My friend Suzanne, who lives in London, Ontario, came to visit this week. We were celebrating Belated Christmas. (And belated birthdays, too.) We decided to give up on presents for birthdays (being of an age where we really don't need anything and are or will be downsizing!) But we still like to shop for each other, so doing one big bash a year is perfect.
I was changing sheets on Suzanne's bed and on mine. I had an assistant.
She's not much help but she's very cute!
The visit couldn't have been better timed. Rick is still on his road trip, due back over the weekend or early next week. So having a good friend at hand (especially one you've known for almost sixty years!) was an excellent tonic!
We enjoyed eating at favorite restaurants and visiting some of the local towns. Suzanne had discovered this shop called Twisted, which focused on cocktail and entertaining items. It was a good find and I'll be back for hostess gifts!
And of course the book store! I came home with quite a haul, all used! (Thanks to Suzanne for the gift card!)
Blogger Kari, of Me and My Captain, mentioned the china pattern "Just Flowers" (Mikasa) that I showed as part of my table setting on my last post. She used to have it too! I love hearing that! I'm a bit of a dish junkie, having a number of patterns that i switch out periodically for everyday dishes. This one I skipped last year and decided it was perfect for spring! (Use it or lose it, right?)
And yes, it almost always comes out at Easter!
And, an update -- Sinus surgery is on the books for March 30. I'm both not looking forward to it and wish it was tomorrow! They'll be fixing these guys in the middle of my forehead.
Here's a better look!
Meanwhile, the ear infection seems to have cleared and we're always working on the lungs! So, thank you all again for your concern and good energy!
I leave you with my Secret Keeper and best girl! (She demanded equal time and got it!)
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Dear Jeanie, looks like you and Suzanne had a wonderful time. Beautiful photos. And your feline 🐈 assistant is adorable.
ReplyDeleteHello!!! What a wonderful time with a friend. That store does look like it would be wonderful for hostess gifts!!! I love places like that. ;) Oh, I am sure you wished the surgery would come on and be done. I am the same way!! I rather just get it over with. It makes me anxious when I have to wait and think on it. Have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteToo Funny - I have been celebrating Christmas with friends this weekend too. Friday I had lunch with old school friends and brought Christmas gift bags I had put together in November before I got sick. And the next morning I went on a road trip with my former stained glass classmates and brought their Christmas bags too. I have two Christmas boxes to mail and then I am caught up to January, lol. Illness as a senior can really set you back. Good luck with the sinus surgery!!!
ReplyDeleteIt’s always good to see old friends. Good luck with the surgery, Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteI just brought a pressie for our neighbor who took care of our stuff, onion & thyme marmalade - she loved it. Eat and gone it is :-)
ReplyDeleteYippeee on such a long friendship and FUN!
Books.... when?!
Oh. So terrible to wait for a surgery so long. I was lucky - after 6 months of pain Mom brought me to Hanover and I was the the very first patient the next day. I came out fine- and you will, too - take my Mom´s words: "Think positive!!!"
I do believe that can push some molecules for the better.
Also... fingers and toes crossed on March 30 for you from Braunschweig...
What fun! Your pile of books looks great! I must see if I can find the one about lessons from cats. I've read both the Cleeves titles you have here and enjoyed them both. I never even knew she had the two previous series until I discovered them in e-book in the library years ago, so it was fun to read them, although I think I still have one Inspector Ramsay left. Now BorrowBox has them in audio, so I might grab that and listen to it at some point. I also enjoyed the series with the birdwatching couple. Anyway, happy reading.
ReplyDeleteOh, and sending healing thoughts for your surgery! I hope it all goes smoothly and brings relief!
ReplyDeleteHello Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteI just love your Lizzie photos, she is your best girl.
Lovely photos of you and your friend.
Your celebrations may be late but looks like a lot of fun times.
Enjoy your day and the new week ahead.
...Jeanie, I would be happy if Christmas was a year long celebration. We took our tree down a couple of weeks ago. I will be thinking of you on the 30th and wish you a successful surgery. Be well.
ReplyDeleteThose Ann Cleeves books caught my eye and had me questioning if I've read them or not. Looks like you had a great visit with your friend. I also suffer from ongoing sinus issues but I've never had any surgery. I wish you the best of luck with that and an easy recovery! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteOh dear, fine until the surgery part! That is NEVER fun. You will do well, of course you will, and you will heal quickly , because that is how you do! What a trooper you are.
ReplyDeleteCelebrating everything and anything these days seems like the only thing to do- who knows - Santa may retire or avoid the dangerous skies by Christmas time.
I’m glad your sinus surgery isn’t too far off. It will be good to have that behind you so you can start to feel better! I’ll be thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to get time with your dear friend!
