My birthday was a couple weeks ago and I was overwhelmed with beautiful local gifts. Here are a few pics –

Our dear Annie made me a beautiful wrap top from gorgeous Indian print cotton. There was also a beautiful stitched small placemat and some other fabric gifts (plus some candy, which didn't last long enough to make it into the photo!).

Our dear Annie made me a beautiful wrap top from gorgeous Indian print cotton. There was also a beautiful stitched small placemat and some other fabric gifts (plus some candy, which didn’t last long enough to make it into the photo!).

Annie makes most of her own clothes, a talent which is awe-inspiring to me!

Annie makes most of her own clothes, a talent which is awe-inspiring to me!

And, she made us a lovely meal and delicious gin and rosewater cocktails!

And, she made us a lovely meal and delicious gin and rosewater cocktails!

Oh yummy! Preserves by our dear friend Rebecca. She sells from the Moss Street Market on Saturdays. The apple pear mince is amazing on ice cream.

Oh yummy! Preserves by our dear friend Rebecca. She sells from the Moss Street Market on Saturdays. The apple pear mince is amazing on ice cream.

Friends J and M gave me a beautiful wooden box, lovingly adorned with raffia and rosemary.  It was emanating a delicate smell.

Friends J and M gave me a beautiful wooden box, lovingly adorned with raffia and rosemary. It was emanating a delicate smell.

When I peeked inside…

When I peeked inside…

Ta da! No, not a box of fruit, but hand-carved soaps made to look like fruit. The maker, Laura-Victoria Handmilled Soaps, has been making beautiful soap for more than 30 years. The scents are gentle – like lemon and herbs – not necessarily the fruit they represent.

Ta da! No, not a box of fruit, but hand-carved soaps made to look like fruit. The maker, Laura-Victoria Handmilled Soaps, has been making beautiful soap for more than 30 years. The scents are gentle – like lemon and herbs – not necessarily the fruit they represent.

And the second layer – vegetables – also in the same lovely scents as the fruits.

And the second layer – vegetables – also in the same lovely scents as the fruits.

Haven't been able to use them yet; they are just too pretty!

Haven’t been able to use them yet; they are just too pretty!

Abundance from friends who grow and raise much of their own food. Eggs, vegetables, herbs and jam – yum, yum, yum!

Abundance from friends who grow and raise much of their own food. Eggs, vegetables, herbs and jam – yum, yum, yum!