Please feel free to add questions to this list, and I intend to check back to see if something is asked!

- Do you have a camera, and/or do you know how to post pictures?

- Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? Alcohol? Tea/coffee?

- What are your favorite colors (hey if you are buying a vegetable peeler, might as well find out what color, right?)

Anything else?

Me: yes, I have a camera and I'm not afraid to use it

We keep pseudo kosher - no non-kosher animals like pork or shellfish, and we don't mix milk and meat. No allergies. I'm not a big alcohol drinker, and DH is in charge of the espresso machine.

Colors: I love blue, silver, jewel tones, and my kitchen kinda reflects that. Oak cabinets.

Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? Alcohol? Tea/coffee?
No restrictions except ones I am suppose to make on myself. After 50 it isn't easy to lose the weight like it use to be so have tried to cut out the sweets to once or twice a week. I still have a sweet tooth though, but hate those diet candies!

I don't drink like I use to, just does not sit well with me. My face turns bright red! (Everyone knows when I have had a drink. LOL) And I always get a headache. I use wine and other flavored alcohol to mainly cook with nowadays.

I am a tea drinker from way back in my childhood when my Boston Irish grandmother served what she called "Cambridge tea". It had about a 1/4 cup of tea with lots of milk and sugar. I drink English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, Darjeeling, Russian Caravan, Assam and Ceylon Orange Pekoe. I am not into herb teas.

And I have been a gourmet coffee drinker for over 30 years. I grind my own everyday and have a special espresso coffee maker. I love rich dark coffees like Espresso, French Roast and Italian Roast. Can't start the day without it! One thing I really don't like is flavored coffees. To me it is polluting the pure taste of coffee.

What are your favorite colors (hey if you are buying a vegetable peeler, might as well find out what color, right?)
We just remodeled our kitchen in Toffee stained birch cabinets, travertine look porcelain tiles, Verde Butterfly granite and SS appliances. We painted the walls a soft celery green. You can see the kitchen under "Aptosca" in the Finished Kitchen Blog. Then we went on to DIY hardwood floors in LR & DR in a dark oak with the a warm sandy beige paint color. I have very dark mahogany Queen Anne furniture and dark leather sofa and chairs. Though I love multi color swirly glass bowls and vases as accent pieces.

Foods:
I will eat almost anything. Funny I use to be a vegatarian for over 15 years but DS had lots of dietary problems when young so went back to eating meat a couple of times a week. We still don't eat a lot of meat but I will try anything once. I have eaten alligator, ostrich, shark, snake, squid, abolone, and escargot. Not wild about the last four. I do miss my New England seafood.

I like jelly, marmalade, jam, pickle and other relishes like chutney. And I make a lot of my own from the fruit I grow and can get locally. I love most fruits except for persimmons which I have a huge tree of and use in cooking.

I use to like spicy food but with age came digestive problems so no more spicy for me or DH. I sure miss going to Indian restaurants.

I love ethnic restaurants and I am lucky to live in an area where there is quite a variety. As long as it isn't spicy I will give it a try. Our favourite restaurant that we have been going to for almost 20 years is a Greek one.

I have several Greek cookbooks and make lots of the recipes at home. I collect ethnic cookbooks too. I love really unusual ones, just to look at mainly. DH keeps yelling at me because I have more cookbooks then space. They are all over the floor by the bookcase.

Hope all this information helps my swap partner.
Clare

Shelley

We keep pseudo Kosher like Jessy, and both my youngest DS and myself are vegetarians, we do, however, eat dairy and eggs. I love all sorts of coffee and tea, drink them both regularly. I drink alcohol occasionally, but I am not a wine drinker. If I partake, it's usually a girlie mixed drink or Manischewitz at Jewish Holidays:-) I love anything made with cherries, and could subsist happily on peanut butter and chocolate for an indefinite amount of time. I recently rediscovered my 12 year old bread machine languishing in the garage, and in the past week have made cinnamon rolls, focaccia bread, and honey oatmeal bread in it with great results. I love to bake!

