T Stands for Mardi Gras and gifts from friends around the world

 

My apologies that I didn't have time to hunt my beads and babies, so this is an old photo.  In fact, I may be late visiting today because I am off to several stores and then a visit with a friend.

  Happy Mardi Gras, which is celebrated the day before Lent begins.  I shared this drink inspired image in 2016.  Some T participants were concerned when I threw two babies into the tea water in 2016.  Remember, these babies bake in a King Cake, so a bit of warm tea is like bathing the baby in bath water.

The REAL reason I am at my dining room table today is

to share all these incredible gifts I have received from around the world.  Sorry.  No postage stamps to share, as all these contain metered mail.  I didn't have a return address on the red envelope, so I had no idea who sent it.  We'll begin with it.

When I opened this, all these amazing die cuts (2 each for all but the frame) came tumbling out, along with a lovely postcard.

The back of the postcard told me who it was from.

Sharon asked me if I would share my address with Jan, Crafty Scorpio, who has shared T with us when she was home in Spain.  I tried to find Jan's blog.  I went back a long way and can't seem to find it.  Sharon told me she would tell Jan I am sharing this gift today.  I'm sure many of you long time T Tuesday participants will remember Jan, who is currently spending time in San Francisco, CA with her son and his family.  Thank you for thinking of me, Jan and thank you for your generosity.  I am more than grateful.

I don't know why I opened the large package without first photographing everything, but I did.  I could NOT BELIEVE all the goodies that tumbled out.

I couldn't believe the plethora of gifts Jackie from Junk Boat Travels sent.  YES, Jackie, I will not only enjoy them, I see a new altered book in the future using the gifts you sent.

We'll start with the tea she sent.  I may drink the sweet cinnamon once I get everything documented today.

Santa, dimensional goodies, mostly couture, and postage stamps begin the wonderful paper art Jackie sent.

Then came the incredible oriental tapestry inspired art cards,

which is followed by cats, cats, and more cats, most of them postcards.

I couldn't get all the postcards in a single shot, so I had to create a second batch.  Jackie, it seems like you know me better than I know myself.  Everything is perfect and I am grateful beyond all words.  Yes, I am speechless, but I still found the words to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

The contents of the box were opened right before I photographed them.  I promised Iris I would do that.  I waited until I had sorted and cleaned up in the area around my place mat.  I'm glad I did so I could spread the various teas Iris sent, some I have never heard of.

I leapt for joy when I pulled this beauty out of the box. I have to admit, out of the nearly 500 rocking horses I have, this is the first that is a silicone mold.

What a sweet message from Iris and a very shy Henry.  Yes, Iris, I not only like it, I LOVE it!!  Thank you beyond belief.

It took forever to get a decent close up of this gorgeous beauty, unlike any other.

I realize it should go in my kitchen, but I love it here, 

where it can hang out with a couple of its distant cousins.  Again, thank you so very much, Iris!

Even though you probably already know the drill, please share a drink related post.  It can be gifts you received, photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, mail art, junk mail, catalogs, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, handmade cards, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, a favorite mug, cup and saucer, teapot, coffee pot, or even a wine glass. Regardless, please join us by linking below.  Bleubeard and I will gladly visit, as will other T participants.  Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.  Please remember to visit your fellow T participants.

 

Although we have another Tuesday before the end of the month, I want to remind you to be digging up your Second on the 2nd.  You now have time to find and schedule it in advance.