A big, honkin box o bounty from Katie in Idaho!

18 years ago

This afternoon, on one of the most s*ck-a-licious days of my entire year (apologies to those who dont care for that word! Lol), I got a note from the receiving room in my building. There was a package waiting for mea BIG package.

I wasnt expecting anything else so I figured it must be my swap box. Ding, ding, ding! And what great timing. It arrived on a day when I really needed a good pick-me-up.

To give you an idea of how heavy this box is, Katie spent $22.50 on postage just to get it here! Lol I understood when I started opening all the pink and yellow and purple packages. Katie says she had a canning marathon last Sunday. She wanted to include some of the fruits (and jams and soups) of her labors.

Im gonna tell you everything Katie included, but first I have to issue my Luddite Disclaimer: I dont have a digital camera. I dont have a membership with Photobucket or similar service. So I regret that I cant post pictures of this avalanche of goodies. Im just gonna have to rely on my talents as a former retail copywriter to convey the wonder of all this cool stuff. Here we go:

Katie claims to be theme-challeneged. Lol Instead of one comprehensive theme, she included an assortment of mini-themes. The biggest theme isThe Potato Box with potato wrapping paper! Inside I discovered a bag of parmesan/garlic potato chips, two Idaho Spud candy bars (shaped like potatoes but definitely chocolate-y/coconut-y in flavor), "Heart of Idaho" potato soup mix, a vegetable brush shaped likeyou guessed ita potato! Also a bar of Spud Suds! Its an all-natural-ingredient bar of soap with a killer scent. Yes, it lists potato as one of the ingredients! Lol

Katie also included several items from other areas of the Northwest Oregon, Washington and Canada. She remembered that Im currently into 2002 Cabernets, and sent me a bottle (unbroken! Yay!) of Columbia Crest from the Columbia Valley in Paterson, Washington. This one will be opened later this evening for mass consumption. Count on it! :o)

But wait: theres more! Lol Katie sent me an individual serving of smoked king salmon fillet. I cant remember if Ive mentioned it on the forums but I LOVE salmon. Love, love, love it. Cant wait to sample this little beauty. Theres also a packet of dill dip mix, which is billed as being great for chips, crackers and veggies.

Katie says her area also is known for huckleberries. She included a couple of goodies from a friends shop. So now Ive got a packet of ready-to-brew huckleberry tea AND a packet of huckleberry cocoa. Im not sure, but I suspect this is also where the Huckeberry Lotion came from. Smells sooo good!

Theres also a trivet covered with delphiniums in the most perfect shades of violet and lavender. Theres a label on the back that says this trivet came from Pridham Studio in British Columbia. Web address is: www.pridhamstudio.com

I mentioned something about canned goods, too, didnt I? :o) Theres huckleberry jam, blueberry/lavender jam, jalapeno pepper jelly, Indonesian satay sauce, and roasted tomato/garlic soup all from The Kitchens of Katie.

Last but not least, a bottle of caramelized onions from the Coeur dAlene Dressing Company of Rathdrum, Idaho. This is gonna go great on my Trader Joes pizza. I love to buy TJ's ready-to-bake dough, throw on a sauce, cheese, tofu and whatever, and then cook to perfection. Cant wait to taste what the caramelized onions are like on this!

Oops, I almost forgot. Katie also enclosed four bell-shaped chocolate truffles. Two appeared to be filled with blueberry sauce I think? And the other two had what appeared to be a light peanut butter filling. Its hard to remember because theyre the first things I tore into, and that was a good hour ago! Lolol

Katie, you rule. Thank you for the thought and effort you put into this box. You gave me eating options that dont require cooking. For that I am eternally grateful! Lol And now, I must return to my goodies for more personal sampling. You know for quality control purposes. Yeah.thats it. ;o)

Karen

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (19)

