Monday, January 23, 2012

When Worlds Collide...Or, Meeting Annie Reid and Family!

The blogosphere is a strange place at times.  We are invited into people's homes and lives and feel like we KNOW them.  
Sometimes we exchange emails and online friendships are formed.  Rarely do we get to meet the people behind the blogs.

I got to meet two of my favorite bloggers in one month! 
 On different sides of the country!  
First there is Sue, who I mentioned in my last few posts, of Country Roads Antiques in SoCal..


THEN, I got to meet someone right here in Orlando while they were vacationing with their family.

                                    Annie Reid of  The House That Jade Built .                                    .  
I don't know how I started reading her blog, but her interesting and unique sense of house-decorating-style and her honest, laugh inducing posts about her young children made me keep checking back with her.

To know Annie's life, you really need to check out her blog and go back almost two years from now.  Her life changed in an instant when she found out during her third pregnancy that their family was to be blessed with a special angel who would come to be named Ollie Faith.  What an incredible journey the entire family has had and I am grateful that I have been able to follow along through Annie's blog and eventually through her mom's blog, the irrepressible Janie Fox -  you must check her out at Janie Fox Talks! 

Annie let me know that she and her handsome hubby, Jade and the three kids would be visiting the Orlando area in January 2012.  Right when we were in California!  But we made it back in time before they left and met up for some dinner and face time with Annie, Jade and the Reid kids.



Mr. Tennis went along with me and as we were driving there, he said "this is really strange going to meet people you've never met and only know online".  I agreed it was strange, but because some of our blogs are so personal, I feel that I've gotten to know a lot of you "out there" pretty well.  I equate it to meeting up with a long-time pen pal.

Well, let me just say The Reid family is the real - deal - terrific.  



Everett and Aubrie are just as charming and adorable as I expected from reading about them from their mom's and grandma's posts.  And SMART!     I can see why they keep everyone on their toes in that family!

Of course, Miss Ollie Faith was as beautiful as I knew she would be.  And she is obviously adored by not just her parents, but by her two older siblings who wanted to make sure she was part of all the action during our dinner together.

As if it wasn't great enough just seeing these folks in person, they came bearing gifts for The Boston Lady!  I took home this special painting done by Annie's talented sister, Abbie and showed it to the two painted subjects.  Abbie captured them perfectly.



Now if they only would have posed perfectly.



There, we finally got it.


Mrs. Janie Fox sent a goodie bag along too - so appropriate - I will have fun going through this book and Mr. Snowman will be a reminder to me each year of this family.



And,
this cup that Janie sent along kind of sums it up, "from a friend".


Because I feel like I've made many good friends 
here in this unique world of blogging - we just haven't all met yet.

Thank you so much Annie, Jade, Aubrie, Everett, Ollie, Abbie and Janie
for such wonderful surprises for me and for sharing your life's adventures with all of us.

14 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my gosh - I follow the mother - this is so cool. She is a precious precious child. Sandie

shohshi said...

How wonderful!
hugs ~ jennifer

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Wow and Wow!
So glad to read this post...one, I just found Janie Fox Talks today... actually, she found me. I read bits and pieces of her blog and have enjoyed every bit so far! That is the first Wow...
secondly, Wow...cool painting. Such a lovely portrait of the Babies...

I've met a couple of people through blogging... Lezlee from PriorLives... lives in the next town over and we've run into each other while out shopping.
I also met Ki-- from Junk Camp and Flea Market Style Magazine- I believe she lives out in California these days... I've met a few others. It's fun-- but intimidating too. (just meeting new people)

Sounds like you've had a blast on your trip!
Pat

Mullin Avenue Workshop said...

Annie and her family look absolutely wonderful, and how really exciting to meet with them.
This is such a nice example of how friends are made through blogging, and this family sounds very special, as are you and your family.:)
This painting is lovely, and she captured Panda and Maisie so well!
I love the last picture where the Bostons are posed perfectly!
This is such a happy post, Ann.
Brenda

Orlando Grandma said...

What a nice experience meeting a blogging friend and family in person.Cute kids, enjoyed the blog.

Privet and Holly said...

Sweet!
It IS kind of scary
meeting a fellow
blogger for the first
time....Scary as in a
LOT of butterflies : )
But for the most part,
those meetings have
cemented those on-line
friendships and it has
been worth the risk of
putting myself out there
and meeting in person.
Thanks for stopping by
and for your very kind
comment!

xx Suzanne

Mr. Connor said...

Wow & Holy Cow ! What an experience to finally meet in person . A great time was had by all and the pictures & painting are fantastic.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Oh I love this post! How fun to meet fellow bloggers...that painting is SO great, too! I hope WE get to meet one day, Ann!

Janie Fox said...

Oh sweet Lady I am so sad I wasn't in tow. I do love that painting with your hounds perfectly posed. Calling you friend, is a blessing!

Decor To Adore said...

I absolutely love that painting!

The Thuglets said...

How fab you got to meet friends from blog land.
We love the painting of Sadie and Panda. How cute they both look posing with it!
Big Nose Pokes
The Thugletsx

Unknown said...

How did I miss this?! Boy we sure do need to catch up with what's going on in our lives. How fun and a little nerve racking to meet other bloggers, I get so nervous. I think you know that...haha
See you this week~SueBee

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That is always so much fun! Great photos, too! ♥

Abbie said...

So glad you loved your painting. I laugh at it each time I see it on my camera. Those dogs are so fab!