I am grateful that my swap partner is Catherine!

17 years ago

I've been more than a little stressed out lately. I'm trying to pack up the house for a move and deal with challenging sellers, idiotic buyers, brain dead agents and real estate attorneys. Add some Lucy health issues into the mix and I'm a wreck!

In an effort not to explode, I've been trying to constantly remind myself of all the things for which I am grateful. And today, I am incredibly grateful for my amazing swap partner - Catherine AKA Ziporion - who sent an absolutely perfect package to me.

Catherine, you made my day!

On my way out the door to pick the kids up from the bus and deposit the older one at hockey practice, I met the mailman. I dumped the mail inside, thinking it was something DH had ordered, started the car, then realized what it was and went back in to grab it, hoping I'd have a minute to open it in the car. Patience was never one of my better qualities.

Here it is, sitting next to me in the car. Taunting me!

Of course, I didn't have a second to open it, although I was able to get a good bit of the tape off at a couple of red lights!

Here's what I saw when I was finally able to rip into it at home:

Nice wrapping job! Those are 3 beautiful tea towels, which will look absolutely lovely in my soon to be new home.

And here are the goodies. First, a lovely note on one of AnnT's beautiful cards, a keeper for sure. And a local newspaper from the Yukon. Very cool.

Now for the main items - A small food scale, which I'm sure will be very handy. Catherine says she uses hers often.

A very interesting cookbook of Mediterranean cuisine. Catherine saw that I was intrigued by Morrocan cooking, and there certainly are a lot of things to try in this book. I'm very excited to get into my new kitchen and start experimenting.

The third item is piece of pottery that is breathtaking. The photo doesn't do it justice at ALL. It's exactly the kind of thing that I love - smooth beautiful lines, bold markings, handmade, dark rich color. I can't even begin to tell you how pleased I am with this gift. It's going to have a place of honor in my new home.

Here's a close up of the pottery:

Gorgeous.

Thank you, Catherine. This was a perfect swap package for me and you really put some joy into a stressful day.

Comments (30)

earthlydelights
17 years ago
what a wonderful package. i would certainly be lost without a scale in my kitchen. i like the colors of the pottery and the shape is quite unique. enjoy your items, what are you going to be making first from your cookbook?

i wish you well with your move.
maryanne
teresa_nc7
17 years ago
I love everything! Especially the pottery and the Mediterranean Street Food book! Enjoy your swap gifts, AM and please slow down and de-stress.

Good job, Catherine!
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It must be an epidemic! I did the same thing. I had Janet's box all nicely taped up and addressed, when I looked over and saw the letter still on the table. I slit it open, slid the letter in and added one more layer of tape. What a brain dead bunch. Pam
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chancesmom
17 years ago
Everything looks great to me.....especially that pottery piece! Happy moving AM.

Great job Catherine.
alison
17 years ago
What a great package! I'll be curious abut some of the recipes -- Med. street food sounds wonderful. And what a nice shape to that pottery -- you can just hold it and stroke it and repeat: "I am loved. I am loved. I am loved...."
homesforsale
17 years ago
How perfect! The card..the cookbook and the unique pottery..happy moving!

PS I hope I never become a brain dead agent:)

I go to bed thinking about my clients:)
arabellamiller
Original Author
17 years ago
The brain dead agent is my former agent, representing me on the sale of my house. My current agent, who is helping me buy a house, is a superstar - and I'm sure she's just like you! There are some wonderful agents out there!
Terri_PacNW
17 years ago
Simply Gorgeous! What a colorful packages.
goldgirl
17 years ago
That bowl is amazing and I'm anxious to see recipes - hint hint. Street food sounds like my kind of food!

Sue
craftyrn
17 years ago
Oh -- that bowl is beautiful !

That cookbook sounds intriguing !

Nice swap package --
lakeguy35
17 years ago
I still don't have a kitchen scale so I'm liking that.....but that pottery is too cool and unique. I love it! Enjoy AM, I hope life in general gets better for you. I would have been trying to open it in the car too! Great package Cathrine!!

