Today I am going to write about two very special people.  One I just recently met, the other I have known for a few years via the internet and met for the first time last year.  I know this may embarrass them a little, but when two people are so kind, warm and welcoming, the whole world needs to know it.

The two I am writing about are husband and wife, my friends, Jim & Linda. 

Linda and I met online in one of the Tasha Tudor online groups, being Kindred Spirits.  We had known each other for 5 + years and then met in person for the first time in Chicago at the airport last year.  We flew on to the east coast together and spent 5 hours on the tarmac and in the air, plenty of time to get acquainted.  We roomed together everywhere we stayed and just had a blast.  Both of us have a love of old things and thrift shopping, so we hit it off right away!  I had painted her Annabelle doll in exchange for a dress for mine.  I threw that offer out there to the list members and she grabbed it up right away.  That was a perfect trade on both our parts.  For my vacation this year Annabelle and I decided to go see Linda and her Annabelle!  Linda had told me there were so many things she wanted me to see out there.  Things worked out and I was able to go.

Annabelle of Oregon and Annabelle of Montana

Linda's driveway!  This is what welcomes you when you pull up.

First off, I want to say that Jim and Linda are the most positive,  kind and generous couple I've ever met.  They are both very quick to say nice, kind things to you and about you and not in a condescending way.  They are both very true and genuine.  In our travels I noticed that Linda was like that to everyone.  Having been a shop owner herself, she knows what it's like to be on the other side of the cash register.  She was always very pleasant to the waitresses and clerks, so much so that I finally told her she had to quit!  We knew the life history of everyone who waited on us, from lawsuits to triplets!  Kind to a fault, she is. 

Before I left home, Linda said she had some surprises in store.  I could only imagine!  My only request was to go to the famous "bins" she always talks about.  That, my friends, is an entire blog entry in itself.  You'll have to wait for that, but I will tell you that Jim had to work that day and couldn't go with us.  You could tell it on him that he really wanted to go.  They love to go to the bins together and he was obviously wanting to go along, root-hog and see my reaction to the place!  When we got home, we had to have show and tell and show Jim all of our finds.  Linda said it's always that way when he can't go.  He just wants to be a part of it all.  That was refreshing.

When I arrived, Linda told me we were going to go to Port Townsend and stay in a castle, her treat!  What a treat it was.  We had so much fun antiquing and thrifting all over Port Townsend.  I am still in total awe of Linda's generosity. 

Jim and Linda are a perfect fit.  He calls her his bride, even after 35 years of marriage.  They antique together, junk (or thrift shop) together and after all of these years, each knows what the other might be looking for.  They have a wonderful home full of treasures that Linda puts out seasonally.  She has done an awesome job of creating a warm and welcoming home.  I only wish I could be there to see her Thanksgiving collection too!  That's their biggest holiday and Linda certainly has a knack for putting it all together and displaying.  Jim tells me she has won awards for it and it shows.  You can certainly tell she was in retail. 

Linda's Sunday morning breakfast table.

I can tell you that this was nothing out of the ordinary for Linda.  Her table is always set with a beautiful cloth or two and has a centerpiece of some sort.  Cloth napkins and placemats are the norm.  Every day is special at her house.  Notice the jack-o-lantern plates!  She rotates it all with the seasons.  Those cute little custard-looking cups are the cutest things I've seen in a while.  They are shaped like an apple, stem and all, and originally for baking apples, vintage, of course!

I had such a wonderful time I just had to share.