Swap - Fall 2007 - Pair and Reports!

[Terri_A]

Okay gang - Below you will find our pairings. Send a PM to your partner for real names and contact information. The spending limit is about $25 and since there is no particular theme - be creative! I tried to pair you with someone that doesn't live down the street - at least when I knew where you lived. Local items are always fun to give and receive and a quick search of your partner's past posts will usually turn up some info that leads you to good ideas. Today is October the 5th, so let's say try to mail packages by October 19th. That gives you 2 weeks. Sound good? Let me know if there are any questions...although since you now know everything I know about this swap, I don't know if I'll have any answers!

#1 - avariell and Clover
#2 - arizonagirl and hollysmom
#3 - loremma and Suebear37
#4 - kgraham and MaryMac
#5 - patissac and maryellenmd
#6 - Lisa W and Julia1pin
#7 - cchhbb and Farhana
#8 - MaryH and Robyn1007
#9 - Deechef and Terri_A
#10- laraW and cocoa'smom
#11- armel and chefzhat

Feel free to use this thread to report in that your package has arrived and make us all green with the great finds in your package!

Ready...set...SWAP!

[Robyn1007]

Thank you Terri!

Mary, I'll send you a PM soon. :D

[Terri_A]

Bumping for those who didn't see this yesterday. Happy Saturday!

[MaryMac]

Terri, thank you for taking the time to do this. My swap partner and I have already been in contact.

Mary

[Terri_A]

I'm bumping this thread as a friendly reminder that there's a swap in progress! I hope you're all having fun putting together a package for your swap buddy!

[Robyn1007]

I'm working on a package for Mary! Hehe, she may get goodies picked out by both mcgeiger and I while we're in Vail this weekend.

[Terri_A]

If my foot doc gives me the all clear today...I may have to head up to the Woodlands soon, Robyn, to pass on the wonder that you introduced to me!!! Maybe I can even get Beth to meet me there since I'll be close by!

[Robyn1007]

If my foot doc gives me the all clear today...I may have to head up to the Woodlands soon, Robyn, to pass on the wonder that you introduced to me!!! Maybe I can even get Beth to meet me there since I'll be close by!

Mom is out of town until tomorrow morning and then will be around. I'll give her the heads up and PM you her phone number. Of course, if you go I think I'll have to demand that my mom send me something. :D

[Deechef]

If all goes according to plan, mine will be mailed out on Thursday via UPS ;)

[hollysmom]

Wow - I haven't done anything on this yet - Arizonagirl, are you out there?

We need to PPM each other!

SSM

[Julia1Pin]

Lisa - There is a PM waiting for you in your box :)

[Terri_A]

Am I the first to receive a package???? Apparently mine was delivered the day before yesterday...but to my neighbor! He brought it over this morning. It's always very exciting to see what insights your swap partner has about you....DeeChef knows me all too well!!! In my box I found a bottle of 2005 Jonathon Edwards Merlot and an Eva Cassidy CD!!! It's my perfect night all packaged in a box and delivered to my doorstep!

Dee- Thanks so much! I can't wait to try it. My mom flies in tomorrow so I'm certain that a LOT of wine will be consumed over the next week and a half, so I'll report in when the bottle's been killed!

PS - Your box went out today!

[Deechef]

Am I the first to receive a package???? Apparently mine was delivered the day before yesterday...but to my neighbor! He brought it over this morning. It's always very exciting to see what insights your swap partner has about you....DeeChef knows me all too well!!! In my box I found a bottle of 2005 Jonathon Edwards Merlot and an Eva Cassidy CD!!! It's my perfect night all packaged in a box and delivered to my doorstep!

Dee- Thanks so much! I can't wait to try it. My mom flies in tomorrow so I'm certain that a LOT of wine will be consumed over the next week and a half, so I'll report in when the bottle's been killed!

PS - Your box went out today!

Hope you enjoy the wine and am glad your neighbor gave you the box!

