wanted: Mega Surprises from Maryanne!

17 years ago

This afternoon I pulled in the driveway and I had 4 boxes waiting for me. But remember I am into a total gut of our home, so I get boxes almost everyday. But there was one very large box that was calling my name, so I picked it up and brought it in the house first! I opened it up to a mass of packing peanuts...LOL! I reached deep inside and felt something soft and large, pulled it out and it was package #3 and wrapped not in paper, but in a vintage tablecloth!. I collect vintage linens and already love my package and I have not even opened anything yet! I dug further and found 2 more brightly wrapped packages!

I opened up package #1 and found a wonderful seafood cookbook, "A Seafood Celebration" by Sheryl and Mel London! Oh how I need one of these, and how did you know? Just glancing through it, I already have 3 recipes bookmarked to make, Risotto di Fruitti di Mare (seafood risotto), Cocktail Sauce with Cream and Brandy and Saute Soft Shelled Crabs with Brown Butter and Garlic Sauce! There are recipes for everything from shellfish, salt and fresh water fish and many seafood condiments and tons of sauces too. It is a very complete cookbook for seafood, beautifully illustrated, and I will treasure it. The cookbook could not have come on a better day for me. Tomorrow we are having our gutters and downspouts installed and being we have a few drainage issues around the house, I am staying home to make sure the installation goes smoothly and downspouts are installed here not there. Being the work is exterior, it will be nice and quiet in the house and I will be able to curl up with my new book and a cup of tea. You don't know how I look forward to days such as these!

In Box #2 there were 2 large, thick oven mitts. And these are so needed in my kitchen!! I forgot and packed all my kitchen towels and pot holders, now stored in one of our barns, so have been using small towels for pot holders. Also included is a gorgeous Bistro Apron! At first I was not sure if it was an apron or not as the fabric is this wonderful linen-like soft, thick fabric, much too beautiful for an apron. Maryanne's note said "The single item is among my favorite types-heavy duty even if you don't have hand protection-just gather it & grab. Works great. ;)" And I bet it does work great and so pretty too! I love it and I have nothing like this.

There are not words to descibe how thrilled I am with package #3. Not only are the contents wrapped in a gorgeous, oh-so-soft, embroidered cotton tablecloth but inside are 4 plates wrapped in more soft, cotton multi-purpose towels! I will use the towels so much and for so many things and thank you so much for these. The tablecloth is something I've been looking for as I need something for our table as a daily centerpiece and this is just perfect and so pretty. It will displayed with pride! The plates...LOL...are Fish Plates! I love 'em! I know I am not the China Queen of the CF but I sure am in the court. I like nothing better then a new set of plates to add to my cupboards! And even though I am working out of a temporary kitchen during our remodel, I have 2, now 3, sets of plates, just for a bit of change and some fun for our dinners. The plates are just too cute!!

I just love everything and I don't know how to thank you or really exactly what to say.

Maryanne you did a great job and not only can I use each and every item right now, but in my new kitchen your gifts will certainly shine.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Michelle

Here is a link that might be useful: Maryanne's Goodies Spring Swap

Comments (29)

granjan
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
A lovely box. A little trouble counting to 3 but nevertheless. I love the apron and vintage cloth. The fish plate and cookbook are a great match. Happy seafood to you!
arabellamiller
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very nice! I particularly love the apron and fish plate. Nicely done. Enjoy your seafood.

