phyllis, very nice package you received. i just love that bach's flower essence.

i'm sure you'll turn out quite a few nice pies, cobblers or quiche in that dish.

nice job AM.

maryanne

What do you use it in, maryanne? Do you put it in tea? I've never seen it before.

I'm also wondering....what should I use the sea salt for? Can I just use it in place of regular?

AM certainly put together a custom-made package for you, Phyllis! I love the placemat, and I bet David does, too! Black sea salt sounds intriguing, and that pie plate is just too cute!

I have to tell you, when I looked at the photo before reading your description and saw "Organic Mother's Milk", I wondered where in the world one would find such a product? LOL
Linda

David just held up the placemat to Sarah and said, "Look at my placemat! Isn't it beautiful? It's a saurus! GRRR!" LOL I had to laugh at that one.

Phyllis what a great custome made parcel from AM. It is so perfect for you.

And how neat was it that AM included some of her baby clothes, bet they are gorgeous if I know AM!! I too am one that believes in moving baby clothes around. They cost so darn much and get such little wear, the more babies that can enjoy (and Mom's) the better.

Great job AM!

What a great package! I love the plate with the roses and David really seemed to enjoy his part of that package too.

The black sea salt? I have some red and use it to "finish". I don't put it in anything that it cooks in, just a sprinkle to add that particular flavor right at the end. You'll find it "goes" well with some things, not so well with others. Don't ask how I know.....

I also like the fact that she sent the baby clothes. RobinKate sent Amanda some things for Makayla and David and Tracey sent her some maternity clothes that she was very grateful for. She passed those on to David's sister, they are another item that just doesn't get worn that long.

Great package, AM. Phyllis, sit down for just a minute and have a cup of that tea and enjoy your package!

Annie

phyllis, i've used the essences for a number of reasons. a little anxiety or stress or for that calming effect that you'd rather not use medication. i've also used them for the dogs. you can use them straight as drops, under the tongue is the recommendation, or in a glass of water. i assume by the clothing you received, you have kids. so maybe when there are those "episodes" it would be a good idea in their milk, juice or whatever they drink. a woman i know always kept it on hand when her babies were teething. there are a number of essences devoted to specific mental/emotional circumstances in life and it's a natural approach.

maryanne

What adorable gifts! Phyllis - I'm jealous of the those peanuts...absolutely addictive.

AM - you did a wonderful job!

Sue

My favorite thing in the package is the clothing. I think the best part of the swaps is getting to know eachother and what better way then sharing baby clothing. Those babies just grow to darn fast without moving enough to wear out their clothing. Julian doesn't even fit in size 2 clothes anymore (he will be 2 in March).

The peanuts sound great and I always like playing with the high falutin salts. Great package AM!!

Phyllis, how old is Sarah now? You must be getting to the end of the casein intolerance, right?

-Robin

She just turned five months old. UNfortunately I think she's still allergic but we have yet to do the blood test to find out. It's so hard to get in there and I'm not in a big hurry to have her prodded with a needle. :( I'm still faithfully doing dairy free and so far it's going just fine. In fact, the few times I have a piece of cheese it doesn't even taste good anymore.

The immunologist we saw gave me specific instructions to avoid starting rice or solids for a while, which I was planning on doing anyway. She told me also to avoid shellfish in my own diet, and I had already noticed a bit of a poop reaction from that too. :(

One advantage to having a 'petite' baby is that her clothes fit her longer. :D She can still wear 3 month jeans, whereas a baby we know two days older than her who is HUGE wears 6-9 month clothing already. Wow.

Great package! And I think we need some new pictures of your babes Phyllis!

I'm getting ready to post one! Thanks Gina! :D

Awesome! Awesome! Hey I have a plate just like that with the roses on it. Great Job!!

Okay you have some time yet, usually if it is an intolerance and not an allergy iy is gone at 9 months. Julian was 9 months for DH's company party where all the best food had dairy, unfortunately his well visit was 3 days later so i did not know I could try it.

Where are the photos going to be?