Enjoy your visit with your Mom and don't forget to go to jedwardswinery.com to see the gem in my neighborhood :D

[MaryH]

Robyn,

Yours is on it's way. I think you should get it Monday. :)

[Robyn1007]

Robyn,

Yours is on it's way. I think you should get it Monday. :)

Oh, yours won't go out until Monday but you should get it shortly after that. I have one more thing to pick up. :D

[Deechef]

My package arrived from Terri_A :D

Lots of Texas goodies I can wait to try along with a cookbook from her neighborhood association. I'm really anxious to use the unique spices (unique to a New Englander anyway).

Thanks so much!!

[Loremma]

Okay Sue (SueBear37), your package is on it's way. It should arrive on Wednesday. I dare you to open it without using a sharp utensil--I taped that sucker all over the place!

[Terri_A]

My package arrived from Terri_A :D

Lots of Texas goodies I can wait to try along with a cookbook from her neighborhood association. I'm really anxious to use the unique spices (unique to a New Englander anyway).

Thanks so much!!

Dee-

I'm so glad it arrived! I hope you have fun with some different flavors!

I drank your bottle of wine on Friday night. It was really great! I also checked out their website. What a GREAT winery!!! It looks gorgeous and it seems like they host a lot of really cool events. I have a friend in RI and I forwarded the link to her in case she'd never seen it before. Thanks again for introducing me to a new wine!

[Robyn1007]

I just got my package and I feel spoiled! And it really is perfect timing with the few days I've had, although I'm going to have to hide the baked goodies from my co-workers! (I had it shipped to the office, it's easier to get it delivered that way) So, without further ado:

Fennel Parmesan Biscotti with Pine Nuts (These are incredible with a wonderful bite to them!)
Cheddar Herbed Biscuits (The rosemary in these is so delicious!)
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
Muesli Cereal from a local bakery
Coffee from a local roaster called the Looney Bean (I'll make some tomorrow morning for mcgeiger and I to enjoy)
Pistachios! (One of the few nuts that I really truly love :D )
Chocolate covered coffee beans (A favorite but rarely indulged love of mine, how'd you know?)
Fig and Ginger Jam (I love ginger, it truly is one of my favorite flavors in both savory and sweet. During the winter I eat many a pb&j heading up the mountain and for after ski snacks so this will be perfect!)

And of course a sweet little note. Mary, I didn't get a note in with your package but will explain things once you get it. I'm a little spacey the last couple of days, I'm sorry. :(

[MaryH]

;) :D :) :cool:

Enjoy!

[kgraham]

I have been remiss…I received a wonderful swap package from MaryMac in Michigan over a week ago :o and I’m just getting back here now to post about it. Mary and I decided to swap regional goodies and she filled the package will all kinds of wonderful things, along with a nice note explaining why she chose to include them. This is what she sent me:

Billy Bones BBQ Rub – Mary says this is her favorite rub for ribs (and probably good on chicken, too). I can’t wait to fire up the grill and try it out!
Dilly Dip Mix – from a company started by two women in the small town near where she used to live. Mary says this makes a great quick appetizer and I can tell it will be helpful with the holidays coming up.
Jiffy Muffin Mix – I received an Apple cinnamon mix and cornbread mix. Mary says this is a staple in every Michigan kitchen. We used to make these all the time when I was growing up! I have not made them in ages so it was fun to reminisce.
Mom’s Raspberry Jam – Jam that was homemade by Mary’s mom from a field not far from her house! This is soooooo goooooood, especially on the muffins! :)
Michigan Maple Syrup – Yum. I love pure maple syrup and enjoyed it on pancakes last weekend.
Petosky Stone Magnet - this magnet is made from the stone that is Michigan’s State Stone and is found along the shores of Lakes Michigan and Huron.
A postcard of the Mackinac Bridge – This bridge connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan.
Maltesers – these are actually from Scotland. Mary has relatives that came for a visit recently and brought them for her. This was the one item in the package that DH zeroed in on immediately. He loves candy and especially loves to try candy that is not available in our area. The day I received the package I had goodies out all over the counter as I was unpacking and unwrapping things. When he walked in the door (coming home from work for the day), he said, “Maltesers? Those aren’t from Michigan!” :D He knew immediately where they were from and was very excited. So far I have successfully held him off…I’m looking forward to trying them when the Halloween candy frenzy has died down a bit.
Brownwood Farms Cherry Salsa and Blossom Honey – made by a small business on the shores of Torch Lake in Northern Michigan. I haven’t tried the salsa yet, and I’m intrigued. I think I’ll probably try it out on some quesadillas.
Republic of Cherry Tea – With the days getting shorter and the evenings cooler, I’ve been curling up with a cup of tea in the evening and this has been a delicious treat.

