I Love Getting Gifts

Last weekend we did another one of our road trips--something we hadn't done since the beginning of December.  While we try to do an over-nighter every month (during K's monthly week off,) circumstances don't always allow.  Last month the week off was during the New Year's holiday, so the road trip didn't happen.  And after the expenses of Christmas, it probably was better to NOT spend money on a hotel OR shopping that wasn't quite necessary.

We were able to get together with our good friends who live a half hour out of the city where we stay.  Saturday happened to be my friend's birthday, so we were able to celebrate with them.  And we always have such a good time catching up with what everyone has been doing.  It does seem as if 'old' friends are the best friends, sometime.  We have much history together and haven't allowed the years to erode the friendship.  (For those who have forgotten--or never knew--she has been my friend since fourth grade when my family moved in next door to hers.  He was K's best friend in the Navy.  We introduced them and they got married.  LOTS of history.  ;))

I have always been jealous of my friend's artistic abilities.  She is quite creative and paints wonderfully.  HE is very good at woodcraft and the two of them have combined their talents and make wood jigsaw puzzles.  She does the design and painting and he cuts the wood.  The results are quite spectacular and we were the recipients of one of their creations last week.

As I said, this puzzle is wood and is in its own frame.  There are 50+ pieces to it and every piece is a different color.  Each piece is completely painted, front and back.  And the puzzle can be put together both ways--so I can turn the puzzle over and make it that way, as well as from the 'right side'.  I haven't removed this from the frame yet and am not sure I will--I'm afraid if I take this apart I won't be able to put it back together  or that it will take days (weeks?) to complete it.  I'm sure if I decide to take it apart, I will put a mark on each piece so that I can distinguish the 'right side' from the 'back side'--that will make it a bit easier to put together.  :)

I'm not too sure what I will be doing with this puzzle.  Of course, I want to keep it on display, but I'm not sure how.  We don't have a coffee table--and this would be the PERFECT spot--so right now I have it on our chess table.  If I keep the puzzle flat, I would like to get a piece of plexiglass cut for the top so that no damage can be done to it.  However, I might just prop it up and put it to the back of one of my book cases and use it as a background for some of my other 'treasures.'  For now however, I just want it where I can look at it and be amazed at the wonderful craftsmanship.

And here are a couple of closeup pics to see how nicely this is was done: