Thirty Years Later . . .

painted by Brenda M.
2020

I mentioned that my niece, Brenda has been painting during our weekly FaceTime calls, and some of you have asked what she paints. This cute bear arrived in my mailbox this week. Brenda and her Mom host an annual cookie and ornament exchange, and they decided last year that 2020 would be the final party. That was long before COVID-19 decided to descend on the world. They thought thirty years was a good stopping point. 

Every guest at the exchange receives a gift from Marilyn and Brenda, and this year it was doorstoppers. My BIL cut wood bear forms, and Brenda began painting the 30 bear doorstoppers in March. I requested stars on my bear's pajamas.


Isn't he adorable? 



Brenda added a note on the back of each of the bears. I keep telling her to sign her work, but she rarely does. 

cover of the invitation
December 2020

The invitation for this year's gathering featured nearly all of the gifts the guests received over the years. Some time, Marilyn made the gifts, but all the painted ones were created by Brenda. 

Because of COVID-19, I did not attend the party this year, but I'm thrilled that I received the adorable bear. 

Comments

  1. Wow she is a great painter! Such a lovely tradition! A true labor of love! :)

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  2. The bear is so cute and the message on the back is wonderful. What a fun and special event. And the collection of ornaments is amazing! I've been to a few of these cookie exchanges, but to have a 30 year tradition - WOW!!

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  3. Oh my! Thirty years! that is amazing as is the collections of ornaments made and received. I spy lots of snowmen! They both do an amazing job and I'm so glad you recieved your gift. I suspect you weren't the only one who was unable to attend this year.
    Thank you again for your help with the sweater pattern. I appreciate it more than you know.
    Blessings and love,
    Betsy

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  4. Wonderful but you can understand that after 30 years it was time to stop. Maybe the favourite Aunty might still receive the occasional gift?

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  5. That is adorable! And thirty years - WOW!!!!!

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  6. That bear is too cute!!!! My mom and dad used to paint wooden things like that. My mom was pretty good at it. She took a class at a local craft store about 30 years ago and my dad set up a workshop in the garage. I just put the giant snowman they made for me out front. It usually brings me snow but not this year. Not so far anyway.

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  7. He is an adorable star bear. What a great tradition

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  8. I love the bear!! I dont know why I was unknown in the above comment. This computer has been goofy ALL day!~

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  9. What a great series of memories and cute things you have from the parties that Marilyn and Brenda have hosted over the years. Are they calling it quits? I take it they went ahead and had the exchange?

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  10. Good for her--what a gorgeous array of wood artwork! This year's bear is a gem!

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