I think that covers everything....Thank you, Mary! I’m really enjoying the fabulous package you sent and I still have a few things yet to try! Thank you, Terri_A for organizing!

Kim

[Robyn1007]

Mary, your package should arrive on Friday. :)

[Molli526]

Dilly Dip Mix – from a company started by two women in the small town near where she used to live. Mary says this makes a great quick appetizer and I can tell it will be helpful with the holidays coming up.


Mary, where are you from? Did you get Country Home Creations Dilly Dip? I grew up where it originally started!

[suebear37]

Loremma (Lori ) was my partner. I got my box on Wednesday!

Here's what she sent:
Trader Joe's tote bags
Blue cheese stuffed olives
Pumpkin butter
Wine salami
Aioli garlic mustard sauce
Corn tortilla flatbreads
Chili oil
(all of the above from TJ's)

Lavender soap
Hand cream
Rosebud lip salve
Disneyland postcards & maps
A Disney antenna ball
And some homemade chocolate cookies!!!

It's going to be a snacking weekend!!! :)

[armel]

Just got my swap package today. I was working at home, so saw the UPS man ring the bell and thought it was my doggie's medicine. When I opened the door, I thought "wow, this is a really big box for her medicine!" It was my SWAP package !!!!

Definitely a pick-me-upper on a frustrating Friday work day. My partner, Chefhat (Debie) sent me items from her local favorite roastery and smokehouse Herman's Boy:

*Pantlind Blend coffee - this is great! I've been thinking I should get some good coffee for those days that I work from home

*Bavarian Gold Pork & Poultry Seasoning &
*Rockford Rib, Butt & Bird Seasoning
(I actually am always trying to find good seasonings since I hate bland food but am not creative in adding stuff on my own)

*Cherry Plops - these are a chocolate candy. I haven't tasted one yet (still drinking some wine and want to wait until I am drinking something that I can appreciate them more). but I love cherries, so I am looking forward to tasting them.

*Spoon Rest - this is the coolest gadget. It rests on the side of the pan and then holds your spoon. hard to describe but perfect for me. I usually balance my spoons on the handle of the pan :o

*Coffe mug with the logo of Herman's Boy - he looks like a cute little German dude to me. Alpinish.

Thank you Debie. :p

[MaryH]

I too received mine today - from Robyn. Thank you!!!!

Mine was of things Colorado including a bottle of wine. (Which I may open up after this post as I watch a movie by myself tonight.) Robyn - I almost sent you a bottle and then after reading your recent posts - which happened the day AFTER I mailed it - I thought I REALLY should have. :) Also included was:

the local Denver magazine (beautiful)
Chimayo Chile Powder
Chocolate covered apricots - yum, yum, yum
Lara Bars
Almond butter and peanut butter (these are in packets kind of like gels - I assume they are for a protein burst while skiing :) :p )
Seed packets of Colorado Wildflowers

Thank you so much. :D

[Robyn1007]

Mary, I'm so glad the bottle got there okay! It is one of the ones I discovered on the winery trip and I've really enjoyed it. A couple of notes, the Larabars (which are local) one of them is Chocolate Mole and it is spicy! The nut butters are great for skiing but I buy them by the jar because I love their nut butters so much. The maple almond is incredible! Please let me know if you like the nut butters because I'd love to get you a full jar of something, I just couldn't decide which one. :rolleyes: ;) The blue columbines are our state flower but the red look so pretty.