AM
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Earthly, I did get your box. I took it home & I let Shelby pull out all the prizes. Darn it I left the list home again. Let me see if I can remember. There were 2 wonderful dog toys. Funny thing is each of the dogs kinda picked the ones they wanted. One was a fluffy blue bone shape with a squeky toy inside. Tahoe (golden retriever) picked that one. Then there was one that is made of string/rope & Trouble (retriever/airdale mix)picked that one. Chocolate covered cherries. (Dark choc, and I love dark choc.) Some wonderful chocolates with whole hazelnuts inside. I am not making these sound as good as they are. A note pad. Lots of seeds. Carrots, tomatoes, green bean, I am forgetting about 5 others. The CUTEST kitchen towel with a bear on it. The top part is made so that you just button it on the stove handle. I have used it already. 4 of the neates mini cookbooks. That are actually magnets & can go on the fridge. Peppers, garlic, chicken & tomatoes. I will try them all. A paint sponge kit, flower post shaped. Colored candles. A birthday cake shaped candle. A ton of plant food spikes. I have to tell you, you made my Shelby sooo happy. She was half way thru the box & said, how come I never get prizes in the mail. Her eyes got big & round & she pulled out a really cool Dora mouse pad. But the mouse pad is made up of 50 sheets of Dora paper. She was just grinning. I said, there you go.... Then she pulled out the Dora stickers, looked at me, (waiting for me to say, yep those are yours too!) It was soooo cute. Earthly, I am sure I forgot some stuff, I will check the list tonight & check back. Thank you so much for making mine, the dogs & Shelby's days. You are wonderful!!! Tina & Beth I am sooo glad you liked your boxes. Tina, please do not feel like you need to send me a box. I know mine was wayyyyy late & I do not expect a thing. I have been sooo blessed already. Thanks gals!! This has been sooo fun.. I got one more box to ship out, hopefully this weekend.
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WOW I am amazed that the box got there so nice and quick. This box was dropped off at the post office Wednesday afternoon and there already. I went with a different theme this time around..... Unbreakable and looks like all the parts of this box made it in one piece. I was nervous after last Friday's experience LOL. Out of the first box I think that the Jar of homemade sourkraut made it, the pickled red onions, and maybe the salsa made the trip okay, also an Anchor Hocking vintage bowl with handle, a vintage blue canning jar with zinc lid filled with orange, apple cinnamon potpouri that I made, two pairs of hot pads, a set of hand towels, and also hopefully some of the vintage linens that I sent came out of the wash okay. Hopefully Maryanne can let me know if this is right. It wasn't a big deal to start over, not with a 3 and 1 year old to help and being pregnant( just kidding) It was kind of fun to be able to shop twice for a partner for things that I thought that she would like. Stacie ( who can sleep easy tonight)
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Cathy, the best part was seeing your face when I gave you teh gift bag. That was priceless. Here we were in our jammies talking about the swap when I mentioned that mine was being delivered that day! I also told Cathy that this was a tough one as she had been sucha good freind to me over the years, but I stuck to my kitchen favorites. The everyday pan is just that, you use it everyday. No more turning the pan to get the long handle out of the way, easy to put inthe sink to clean and in a pinch it can go right to the table like a paella pan. When my first cheapy one died, I had a new one ordered in 24 hours, I knew I could not be without one. And do we ever have enough spatulas? Or just the right platter for that certain something? Enjoy as I did choosing it for you.I hope my favorites become yours.
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chancesmom
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, sounds like she nailed your tastes and wants!! Great job matching the book to the plate. Hope all goes well today on the homefront Michelle.

Janet
teresa_nc7
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nice theme you've got there, Maryanne! Glad to see I'm not the only person that can't count to 3.

Enjoy your lovely gifts, Michelle!

Teresa
riverrat1
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Yes, this is a lovely box. Maryanne, you did good ;-)

Michelle, Enjoy your swap package. It is very special!
homesforsale
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Dishes..linenes..and a book..what's not to love?:)

The apron even matches the mitts..did you make it?

Very thoughtful gifts.
lowspark
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Love those fish dishes! Too cute! I'm sure you're going to have lots of fun serving new seafood dishes from your cookbook in those plates. Great box, Maryanne!!
goldgirl
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I think that's one of the most elegant swaps I've seen - and very creative wrapping ;) I love the fish dishes too.

