A Wonderful Birthday Surprise from NZ -----------

I've always loved Shane's blog from Auckland, New Zealand.

I love reading anything about New Zealand. 

This summer I even bought a bottle of my favorite Sauvignon Blanc

 wine with the attractive label emblazoned with just a bold NZ - and 

haven't opened it yet. . . . just because! The best SB wine is 

always from New Zealand.

I'm sad that my couple of hours in Auckland in 2011 only

 consisted of arriving at the airport from the oh so long flight from

 Los Angeles, being transferred speedily to an expedition ship

 awaiting me at the port, and sailing off to New Zealand's amazing

 Sub-Antarctic Islands. 

That flurry of activity didn't allow time to meet up with Shane. 

Thinking back, I'm not even sure if she was in town that

 day - she may have been off in France to spend time with her

family who lived so far away at that time.

All this means of course, if I ever head back to New Zealand, which I hope

 happens, I will definitely try my best to meet dear Shane and we will have

 a lot to chat about having followed each other's blogs for many years.

Shane completely surprised me last week when a totally unexpected

 package arrived in my mailbox a few days prior to my BIG birthday!

I'm sharing the beauty here, little treasures wrapped - then unwrapped -

so you can see how much effort she put into collecting such a lot of

lovely items, several from France, which she knew I would adore.

Thank you again dear Shane. 

You overwhelmed me with so many lovely things.

A feast for the eyes.

Extra beats of the heart.

So much beauty.

As the great NZ Life & Leisure magazine cover states......."life is beautiful."

Amour et bonheur - Love and happiness.

Many thanks Shane - you are special.

Shane's back blogging, be sure to visit her here at Roses Lace & Brocante

Shane, hoping Tuesday's rather big earthquake didn't cause you,
family or friends any problems or stress!