'Nothin' could be finer than a swap box from Diana'

17 years ago

My oh my! Good things come to those who wait (even if they do whine about waiting)! I received not one, but two! boxes from Diana today - even though they arrived at my office yesterday - yep, someone failed to tell me I had packages waiting! Our sweet swap maven, Ann, had to call me from Canada to see if the boxes had arrived! Oh well.....

This woman knows how to pack!

Diana really left me speechless! As I had shamelessly hinted that I was collecting pink transferware china, she found this gorgeous platter on ebay (click the thumbnails). This will look wonderful for our Thanksgiving meal at my house this year and it will be lovely with the other mix and match pieces I have:

Next I hauled out a cloth shopping bag from Trader Joe's filled with all the things I love or would like to try -

Chili Lemon Pistachios, Omega Cranberry Pieces, Hawaiian Red Sea Salt, Carr's Ginger Lemon Creme cookies, Red Pepper Spread with eggplant and garlic, Almond Butter, Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar, Walnut Oil, Yellow and Red Roasted Peppers, Tahitian Vanilla Beans, Spanish Saffron, a little lavender candle, California Estate EVOO, TJ's 73% super dark chocolate, and TJ's Pound Plus of Bittersweet chocolate:

Then, in Box #2 we have: a lovely, vintage-looking kitchen towel that is a screen print of original art from catstudio, "here's to dry dishes and fond memories." It's all about North Carolina!

And, also in box #2, a lovely framed photograph from Diana, a white magnolia for a Southern girl! This is so beautiful, Diana, and I have the perfect place for it - my living room, just inside the front door over an antique marble-topped table.

A big hug and "THANK YOU!" to you, Diana - even if you can't count! tee hee! This was an amazing swap box - all the wonderful goodies from TJ's and the platter and towel to keep always, plus that beautiful photograph....I'm just overwhelmed. Thank you so much for everything! I just love it all!

If you have a better image of your photo, I hope you will post it here. There is some glare on mine.

Teresa

Comments (33)

doucanoe
17 years ago
Wow, Diana's photos are so special, I am awestruck by this one!

What a haul of great TJ's stuff, and I love that towel and platter! Teresa, you are one lucky girl!

Linda
craftyrn
17 years ago
Oh lucky you-- Diana's photos are always gorgeous . And that platter will go so nice with your dishes . Love the idea of a "bag of TJ's goodies" -- have fun Teresa .

Diane
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You know, it just dawned on me yesterday that Pat's popovers look far and away nicer than the ones pictured on the popover pan box. And I never thought to check Joy for a popover recipe...guess what I'll be making this weekend? I agree about the clean oven too, btw. If you've been bitten by the Fiesta bug (I feel like a drug pusher!) many stores like Macy's, Kohls, Boscovs & Dillards carry it so that you can see the colors in real life. I'm thinking that Peacock might be perfect with your dishes. Granjan- my husband did about three books and then the firm stopped calling him. I know that the freelance work was slowing down but it's been a few years. I know that he enjoyed it and would do it again in a heartbeat. Personally I thought that his indexes were great and I always half jokingly compliment him on Raising the Bar because I, too, would always complain about the indexes in cookbooks and how bad they were. The one in RtB is ideal! It's like he took all of my complaints to heart. So of course every time I have to look something up in the index I go "wow, this index is fantastic" but I really do mean it. Diana- the only thing that would make me happier than sending you the recipe would be sending you the popovers themselves but I'm afraid they'd be pretty stale by the time they got to you so the recipe it shall be. I'm so happy that my partner likes her stuff! And Pat kindly posted the recipe for the Maraschino cherries over in discussions. It's time for a new batch in our house as well. Nina
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stacy3
17 years ago
oh I saw the plate and went - oh that's beautiful - it should have been MY swap box - then I saw those ginger lemon cremes and went "those are MY cookies!" Then I saw the photo and broke down and cried...

well, almost. What a wonderful package, Teresa. diana, you never fail to amaze me! Great swap!

lolol... - ((now just WHO does have ME??????))
riverrat1
17 years ago
I'm so glad we don't have to pick what swap box we like the best. It would be a really hard thing to do. Everyones package is great!

You can tell Diana really did her homework! Nice job!
kent4489
17 years ago
Teresa...oh, goody, you got more TJ items (I know you like that!). Everything else is simply wonderful.
Diana, wow, another beautiful photograph. Just gorgeous.

Jayne
brenda55
17 years ago
That is one gorgeous photo. Teresa, your own TJ's! Terrific package, Diana.

Brenda
Marigene
17 years ago
What a beautiful photo, Diana! Love the platter and all the food goodies, too. Teresa, don't have to tell you to enjoy as I know you will.
compumom
17 years ago
Diana does it again! What a beautiful photo, I'm lovin' it!
How special that you have a plate and a lovely photo to remember this swap long after all the goodies are gone. Enjoy!!
bubbeskitchen
17 years ago
Where to begin?
Diana is so generous and thoughtful; she is a fabulous photographer with perfect-pitch. She sees the perfection in nature and her understanding of nuance is unparalleled. IÂve been an ardent fan for as long as IÂve been a member here. So the magnolia stamen is a spectacular reminder of her talent.

With her sensitivity, and artists sensibility, she could not help but find things to please. Lovely collector's plate, wonderful assortment of edibles and besides, she is a damn fine woman...one of our most talented.

Teresa, you know of what I speak. Have fun exploring your goodies.

