Wow, I drove really fast! Couldn't wait to open my swap box. Holy hannah! Katie sent the most awesome gifts! Would have even been worth a speeding ticket! LOL

First of all Katie's lovely letter apologizing (???) for sending so late, they were without power after a storm. Katie I remember your post about that, and there is certainly no apology necessary!

Katie made one of the items, and one that I will cherish forever. Look at this beautiful wine bottle stopper! She is getting into woodworking and man-o-man she is good at it!

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And of course, she sent along a bottle of Huckleberry Blush wine to go along with it!

Next were three jars of Katies home-canned goodies! Lime Chipotle Sauce (Jessy's recipe), Katie's Asian Plum Sauce, and Strawberry Preserves with Black Pepper and Mint. I can't wait to try all of these! They look divine!

And finally the most colorful, beautiful pottery plate I have ever seen! It was made in Canada by one of Katie's favorite potters. She said she usually goes for more subdued tones, but I am in love with the bright colors on this plate!

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Tim is having fun reading the packing material! I am going to have fun reading the Idaho travel info Katie included!

Here is the entire group of wonderful things!

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Katie, words cannot express how much I adore everything you chose. Thank you so very much for everything! This swap package ROCKS!

Linda

Oh Linda, I love everything too. The wine stopper is really lovely and special and the plate is so pretty and happy looking that you'll smile every time you use it.

Katie, it's a wonderful package.

Lee

That bottle stopper is exquisite!

I can just imagine starting the day with that plate, putting a breakfast treat on it wound ensure a happy day! It's just so cheerful.

The bottle stopper is wonderful and who wouldn't enjoy some of Katie's canning... Very nice package!!

Nancy

Oh my goodness....what a fabulous box of goodies!!

The handmade wine stopper is so wonderful and then to have 3 jars of home canned goodies!!! OH MY!!!

I love, love, love the plate. Such a unique shape and the colors are so pretty.

Katie you did a superior job with Linda's gifts...just fabulous!

Michelle

Linda, you and Katie have to get together to compare your hand made treasures. That wine stopper almost compares to the glass bowl you sent to me. I am so happy you got such a wonderful package.

I just love the colors in the little triangular dish. It's so cheerful.

Home canned! The ultimate gift. Katie, you are amazing.

That wine stopper is exquisite! Beautiful work Katie-- do you do the turning & all ? Lovely !

Enjoy that dish, Linda , you'll think summer & sunshine every time you see it.

And home canned goodies, Wow !

Very nice. Love that beautiful plate. So colourful. And the wine stopper is very unique. Enjoy Katie's famous preserves.

Ann

WOW katie, you are quite talented. what a beautiful work of art and to send your art to another talented artist - what a treat!

great package. enjoy it all.
maryanane

Katie, that absolutely rocks! The bottle stopper is really special. So many hand made items is really special.

Enjoy it Linda.

Oh, Katie, you are so talented. The woodwork is really beautiful. Can't beat home canned items, either, they sound wonderful. Love the colors in the plate, too. Linda, I know you will enjoy it all!

Brenda

Katie, I didn't know you did wood working. The wine stopper is unique and gorgeous. Sweet package for you Linda!

Wow! From one artist to another -- a totally artistic package, including the art of preserves! (I can almost taste those!)

Lovely items, Linda; I have a similar shape plate with a different vibe, also from Katie:
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Not only an artist, but she's got artist connections, too!

Nice job, Katie -- enjoy, Linda!

That plate shape is soooo cool!

Love the wood stopper...and the canning..who doesn't love home canned treats?

I'm so glad everything got there safely, Linda. I felt so honored to get your first try at fused glass that I wanted to send an almost-first. And I have to send SOMEthing huckleberry, lol. The strawberry preserves are from Mes Confitures, also something new (we haven't tried them yet!)...made from strawberries we'd picked that morning at a U-Pick place in Spokane. I have chicken breasts marinating in Jessy's sauce as I type. I hope you enjoy!

Diane, I'm just learning. I think that is my 4th stopper. DH is pretty good about cutting and drilling the blanks for me (he doesn't like me touching his tools, hehe). I do the turning and finishing. I have all sorts of projects in mind, but need to make time to do them.

Gina, I was main grunt in our woodworking shop for 15 years, until our oldest and largest account went bankrupt on us and caused me to go out and get a real job. Now I just do the bookkeeping. I usually try and stay as far away from the shop as possible...the lathe is the first tool we've bought just for fun.

The wine stopper is beautiful!! I admire your talent. The plate is gorgeous (love the colors) and homemade goodies are always delicious! Wonderful package, Katie! Linda, Enjoy!

Katie, I just had to tell ya....

A girlfriend and I each had a glass of the Huckleberry Blush wine yesteday afternoon while lounging on the porch. It is delicious!

After I finish cleaning the house and tending the gardens today, I may just have another!

Thanks again!

Linda

I am so honored that one of my (well, Sunset Magazine) recipes made it in!

I know Katie is a huckleberry fan, so enjoy. Its a nice change from the blueberry and blackberry routine!

That strawberry preserve sounds artisinal, I KNEW it sounded Ferberish, hmmmm!

Alison, I knew I've seen those style plates before, thanks for the reminder. Nice 'rut' there Katie, but its a great rut darfc.

Great package Katie.

That is a beautiful piece of woodworking, Katie, and a gorgeous plate. Of course the canned goods go without saying....

What a great package, Katie. Those strawberry preserves sound really interesting, county fair entry material?

Annie

That wine stopper is beautiful and one of a kind for sure! Love the plate and I can tell you Katie's homemade goods are great. I was lucky enough to receive and enjoy some of her Huckleberry Preserves and Peach Chipotle Jam in the last swap. YUM! Enjoy it all Linda! I think (?) we had some of that wine at camp last year too.

David