Another Unexpected Gift
We knew something was up when our friend Jan called to ask if we would be home on Friday to receive a delivery, but that was days ago and we forgot all about it.
Friday afternoon I made a trip to the grocery store, ostensibly to get brats and corn on the cob for an easy grilled dinner. When I returned, with four bags full, there was a big Styrofoam container sitting on the counter. The packing slip said "Omaha Steaks" and the note said "Thank you! Love Mavis and Jan".
Jan and Mavis are part of our Friday breakfast group and retired teachers who worked with Tom. We have been friends for a long time.
We put away the groceries and then we began to unpack the delivery. It contained 8 burger patties, 2 sirloin steaks, 2 filet steaks, 2 boneless pork chops, 4 pieces of chicken fried steak, a pack of meatballs, 4 kielbasa sausages, 4 baked caramel apples, and 4 potatoes au gratin. It all came frozen and is now tucked away in our freezer.
Oh-my-goodness! Well, we called Mavis and Jan to thank them, somewhat bewildered. Mavis told us that it was a thank you for being such wonderful friends - for all of the field trips and the dinners and teas at our house and picking her up every Friday to go to breakfast, and just being who we are.
Well, that was wonderfully heartwarming. We're not sure we are deserving, but what counts is that she thinks we are. Makes us want to be even better people.
And I had another surprise. I had forgotten all about our struggling little strawberry patch, but Tom had been watching it. This evening he brought me this out of the garden.
Wonderful. We had just enough vanilla ice cream left in the freezer. I cleaned the berries and chilled them and then later we had this while we were watching The Great British Baking Show.
Oh, and one other expected surprise! The baby juncos in in the coal bucket planter have hatched!
The mother bird was off of the nest when I went to peek this evening, but she was chipping at me in alarm so I quickly snapped a few pics and got out of there.
I wonder if they would like a strawberry. There are a few more yet to ripen. They're not getting any of our meat!
That was quite the thank-you. There will be some good barbecues at the Reeder's this summer.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is an amazing thank you gift. The strawberries looks so luscious too. Nigel and I adore the Great British Baking Show too, they're all so supportive of one another, rather than competitive and cut-throat.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a wonderful surprise -- the edible treats from your friend and the wonderful sight of those new birds. Oh my. Life is good.
ReplyDeleteThat was an amazing gift from your friends. (Are you sure they didn't vote for Trump and are trying to say they're sorry?) Are your strawberries the really sweet ones that don't have a long shelf life? They are so good. I am so excited about your Junco nest. I really enjoyed ours. I hope we can have that experience again sometime.
ReplyDeleteWell, there are few people I know more deserving of a wonderful gift like that than you and Tom! And welcome to the new little ones! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou definitely deserve it all, Linda and Tom. Mavis and Jan are certainly very gracious and generous friends. Your berries look awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice gift!! Those strawberries and ice cream make my mouth water. The ice cream looks homemade. Oh, and those baby birds! How sweet!
ReplyDeleteSounds like your working trip to Whidbey really was a WORKING trip.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to get an unexpected gift---or anything good for that matter. What nice friends you have and surely what nice people you two are.
Our Strawberries have done excellent this year---last year not so good. Berries on Cheerios for breakfast---YUM!
MB
MB
Wonderful for you to be recognized for contributions. Support is most welcome and necessary.
ReplyDeleteLovely strawberries and lovely friends to gift you all that deliciousness!!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a bonanza! And baby birds and strawberries, too!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great gift. Those Omaha adds make me drool. So glad your Junco's are doing so well. The second nesting that my poor Phoebes attempted is once again empty. Think I have a serial killer on the loose.
ReplyDeletewell, what fun and surprises. Love it! So nice for sure. Your baby birds are so sweet. Berries and the baking show sound like the best way to end the day. That show makes me happy. Have a happy 4th.
ReplyDeleteWhat a generous and thoughtful thank you gift! So many delightful surprises!
ReplyDeleteThose baby birds might like a worm or two! Those are some beautiful berries:)
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