You and Suzanne had a wonderful time for sure. Good luck with surgery. Hope it solves your problem. Lizzie is such a cutie! Janice
ReplyDeleteI know her:) You have introduced us many times..What a gift to have such great friends:) Did you see the movie Conclave? Excellent.Thinking of you for March 31rst.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fabulous visit!! I love having gift exchanges, and nowadays mostly do things that can be used up - like yummy treats to eat or premium coffee or luxury lotions.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the sinus surgery, I hope it gives you the relief that you need. Get some treats for yourself for afterwards, like all the ice cream you can hold!
That is the sweetest photos of Lizzie, especially the one where she is looking right at the camera. What a happy girl. And I think a second holiday in March sounds fabulous. What a great week. You found some great sounding books, and Conclave was a good book so I hope you like it too. And I wish I had room to be a dish junkie. I'd love to collect a few and be able to change them out. Even my older set of dishes is in a box in the basement because I have no room for them. :( Sending you good energy for your surgery. It will be here very soon and then you will hopefully get rid of those headaches. Take care and have a great Sunday. Hope Rick's trip home is safe too. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteCelebrating with friends is always a good time. I just met up with two girlfriends for a birthday lunch for one of them. Twisted looks like a fun store. That’s quite the book haul, enjoy. Your assistant is quite cute. The dishware is lovely and so perfect for spring. Good luck with the future surgery.
ReplyDeleteGoodness all I can think of is RoseAnnaDana saying, "If it isn't one thing, it's anotha...LOL. Seriously you have had a bunch of crap, and nothing is worse than an unhappy sinus or an earache. So glad your friend visited....grins, always fun to do something! Sandi
ReplyDeleteThat is a belated Christmas! Hope your surgery date comes quickly and all goes well!
ReplyDeleteI love your feline assistant. Mine always disappears into the drawers under the bed for a 'cat nap' and only much shaking of the treat box dislodges her. Good luck with the sinus op, I've heard they're not pleasant. OH suffers and uses Plantago (A. Vogel herbal remedy) and salt sprays which the Dr. gives him. Take care. Xx
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm glad you had some time with your friend. Fun shopping places too. The table scape looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love that last picture of Lizzie -- looks like she's sitting for a portrait! And what a wonderful visit with your friend -- old friends are the very best, and it looks like you do know how to have a good time together!
ReplyDeleteLast, no surgery is ever something to look forward to, but I am glad to hear that this one is finally scheduled. Here's hoping for relief, at last, from sinus pain!
Best wishes for the week ahead!
--anno
What a fun post. Friendships of 60 years are rare and this one is to be cherished. Oh the Twisted store looks like a lot of fun. You always set a lovely table. Your helper with the bed is really too cute. Have a nice Sunday.
ReplyDeleteMy mom and daughter both had surgery to remove turbinates, which helped their breathing. Is that what you’re having done?
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a wonderful time with your friend! That time is truly golden.
Your cat is so adorable! I hope everything went/will go well with your sinus surgery! <3
ReplyDeletehttp://www.couture-case.com/
I know that Suzanne was a welcomed guest and it looks like you all enjoyed some shopping. I am happy to read that the ear infection cleared up Anticipating surgery can weigh heavy, and I know you are ready to get on with it and get it behind you. I love your table and the Mikasa is a pretty pattern! Take care, Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteLove the Mikas china, and so pretty on your spring table (as you celebrate Christmas, et al, lol. How fun, girl time!). Jeanie, that sinus image and thoughts of surgery sounds scary to me. I will definitely have you in my prayers, lady.
ReplyDeleteThank you sweet Jeanie for the shout out! Love 'Just Flowers' on a table! And what fun did you have with Suzanne? I love it. I have a dear friend who lives in Nebraska and we have been friends for years (way over 50) and we can pick up a conversation as if we had just talked yesterday... when it might have been months and months. So I know the special friendship you share. (love kitty helping you with the bedding) Shopping for books is always an adventure...especially used books. There is a treasure behind each cover. My prayers are with you with the upcoming surgery...Have a beautiful week-end.🥰🌸🦋🐥🐸
ReplyDeleteA 60-year friendship is amazing. Glad you had a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice visit with your friend, Jeanie. I love the color of your sweater! Good idea just giving gifts once a year. Those things can add up for sure. The shop with the entertaining items sounds charming; would love to browse through there. I always like things for the home. The spring dishes are delightful. I hope all goes well with the sinus surgery. And so nice that you have Lizzie there for comfort and hugs. It's starting to feel like spring around my neck of the woods, and the weather's been warm all week. Have a good March week ahead, Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Lizzie is just as good of a helper as Kibeau...