-Robin

Very nice package and so thoughtful of AM to make it so personal for you and your family! I am a total believer in recycling clothes. A friend of mine owns a Used Designer Clothing store and I don't think I've bought any new clothing for myself, besides underwear and pantyhose, in years!

The Black Hawaiian Salt, could that be from the Black Sand Beach? Just wondering as I've been there while in Hawaii and it was so beautiful.

Maryann is correct about the Rescue Remedy for dogs, I've used it for years and it does seem to have a calming effect. Never had any myself though, I drink way to much coffee for anything to calm me down!

Love the quiche dish, so cute and old fashioned!

Michelle

Dude!

I read this earlier and didn't post...

LOL

Those are some great things..special to receive the baby clothes and all those great things for you and the kids!

Perfect package for you Phyllis, I know you will enjoy it all. The pine walls in the pics are a perfect match to my cabin walls. Great swap AM!

David

Glad you got it and glad you are pleased! Particularly with the clothes - I think I mentioned that I was a little nervous to send them, but since many of them were hand-me-downs to me, and barely worn, I thought Sarah might like them! I'm sure she'll look gorgeous.

Point of clarification, before anyone accuses me of going over the 3 category limit: The true swap items were the cookbook, pie plate and baking cups, and TJ's items. Everything else was just a little something extra from one mom to another that I was planning on sending anyway, I just took advantage of the swap box to send them along!

So, I didn't cheat, really!! ;)

AM

LOL AM, I understand perfectly! :D

I looked at the Bach's flower stuff...there is 27% alcohol. No wonder it has such a calming effect! LOLThings have been crazy around here lately so if I'm not careful I'll have the bottle drained in a week. :P

How sweet to include David's placemat and babyclothes!

Goodness, I can't believe that beautiful baby is 5 months already! Time flies.

AM, that was extra sweet of you to send the clothes. How thoughtful! I love the plate. At first I didn't know if it was a pie plate or quiche dish. Looks perfect for serving, though...too pretty to hide.

Great package! The cookbook looks interesting, and I love that plate! It was quite thoughtful of Arabella to include the kids's things.

Catherine

Very nice swap pkg... the baby things are perfect.

Nancy

What a nice swap package AM-- just perfect for Phyllis -- and so thoughtful .

What a great package--the baby clothes were just the packing material!

The rose plate is so cute--a fun surprise picture revealed as you serve your quiche. I also have the red salt, and as Annie says, it goes with some stuff and not others--trial and error to find out. Just taste a bit and you'll figure it out. Had it on baked potatoes last night--definitely needed regular salt for that!

Let us know about the desserts you bake! I love baking, and if the sugar free part doesn't taste like artificial sweetner (which doesn't agree with me), I could do more guilt free baking!

What a perfect swap package and goes right along with all that is going along with your life.

Stacie

I thought the 'sweet & natural' theme was really... well, sweet. AM, even your swap boxes are interesting and cool!

LOL about the saurus, phyllis_philodendron! and enjoy the very special items!

Very sweet package AM!

Phyllis, I love that David was excited about the placemat! Enjoy!

What a wonderful package+

That dish is really cute. I also wondered where one buys organic mother's milk....

Anther vote for the Bach's Rescue Remedy. Friends swear by it -- they even slipped it in the water of two tomcats they added to the family, and everything went swimmingly.

Wonderful job, AM. And I hope you get a chance to put your feet up and enjoy it all, Phyllis!

AM, what a wonderful package you put together for Phyllis! The baby clothes are an added bonus! Enjoy, Phyllis and let us know what recipes you use from the cookbook.

awww, AM, you really really matched this package up to its recipient - (Phyllis, I can just hear David - GRRR! lol)

What a great assortment of personalized items that will be long appreciated. I really want to try some different salts.

Stacy

AM, I think you did a great job on this package. No, it doesn't fit the 'three items', but sometimes that doesn't fit either. I think the mix was appropriate here!

AM -- looks like you nailed the recipient and everything surrounding her. (I miss having wee people-sometimes) Adele