My box arrived.

17 years ago

Hello all.

My box arrived on Wed of this week. It is from Maria.

I have been offline for a few weeks and had no idea of the tragidy in her life.

I recalled that she was taking a trip to Maine where she had planned to pick up swap items. Which she did.

When I was able to get online, I learned the sad news.

I understand that friends of Maria had the box shipped for her.

I will always treasure these items.

The box was filled with many unique gifts and treats for me to use and share with the family.

Included was the following....

4 bright plaid napkins in all the primary shades-very pretty and will compliment at least 2 sets of my dishes.

A lovely book called New Englands Favorite Seafood Shacks. Maria must have remembered my desire to travel off the beaten path to discover lesser known jewels around the country. This book pays tribute to all the local faves-not a chain place in the book!

It is highlighted with little notes from their travels.

Franks aunt lives in Maine and its been ages since we've seen her....I will need a book like this when we go.

Next is a cute votive candle holder in pale blue with a candle...always appreciate these!

Blueberry lip balm.

A tin of wild maine blueberries

Lost woods hot sauce.

Maple vinegar.

Maple champagne mustard.

A bag of candy

and

Tequila lime cocktail sauce.

I want to thank Maria for all the tasty treats. I will think of you every time I use them.

My heartfelt prayers are with you and your family during this trying time.

((((hugs))))

Susie

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Comments (30)

bubbeskitchen
17 years ago
Hi Susie,

We all feel terrible for Maria and were shocked to learn of Tyler's death.

I am sure that she wants you to enjoy everything she selected for you with such care. Hopefully she will return to us when she feels up to it and see our swap posts.

I am interested in that book; seems when I travel, I seldom get at chance to eat in the places that the locals know. I love that they made notes in the book.

Also intriguing among the other goodies (yummy blueberries, esp), is the Lost Woods Hot Sauce. I want to hear about that when you try it.

RenÃ©e
doucanoe
17 years ago
Susie, How great that Maria has such good friends to take care of this for her at this difficult time!
Sounds like a fab box of goodies, I am especially intrigued by the maple vinegar. Let us know what you make with that!
That book sounds wonderful, and I love the addition of personalized notes!

Linda
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goldgirl
17 years ago
If I remember correctly, Maria had mentioned to Ann (or someone here) that Tyler also enjoyed the swap box process, so that perhaps makes it even more special.

Everything sounds wonderful, but that tequila lime cocktail sauce sounds awesome ;)
kent4489
17 years ago
Susie, what a very special package that I know you'll treasure.
Maria, still sending thoughts your way. Your friends must be great to take care of sending this for you. Lovely gifts.

Jayne
dedtired
17 years ago
WHat a nice box! I adore blueberries -- anything blueberry at all. I even love the color. The travel book sounds the best. I would appreciate it if someone wrote notes in the margin for me -- how helpful.

Maria has a heart of gold. I only hope it mends again one day. I can't tell you how often I think of Tyler and Maria.

Susie - I think you got the most special box of all.

Pam
paulines
17 years ago
Susie,
Very eloquently said. A wonderful box filled with special items, enjoy !

Maria, how thoughtful to personalize Susie's book ~ neat idea.
annie1992
17 years ago
What a thoughtful and special swap box. I love anything maple and the book would be better than any travel guide, I think.

Enjoy Susie. Maria is still in my prayers here, I'm glad she has friends good enough to ask them to do this for her.

Annie
traceys
17 years ago
What a great box Maria (and friends)put together for you. I love that there are notes in the cookbook. That's a great idea. Everything sounds delicious.

Enjoy your gifts Susie.

Tracey
Terri_PacNW
17 years ago
Some intriguing sounding items. Maple Vinegar and Maple Champagne Mustard..
Mmmmmm those sound wunderful!

(I don't know the story about Maria's Loss, but I'm sorry just the same.) It's never easy to loose anyone we love.

