Celebrating the value of friends with a greeting card

I'm a little late getting around to this subject, but I have to say that I'm not the least bit sad to see 2009 in my rear-view mirror. Although I experienced some fun things -- such as receiving a contract for my upcoming Shelter Bay books, having a good friend Elen Grey and her husband come visit and spend the night at the fantabulous Opryland Hotel in Nashville with us, and buying the motorhome, aka dogmobile (which we're already planning to take on a day trip) -- it definitely wasn't a super year for anyone I know.

Which is why I feel so fortunate to have Elen, who is wise, witty, and always knows when to offer advice or just let me whine, as a friend. So I wanted to begin this year by making a card to let her know how much I value how close we've become over the years of sharing our lives, even with so many miles (1523!) between us.

Here's the outside. The bird that looks brown on my computer screen is actually a dark burgundy:



And the inside (the comment is centered on the card; it's my photo that's not):



And, of course, no card's complete without the proper envelope:





I recently saw this definition for a girlfriend: N. a female friend; someone to share fun times with and tell secrets to; a special friend who listens with all her heart.

Elen is all of that and more. My belated wish for 2010 is that everyone should be so lucky to have such a friend.

Next Tuesday I'll be sharing another bright spot in my life: a super easy recipe for lemon garlic chicken that makes a fabulous comfort food for any season.