Favorite types of foods are Middle Eastern, followed by Japanese and Thai. We entertain fairly frequently, usually families with children, but occasionally couples only.

My kitchen has warm colors in it, brick reds, yellows, dark oranges, with some greens and copper accents thrown in.

I wish we could experience a real autumn season here in coastal Central Florida, but alas, the temp hit 85 degrees today, and there will be no appreciable cool down before another 2-4 weeks. Bring on winter:-)
DONNA

I'm allergic to shellfish, my favorite colors are cobalt blue and lime green. I'm eclectic, a little bit of everything in my kitchen, and my house!

I know Evil Jessy™ likes to be a swap spy and so you can always ask her for info if you aren't afraid, LOL!

- Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? Alcohol? Tea/coffee?

None whatsoever.

- What are your favorite colors (hey if you are buying a vegetable peeler, might as well find out what color, right?)

Our dining/kitchen area is a deep burgundy red, so any earthy colours would fit right in.

I also just want to let my swap partner know that I'm very, very easy to please so there's no going wrong.

Happy shopping all!

Catherine

Kitchen is earth tones & dull yellow.

Entertaining - heck whole life style is VERY casual.
Diane

- Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? Alcohol? Tea/coffee?
We keep kosher though we aren't ultra-strict (i.e. we would be fine with eating say jam or something that someone made if they said it didn't have any meat products in it). Evil Jessy™ said she can help with advice if you have questions regarding that.

Our son who lives with us is vegetarian so we eat vegetarian including eggs and dairy products most of the time even though the rest of us are omnivores.

I love tea - real tea, nothing with flowers in it so no Earl Grey. I seem to be slightly allergic to the flowers in some herb teas. DH is mostly an expresso drinker and he makes me a latte each morning - about the only coffee I drink.

We are fine with alcohol by my taste is the opposite of lackboys3 here :^)- a dry red wine, hard cider, a straight Irish whisky or a gin martini with a twist would be my usual choice.

- What are your favorite colors (hey if you are buying a vegetable peeler, might as well find out what color, right?)
My favorite colors are blues and greens though it doesn't hurt to have some variety thrown in.

Here is one of our milk plates on our countertop and I've linked a picture of our kitchen below:

I have no restrictions when it comes to foods. I hate tea of any kind and flavored coffees! My favorite alcoholic drink is Amarula...for wine, only drink chardonnay, still looking for a red that isn't "heavy". I do use red in cooking, though.

Favorite color is green, any shade. Kitchen is kiwi with cream cabinets, royal blue glass knobs and drawer pulls.

I collect cookbooks and love to go to TJMaxx, Homegoods, etc. and check out plates! Oh yeah, I love to bake.

I will treasure whatever my partner chooses.

Kitchen is earth tones & dull yellow.

Entertaining - heck whole life style is VERY casual.
Diane

I do have a camera, in fact 2 of them, so no problem with pictures or posting.

We are very casual, although at times we do have formal dinners complete with candles, fine china and silver.

I'm easy and please don't fret, just take the theme literally and send your favorite things.

Michelle

This is all about YOUR favourite things (see...I can spell like a Canadian...ehh?) so I will look forward to trying some things you love.

Teresa

- Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? Alcohol? Tea/coffee?
No restrictions, no allergies. I do drink alcohol but not much coffee or tea (can't handle caffeine unless it comes wrapped in dark chocolate!)

- What are your favorite colors (hey if you are buying a vegetable peeler, might as well find out what color, right?)
I love all colors, but my current decorating color scheme is burgundy, gold, violet and greens. Have a grapes theme going in the kitchen

Anything else?

Think you covered it pretty good, Jessy! One can always search old threads for more info!