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you could spend such a great time with your long time friend. Isn't that always wonderful?
Good thing that you now have a date for your surgery, but I can also understand your ambivalence about it. Look at the bright side (take it from Monty Python).
It’s always good to spend time with old friends.
ReplyDeleteSweet pictures of Lizzie.
I will be thinking of you on the 30th, sending my good wishes for your upcoming surgery.
All the best Jan
What a great time you had with your friend Suzanne, Jeanie! Your kitty is an adorable assistant. 😂. You have some great reading ahead of you ~ enjoy! Good luck with your sinus surgery on the 30th. Just don't read anything funny right afterwards. I'll be thinking of you. ❤️🍀🌺
ReplyDeleteSome how gifts from a friend hit the perfect pitch. I love celebrating with my friends the best. You certainly found some good shopping.
ReplyDeleteSending you healing wishes for your surgery
Cathy
Good friends, spring tables with Mikasa “Just Flowers,” and the comfort of a visit from afar like London all make the best kind of belated holiday
ReplyDeleteOh Lizzie is precious and so is your friendship ~ what a delighful friendship you have ~ hugs, ^_^
ReplyDeletethanks for commenting on my blog too ~ ^_^
Ugh. Sinuses and lungs but friends and books too.
ReplyDeleteOf course cats help us make beds and do other chores...they provide breaks, they help us slow down and not take the chores too seriously. :-) Cheers. Hope the sinus thing goes well.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a wonderful time with your dear friend. What a great idea to have belated celebrations. I loved all your delightful Easter goodies. Looks like your sweet girl is giving you lots of comfort. She certainly has a darling face. Dear Lizzie! I know you will be glad when this sinus surgery is well behind you. I am sending you lots of good thoughts your way, as well as a big hug.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely rendez-vous with your friend and how nice to gather a few presents. Although it looks like a lot. Love a trip to the book shops and having a nice time with someone you have know most of your life.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the surgery. I know it will help you. Nice to have friends. I have a friend I have known since first grade. She lives in California now, but we have lunch together once or twice a year when she comes to Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteHello Jeanie :)
ReplyDeleteI love your plates that do remind me of Spring.and your Easter bunny too. It's great that you got to spend time with a friend of longstanding whilst Ricks away. Jeanie I buy gift cards a lot for my grandchildren, and then they can buy whatever takes their fancy in places that sell things they like. Your book buys look interesting mystery stories. I saw the film Conclave and enjoyed it emensely I shall be thinking of you on the 30th of this month and hope all goes well.
All the best
Sonjia.
Wishing you a smooth surgery and a speedy recovery. What a fun time you and your friend had!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to spend time with your friend and go shopping. I wish you luck with your surgery at the end of the month. Take care and be well.
ReplyDeleteYou cat - Lizzie? - looks beautiful. I just want to pick her up and love on her. Praying the surgery is uneventful, and everything is repaired well. Sounds like you had a great time with Suzanne!
ReplyDeleteI had a terrible sinus migraine on Sunday so empathise with your need for surgery - 2 weeks to go! Cats are definitely not a great deal of help in the bed-making department unless you count laughing as being of assistance, because ours ALWAYS makes me laugh when I make up the spare room.
ReplyDeleteI thought I had left a comment on this post, but I guess not. How extra special to have a friend you have know for at least 60 years. What a treat to have time together, just you girls and Lizzie too. Lizzie is always cute to see.
ReplyDeleteTime with a good friend is always fun. Looks like you two had lots of laughs together. I hope your surgery goes well and solves some of your health issues.
ReplyDeleteA long-lasting friendship is absolutely the best and not many people can share one of such longevity, so good for you both! I have a friend from high school, Sara, and when I did the math found out that we have known each other for 60+ years. From the first photo, it seems like some gift giving was done during the visit, do share in a future post Jeanie. Hope the upcoming surgery will resolve some of the nasal issues.
ReplyDeleteLizzie is such a doll baby. Glad you had good company. I'll be glad when your surgery is in the rear view mirror. Will be thinking of you the 30th. Overnight or outpatient?
ReplyDeletehow lovely to have had such a long term friend. I have one who i've known since i was 12 i think so a very long time :) You two look so much alike too. I have often found that long term friends do look like each other - just like married folk :=)
ReplyDeleteI'm happy your Canadian friend was able to visit you and just at the right time when Rick is away and you needed companionship. You and she look like sisters. All the best with the upcoming surgery.
ReplyDeleteYour flower plate is beautiful Jeanie. And it looks like you and your friend had a lovely time. Friends that you have known for a long time are extra special, I think.
