Tuesday, December 29, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I WISH YOU ALL GOOD THINGS FOR 2010

My holidays have been filled with joy this year. I've much to be thankful for and not least among my list of blessings to count are the many wonderful friends I've made since I started HFTS. I want to thank each of you who stop by for visits. Your kind and thoughtful words encourage me, your friendships bring much joy, and your incredibly creative blogs continue to inspire me with each new post. Your postings give me pause to smile and laugh; your incredible photographs take me to beautiful homes and gardens and interesting places. I'm in awe of the endless number of talented individuals who share their creative spirit and are so generous with their time and talents.



This beautiful pink ornament from Jacque @ Campagne Maison hangs on our Christmas tree this year, a cherished reminder of the many new friends I've made in these past five months. Click on the link above to read Jacque's toast to the New Year.

In the spring of this year I knew little about the world of Blog. Then by chance I found Between Naps on the Porch and Confessions of a Plate Addict. Both Susan and Debbie encouraged me and guided me, and in August Hyacinths for the Soul became a reality. Now I'm joining in the fun of the weekly blog events Sunday Favorites, Blue Monday, Three or More Tuesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Tablescape Thursday, Foodie Friday, and Pink Saturday. Since those first encounters, blogging has provided hours of friendship that I never expected. I've come to feel that many of you are the dearest of friends, even though we've never met. So a heartfelt "Thank you!" to each who have encouraged me and offered your friendship through your blogs and personal emails.



In addition to kind and thoughtful words from many blogging friends, I've recently been the beneficiary of several blog give always. In early December I received this elegant beaded pouch of lavender from Cindy @ Fairy Tale Cottage. I was so surprised! And little did Cindy know that the aromatic fragrance of lavender is my favorite. The fragrance from lavender calms and soothes my being. It's a wonderful way to relax. "Thank you, Cindy, for this thoughtful and delightful gift you sent my way."



December also brought new dishes to my home. Like many of you I'm a bit of a dishaholic. So needless to say, I was thrilled to learn that I had won Linda's give away @ My Shabby Rose Cottage. Thank you, Linda, for sending these charming plates my way. They are already favorites! I'm only sharing this peek at what was inside the package I received, because I'm saving the best photos for a future Tablescape Thursday. You see, another package of dishes arrived about the same time from a "dish angel", a blogging friend who facilitated a purchase for me after locating the very dishes I'd been searching for.


A toast to each of you who
are reading this New Year's Day!

May your year ahead
be one of good health and good fortune!
Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

14 comments:

  1. The blogging community is a great group of folks don't you think? Such wonderful things you have won to add to your collections. I so enjoy coming by and visiting with you. Happy New Year.

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  2. Happy New Year to you Sarah! I look forward to seeing all your table settings and blogs in this year.

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  3. Happy New Year Sarah...

    Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. I am still trying to catch up on my blog reading. The past few months have been hectic for me to say the least! We took a trip to AR for Thanksgiving and then one of our sons and his family came to visit during Christmas, so I'm sure YOU know the drill--hurry, hurry, hurry.

    I am going to try to get back on track this year. I sure love my blogging friends, and like you, I have met and learned so much from each of them--especially YOU. Please keep posting--even though some days I find it difficult to comment due to the slowness of my internet service, I do manage to catch up my reading when I can.

    I must say, that is a beautiful pink Christmas ornament you are showcasing (LOL)....

    Many best wishes for a Blessed New Year.

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  4. Sarah, you are such a lovely part of the Blog world, and I want you to know what a pleasure it is for me to have met you during 2009. I look forward to blogging with you throughout 2010. May the New Year find you blessed with more love and joy, more peace and prosperity than your heart can hold. All the blessings of the Lord be yours...

    Happy New Year!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  5. Happy New Year Sarah, sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas too.
    Hugs
    Denise

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  6. Happy New Year and really looking forward to another 365 days of reading my friend's Blogs!

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  7. Happy New Year Sarah, it has been such a delight getting to know you these past few months.. I wish you health and good fortune for 2010... Happy New Year..hugs ~lynne~

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  8. I look forward to blogging with you and getting to know you better this coming year...
    To answer your comment on my blog... Those dishes were St Nicholas Place and I got them at Kohls last year... I didn't see them this year...
    I'm having a New Years Give away... Stop by if you get a chance and enter. Have a wonderful new year!
    ~Really Rainey~

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  9. Sarah, Congratulations on starting a blog this past year and on your wonderful good fortune! Such lovely items.

    I'm looking forward to all the possibilities this new year has for us all.

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  10. Happy new year to you as well. I sure am glad we both took the blogging plunge last year!

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  11. Happy New Year Sarah! Where do I begin?? It's all so beautiful! For starters you have me totally hooked on MacKenzie-Childs! I have never seen such beautiful things ever!! I've ordered the catalogue! You'r dining room looks spectacular from the tree to the table! Those chargers are stunning! I love the black and white checks! Your rooster ornament is so beautiful! I'm sure you will always treasure it! You're friend looks like she has amazing taste as well! What a fun looking dinner you had! I packed it all up today too! Makes me a bit sad! I misread the cutoff for Pink Saturday being 8:00am so I will have to try next week! Happy Pink Saturday and all the Best for 2010! Happy New Year Sherri : )

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  12. Dear Sarah,
    Perhaps amongst all of your blogger friends I am the only one who also "knows" you privately?
    Our friendship began of course many years ago through our love of Quimper and we have spent many a happy hour together enjoying each others company.
    I began my own blog in April 2008 and the QCI blog in February 2009 but it wasn't until you created HFTS and encouraged me to join in with Blue Monday that I discovered a whole new blogger world waiting to be explored.
    The rest is history.
    Thank you my dear, dear friend for everything.
    I cannot wait for your visit in April when we can share our little corner of Normandy with you & Mr A, we will have so much fun.
    Bisous,
    Maggie

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  13. What a lovely post ;-)
    Taking time to reflect is something I try to do periodically and this year I shared some Blue Skies & Random Reflections for 2009 at my Sacred Ruminations blog. I'm grateful for all the wonderful connections this virtual world has brought to my life and am delighted to have found your blog through Pink Saturday. May the new decade bring you and yours joyful opportunities and experiences!
    Hugs and blessings,

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  14. Happy New Year!
    I am looking forward to reading your upcoming posts in 2010.

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.