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Sunday, January 1, 2012

SILVER AND GOLD

“Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold.”
As we begin the new year, I am reflecting – in my mind and heart as well as on my table. (Get it?  I used mirrors and silver and gold on the table – I know, I’m lame.)
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I’ve been blogging for more than three years!  When I type those words, my mouth is wide open in shock.  Who would ever have “thunk” it?  Certainly not me!  I started out, as many of you did, thinking I just wanted to see if setting up a blog was as easy as bloggers said it was.  I did a post on this blog in October, 2008, and thought it would be my one and only post – just so I could say I did it.
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center 2Then, a strange thing happened.  I started “meeting” other bloggers.  As if that wasn’t strange enough, I began to think of these bloggers (and some non-bloggers who left comments) as friends.  Granted, most of them are friends I’ve never met and I’ll probably never meet most of them.
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Friends, whom I have known all of my life (the old friends), have stuck with me, even though most of them cannot imagine why I’m crazy enough to spend so much time blogging.  (I think they probably roll their eyes and talk about “Laurie’s imaginary friends.”)
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How can non-blogging friends understand that I probably know the thoughts, personalities, and styles of most of my blogging friends better than I know the thoughts, personalities, and styles of some of my friends whom I see on a regular basis.
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There is one other difference between my old friends and my new friends.  My cyber friends don’t know I’ve aged at all in the last few years.  The profile picture that I posted in October of 2008 remains my profile picture today, so there is an advantage to having friends that I’ll probably never meet.  To my blogging friends, I am only as old as the day that profile picture was taken.
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Yes, I know I could change that photo for a more current one, but I think I prefer that y’all never know how much I’ve aged. 
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Okay, I got sidetracked a little.  The point I was trying to make is that, as I begin this new year, I am feeling blessed to have old friends (some of whom have been my friends since childhood) as well as new friends (most of whom I’ll never meet in person).  For my New Year’s Day table, I used silver and gold to signify my gratefulness for both old friends and new friends (and also for reflection!).  I also used my grandmother’s and grandfather’s pocket watches, because they are definitely old, and I used a clock face and clock hands from the Graphics Fairy, who is one of my new-through-blogging-friends.
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Three years ago, I could not have imagined that I would feel such friendship with people I’d never met face-to-face, or that I’d get to know all of you so well.  (It’s still kind of hard to believe.)
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It certainly wasn’t what I was thinking about when I did that first blog post, but I am so grateful to each and every one of you for your friendship and for all that I’ve learned from you over the last three years.  The only reason I’m still posting to this blog is that I am so saddened by the prospect of losing contact with my new friends.
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Thank you so much for all you’ve given me.  I look forward to learning more about you, and from you, in 2012.  Laurie

27 comments:

Tricia said...

What a lovely post for the new year, Laurie! I remember singing the song about silver and gold friends as a Brownie MANY years ago! Your table is lovely -- what a wonderful centerpiece idea! As always, I enjoyed seeing "our" Moonspun crystal. Happy new year!

Maggie said...

Happy New Year Laurie!
I really enjoyed slowly scrolling down through all your wonderful photo's, how splendid everything looked at your house!
It has been a joy to get to know you over the past 12 months and I look forward to visiting you lots more in 2012.
Your imaginary friend in Normandy!
Maggie

Sonny G said...

Happy New Year Laurie.

wow, what a terrific New year setting.. You sure know how to kick off 2012 in spectacular beauty..

xoxo
Sonny

Debbie said...

I'm going to call you Dr. Laurie today because you are just what the doctor ordered. I needed a boost to get up out of this chair and start the new year. I've been too glum. Your post was quite the boost. I totally agree with what you said about invisible friends.

And I love your table full of reflections and silver and gold. (That's Moonspun too, right? I have that!) There's not a lame thing about the idea. It's wonderful.

So is the table.
And so is the blogger.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's a great time to reflect on the past few years! And I see we have something else in common! I posted my very first post on Lavender Dreams Sept '08! We started our blogs at about the same time! It was odd at first...taking all the time to make a post just for 1 or 2 people to see! But I'm so glad we stayed! Look at the friends we've made and the fun we are having! Happy New year! ♥♥♥

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Laurie, I am so Blessed to have you as a friend. You are such a treasure and boy do I learn from you all the time. You have such a natural talent for putting things together. I always love seeing what you are doing next. Hope your New Year is filled with nothing but Blessings. Hugs, marty

Glenda/MidSouth said...