Linda

Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? Alcohol? Tea/coffee? No dietary allergies and no religious restrictions. I do restrict myself from indian, mexican, raw meat, sushi. I am not much of a drinker although one would never know that from the amount of liquor in my home, but i do appreciate a good snort every now and again. more of a white wine than a red, but much prefer a good prosecco or dessert wines. I am a hot tea drinker - not into any of the herbal, fruity or funky flavors, I mostly stick with orange pekoe, english or irish breakfast, assam or darjeeling, most of which I brew from loose tea. there are a few other types i like and the old supermarket stand-by is lipton. i don't really do coffee, but keep plenty on hand for guests.

What are your favorite colors (hey if you are buying a vegetable peeler, might as well find out what color, right?) No favorite - but my kitchen is yellow with dark green accents. i'd never turn down a gadget no matter what color it is.

Anything else? I love the theme of this swap. It’s all about what "your" favorite things are, so I will be thrilled to receive those things. Afterall, I might not yet realize that something that is your favorite will soon become mine!

maryanne

Looking forward to finding out everyone's "favourites"!!

- Do you have a camera, and/or do you know how to post pictures?
Yes and yes. Dishesdone & I must have gone to the same school of blurry & dark photography but I recently discovered that if I put an object on the counter, underneath the undercabinet lighting the picture will come out visible.

- Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? Alcohol? Tea/coffee?
No allergies or restrictions. And I've been known to enjoy the occasional cocktail (sweet, life affirming booze)! OK, I've been known to enjoy pretty much anything with a cork or screw top. Actually we really like trying new things be they food or alcohol related, mixing up serious cocktails. We're big fans of finding local favorites. Before my son was born my husband & I would tour extensively by motorcycle and always try to find the local haunts. We're primarily coffee drinkers but avoid flavored coffee.
I've yet to come across a cuisine that I didn't like but am a huge fan of Cajun & of Southeast Asian. We do not fear heat, or spice.

- What are your favorite colors (hey if you are buying a vegetable peeler, might as well find out what color, right?)
Vivid, cobalt blues. Bright, acid greens. All of the bright Fiesta ware colors. My kitchen is maple cabinets with Labrador Antique counters and millefiore pendants. There is Fiesta everywhere. Kind of like Carmen Miranda and Sophia Lauren meeting for coffee.

And oh yeah, what Maryanne said: "I love the theme of this swap. It’s all about what "your" favorite things are, so I will be thrilled to receive those things. Afterall, I might not yet realize that something that is your favorite will soon become mine!"

I did think of another question, though. Do you have pets? It could be neat if your partner shared the same love of animals.
I'm a big fan of dogs and am active in Rottweiler rescue. We currently have a big, goofy rescue rottie named Amber. We also have a tiny grey dervish of a cat named Gremlin. I will do my best to keep hair from either OUT of my partner's package!

Nina

No dietary restrictions...but I didn't think we were doing food this time??

I love the theme of this swap. So I want my swap buddy to send me their favorite things.

This swap is going to be very easy for me because I have sooo many favorite kitchen things.

No dietary restrictions....but please don't send anything related to fish or seafood because I don't eat it.

Kitchen colors are blue,yellow and red.

I really want my swap partner to send me their favorite things.

Beverly

A few dietary restrictions: No shellfish. Blue is a favorite color of mine, but not on my lips. ;) Also allergic to coconut and pineapple.

Kitchen colors are reds/sage.

I'm looking forward to being more involved again with the forum, as it was a busy summer and I didn't get to play here as much as I would have liked.

No worries, partner, please. Have fun with it.

No dietary restrictions here, but would prefer no chocolate since GD has a food allergy for that.

I am looking forward to "your favorite things".

I cannot believe someone hasn't yet posted this as I think I hum it everytime I look at this fall swap info:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things....

Brenda

-Do you have a camera, and/or do you know how to post pictures?
YES!!! I just got a digital camera, and I can now post pics!! no more asking my swap partners to take pictures before mailing. YAY!!!!!!

- Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? Alcohol? Tea/coffee?
No caffeine, but otherwise I'll drink most anything!

- What are your favorite colors (hey if you are buying a vegetable peeler, might as well find out what color, right?)
I love most colors! Blues are my favorite, but my kitchen is burgundy, cream, and brown. My dining room is sage and cream. My good china is gold and navy on white, and my regular everyday china is yellow, blue and white, while my almost everyday china is burgundies and white. My living room is navy, burgundy, and cream...

Bizzo / Elizabeth

Do you have a camera, and/or do you know how to post pictures? Yes, but this is about my partner so if you want to take pictures and post them, let me know and I will back off.
Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? No, but if you do don't send anything that you have dietary restrictions for.

What are your favorite colors (hey if you are buying a vegetable peeler, might as well find out what color, right?) I'm in love with your favorite colors, whatever they are.

Hot & Spicy? Only if you do.

I look forward to sharing your favorites.

Yes, I have a camera and it usually has hundreds of photos on it since editing and downloading seem like work! But I can post. (Wish I knew how to get all the various types of posted pix. Tiny thumbnails seem to be all I can do.)

I like coffee from most everywhere, but NO non coffee flavors. I've tried to like teas but haven't been successful. I drink almost anything alcoholic. And I eat almost everything. I have preferences but no restrictions. LOL

My kitchen is blue and yellow with lime green on the walls. My everyday dishes are an eclectic collection of blue and yellow china patterns. Nothing matches. My living and dining room are peach with lots of white molding, and my good china is plain white Haviland.

No pets. 2 grand-dogs. One here that we often baby sit and one in MN. I'm actually more of a cat person but we've never replaced the last one. We like being able to just go without thinking about a pet.

Cloud swift and Granjan: see Ann's original post, link below. No mention of food, just favorite things!

Jessica, I'm the opposite, I find it easier to never send food, but, everyone should do their own thing within the three item limit.

Now I have to take everything back and start over because I bought what I thought they would like not what I liked. Which brings up all kinds of questions. What if I like chocolate, but my swap partner doesn't? (I know who doesn't like chocolate, but there are some strange people out there. LOL) I would feel bad about sending something I like but they didn't. I am getting a headache.
Clare

My main concern was over things like allergies or dislikes. Like if my all time favorite cookbook was the big book of meat but my partner was a vegetarian. Or if my partner had pet allergies, I'd want to make sure that I boxed things up prior to bringing them into the house where my cat would most likely lay all over them, projectile shed & then decide to nap in the box. A violent dislike of anise would mean that my all time favorite black licorice (Panda) wouldn't be appreciated. An aversion to fragrances would mean that scented candles would be out. Things like that.

But I'm excited, and very anxious to see what some of the favorites are. I'll bet that we all end up with some new favorites of our own as a result of this swap.

Nina

sigh, thanks, I didn't think to mention fragrance issues when "dietary allergies" was asked though my partner might have gotten the idea from what I said about herbal teas. I'm allergic to some of the floral scents - fortunately not a swell up and die type allergy issue - but still not pleasant. Spice, sandalwood, that kind of thing is fine but not floral.
Panda is my favorite licorice too. And licorice has the advantage that no one else in this house will touch it so it is all for me!

aptosca, chocolate is a tool - an enabler right?

But I'll be good and not send food. I already have two items that I'm pretty set on - just need to get that third one.

So. No food? But...but...sighhhhhh....okfine. I love a challenge...

- Do you have a camera, and/or do you know how to post pictures?

Yes and yes

- Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? Alcohol? Tea/coffee?

No restrictions...I like it all. Along with chocolate, tea, coffee and wine are not considered food...right? hehehe

- What are your favorite colors (hey if you are buying a vegetable peeler, might as well find out what color, right?)

Earth tones, forest green, sage, blues, burgundy, teal. We have lots of wood...that goes with anything.

I have a camera, and my only dietary restriction is that we keep kosher. It's a mellow kind of kosher, so please don't stress about it too much, particularly since food items aren't included. Alcohol, coffee, tea, all fine, but I'm really excited to experience whatever are my swap partner's favorite things, so feel free to send whatever you love. I'm sure I'll love it too!

As for colors, my dated kitchen is very plain and very white, so I like spashes of bright color, particularly bright red and cobalt blue. BUT, if you love brown, send brown!

Here are a link to my blogs, you'll learn more about me from those than you ever needed (or certainly wanted!) to know.

AM

The Dinner Chronicles
The Ramen Chronicles

Ann
PS. Try hard Arabella.

I have a camera and can post.

No allergies, altho' I have certain moral reservations about cooked cabbage. I don't like hot-hot-hot, but I do like spicy; I have tons of herbs and spices and use them on a regular basis.

The big thing about my kitchen -- a I've posted regularly -- is that it's not big. Seriously. Tiny. Miniscule. Check the pictures below if you want a laugh. As such it doesn't have it's own color scheme. But the next room is blue and green, with oak wood and white walls, for what that's worth.

I'm fond of beer and vodka; don't drink much wine. Don't do coffee anymore, and I'm not that big on tea. Sigh. I drink a lot of water.

I like to try new things, and am grateful that Columbus has become quite cosmopolitan. I live in what was the bohemian artsy neighbohood; a lot more restaurants and shops have moved in on the galleries and greasy spoons, but there is still a tremendous diversity within walking distance. I like all kinds of food; Thai, Mediterranean, Eastern European, Midwest comfort food.

It's just me at home, so I do more cooking than baking, but I have an eager and willing panel of taste-testers at the station where I work, and I bake for them frequently.

As has been said before, I'm easy to please. I've never gotten anything in a swap that I didn't like or left me scratching my head, and as a reporter, I love learning about things other people enjoy -- so have fun!

These are a few of my favorite things...

No allergies that pertain to food's that I can think of.

Colors are spicy colors, chili, paprika, yellow, green...pumpkins...

I must admit that I had two of the three items mentally purchased as soon as I saw the theme of the swap which is why I was so disappointed when I looked like I was going to miss it because...well...I just love these things and I loved the idea of sharing them. The 3rd is giving me a little difficulty if only in the having to narrow it down to 1 more but it gives me an excuse to go shopping & see what sings.

Cloud_swift- I thought of the fragrances because my husband is vilely opposed to anything scented. Potpourri, candles, sachets, even lotions. I've never had a problem with fragrances but after 14 years of having none in the house I find that I've become very sensitive to them. I can barely walk past a place like Yankee Candle.
My MIL, on the other hand, adores scented things & is constantly giving them to us...whereupon they get promptly regifted or donated. So I guess I'm overly sensitive to sending my partner something that they might find repellent :-).

In my excitement I missed the caveat of no food. Which eliminates the concern about food allergies. But it's still good to know for future swaps!

Nina

Do you have a camera, and do you know how to post pictures? Most definitely!

Do you have any dietary allergies/religious/ethical restrictions? Alcohol? Tea/coffee? No coffee for me. I have problems with dairy, but not insurmountable. The main problem is milk - I can have hard cheese and goat or sheep's milk cheeses.

What are your favorite colors Shades of blue, which include turquoise, purple, aqua, etc. I like colors that remind me of the Caribbean. I don't like brown, burnt orange or any colors that look like dirt, excrement, or rotten fruit. I happened to mention this to a professor who was teaching a class on color theory when showed up to class wearing brown. We were supposed to explain why we didn't like a certain color, and these are the associations I have with brown. However, I do like certain woods, but wood is about the only thing brown that I like. I never wear brown, but I have wood cutting boards that I like.

Lars

We love wine - coffee - tea - whatever - lol.

Yes, I have a camera and can post.

I like rich earthy natural tones, I guess. But really anything goes.

Stacy

Earth tones. I like Pier 1 type things if that helps...but of course not limited to that. If I was to buy a new vegetable peeler I would buy red. I am not a collector but did start a small collection of pink transferware after seeing Teresa's Easter table last year.

Please don't feel limited to what I write here - I really like so many different styles so I hope I am not confusing. Believe me - you can't go wrong!