debbie814
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Katie, I love everything you sent and especially the huckleberry jam, blueberry/lavender jam, jalapeno pepper jelly, Indonesian satay sauce, and roasted tomato/garlic soup from your kitchen. Karen, I know you will enjoy your goodies!
craftyrn
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a unique theme with the potato--Katie you must have had quite a good time shopping fot items to fit that--well done! Karen --those home canned goodies are so special. The trivet sounds lovely.
Diane
'--
Related Discussions
How's your weather?
Q
Comments (60)
Windy here . . . 2 days ago, it was even worse. I'd just commented how the most recent snow fall (of about 6") had coated the power lines. There are lines all over the sky on one end of the lot - feels like I'm under a fishnet out there. Suddenly, and I mean suddenly, the wind came up with gusts to nearly 50mph!! "Snow balls" were blowing off the garage chimney horizontally and began crashing 40' away into my window beside the 'puter. I was actually leaning forward thinking that the next thing hitting that south window could be the tree in the yard. Today it is 35 degreesF. The little skiff of snow we got last night would have melted on the paths if I hadn't scraped it off before 6AM. This is a GOOD thing. The wind isn't strong enuf to be dangerous, the snow isn't light enuf to blow around, and it isn't warm enuf to cause flooding. Tomorrow and the next day look like a different story. This is supposed to be the overnight LOW, tomorrow. And with this above-freezing overnight temperature - - (get ready for it . . .) rain. "The rain could be heavy at times. Snow level 3100 feet rising to 4200 feet. Low around 37. South wind between 13 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%." So says, NOAA. And this is after "heavy" snow on New Years Day! Oh, oh, oh, oh!! digitÂÃ£S
...See More
new: jan. 2014 fotess swap: opposite day
Q
Comments (141)
Happy Opposite Day, everyone! It's finally here and all of the packages have been received. I think that makes it a good day (... or do I say a bad day?) The creativity in this swap was outstanding! I hope we get to do this swap again one year. I think some of us may look for some other weird days to celebrate for future swaps. I haven't done a bit of winter sowing this year so I hope my back allows for that soon. Of course, it has been extra cold here lately so I might now want to be out there anyway. Do some of you prepare your winter sowing containers indoors and then move them outside once they are planted? I've done that if I want to plant them on a really cold day. Of course, bringing the soil inside is kind of a mess! Usually I just prepare everything in the garage and then move the containers so they are totally outside. Thanks, everyone, for participating. Sharon, I'm glad you are starting to feel better and your package arrived okay. It won't be long and the February swap will begin. Of course, keep chatting here if you like. I think only the game prizes are still "in flight." Jeanne
...See More
WANTED: I love, love my swap box!!!
Q
Comments (22)
Mabel, when I try those huckleberries, I will report on the taste. I already know that I am going to like them, I am a fruity kind of person.:) Cathy, I have a very small and sharp knife that I use for peeling the loquats, I saw the knife recommended in one of those Cooking Light magazines. It can also chop herbs very fine. One day's picking is a lot of fruit, tomorrow I will be making an almond crust loquat pie. Later in the season I will be making jam and maybe chutney. And I hope to share the fruit with my friends also... Here is the recipe that I used. Loquat Crisp Fruit Mixture: 6 cups loquats, seeded, peeled and cut in quarters 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 TB all-purpose flour 1 TB fresh lime juice 1 pinch salt Streusel (keep in fridge cold if making ahead): 1/4 light brown sugar 4 TB butter 1/8 tsp salt 1/2 cup flour 1 TB grated orange zest To make Fruit Mixture: In a stainless steel bowl, combine the loquats, sugar, flour, lime juice and salt, mixing well. Place the mixture in an oven-proof 2 qt. baking dish. To make Streusel: Using a food processor fitted with the metal blade, pulse together the light brown sugar, butter, salt, flour and orange zest. Pulse only until it is combined and looks like the texture of small pebbles. Preheat oven to 350. Cover the loquat mixture loosely with the streusel. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the fruit is bubbling and the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve hot. Makes about 6 servings. Silvia
...See More
Finally, garlic
Q
Comments (17)
jasdip, they are all dried, spent hours in the mortar and pestle, so I'll just keep them in those jars, with lids and rings, and use them as needed. They'll probably "live" in the basement with the rest of the canned goods, to be brought into the kitchen as necessary. the food processor did a great job, I just shoved the cloves by the handful into the feed tube and it sliced up like a champ. I got a few "bits", but I just spread them on the dehydrator tray with the slices and it all dried. OK, Beachlily, I won't mail you any, LOL. For some reason I think carrots are salt sensitive but beets and cabbage/broccoli and peppers are salt tolerant. Why do I think that? Darned if I know, it's not something I'd learn here in Michigan, that's for sure. Maybe you told me? Annie This post was edited by annie1992 on Mon, Jan 13, 14 at 22:55
...See More
KatieC
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Ohgood, I'm glad the breakables made it. I took a couple of pictures and I'll post them later tonight or tomorrow (have meetings 'til late). I didn't take one of the paper, but I still have a sheet left...it was so, so Idaho-ish, lol.

