CA to CT! It got here, Finally!

17 years ago

My swap package from Finally (Dolores) arrived last night!! Wow, it's wonderful, and she sure did her home work....

I still don't have a digital, so Dolores is going to post pics, but meanwhile, she sent a wonderful combination of goodies for me!

First, the cookbook. She read that I am insulin resistant (pre-diabetic) and trying to eat and cook in a more healthy fashion, so she got me a wonderful cookbook called The Diabetic Cookbook subtitled simple and delicious recipes for a healthy life and it looks wonderful. The pictures a beautiful, and the recipes look great!

For my bit of local flavor, Dolores sent me a bag of wonderful dried tart cherries! I love salads with dried cherries (or cranberries) and a bit of blue cheese and pine nuts. These are perfect! The area of CA where Dolores lives used to be an orchard paradise, but now the "Valley of Heart's Delight" is know as "Silcon Valley" and the orchards are few. She bought the cherries from one of the remaining orchard families and sent me a wonderful card with the print of a watercolor of the Olson Cherry Stand. It's great!!

and then, for the piece de resistance!! Homemade. Dolores put together the most beautiful table runner!! in her research, she found my colors are burgundy, cream and sage, and she used shades of all those in the runner. It's wonderful and now sits on the sideboard in my sage and cream dining room!!

I LOVE everything! Thank you so much, Dolores! The package is wonderful!!

--Elizabeth

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Comments (36)

mustangs81
17 years ago
The colors in the runner sound pretty. I know that I should consult a diabetic cookbook for DH so I'm eager to see how you like the recipes.

I pop the dried cherries for snacks and then I don't have any for a salad. Yummmy.
chancesmom
17 years ago
Wow, a very well thought out gift! Can't wait for pix, especially of the runner.

janet
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sheshebop
17 years ago
That runner sounds awesome. However, coming from the sour cherry capital of the world, I am a cherry freak, and adore dried cherries. I love them in salads, but have trouble keeping them around long enough to dress u a salad. They make a wonderful snack. I think your package sounds just wonderful, and can't wait for the pix.
riverrat1
17 years ago
I can't wait to see the table runner! Sounds lovely.

Sigh, I love dried cherries. It's a good thing I don't like them in salads because I never have any left over when it's time for dinner.

Great box!
momto4kids
17 years ago
Oh, I know I'd love the dried cherries! The table runner sounds lovely. How thoughtful to get you a diabetic cookbook. Enjoy!

Dolores...great job!
dedtired
17 years ago
Dolores really cyber-stalked you and got it just right. The dried cherries sound yummy.
finally
17 years ago
I'm so glad you like everything Elizabeth! Here is the group shot:

And a picture of the quilted tablerunner:

I hadn't quilted since the remodel, and most of my sewing stuff was still packed (lost the 'sewing corner' in the remodel). This was the perfect excuse to get going on that front again. The funny (?) thing I learned is that in the last two years, reading glasses ceased to be optional for sewing--either that or needle eyes are getting smaller! LOL

These swaps are so fun to learn a bit more about each other and Elizabeth and I found out we have a lot of things in common. It's really a small world after all!

I'm dying to see a picture of the tablerunner in your house though--you need to find a friend with a camera! I hope the colors worked well.

Dolores

Here is a link that might be useful: Slide show with more pix of runner & cookbook
triciae
17 years ago
Oh Elizabeth, what a wonderful swap box! The cookbook should be in my kitchen, as well. My last fasting blood sugar was 104 & my doctor would like to see it below 100. But, I took a teaspoon of Robitussin during the night 'cause I had such a cold & the doctor said that might have been the culprit. But, as we get older...we should be thinking about healthier more balanced meals with more protein & complex carbs and fewer smashed 'taters. Darn! I'm anxious to see your post on the recipes.

Again, I'm amazed at the talent around here. The table runner is fantastic! What a thoughtful and caring gift.

I like to put the dried cherries in muffins but, like everybody else, it's hard to not munch them all gone before I get around to making the muffins.

Enjoy, Elizabeth.
One beautiful swap package, Dolores.

Tricia
Terri_PacNW
17 years ago
Gorgeous! Dolores what a talent you have.

The whole package sounds wonderful, and looks it too!
shaun
17 years ago
Dolores you MADE that runner? OMG!! It's a beauty indeed.

Elizabeth, I also love cookbooks with pictures. Enjoy~
alison
17 years ago
The runner is absolutely gorgeous, Dolores; and how wonderful it matches your dining room so well, Elizabeth! (At first I thought that was your dining room -- have to read and comprehend before I post!)

The book sounds like a wonderful idea -- for all of us. and the cherries sound like a great snacking alternative to processed sugar snacks.

Nice job!
lori316
17 years ago
We are a talented group, aren't we? Very pretty runner. Each time I read a post, I am so happy for the "handmade/homemade" category. Brilliant idea, and it's so nice to see everybody's talents.

I have that cookbook. You'll find some tasty recipes in it - it's cooking healthy without feeling like you're depriving yourself of special treats.

The cherries - I bet you can't eat just one!
ziporion
17 years ago
That runner is gorgeous and well-made! And extra sleuthing points to Dolores for scoring on the cookbook! Dried cherries are a real treat in this house, and even moreso now that our summer days are behind us.

Nice job, Dolores! Enjoy the booty Elizabeth!

Catherine
chase_gw
17 years ago
Elizabeth what a great parcel from Dolores!

Dolores that runner is lovely, clear you put a lot of time and effort into it, both the research and the making. Very special.
Gina_W
17 years ago
Wow Dolores - that's some beautiful handmade item! Elizabeth, that cookbook sounds interesting - you made out girl!
stacy3
17 years ago
oh my gosh - that runner is so special - what a great package - I love this homemade category in this swap - how wonderful!
colo_lady
17 years ago
How lucky you are! Having something made especially for you! Okay, I guess I can't taunt you into sending me that, and I'm not diabetic (yet) so the cookbook may not work for me, but I'm thinking the cherries could come my way...

Nice package - ENJOY!
doucanoe
17 years ago
Okay, let me attempt to comment on this box as I lust after those dried cherries! (drool!)

How thoughtful the cookbook is! Bizzo, I am sure you will be eating healthy and well with that one! Finally, you are a talented seamstress, that runner is beautiful!

Linda
andi_2006
17 years ago
Dolores, that tablerunner is BEAUTIFUL!! Elizabeth, I can vouch for the cookbook - my mother loves all the recipes she has tried - very flavorful and "no bad stuff" included.
traceys
17 years ago
Dolores you are so talented. That runner is just gorgeous. I love dried cherries. Sadly mine from Nancy(wizardnm) are long gone.

Enjoy your gifts Elizabeth. I'm looking forward to some healthy recipes.

Tracey
kent4489
17 years ago
Another fabulous gift. Boy, do I hate that I missed this swap!
goldgirl
17 years ago
Another great swap package. Dolores, I can't believe you made the runner!
blueiris24
17 years ago
What a thoughtful, wonderful package, Dolores. Elizabeth - enjoy!
craftyrn
17 years ago
Lucky you Elizabeth-- that runner is beautiful & how nice that Dolores did enough sleuthing to match up your colors.

Dried cherries are so versatile-- you can use them in just about everything -- if they last beyond popping into your mouth that is .

Good choice on the cookbook.
maggie2094
17 years ago
Dolores, you talented woman. Very very nice!

Bizzo, I look forward to hearing any tips from the cookbook. Enjoy :)
teresa_nc7
17 years ago
Fabulous table runner, Dolores! Wonderful swap box selections. Enjoy, Bizzo!
Lars
17 years ago
I tried to post to this several times and lost internet connection. Sorry to be late to comment.

The runner is stunning! It looks like it will have an appropriate home. That's a very generous gift of time. I'm sure you will enjoy everything immensely! Great choice for cookbook.

Lars
annie1992
17 years ago
I agree, that runner is beautiful. One of my favorite swaps is the quilted wallhanging I got from Teresa, I love to see the homemade things.

The cookbook does sound perfect, Dolores certainly paid attention to her swap partner's posts, and dried cherries? Yum. Here in the "cherry capital" I buy them often for scones, muffins and cookies but I usually end up just eating them.

Annie
jessyf
17 years ago
Wow, fabulous craftsmanship on that runner. And that book looks like what everyone who is on a 'restricted' diet should have. Very inspiraitonal and yummo (darfc). Hey I'd like that Leek chestnut spinach phyllo recipe you took a picture of!
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
17 years ago
Great swap package, Dolores. The runner is beautiful! Enjoy it all, Bizzo! Dried cherries are so good! Looking forward to hearing about some healthy recipes!
finally
17 years ago
Jessy, that recipe looked so good to me, too! I remember someone posting about chestnuts a bit ago--maybe this will give that person some ideas! It calls for celery root, not leek, but I'll bet using half and half would be really good!

Enjoy!
Dolores

Celery Root, Chestnut, Spinach & Feta Phyllo Pies
from "The Diabetic Cookbook: Simple & Delicious Recipes for a Healthy Life"

Ingedients:

4 tbsp olive oil (divided use)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 or 1 whole small head celery root, cut into short thin sticks
5 5/8 cups baby spinach leaves
scant 1/2 cup cooked, peeled chestnuts, coarsely chopped
7 oz/200g feta cheese (drained weight), crumbled
1 egg
2 tbsp pesto sauce
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
pepper
4 sheets phyllo pastry, about 13 x 7 inches

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil oin a large skillet over medium heat, add the garlic, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the celery root and cook for 5 minutes, or until soft and browned. Remove from the skillet and keep warm.

2. Add 1 tbsp of the remaining oil to the skillet, then add the spinach, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the spinach has wilted. Uncover and cook until any liquid has evaporated.

3. Mix the garlic and celery root, spinach, chestnuts, cheese, egg, pesto, parsley and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Divide the mixture between 4 individual gratin dishes or put it all into 1 medium gratin dish.

4. Brush each sheet of phyllo with the remaining oil and arrange on top of the celery root mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until browned. Serve at once.
lakeguy35
17 years ago
Dolores, that table runner is beautiful! Another talented forum member sends a super homemade gift. What a great swap box that Bizzo will enjoy for a long time. Way to go!

David
catlover
17 years ago
I agree that tablerunner is a keeper. (I wish I was talented:() Awesome swap package Delores. Adele
trixietx
17 years ago
I love the tablerunner, it is just beautiful. I can sew, well kind of, but mine wouldn't look anything like that, even if I did get it finished.

Super package, Dolores!
KatieC
17 years ago
I love the colors in that runner,Dolores. It will become an heirloom I bet. I'll be curious to hear about the cookbook, Bizzo, we get a lot of diabetic patrons prowling the library's cookbooks. Dried cherries....mmmmm....
ann_t
17 years ago
Oh what a lovely swap box. Dolores, that table runner is so pretty. And the cookbook is just perfect for Elizabeth.

Enjoy!

Ann

CA to CT! It got here, Finally!

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