From Across L'Atlantique

Last week I got a big treat in a small package. My dear French friend, Isabelle, sent me two more things that she made.

In the corner of the envelope she wrote "sac en satin" and "petit patchwork mural." I don't know which I was more excited about, the actual package from France or the contents inside it! It's kind of been a miniature fantasy of mine since my college French class to one day be communicating with a French person, one who understands far more English than I do French. (Which she does; I have to use dictionary.com sometimes because of Isabelle's extraordinary English vocabulary!)



I don't think she'd mind my posting part of her sweet note. (It made me cry.) About the gifties, she said, "There is one for your spiritual side, and a special nightie bag for your love-being-pampered side. I had so much joy creating those, just for you...As a 'thank-you' for being my sister in Christ. I hope they make you feel special and loved--...[more encouragement followed]...Hugs and Love, Isabelle."

She chose the perfect colors. Not only do I have the "spiritual" and "pampered" sides, I also have two decorating sides. One is the Victorian, which loves ornately carved wood, clinking pink teacups, and lace doilies. The other is shabby chic with a mix of leather. I love greens and purples, and I also can't live without the earth tones with punches of red and hints of blue. And anything monogrammed is a bonus, since I have a really hard time finding personalized "Z" things out there.

When I asked her if I could use my "nightie bag" for quilts-in-progress she said I could use it however I wanted, but then said it makes her want to make something more just for my "love-being-pampered" side! More? I’m spoiled as it is! When I'm sewing, I am pampering myself. If I could just figure out how to get someone to rub my neck, massage my feet, and paint my fingernails while I'm sewing, then I'd really be set.

Merci beaucoup, my little sister in Christ. You have blessed me with your tangible reminders of God's goodness to me across l'Atlantique. I have hung up the "petit patchwork mural" in my kitchen (a room which flows into my shabby chic family room) .
The nightie bag I use mostly on weekend nights when I sew. But now I'm thinking I should keep it in my bedroom (which has purples, greens, and neutrals) and pack it with some tantalizing treats for my love-being-pampered side et pour l'amour de ma vie, Monsieur Paoul!