BRENDA, I can't stop laughing!

lsr2002

16 years ago

We were opening mail last night and I gave a quick glance to the Priority envelope thinking that the perfect angled script on the left was computer generated to make the receiver think it was hand written and personal, instead of the advertisement that I was sure it was, and I moved it to the bottom of the stack. Max says, "it's your swap package, aren't you going to open it?" HUH???

I looked again and sure enough, I know that return name and address, it's Brenda in San Antonio, and then I read "WORLD'S SMALLEST SWAP PACKAGE" and I cracked up.

Inside were two notes, one to open at once, and one to save. Here is the first one. Hmmm, could the fact that the greeting and the closure are in Italian be a clue???

You'll all have to wait as long as I will to see what the second one says.

Brenda, you get a huge gold star for such a clever and creative way to make the mailing deadline! And I will smile every time I think of this.

Stay tuned everyone!

Lee

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Comments (41)

doucanoe
16 years ago
Very clever, indeed! I'll be on the edge of my seat until box #2 comes!

Linda
homesforsale
16 years ago
I like that!
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dedtired
16 years ago
That's so funny. Brenda must have gone to Catholic school to learn such perfect script. I will be waiting to read Chapter Two!
booberry85
16 years ago
Waiting, waiting, waiting! I hate to wait. Even if it's someone else's swap package (LOL!)
Gina_W
16 years ago
LOL!
ann_t
16 years ago
That Brenda is a real tease. Can't wait for the follow-up.

Ann
lyndaluu2
16 years ago
Great Save!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda
alison
16 years ago
Smoooooooth.....
jessyf
16 years ago
VERY original dodge!
brenda55
16 years ago
Stay tuned, delivery time is set for this afternoon or so says the source.

Lee, I'm glad you found humor...lol.

I really sent the priority envelope, as I wanted it to get there with my notes/explanation BEFORE the package, which isn't being shipped by me! Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it! LOL.

Brenda
lsr2002
Original Author
16 years ago
Brenda, I loved the mini swap package. Does your post above mean that when the box arrives, I should open the note first?

You really know how to spread out the fun and the suspense.

Lee
brenda55
16 years ago
Lee, you might want to open the box first. Then open the second card to better explain why/what I sent...hoping that the swap police doesn't surround my house!

Brenda
lsr2002
Original Author
16 years ago
Brenda,

IT'S HERE! And, OMG, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE everything, Max loves it all too You cannot believe how perfect these gifts are, but you'll see when I post pictures later tonight.

The rest of you will just have to wait to see what the package held, but I wanted Brenda to know it's safely here.

I cannot thank you enough.

Lee
lakeguy35
16 years ago
Another swap first and original idea! Good one Brenda! I'll be back to check out the real deal.

David
lsr2002
Original Author
16 years ago
I am so sorry I couldn't post earlier tonight. And my photos and description will have to wait for later today. Not more than 5 minutes after I finished the earlier post, Max was having a glass of wine on the deck and I was brushing steaks with olive oil and sauteeing the just shredded zucchini (to finally try Jain's recpe), and the phone rang.

DMIL had tripped on her oxygen tube and fallen into the wall and then on the floor on her face and her newly replaced knee. We got to her condo in less than five minutes and she was sitting in a chair holding her head. When she couldn't stand up easily I called an ambulance. I just got home after hours in the ER with her and then going back to her apt and making her something to eat and a sandwich for Max who is spending the night there. I was really surprised that they didn't keep her overnight and of course she needs someone with her after such an awful bang on the head.

I'll be back with the pics as soon as I can.

Lee
brenda55
16 years ago
Oh, Lee, I am so sorry about your DMIL and a trip to the ER. I hope she is doing okay now. Keep us posted on how she is. She is very lucky to have you and Max so close.

I am totally satisfied with the fact that #2 box made it and the fact that you posted earlier that you liked it, so don't even worry about anything else as concerns that.

Take care, get some rest.

Brenda
booberry85
16 years ago
Sorry to hear about your MIL. I'm glad she seems to be ok.
riverrat1
16 years ago
Oh, I sure hope your MIL is allright!

Looking forwad to seeing and hearing about your package.
lsr2002
Original Author
16 years ago

Brenda, I am almost speechless! Everything you sent is wonderful and so perfect for us.

