When I joined the Secret Santa exchange in the Pub at Two Peas I wasn't expecting much. I was just feeling the holiday spirit and hoping to meet some nice people. WOW! What a positive experience this has been for me! I get to play Secret Santa to a very nice lady who's scrap work I admire very much, but I can't say too much about that yet as I haven't revealed myself yet.

What I can tell you is that I was treated "royally" by my Secret Santa.... er, I mean Elf. She went by the name of Karen Carters Chief Elf and even created a special email account just so we could chat without ruining the surprise. She really put a lot of effort into making this a wonderful event for me. She sent me a Starbucks card for Halloween, so she obviously knows the way to my heart. She sent me a beautiful tin filled with clues, which I posted photos of here already. We spent lots of time emailing one another, but she had to be more secretive so I wouldn't figure out who she was. Well, yesterday I received the "big gift" and let me tell you.... It was HUGE!!! I decided I would sit myself down in front of my xmas tree with the box, my laptop and my camera so that I could type to her as I opened each item and I took lots of pictures so she could feel like she was there with me. The photos are awful, but I was shaking and trying to take them myself so please excuse my goofy faces and blurry shots. Inside this box were so many items from my wish list and even more than I could have ever hoped for. I was literally shaking and my heart was racing as I opened the gifts. My favorite things were the things she made me. I am still floored that she found time to create these lovely gifts for me during the busiest time of the year. She embellished two round hat boxes with my favorite Blitzen papers and filled them with all kinds of fabulous goodies (Godiva chocolates included). She also made me a stunning mini book filled with good wishes and her thoughts on being my new friend. Inside the book was her identity and I was shocked! I wavered a couple of times on who I thought she may be, but in the end I was way off base. I guess I think I am a better detective than I really am. Anyway, I am so thrilled to know Patty now and to call her my friend. We have loads in common and the last item on my wish list is that I can meet her some day to hug her and thank her personally for the kindness and generosity she has shared with me. I called her on the phone today because I just wanted to hear her voice and tell her what a great thing she did. She probably thinks I'm some crazy nut because I was gushing over her so much, but I'm a bit sleep deprived today so I'm feeling extra chatty and goofy. If you are reading this, Patty... Thank you one more time!