Sue
earthlydelights
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
michelle, glad you enjoyed it. i did say "sssshhh" on the plate wrappings LOL!!!! i can count, i just needed wrapping materials.

monique, no i didn't make the apron, i can't sew to save my life and i tried to match the mitts to apron.

thanks for the compliments. i certainly was very nervous about this whole thing.

michelle, enjoy it all. it certainly was a pleasure putting it together for you.

maryanne
msafirstein
Original Author
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
i did say "sssshhh" on the plate wrappings LOL!!!! i can count, i just needed wrapping materials.

Ooops, I was excited to post and I forgot! Oh dear......

I do love everything and have yet to put anything away as I looked at it all again this morning and the package is just perfect! We will be using the plates tonight!

Michelle
doucanoe
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
As a lover and collector of vintage linens myself, all I can say about that cloth is "Stunning"!!
I love those fish plates, and you can use them with the recipes in your new seafood book!

Wonderful job, Maryanne!

Linda
lori316
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Not sure why you were nervous, Maryanne. You did a wonderful job with Michelle's package.

Enjoy it, Michelle. I know you will.
Gina_W
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I love those plates - I love stuff like that! Way to go Maryanne! Now you're not a virgin!
compumom
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very nice package! The book looks intriguing and the plates, mitts and apron are great!
Terri_PacNW
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
LOL Granjan..I can't count either..so wait for my parnters reveal..

Maryanne..you did wonderfully for your first!
What a lovely swap package.
msprettyky
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I love those plates! Too cute! I like to collect plates and platters too. I love this swap, it's so fun to see what everyone is getting!
annie1992
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh no, I can clearly see that there are three items: the plates, the cookbook, the apron and mitts are a "set". All other items are simply packing material and don't count. Or something. LOL

An altogether outstanding package!

Annie
alison
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I buy the "packing materials" arguement!

Lovely items -- those fish plates are a really cute compliment to the cookbook. Nice job, Maryanne. Michelle -- put your feet up for a bit and enjoy!
wizardnm
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Really nice and well thought out gifts...I love it all.

Nancy
ziporion
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very elegant and thoughtful swap package! Nice theme with the cookbook and plates! Beautiful linen and potholders too!

Excellent job Maryanne!

Catherine
mustangs81
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
How nice! Terrific fish plates, I was looking at some (fish plates that is) just today.
ann_t
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very, very nice. Are you sure this is your first swap Maryanne? I love how you matched up the fish plates with the cookbook. And the oven mitts really match the bistro apron.

Ann
craftyrn
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Boy that sounds like a great cookbook-- and how imaginative to match it to those cute plates.

Sounds like "right" counting too-- the oven mitts & apron are a set & I certainly approve of unique "wrappings" .

Way to go Maryanne-- enjoy Michelle.
Diane
paulines
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Maryanne, first swap??? What a beautiful & classy assortment of linens, very special! They also tie into those fun fish plates perfectly. You done good!

Michelle, you did a really wonderful job of descibing everything. How exciting to have these items to include in your soon-to-be new kitchen!
shaun
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Maryanne I can't believe this is your first swap! You're a natural, baby!

I loved it all! Michelle, enjoy yourself!
andi_2006
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
The fish plates are great - as are the mitts, the apron and the cookbook. The vintage linens....over the top! Great package, Maryanne! Michelle, enjoy everything in your new kitchen!
jessyf
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Applause, applause.

I would go crazy with those plates - start accessorizing immediately with fish cutlery, fish drinking glasses, etc.

Nice job, newbie!
catlover
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very perfect! I love everything. Adele
finally
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Fishy fishy in a dishy, how many pieces do you wish?

What cute plates! Love the theme and the linens too. Maryanne, you did a great job of shopping for Michelle. Summer is coming and the fish will be jumping!

wanted: Mega Surprises from Maryanne!

Comments (29)

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wanted: Mega Surprises from Maryanne!

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msafirsteinOriginal Author

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