What a wonderful support system Maria has as well. Good friends are best kept close!
Gina_W
17 years ago
Maria is an amazing person to carry through with our swap fun in the wake of her tragedy. I'm sure you will enjoy the package immensely Susie.
compumom
17 years ago
You're right Susie, Maria's tragic loss makes this box even more special. Besides, it sounds like the contents are special too. Mmmm maple vinegar and Maine blueberries. Great!
sheshebop
17 years ago
I just think it awesome that Maria continued with the swap after the tragic sudden loss of her husband. That makes this a very, very special swap box indeed. And it truly was. Great stuff!
dlundin
17 years ago
Wow, if someone had a reason to bow out of a swap, it's Maria. But the fact she went ahead and did it... that's special, SusieQ. And what a great assortment it is. Love maple. Love it! The books sounds great, too. I do hope you enjoy it all, SQ. By the way, I noticed you've been MIA. Where you been?
susan_in_nc
17 years ago
I also recall that Maria said DH loved to help plan out swap boxes. Wow, how special he was.

Does the seafood shack book have recipes in it? Even if it doesn't, it sounds like something I'd love to browse through! Everything else sounds great also, I'm sure you will enjoy it all.

Susan
momto4kids
17 years ago
Oh what a lovely box. I think it's amazing Maria, with everything going on, could focus on getting someone to send it out for her.

It's a great assortment. I like that mustard! And the tequila lime cocktail sauce sounds great! I believe I have that cookbook (bought it a couple of years ago when I was in Maine). If it's the same one, I enjoyed reading is as well as the recipes.

Super package Susan. Enjoy!

Maria, great work! Still keeping you in my thoughts.
jessyf
17 years ago
Another one here who has noticed Susie's 'vacation'. Welcome back!
I think the boxes from Scott to Maria and Maria to Susie will be among the more memorable to them. Nice assortment, Maria!
Marigene
17 years ago
Susie, you truly did get a special box from Maria. You are going to love that maple champagne mustard and maple vinegar. And the wild blueberries. Good job Maria and you are in all of our thoughts.
riverrat1
17 years ago
Great box Maria. I'm looking forward to you coming back and posting.

Tequila lime cocktail sauce...Yuummmmmm, let us know!
KatieC
17 years ago
What a very special swap box, Susie. We're all thinking of you, Maria...see you when you're ready.
granjan
17 years ago
What a VERY special box. That's what makes this forum so special. It's good to know Maria has such good friends supporting and helping her at this time.
stacy3
17 years ago
The book sounds very, very special. Enjoy your package Susie...

Maria, what a wonderful assortment of items you and Tyler picked out for Susie on your recent trip to Maine.

Stacy
mustangs81
17 years ago
All I can do is ditto what was said above. I can't say what I would do in Maria's situation; I don't know that I would have her strength and I can't say that I could even get everything together to the point that I could hand the project off to friends.

Indeed, Susie and Maria now have a special bond.

Cathy
trixietx
17 years ago
What a very special package!

Thinking of you, Maria!
chancesmom
17 years ago
How thoughtful and meaningful this package is. Sounds like alot of really special treats.

Holding you in prayers, Maria.

janet
chase_gw
17 years ago
Suzie somehow you are just the right person to have Maria for a swap partner this time. I can't explain it but you are so familiar and loving and safe.

Maria, God bless you for still doing this is, my thoughts are with you.
shaun
17 years ago
Now this thread brought a tear to my eyes..... what a special swap box. Lots of interesting goodies too.

Maria, we're thinking of you and sending prayers.
maggie2094
17 years ago
What a wonderful box. The cocktail sauce sounds wonderful.

I can't help but picture Maria (even though I have never seen her) shopping happily for everything and then life changed in a blink of an eye. I too have been thinking of her and her late husband.

Susie, I hope you do get to visit some of those seafood shacks. Sounds like fun.
riverrat1
17 years ago
I come back to this thread everyday hoping to see a post from Maria. If your reading Maria know that you are in our thoughts everyday!
ann_t
17 years ago
Susie, a lovely post. And a special swap box from Maria.

Ann
craftyrn
17 years ago
How touching that Marie through her friends would send her swap . And how very special those items will be for you Susie .

Marie-- hope to see you back .

My box arrived.

Comments (30)

bubbeskitchen

doucanoe

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