Dream Come True...and Winnie & Walter Rerun: The Big, the Bold and Fun, 4 Crafty Chicks #257~Anything Goes, Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes

Hello!

Remember that 'second' road trip I mentioned in a previous post?  Well, now that I'm home (we arrived at midnight today), I'm sooooo excited to share the details...

Last Wednesday (seems like so long ago!), my husband and I flew to Ottawa (I quelled my fear of air travel reasonably well...sort of) where he spent two days working and I spent two days wandering the city I was born in - and left at age four - oh, so many years ago.  On Friday, he picked up the vehicle we were driving home - a 15-passenger van with a trailer, that was partially loaded with bike gear belonging to athletes from Alberta, who had been competing in Eastern Canada - and Saturday, we added to the mix with a bunch of supplies from the office that is being relocated from Ottawa to Canmore.  Once we packed in as much as we could, I nestled into the passenger seat, and he, in the driver's. We Ottawa a 'see you later' and settled in for the long, long road trip home that took us To Windsor, Ontario, into the US and, late last night, back home.  Five days...many hours of driving...gorgeous surroundings, but urban and rural...some 'scary' moments (the crazy winds in South Dakota, between Fargo and Minot, that saw us hunkered down in a gas station parking lot for two hours Tuesday evening. The gusts, paired with seeing a truck/trailer overturn in front of us, made that an easy decision!)...plenty of bonding time...and opportunity for another dream come true!

When I first learned of the trip - and my husband's plan to return via the US - I knew this was 'the' chance to meet one of the sweetest, most precious, most darling gems in this blog-iverse: Bev, of Happy Dance fame! No way were we going 'that far' without making this happen - and thanks to my marvelous husband, who altered our otherwise tight return schedule - it did!  You can imagine my excitement when, in response to my 'wanna meet' email, she responded with an enthusiastic "yes"; you can imagine my excitement when we pulled into Racine the evening before our 'date', knowing she was but minutes, rather than the span of a country, away; you can imagine my excitement when I heard her voice answer my 'local' phone call to let her know we'd arrived; you can imagine the excitement that kept me awake most of the night.  Morning couldn't come quickly enough...

You know those scenes, where a couple runs toward one another, arms  outstretched, locking into a warm embrace?  That was us!  I don't think the van/trailer was even fully stopped before I was out, running towards Bev who was running my direction.  We met in a happy-dance hug that was perfect...just absolutely 'meant-to-be' perfect!

For the next far-too-short three hours, I spent glorious time, basking in the warm, open, genuine, sparkling, hilarious, witty, down-to-earth beauty - both inside and out - that is Bev.  We covered a lot of ground during our chat: from our card-making passion, to craft shopping (including our 'what was I thinking" anecdotes), to kids, to 'histories', to husbands, to...well, to everything and anything in-between!  Old friends, comfortable and delighting in one another's company, catching up: that captures my experience to a 't'. We already love her from her blogs, but in real life...WOW!  If you were to be in her presence, guaranteed you'd fall for her even more, exactly the way I did!

My husband took a photo of us, so you can see how gorgeous Bev is! That smile of hers lights up a room and it sure is infectious, as you can see by mine!

Not only did she delight and enthrall me with her companionship, but she came bearing gifts: not one, but two Danish Kringles from the town's renowned O&H Bakery! Oh my...these flaky, almond-laden pastries (how Bev knew I'm an almond fan is beyond me! Love almonds!) are decadent, ultra-fabulous, "yes, I'll gladly take another slice" delights!   Let's just say: only one Kringle made its way home *grin*!

Side story: when we crossed the border back into Canada, one of the border guard's questions was, "Did you receive any gifts while you were out of the country?"  My husband didn't a miss a beat, responding with, "Yes, my wife's friend from Racine gave us two Kringles."  The guard didn't know what that was; he does now!  He declined a taste, but I know he was tempted!

Meeting Bev, "for real" has enriched my life.  We left far, far too early; we could have talked for hours....for days! Guess that means I'll need to plan another visit...soon!  And until then, I'll tuck this special memory into that special place where I can pull out this treasured time spent with a treasured friend whenever I need a sparkle added to my days, which will be often!

Happy sighhhh...

Okay, now for my card that was partially done before we left and that I wrapped up this morning (I forgot to set my clock back...I 'thought" it was 7am, but it was 6am...oh well, couldn't sleep anyway...) for Winnie &Walter's, The Big, the Bold and Fun Re-Run Challenge

I Chameleon-coloured (we are going to become pals, those pens and I!) several of the multifaceted stars from the True set, die cut them into various sizes, and paired them with the Shine sentiment. 

I'm also heading to:

4 Crafty Chicks #257~Anything Goes

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes

Unpacking, Kringle-bibbling, laundry, Kringle-nibbling, some crafting...three days of bike-racing coming up Saturday-Monday (long weekend) so more traveling, then off to see my mom and family next Wednesday for about a week! Excited!!

I'm still aiming to catch up on comments, so do stay tuned!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Hugs,