Ive been out all day running around doing errands with four children. For almost a month, weÂve had no dial tone for more than an hour or so at a time. WeÂre experiencing spotty internet connectivity. The humiture is over 100Ë. My roots are showing already. You can imagine the kind of mood IÂm in!
I came home to find a box! I knew right away it HAD to be from my swap partner, as it doesnÂt say Amazon.com! I opened it up and found {{gwi:1465019}}. I dutifully opened the note first and found instructions regarding opening my bounty. Everything was color-coded to correspond to the 5 themes she chose for me. Renée has clearly done her homework!! {{gwi:1465021}} what I pulled out of the box:
1. {{gwi:1465023}}
IÂm a self-proclaimed mustard "nut." This {{gwi:1465025}} includes three delicious mustards:
Mesquite and Stout Ale Mustard
Roasted Tomato & Balsamic Mustard
Black Currant & Dijon Mustard
All three were wrapped and placed in a great basket I will easily be using! Renée received a jar of Roasted Tomato & Balsamic Mustard from BeverlyAl in a previous swap, enjoyed it, and thought I might like it. Renée mixes this mustard with EVOO, garlic, lemon rind (she knows lemon is my favorite flavor!) and shrimp, then grills the shrimp on skewers. Oh, yes! I am excited about trying all three of these!!
2. {{gwi:1465027}}
Renée found out IÂve been busy sewing again. This {{gwi:1465029}} includes a handmade flowerpot pincushion and a cloth needle holder. IÂm not sure how you knew, but IÂve put a pincushion on my list of things to get the next time I go to the fabric store! I have some pins I like to use and hate having them mixed up with the others! My needles are all disorganizedÂnot anymore! Two more "perfect for me" items!
3. {{gwi:1465030}}
Ohmigosh, I hit the jackpot here! I LOVE regional items. This category includes:
Broadway Grill Mug  I was talking to the girls today about Broadway!
Smith & Wollensky Steak Sauce  Everyone is dying to try this! I love slathering food with sauces!
Dean & Deluca Pretzel Poppers  When I emailed Renée to tell her I had gotten her package and was in the midst of photographing everything, I told her I had begun eating these chocolate-covered pretzels and they may NOT make the group photo if I donÂt stop eating! Well, IÂve eaten half the bag already. TheyÂre hidden in my desk for me and me ONLY! Two of my favorite flavorsÂchocolate and saltÂin one bite. Love these!
A Taste of DOROT  Renée wrote a personal note to me inside the cover. I am really, really looking forward to scouring this cookbook and reading up on the traditions I did not grow up with, but want to provide for my kids. [Renée has been involved with DOROT since 1989. Renée, I will treasure this cookbook more than you know! IÂve already noticed your family recipes and canÂt wait to try them!]
4. {{gwi:1465032}}
Another fabulous category!
The Italian Grill Cookbook  Another great cookbook! Renée had the author write a note inside the book to me! TO ME!!! Wow! Another prized cookbook!
Poultry Rub from Napa Valley  Renée also received some of this rub from BeverlyAl and loved it. I am VERY eager to give this a try!
Tandoori Blend Spices  How did you know? Seriously, IÂve been scouring websites and recipe search engines over the past couple of days because someone mentioned Tandoori Meatballs in another thread and IÂve been wanting something with Tandoori seasoningÂwhich I didnÂt even have on hand! Also eager to try this out!
Thai Coconut Lime Seasoned Skewers  Well, this is VERY interesting. IÂve never heard of seasoned skewers! These will be fun to use!
Caribbean Fish Grill  Oh yummy! This is a delicious blend of spicesÂgreat combination!
5. {{gwi:1465034}}
This wonderful {{gwi:1465036}} contains:
Fillet Glove  Renée mentioned she has one and itÂs a favorite item of hers. I cannot wait to use this! It is worn on the hand holding whatever is being cutÂso you can cut without cutting yourself!
Sake Lemon Flower Candle  Yes! Yes! My favorite flavor! Mmmmm! CanÂt wait to light this up!
BBQ Collage Stickers  Oh, these are great for my scrapbooking! I have nothing to decorate BBQ pages. IÂm looking forward to using these!
And look at this fantastic {{gwi:1465038}} Oh, I do love this! ItÂs huge and roomy and perfect for me!
So, {{gwi:1465039}} it all is! I am going to be VERY busy trying out all my new food items! I will thoroughly enjoy each and every one!
Renée, an absolutely spectacular job! You did outstanding investigative work! I am completely overwhelmed by your generosity! YouÂve given me gifts I will truly treasure long after the edibles have been eaten!
Deb
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