Friendship

Friendship is a sheltering tree.

Don't you just love those words? When I first read them several years ago, I took them immediately to heart and have held them close ever since. How true they are. Life without friends would be very lonely.


This past week was certainly auspicious for meeting friends old and new.
On Wednesday I had a lovely time with Julia. We met for lunch and visited SuzAnna's Antiques and nearby Gresham Lake Antique Mall where Julia has a booth filled with lovely things. We first met in a local grocery store at Christmas, where she recognized me from my blog, which she kindly reads, although she doesn't have one of her own ~ yet. I hope we'll be spending more time together as I really enjoyed her company.


On Saturday, despite pouring rain and falling temps., I was back at SuzAnna's Antiques to meet Suzy of GeorgiaPeachez and her best friend Beth of Elizabeth Holcombe who were heading into Raleigh from Virginia. Those gals shopped for a long time finding SuzAnna's full of great things to haul back over the state line! It was great fun to meet them and see them swoon over the bounty on offer. Susie, Jenny and Linda were, as always, great hostesses. Dressed to the nines, they served hot apple cider and cookies which hit the spot on a cold afternoon. Even sweet Anna, Susie's former business partner, came by - she's always full of fun and it was was good to catch up on her news.

Meanwhile, over on Sam's Country Porch next to SuzAnna's, I met Mary Ann (also her friend Claire and other family members) who had set up her new and exciting venture, a tea room. She was serving coffee, tea and chocolate along with home baked goodies. Her biscotti are the best I've ever had - no jaw breakers here and great choc icing! Hopefully this will become a weekend happening which will be even more fun come Spring when the weather cooperates. Mary Ann is also a gardener and seamstress so you know we had plenty to chat about over hot raspberry chocolate........flowers and fabric really get me going........furniture too of course!


Before heading home I bumped into a fellow countrywoman, Sharon C. who grew up in Bedford, England. I detected her accent and she caught on to mine immediately - that always makes me happy because I think I've lost it! Sharon lives in Rocky Mount, NC and comes to Raleigh often so I'm hoping to meet up with her again. She admitted she loves garage/yard sales, thrift shops....................and even found a real French sofa at a Goodwill store!! I need to tag along with this gal who can unearth French treasures.

All the above beautiful handmade frames with vintage photos I saw for sale in a local shop. I loved the first 'Friends' one, and what about the last one where the groom is actually balancing the wedding cake while being photographed ~ that's too cute.

Here's to friendship ~ perhaps I'll be lucky enough to meet you under that sheltering tree some day.