smithellaneous readers is a photographer extraordinaire. I had seen this photo of hers on Facebook and had written an admiring comment. Next thing I knew, she had gone to all the trouble of packaging it up and sending it to me for my birthday!
How sweet was that?
Is this just not the most gorgeous thing? I feel like I could reach right into the photo and pick up a hymnal. I especially love that the photo encompasses two huge elements of Steve’s and my life: church and music.
After I had finished admiring my surprise, I had Sarah take a picture of me with it.
And then today, after I got dressed and looked down at what I had on I thought, “How cool! I match my new picture!” And so I had Sarah take yet another photo. I think I’ll call it, “A Study in Stained Glass.”
On an unrelated note, I just love the earrings I’m wearing; they’re hand crafted and made of sea glass. I got them at a nearby thrift store for a dollar. Sarah just happened to take a picture of them yesterday for a Photoshop Assignment on Color so I’ll show you the close up.
At any rate, many, many thanks to the wonderfully generous-hearted Susan for making my bright and beautiful 50th birthday a little brighter and a little more beautiful.
Our home will be all the more lovely adorned with Susan’s Study In Stained Glass.
*sigh* I know you said you were changing blog addresses, but I failed to load the new one into my blogroll on my old blog, which is how I keep up with my favorite blogs. So I missed a ton of posts, and especially this one! Susan blessed me with one of her “work of heart” photos too… what a treasure! She is the kindest person ever, as well as an amazing photographer. Now we both have signed originals hanging in our homes!
Well, Pam, I’m glad you found us again. Welcome home! 🙂
Becky & Susan, that is one beautiful piece of art!!!
Lib,
I agree wholeheartedly. And my picture of it doesn’t even do it justice.
The above comment was from me; I just wasn’t signed in! Becky Smith
What a lovely photo! Do you know where it was taken? Perfect birthday gift for you, and the giver knew you would appreciate it.
Liz, it was taken at a parish in the small hometown I grew up in. The location of the photograph is Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dover, Ohio. I shot it on a sunny morning in January of this year. With the exception of this print that was presented to Becky, the collection I shot is currently on loan to the parish. Glad you love it!
That photograph is stunning. I think I could wander into it and sit down. What a beautiful gift.
Mary,
That’s exactly how I feel about being able to wander in and sit down; nice way to describe it!
So glad that you like it! It was an honor to find a special way to celebrate my camera buddy’s very special 50th birthday! Much love to all of you!
what a beautiful picture and amazing birthday gift.
It’s so hard to make stained glass as beautiful in a photo as it is in reality… what a beautiful shot!!
Susan,
You’re a hit!!
Thanks so much everyone. It is a real blessing to be able to do what you love and have the support of family and friends that support you in doing it. I am one lucky lady to have this opportunity. Becky, thanks for being one of my top cheerleaders!