After laughing over the World's Smallest Swap Box, I think I received one of the biggest. Our deck table is 40" across so you can see the size of the boxes, wrapped in cool green. They are nice to look at just as they are in the hot weather we have.

We opened the first box to find a wonderful Italian cookbook and cedar grilling papers. I've really wanted to try the grilling papers and think they will be great around pieces of salmon. The cookbook, "My Italian Garden" written by a woman in San Francisco (who has written at least eight other Italian cookboos) takes you through the four seasons of cooking with produce in the Italian garden she has created for herself. The recipes are simple, bright and flavorful; you will be seeing Saffron Pears Poached with Pinot Grigio, and Ricotta and Caprino Torta Layered with Fresh Basil on our table along with many other dishes from this book. The book is totally delightful, in addition to having just the sort of recipes I love, it is charming to read and has wonderful pen and watercolor illustrations. I know I'll be buying this book for gifts also.

The most amazing gift is this lantern. I think Brenda has been to our home in the middle of the night and looked at our dining deck table.

The finish on the lantern blends beautifully with the tiles on the table, the shape is perfect and the size is dramatic. We LOVE it! Max and I usually eat dinner late, anytime between eight and ten PM so we are always eating in the dark. There is a small electric light on our deck but the lantern will add the perfect soft glow.

The note that Brenda sent, in the smallest swap box package), expressed her concern that because these gifts come from one company they might seem impersonal. But as you can see her gifts are very thoughtful, generous, and oh so perfect and personal for us.

Brenda, I know you didn't really come and look at our table but if you come to Denver, you will be so welcome to see it in person and have dinner with us. I will still laugh when I think of the World's Smallest Swap Package and I will be smiling and thinking of you for years to come as I use these things.

Thank you for a wonderful package.

Lee

And thanks to all of you who are thinking about Max's Mother. She is better this morning, of course the huge lump and the vivid coloring will be with her for a long time. I'm leaving shortly to be with her for a while (have talked to her three times this morning to check up) and will probably be cooking dinner there tonight.
annie1992
16 years ago
Wow, that lantern is wonderful!

Lee, I sure hope your MIL is OK and has no long lasting efects from that fall.

Annie
artsyshell
16 years ago
Georgeous lantern, unique grilling papers and wonderful looking cookbook. What a fun way to make an already fun swap, just that much more.

Shelley
craftyrn
16 years ago
I think you're right, Lee-- Brenda must have snuck into your backyard for a look around-- that lantern is Perfect with your table. Very, very nice!

Like the sound of that cookbook--

Are the wraps paper made out of actual Cedar ?
Gina_W
16 years ago
I hope your MIL's okay Lee!

Brenda that is a great lantern - and it's uncanny how it matches Lee's table. The whole package is very nice!
msafirstein
16 years ago
The lantern is just perfect and I love it! I would like to read about the Italian Garden and it would be fun to plan it as the author did. I've got to look for the grilling papers as they sound like so much fun!

Wonderful package Brenda!!

Michelle

PS: Lee, So sorry to hear about your MIL and hope that things are going well.
homesforsale
16 years ago
Poor MIL:(

Happy you had something to make you smile..Hope you post..:

Ricotta and Caprino Torta Layered with Fresh Basil recipe:)

I am glad you got these nice things.
earthlydelights
16 years ago
lee, sorry to hear about your MIL, sending positive thoughts your way.

what a great package. i just love the lantern and it does go so well with your table, etc. this is the second time i'm hearing of these grilling papers - how neat. and the book, i am going to have to hit borders or barnes and nobel and get a copy - sounds right up my alley.

excellent job brenda - enjoy it all lee!
maryanne
Terri_PacNW
16 years ago
That latern is neato! I saw the grilling papers at one of grocery stores the other day..I'm going back for a few..oh and they had the smoker bags too..