David
granjan
17 years ago
Wow! What an incredible piece of pottery. The cookbook looks wonderful. Street food is my favorite, and I love Mediterranean. I may have to get it! And a scale is an essential, you'll love it. Great job, Catherine.
ziporion
17 years ago
Arabella, so glad it got there in one piece (always a challenge when packaging breakable items!). You provided really useful information, so I found the items with fair ease. Glad you like them!

Catherine
ann_t
17 years ago
OOOhh the pottery is beautiful. And that cookbook looks very interesting. I bet you will find some great recipes to share with us. Catherine did good!

Ann
KatieC
17 years ago
We just tried our Mediterranean restaurant for the first time last week (you could smell garlic for two blocks). I bet you find some interesting recipes in that book, AM. Very unique bowl, too. And I didn't think I needed a scale until I got one...now I couldn't do without it. Nice box, Catherine.
riverrat1
17 years ago
Catherine, Great Job!

AM, I LOL when I was reading your post! I could just see you riding around in your car tearing bits and pieces of the tape off! Very funny! I love this box!
sheshebop
17 years ago
Ooooh, I love every single thing that you got. The pottery is gorgeous, I am intrigued by the cookbook, and the scale is something I would love to have. Looks like your swap partner knew what she was doing!
shaun
17 years ago
That is a very very nice package. You won't believe how often you'll use that scale. The pottery is beautiful. *making mental note to self*: I must get some pottery!
lowspark
17 years ago
Great swap package! Lovely pottery, and the Med cookbook sounds wonderful!
msafirstein
17 years ago
Oh....a scale! What a wonderful gift!! AM you are fortunate and will get a lot of use from the scale. The Mediterranean cookbook looks wonderful and so interesting too.

The vessel/bowl is gorgeous! Such a beautiful, graceful shape and the glaze looks like a matte metallic which is too cool.

Catherine you did a great job and AM enjoy!

Michelle
doucanoe
17 years ago
It never ceases to amaze me that these packages seem to always arrive at just the perfect time!
That pottery is gorgeous, I just know it will find a prominent place in your new home. Mediterranean cookbook looks interesting, and you will love having a scale. What is that wooden item in the lower right? I love the color of those towels, too, by the way....

Linda
lori316
17 years ago
Wow, what a pretty piece of pottery.

AM, you will love the scale. I can't live without mine. You don't realize what a useful tool it is until you have one.

The book looks cool too. Nice job, Catherine
annie1992
17 years ago
AM, I also smiled at the thought of you driving around, peeling tape off the box at the red lights. (grin)

That pottery is lovely and the book looks very interesting, Mediterranean cooking is supposed to be very, very healthy. I don't have a scale and never have had one, now you'll probably be posting how useful it is and I'll think I need one!

Take care of little Lucy, hug her for me. Hugs to you too.

Annie
msprettyky
17 years ago
I really like that cookbook. There is a Mediterranean
restaraunt in Louisville,Ky that is one of my favorites.
Make sure to post some of the recipes!
andi_2006
17 years ago
What a wonderful package, Catherine! BEAUTIFUL pottery and the cookbook looks very interesting selection. The scale....a kitchen essential...AM, you will wonder how you existed without one! Enjoy your fabulous gifts!
wizardnm
17 years ago
AM, I'm going to come for a visit and steal that bowl! It would fit in my collection...perfectly!

Catherine...WOW what a great swap pkg. I may have to email you about that bowl....

Nancy
arabellamiller
Original Author
17 years ago
Nancy, it really is stunning. I just keep looking at it and holding it. The pinched sides are so cool.

Here's a link for one outlet, but if you google "Hilborn Pottery" you'll find some more. The sushi sets are also adorable. Uh oh, I feel a collection coming on!

AM

Here is a link that might be useful: Hilborn
ziporion
17 years ago
Arabella, soooo glad you like the pottery!
Catherine
jessyf
17 years ago
Yeah, what Linda said, what is the item in the bottom right corner? A matching spreader/knife?

That bowl is a beautiful housewarming gift for your new place, Arabella.
catlover
17 years ago
I want the bowl! Everything is beautiful. Adele
dlundin
17 years ago
I'd love that cookbook! Mediterarrean is one of my favorites. Please, please post some recipes, AM. On your blog is fine :)

The bowl is beautiful. So glad it found you on a perfect day.

I am grateful that my swap partner is Catherine!

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