Warm Welcome

We have already learned that we have the most wonderful neighbors! We met Mike a couple of months back and have all become friends through Inga.  He welcomed us with a darling bouquet of wild flower and tomatos, both from his incredible garden.  We found the thoughtful "Welcome" gift on our front porch when we arrived.  When we were working on the house Mike stopped over regularly to make sure we didn't need a thing.  What a guy!  I am so excited to have such "neighborly" neighbors!  This will be a fun place to 'play house! '

On Saturday, we received another housewarming package on our doorstep from the family across the street.  They included the sweetest card introducing themselves, a loaf of bread, a bottle of sparkling grape juice, and a cylinder of salt.  Recognize it? 

"Bread -- that this house may never know hunger.
"Salt -- that life here may always have flavor.
"And wine -- that there will always be joy."

The tradition is documented visually in Frank Capra's 1946 holiday classic, "It's A Wonderful Life," when George Bailey (James Stewart) performs this ritual for Mr. Martini, the Italian immigrant who is able to afford his own home through the good-heartedness of the Bailey Building and Loan.

I don't know if I could have been more touched by the fact that perfect strangers went out of their way to give us such a warm welcome to the neighborhood.    Even if the house turns out to be a money pitt, I have an inkling that we may have the world's greatest neighbors that might make this adventure all worth while! :)