Bubbe
dlundin
17 years ago
Whew! You got it! I wasn't at work yesterday because I was sick (and, fortuitously, receiving my own package) and my tracking numbers were at work. So when I didn't see anything, I alerted Ann, who so graciously warned you to go check your mailroom! Teresa, I really hope you like everything... mostly I think you should because you mentioned some of the items. It was fun bidding on that platter for you... who can't use another platter? And the TJ's... that was easy. It looks like the chocolate didn't fare too well. At least I bagged that in plastic! And my southern belle, that picture was the best I could do. It was fun looking for things for you and I hope you enjoy it.

(Bubbe... you are so sweet.)
sheshebop
17 years ago
That is one fabulous swap package! Ann, please let Diane have my name in the next swap, LOL! I saw a Thanksgiving table setting on a magazine that was the most breathtaking thing I have ever seen. The entire table was set with collectible transferware (it was actually purple) and every place setting was a different pattern. I fell in love with transferware then...until I saw the price it brought on e-bay! Talk about sticker shock! That platter is just as gorgeous as anything I saw! Lucky you! All the TJ's goodies are wonderful, and that photograph from Diana has got to be the topping on the cake. It is gorgeous! Good job, Diana. Teresa, enjoy your wonderful swap!
paulines
17 years ago
Sherry, I love the look of varied patterned place settings, too!

Diana, the plate is lovely and I'm consistantly floored by your talent, creativity & eye for simplistic beauty ~ the photo is really beyond words.

Teresa, you're now an owner of a TJ's sack bag ~ wear it with pride!
RuddMD
17 years ago
Ditto what Bubbe said!

The photo is beautiful. Teresa - enjoy!
msafirstein
17 years ago
WOW....you had very different items in your box. LOVE the cake plate and the framed photo, both are so unique!
annie1992
17 years ago
That picture is just lovely, as are all of Diana's photos, and the platter is perfect. That orange vinegar is really starting to intrigue me, I've seen it in more than one swap box this time around.

Teresa, you are going to LOVE that red pepper spread, and the rest of your box too, of course.

Annie
chancesmom
17 years ago
Wow Wow Wow! You got some of the same fabulous TJ stuff that I did!!!

And that photo is so beautiful, I feel peaceful just looking at your tiny thumbnail, it must be amazing in person.
Very good job Diana!

Janet
maggie2094
17 years ago
Oh my!!! I love the platter and the picture is just lovely. Perfect.
Lars
17 years ago
That's exactly the chocolate I buy for making candy! I haven't seen the almond butter before - will have to take more time when I go to TJ's next - this is very informative.

How nice that you received original art - always very special, plus it is already framed!! It's especially nice to receive items you can cherish for a long time.

Lars
lori316
17 years ago
Diana, you're amazing. Truly amazing. Another beautiful picture. You have an incredible talent. (your math sucks, though ;) LOL)

Teresa, enjoy your package. Everything's just perfect!
lowspark
17 years ago
What a cool swap package! Diana's photos are always so wonderful, and I love the platter! And of course the Trader Joe's stuff - I'm drooling!
Solsthumper
17 years ago
Well, I love all the goodies from TJ's and the lovely platter Diana so carefully selected for you, and I know you'll enjoy everything immensely, but the one thing that's impressed me most (and left me feeling a little murderous-jealousy) is that amazing Magnolia photo.

If anybody needs me, I'll be in my corner, pouting!

Sol
shaun
17 years ago
Wow Wee! I loved every single thing in that box! You are lucky!
chase_gw
17 years ago
What a lovely and thoughtful parcel! Diana you really did put your self into the selection but more importantly you put Teresa into it.

Bubbe said it all....

Enjoy Teresa!
Gina_W
17 years ago
Great box - I love the photograph. How thoughtful of Diana to source that platter for you. Enjoy all the TJs goodies Teresa!
granjan
17 years ago
What a beautiful photo. I want to see it for real. And of course the transferware is lovely and lots of goodies as well. Can't beat TJ's chocolate!
TobyT
17 years ago
What a fabulous treasure chest. I too love the magnolia photo. When my Mom died, we planted a true (evergreen) magnolia tree in her memory. There aren't a lot of magnolias here except the spring blooming "tulip" type. Mine bloomed just a couple of days ago, so I rushed out and took a picture, which now, by comparison, is rather sad...And of course, being TJ'less, I'm green with envy at all the TJ goodies.Well done Diana!
Jane
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
17 years ago
The magnolia photo is gorgeous and what terrific goodies! Nice going, Diana! Great package! Enjoy it all, Teresa!

Carol
ann_t
17 years ago
Diana, you always put together the best swap boxes. Love the platter and the vintage tea towels. And it is always special to recieve one your beautiful photos.

Ann
traceys
17 years ago
Diana Is there anything left at TJ's?

That is one beautiful box of goodies. Love the platter and the print is absolutely stunning.

Enjoy Teresa!

Tracey
jessyf
17 years ago
Another bag of chili lemon pistachios! And more plant genitalia! I love shopping ebay for my partners. The thrill of the hunt. Nice spread there!
arabellamiller
17 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous!! Enjoy!

AM
goldgirl
17 years ago
I'm drooling over the plate, but everything else looks great too! Enjoy...
momto4kids
17 years ago
Teresa, what an exciting package! It's great that Diana added to your pink transferware collection! That's a great haul from Trader Joe's. I love the bag, too. How will you use that walnut oil? I'd love to hear. Didn't someone else get some Orange Muscat Champagne vinegar? I think I need to check that out!! And that chocolate sounds devine! The kitchen towel is pretty. And that framed photograph is stunning! My new favorite! Enjoy all your goodies!!

Diana...what a great package you put together! A lot of nice thought!

'Nothin' could be finer than a swap box from Diana'

Comments (33)

doucanoe

craftyrn

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