Life as I know It

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San Luis Obispo, California, and South Bristol, Maine, United States
Author ~ Illustrator ~ Lecturer

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Contest Winners & Faerie Mailboxes

Wonderful, creative, heartfelt are just a few of the words to describe how I feel about your participation in the contest. So many good things were shared that we decided we would have to put our top ten favorites into the hat and draw a winner, but you're really ALL winners because so many viewers have dipped into your great ideas and utilized them.

We drew Carol's Maydreams Garden fairy doors and Kari and Kija's acorn top magnets on a cookie sheet. Now for the final draw and the winner is...both. I just can't choose! So both entries will receive the selection of books. Just let me know how you want them signed and I'll get them off to you asap. And thanks again to all of you!

I am including some photos of a garden tradition we carry on with our grandchildren. We found these tiny metal mailboxes at Michael's. We've spray painted them in a different color for each grandchild and hid them in appropriate spots in the garden. Asher likes to hide by the Honore Zephrine (thornless, but fragrant rose), Sara May is in love with the giant star jasmine, Ilyahna is wild for our oranges, so their mailboxes were mounted in those areas. Whenever they visit, they check to see if the flag is up, which means the faerie has left a surprise for them. Sometimes the gifts are peanut shell shoes painted silver and gold, acorns fashioned into animals or people, fraises des bois, tiny bouquets in miniature bottles, faerie furniture, mini-baskets filled with mini veggies and fruits, and sometimes even store-bought things.





The best part of the faerie mailboxes is that now our grandchildren leave thank you notes and gifts for the faeries. This is helping to teach them to give back. Such an important lesson for children.

I am sending my fondest wishes to you all and thank you too for all your fabulous personal e-mails. Check the blog next week for the "Food Art" dinner that was held at our friend's house last month.

Green Blessings,

Sharon

12 comments:

L'Adelaide said...

What a fabulous idea and a reason for me to go to Michael's someday. I have passed an award onto you but PLEASE feel no obligation to participate. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy reading your delightful blog!

The Diva said...

Congrats to the winners, and Sharon, those mailboxes are so cute.~~Dee

Unknown said...

Cute faerie mailboxes! I'll have to add one to my faerie garden. Nice photos!

Carol Michel said...

Thank you! I am excited to be one of the winners and sent me contact info in a separate email.

I think a fairy mailbox would look good next to one of my fairy doors!

Carol, May Dreams Gardens

Marcie said...

Congrats to the winners, if they are reading these comments!

Sharon, Your little contest was so fun. So many lovely ideas were shared. It is good to read about people sharing a love of nature with children.

I love the fairy mailboxes. What a sweet idea.

Anonymous said...

Oh, how sweet. I wish my grandchildren were close. I would do this. Instead, I send the parties in the mail on unusual holidays. You know books, cookies, jammies, t-shirts. And I send them letters in the regular mail once a month.

Jen said...

Sharon, I was so excited to see that you left a comment on my blog! I love your books and wonderful ideas. I'm hoping the sunflower house will grow next summer at our new house. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Anonymous said...

Sharon....So excited to have found you again. Looking for morning glory info and found your card tucked into my copy of Hollyhock Days! Best thing that's happened since having to part with my beloved Hummingbird & butterfly garden! Assume you're in South Bristol now. As an ex-Pennsylvanian now transplanted to Florida, can't look forward to a possible encounter at Longwood, but this blog is a wonder! Love n thanks from a big fan from your Country Living Gardner days.
Hummer

Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom said...

My daughter would love the mailboxes. Very cute!

Anonymous said...

Dear Sharon,
What a surprise to find your comment on my blog! Now that I know you have a blog, I'll subscribe.

I love the mini mailbox idea. It's one more reason to look forward to grandchildren.

Marilyn

Barb Davis said...

Love your blog and what a sweet, sweet idea from grandchildren!! Please come over to The Serenity Room for a visit. I will add your site to my blog list. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

I love the mailboxes! What a fantastic idea.
And what a wonderful tradition you are creating with your grandchildren. They are sure to have sweet and precious memories of time with grandmother!