ReplyDeleteOddly, one of my favorite parts of this post was that chart you added showing various 'inner head' parts. There were several names there that I've heard, but couldn't place properly if you offered large sums of money! I'm glad the surgery's scheduled, and know you're looking forward to the relief it will offer. Otherwise? Hooray for lots of Lizzie photos! She is such a sweetheart; I always enjoy seeing her helping you around the house.
ReplyDeleteYea for a Canadian friend. Sounds like a great visit. Love your colorful photos. And it seems you'll be reading Cleeves a bit. My husband's favorite fiction author seems to be Robert Harris. He's read most of them. I hope your surgery goes well and I'll be sending positive vibes. I think it'll be a relief afterwards. I'm sure your kitty will be with you for the recovery.
ReplyDeleteTime spent with a good friend, eating and a book store - wonderful. Good luck with the surgery Jeanie x
ReplyDeleteI love Lizzie and you. May you be healed and well soon.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of celebrating Christmas when you can. I hope the surgery will go smoothly. Lizzie is such a sweetheart.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love the title of that book on top - Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism, so funny. I read a book by Jim Eldridge, in London, so I am curious about the Ashmolean one.
Wow! Your cat is so cute!
ReplyDeleteBjxxx,
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I love it! It's Christmas every day. Happy belated birthday and Christmas to yah!
ReplyDeletechristmas in march...what a wonderful time to celebrate. we have stopped buying christmas presents for all the adults in our family. i'm sure you really enjoyed this time...and the time alone with your friend!! sweet kitty!!
ReplyDeleteJeanie,
ReplyDeleteYou are blessed to have such a goof friend like that... I really miss my friend Anne Marie...I do not think I will ever find another friend like her as we had so much in common.....Thanks for your visits!! My sinuses have been acting up...
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Jeanie, what a lovely visit!
ReplyDeleteBelated celebrations always feel extra special, and sixty years of friendship is such a gift.
Your feline assistant made me smile.
Wishing you all the best for March 30, and hoping recovery is smooth and speedy.
What joy to have such a lifelong friend! I bet the talk was nonstop. Love those stores too, and that pretty, pretty china.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping the surgery is smooth and produces the results you need. That's good news about the ear infection, too.
Onward and upward, right?
Aw what a cute helper!
ReplyDeleteMy friend Kelly and I have been friends for over 30 year and we are now just family to each other. It's so good to have those friends in our lives.
It will be here before you know it, then over before you know it as well. I will be thinking of you on the 30th and sending you all the good vibes!
I am sending good thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery.
ReplyDeleteOld friends are the best!
Hi Jeanie
ReplyDeleteIt is always wonderful when a good friend visits!
My oldest grandson recently had deviated septum and sinus surgery. His surgeon told our son afterwards that he had to flush out our grandson's sinuses with a liter of saline as they were impacted with chronic mucous. Our grandson feels so much better now! I'm hoping you have the same good outcome and lasting relief.
PS: Dublin is a fabulous city, but don't miss taking a side trip along the Irish countryside, too, if you go!
Best wishes on your impending surgery. This seemed to be a long winter. I'm not surprised it took til March to have a celebration with a friend. Lovely fun!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a lovely belated celebration! Your helper is sure cute even if not every helpful.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful table settings for spring!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to spend some time with old friends. Lots of memories to share, I ber. Good luck with your sinus surgery, Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to celebrated belated Christmas AND birthdays! These kind of dear friends are priceless, aren't they, friend. Too much fun.
ReplyDeleteYour place settings look lovely.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like so much fun! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to have friends come to visit! I hope you had a fun time!
ReplyDeleteI'm saying prayers for your surgery and recovery. Sending warm hugs too with blue skies.
ReplyDeleteLizzie is very cute, I'll agree with you there! I'm very intrigued by the book "Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism." Do tell us more about that!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to hang out with a friend. :)
How lovely to spend time with such a longtime friend! One of my longest-time friends is coming for a visit on Monday with her family and I cannot wait. I haven't seen her since we moved here, which was almost three years ago! There's something so special about the friendships that last throughout the seasons.
ReplyDeleteYour "helper" is like my Rex - except he doesn't get on the bed, he lies right at my feet. He's 102 pounds, so stepping around him is a feat! But he must be close to me, or who knows what could happen!
Lizzie is an adorable assistant!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you and your friend had a good visit. We do pretty much the same thing regarding gifts with my sister and S-I-L. We don't want to entirely stop giving each other gifts, but there's only so much anyone needs/wants and can spend on gifts. So just Christmas is perfect!
Good luck with your surgery! I understand the mix of dread and anticipation. Hopefully, you'll get a lot of relief.
What a precious visit!
ReplyDeleteVery positive thoughts for your sinus surgery, my friend.
Looks like some good reads, too. :)