I hope MIL's bump heals quickly.
diana55
16 years ago
Lee,we can grill together,as I got those grilling wraps too. I love the Lantern too. It goes so well with your Patio!!! Enjoy!!! Diana55
booberry85
16 years ago
What cool loot! Now I'm going to see if I can find a copy of "My Italian Garden" in my neck of the woods. That looks like a great book. Enjoy!
KatieC
16 years ago
What a nice package, Brenda. The lantern goes perfectly and the cookbook looks like a great read. (Gotta check out those grilling papers!). Enjoy your goodies, Lee.
lsr2002
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you all for your continuing good wishes for my DMIL. She is better, just looks like H*ll! Half of her face is black and purple and the big swollen lumps keep moving around and dropping down as the ER Dr. said they wood. Her left eyelids are purple and almost awollen shut; she is icing it a lot. She says she doesn't hurt much, just looks awful. Max picked her up last night and brought her here for dinner and she ate well and watched two hours of TV with us before he took her home. I'm going to the Dr. with her tomorrow for a follow up.

Diane, the grilling "papers" are very thin perfect slices of wood - 12 sheets stacked are about 1/3 of an inch. I'm looking forward to trying them.

Diana 55, I would love to grill with you. Do you know when you are going to try them?

My further mini review on the cookbook is that it is really neat. I read some when I went to bed last night and know I will try one or two things this weekend. Monique, I am going to try to get some Italian goat cheese for the Ricotta and Caprino Torta, if not, I'll settle for domestic. I'm hoping to do that over the weekend and I'll post on a separate thread.

Lee
blueiris24
16 years ago
That lantern is gorgeous, and it does fit right in with your decor! You will have to let us know how the grilling papers work out - I've always wanted to try those as well. Enjoy!
lakeguy35
16 years ago
Very cool latern and it fits in perfectly with your table. I'll be watching for a post on the grilling papers....I managed to catch planks on fire the one time I tried them. Great package Brenda!

Lee, glad to hear DMIL is feeling better even if she doesn't look so good. Sure hope she will recover and be okay soon.

David
alison
16 years ago
You'll love those grilling papers! The rest of the package is wonderful; the lantern is a perfect fit and the book sounds like a good read, as well as good recipes. Let us know what you try!
ann_t
16 years ago
Lee, I'm happy that your DMIL is doing better. Although she doesn't look good, it really good have been a lot worse.

I love what Brenda sent you. Especially the lantern. It looks like it was made for your new patio table. Looks perfect.

I know that you will enjoy many candle lit dinners with Max.

Well done Brenda.

Ann
doucanoe
16 years ago
Let me start by saying I am glad your mother in law is okay, even tho she looks abit rough right now. Yes, it certainly could have been worse...a lot worse!

Back to this fun swap package...I love the lantern! It coordinates perfectly with your table! That book looks great, too! Looks like the grilling papers are the "thing" this swap! Let us know how you like them!

Linda
andi_2006
16 years ago
Another one glad that your MIL is OK. What a scare!!

Brenda, you and I discussed the "ESP" factor yesterday on the phone....the lantern is right on!! It is so perfect with Lee's table on the deck! The book sounds like a great book to read and grilling papers are now on my "want" list! Wonderful package, Brenda!

Lee, enjoy your dinners on the deck!
lsr2002
Original Author
16 years ago
Brenda, we had dinner by candlelight on the deck tonight. I didn't have a chance to get a white or cream candle yet, which I would prefer, but the lantern was lovely. We also had a dessert from "My Italian Garden" The pears poached in wine and saffron - totally wonderful, photo is on WFD.

Thank you all again for your kind thoughts about my DMIL. She joined us for dinner tonight; she is still very colorful on half her face but the swelling is going down and she will be OK. She loved the lantern too.

Brenda, you have no idea how much we will use the lantern and think of you.

Lee
jessyf
16 years ago
What a delightful package filled with wonderful things that suit you to a T, Lee.

Brenda, looks like you did great all on your own!

Lee, you get an award for DMIL. Can you take care of me?
sheshebop
16 years ago
That lantern is drop dead gorgeous! I can't wait to get a patio so I can have an outdoor table and chairs and a lantern too. LOL. You did a great job, Brenda. Lucky you, Lee.
compumom
16 years ago
OMG this is the first time that I checked in over here -- I noticed the number of posts and figured the 2nd package had arrived!
First Lee, let me say that I'm relieved your MIL isn't more seriously injured. That fall could have been so much worse! Nevertheless, she's on the road to recovery thanks to you and Max, but what was that ER doc thinking when they let her go home?
Anyway, Brenda's swap package is fabulous! Just the thing for you- I adore the lantern and the cookbook and papers are great too! Enjoy them all & wishing continued good recovery to your MIL.