By the way, I'm loving the fig & ginger jam, it's one of my favorite jams now! I've had plenty of wine the last few days so no worries about needing more. I hope you enjoy a glass with your movie.

[Chefzhat]

Armel was my swap partner, and her package arrived yesterday! A great picke me up after a very long day of sitting in a hospital room! (Dad had surgery yesterday).

I got some yummies from Trader Joes - since I don't have one here. Chocolate Edamame and Lime Coconut Rice, I can't wait to try the rice. My oldest ds has already been nose deep in the edamame and has deemed it yummy. She also sent some lovely homemade treats for my doggies - what a cool thing to include! They are enjoying their little ghosties and pumpkins a little at a time. The coolest thing was the foldable colander - way fun and I've used it already! Last but not least, some really handy fashion tape

Armel covered all the bases, and took care to send things specific to what she's "heard" about me. No TJs, doggie owner, and fashion interest. You're a great swap partner Armel!!

Debie

[armel]

Just so you know, I had the doggie cookies BEFORE I read about the pupsters "weight" issues :o and how you were cutting back on feedings and trying out veggies on them.

[Chefzhat]

Just so you know, I had the doggie cookies BEFORE I read about the pupsters "weight" issues :o and how you were cutting back on feedings and trying out veggies on them.
Tee hee - don't worry about it! They still get goodies, just in small doses. Rufus is especially grateful to you! He still thinks he's starving to death.

Debie

[misskitty100]

Mary, I'm so glad the bottle got there okay! It is one of the ones I discovered on the winery trip and I've really enjoyed it. A couple of notes, the Larabars (which are local) one of them is Chocolate Mole and it is spicy! The nut butters are great for skiing but I buy them by the jar because I love their nut butters so much. The maple almond is incredible! Please let me know if you like the nut butters because I'd love to get you a full jar of something, I just couldn't decide which one. :rolleyes: ;) The blue columbines are our state flower but the red look so pretty.

By the way, I'm loving the fig & ginger jam, it's one of my favorite jams now! I've had plenty of wine the last few days so no worries about needing more. I hope you enjoy a glass with your movie.


Does the nut butter place have a website?

[Robyn1007]

Does the nut butter place have a website?

It sure does!

http://www.justinsnutbutter.com/

[Loremma]

I received my swap package from Suebear37 (Sue) in stages because my first package came damaged. Sue was nice enough to replace the missing items, which I thought was above and beyond.

I received:
Spiedie sauce (marinade)
Basting Oil
Bruschetta spread (which is now gone!)
Bruschetta toasts (gone, too)
Gertrude Hawk Peanut Butter Smidgens (which I'm hitting hard today!)
Wegman's Menu Magazine
2008 Weather Channel Calendar (I can see what winter looks like)
Wegman's reusuable totebag
A picture of her and her family
And a nice note explaining it all. If I forgot something, sorry! It's all greatly appreciated.

[avariell]

so i am way behind in reporting, but i did want to acknowledge the wonderful package that clover sent to me :)

I received the following:
Very Cutely package Apple Cinnamon Cookies (that are very yummy and would be great used to make a crust for BC's pumpkin banana mousse tart)
2 types of local honey (the blackberry one is sooooooo good... i ate it on cornbread)
homemade plum preserves (haven't tried yet but am looking forward to them)
locally made apricot preserves (ditto these)
several beautiful bookmarks
dark chocolate bar that is mine all mine :)
hot chocolate cookbook which will be very handy this winter
farmer's market magazine
homemade dukkah that is divine on chicken breasts

i feel like I might be forgetting something... regardless, it was an excellent package - thank you so much rachel!! :)