What a nice post! Your theme "reflections" goes perfect with your post. I also started my blog during that same time frame - Nov. 08. I started out thinking I was the new kid on the block, but it turned out many others were just starting out also.
Have a Wonderful New Year!!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Beautiful table and lovely post! I love my blogging friends and yes they do mean so much to me also. Wishing you a wonderful New Year..hugs, Linda

Salmagundi said...

Great post, Laurie! I think we are all amazed at what blogging has added to our lives. You stated it perfectly. Sally

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Laurie....from one "imaginary friend" to another....Have a great new year and keep showing us all those beautiful collections and sharing a bit of your life with us!!

ellen b. said...

Beautiful sparkles! Happy New Year!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Fun post. Happy New Year! Love having you as a blog friend. I also like the salt & pepper champagne bucket, too cute!

Kathleen said...

Exactly! I would miss everyone too!
Love your New Year deco. I can't imagine taking down Cmas and leaving it bare for the New Year! So I just leave Cmas up till Little Cmas on Jan 6! I am not as ambitious as you?
Only the best in 2012 to you, dear Laurie!

Laura S Reading said...

I am not sure if my comment went through so I just want to add Happy New Year and best wishes for a wonderful 2012.

And Go Badgers!

Thank you for being such a lovely and inspiring hostess these last 3 years.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Dear Laurie, even tho you sleep with your BOSS I still love ya to pieces..and have since our RMS days when we both carried BIG purse and had midnight raids ha ha!! I also did my first post in Oct 08 and the only reason I don't put my blog to rest (where it should be) is because I love so many I have met through it...May you have the best year ever and many Blessings to you and the BOSS man..Love and hugs Gloria

Marlis said...

OOh I want a like button on comments.. Tricia's about the brownie song popped that song into my head! Love your tables. the gold and silver, old friends new friends.. so appropriate for this time of year. You have to tell us about the blue transferware piece.. it's divine you know. I loved reflecting with you. and speaking of pictures.. ooh i must update mine too. but do I want to? NO.. You are precious and dear and I truly am thankful for "meeting" you.. xo marlis

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Great New Year's post, Laurie. I wanna come party with YOU!! You always have the prettiest decorations for just EVERY season! Love your Moonspun Lenox crystal ~ that's my pattern, too!

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Wishing you only the best in 2012 Laurie! I'm hoping to see that you might do a Valentine's party again this year :-)

The Tablescaper said...

Oh Laurie, what a wonderful post. It's so true. Our non-blogging friends really don't get it. They can't understand if we steal away to get a post up or quickly check to see if there are comments from our blogging friends. I enjoy our blogging friendship and sure don't care about your photo! Age is a state of mind. I love seeing your decor and I love your state of mind!

-The Tablescaper

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

OH you really touched me with the post Laurie! You my dear had one of the first blogs I found and I was so impressed by how cool you were and are!
It was 3 years ago for me this month and I continue to blog for the very same reason as you! I love my bloggy friends, some I've met some not but my goal is to keep on meeting them in real life!
So watch out, I may still be knocking on your door someday soon!
Everything on these beautiful pics is simply stunning, you have so much talent to share!
Big Cyber Hugs,
Cindy

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh darlin' I lift a cuppe of kindnesse to you too.

This was absolutely beautiful!!!

God bless and have a marvelous weekend sweetie!!! :o)

xinex said...

Happy New Year, Laurie. I am just so happy you decided to keep blogging even if it is not as often as you used to. O I would definitely miss this kind of stunning tablescape with all the unique elements on it. I love that blue and white Auld Lang Syne. Where could you have possibly found that. Your table looks so elegant and festive, just gorgeous....Christine

xinex said...
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Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hey...I know tht song! Were you a Brownie? lol Love the tablescape, Laurie...so festive! I hope that your 2012 is off to a great start! Happy Saturday!...hugs...Debbie

The Tablescaper said...

Laurie:

I love your New Year's table so much, I had to come back and have a second look.

- The Tablescaper

Sarah said...

Laurie, your New Year's table is gorgeous, filled with so many fun touches. You amaze me with all your wonderful things. Your friendship quote is one of my favorites. I smiled when I read your thoughts about how well we know the personalities and styles of our cyber friends. I agree! I feel as if many of my blogging friendships are as dear as friends I've know for years. And of course we know that neither of us are imaginary! LOL
Happy New Year! ~ Sarah

brochure printing said...

Yes, i know that song! I loved reflecting with you. and speaking of pictures.. ooh i must update mine too. but do I want to? I had to come back and have a second look. Thank you.