Karen, I lived back there when I was a kid and I know how terrible cold it gets in the winter...hence the soups and warm drinks. (The chocolates are [were]huckleberry!)You'll have to let me know how the wine is since I don't drink reds. Oh, and I forgot to put in the note....the tomato soup neeeeeds a bit of cream to make it properly decadent.

I hope you enjoy!
teresa_nc7
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a great swap package! Those home canned items are always so appreciated!

Great job, Katie!
kent4489
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Karen, Yum! Yum! Yum! Enjoy!

Katie, Awesome job on the swap. That blueberry/lavendar jam sure sounds appetizing to me.

Jayne
annie1992
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Home canned goods AND wine? How much better could it possibly get?

Annie
riverrat1
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Great box Katie! I love the personal touches!

Karen enjoy your box and I'm sure your day ended up just fine after having the huckleberry truffles.
compumom
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Katie, you made a great box! I personally would love to try the blueberry-lavender jam and the carmelized onions. Yum! Sounds lovely! Enjoy it Karen and I hope you too have a better day tomorrow!
coronabarb
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
"That blueberry/lavendar jam sure sounds appetizing to me."

Me too!! Can you share the recipe? ;-)))

barb
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nice going, Katie, it all sounds great! Huckleberry cocoa sounds pretty interesting! Enjoy your goodies, Karen!

Carol
robinkateb
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow Katie that is an amazing swap box. What a wonderful bounty of home canned items. I love the idea of indonesian satay sauce, the huckleberry jam, jalepeno pepper jelly and the soup. I tried to make that soup last summer and had canner problems. Since then I have been afraid of making it. The box would have been awesome with just all the home canned items.

-Robin

Here is the Blueberry Lavender Jam recipe along with notes on canning it

Blueberry Lavender Jam

2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers
1 11 1/2- ounce can frozen white grape juice concentrate
3 cups fresh blueberries, washed and drained

1. Make a lavender sachet: Cut a piece of cheesecloth into a 6-inch square, place lavender in the center, and tie into a bundle with kitchen twine.
1. Cook the jam: In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, bring lavender sachet, grape juice concentrate, and blueberries to a boil. Stir constantly to prevent burning until the berry mixture jells -- about 20 minutes. (To test whether mixture has jelled, place a teaspoonful on a plate and let cool to room temperature. Lightly touch the berry mixture with your finger to see if it has consistency of jelly. If not, continue to cook for 10 more minutes and check again by using the same test.) Cover and steep for 2 hours.
2. Store the jam: Remove the lavender sachet and discard. Divide the jam between 2 pint jars. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month
Note: To modify it so I could can it I just simmered it with the lavender for 20 minutes than removed the lavender (which I had in a teaball). I also made one where I soaked the lavender overnight in the grape juice, yuck too much lavender.
trixietx
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, what a package, everything sounds wonderful.

Karen, you will love the huckleberry lotion and all of the homemade goodies. I know because Katie was my first swap partner and she packs a really, really good box.

Those potatoe chips and soup mix sound good.

Enjoy!
stacy3
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
oooh, I LOVE all the homemade stuff - how wonderful!Enjoy all this great stuff Karen.

What a thoughtful package, Katie.

Stacy
lsr2002
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, what a great box. So how was the Cabernet? I'm sure it made your evening great. I love the sound of the blueberry lavender jam and the recipe is small enough that even I might be able to try it without being overwhelmed by the whole canning thing. Everything from "The Kitchens of Katie" sounds delicious.

Yum, enjoy your treats Karen.

Lee
wizardnm
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Karen I know you are going to enjoy all those goodies. Katie, you did a great, fun box! What's not to like when you send things made by you.

Nancy
jimtex
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Homemade stuff rules Karen. It all sounds so good. Katie your mini themes are all super. I'm going to be up in Washington state next spring and I'll be sure and try some huckleberry jam (and a jillion other things).
JessyFeldm_speakeasy
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Glad there was something truly wonderful to brighten up your day. Wow - all those canned goodies. I appreciate all the work that goes into them now!
coronabarb
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you for the recipe!
colo_lady
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow! That's one edible box! Everything sounds unique and interesting. AND delicious! How cool to have that homemade bounty, too. You are one lucky swap-ee.

Enjoy your goodies!
Marcia

A big, honkin box o bounty from Katie in Idaho!

Comments (19)

debbie814

craftyrn

Related Discussions

KatieC

teresa_nc7

kent4489

annie1992

riverrat1

compumom

coronabarb

Carol Schmertzler Siegel

robinkateb

trixietx

stacy3

lsr2002

wizardnm

jimtex

JessyFeldm_speakeasy

coronabarb

colo_lady

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US