WANTED: Ssommerville Makes Sacrifices...

15 years ago

for packing material!

But first things first-Shelley's package was so shy that I couldn't see it sitting on the porch all day. The box was positioned so I couldn't see if from inside!

I opened the box and was intrigued by the packing material. It was shopping bags from:

Meinhardt

Chapters

Love Those Shoes

Buy-Low Foods

Price Smart Foods

H Mart

Puma

Bosa Foods

Kokuho Rose

WOW, the woman gets around. I only listed the stores I had NOT hear of.

Shelley's notes were sweet and I especially liked that she shared a little about herself with me. She also included a Canadian Living magazine which I read before I opened the gifts. I know, you all are saying "get to the point of the swap box!". Well, that's how I eat too--saving the best for last.

Paper/fabric-a cookbook: Tiny Bites With The Moan Factor - Orgasmic Appetizers and Matching Wines. As you can imagine, it promises to add zest to the table and also spice up your sensual life! How did she know? I does have some recipes that I will be using for the Christmas Eve party. I'll share.

Pottery-a honey pot: This is so cute, functional, and tasty as it's filled with honey and sealed with beeswax. Shelley was concerned that it wouldn't work with my kitchen decor. It's perfect!

Her choice-salt cube: WOW, I really wanted this and almost ordered it! Shelley and I both like different salts. It's a Himala Salt Zen Cube with a grater. I can't wait to casually break it out at a dinner party to grate on steamed Edamame or a salad.

Shelley, Thank you for absolutely everything, even the bags which I will save to send stuff home with guest--they will be intrigued as to where I have been!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (24)

Terri_PacNW
15 years ago
That salt cube/grater combo..wow who knew..LOL
I love honey..and honey that comes like that is even cooler!!!!!
I'll not comment on the "other" choice..LOL Have fun with that one Cathy!
arabellamiller
15 years ago
Great swap package! Very cool salt cube.

Enjoy!

AM
Related Discussions
Would you sacrifice new growth to avoid pests?
Q
Comments (5)
I have just about all my citrus in the "garage" in the winter. Temps are maintained between 32. F and 58 F. for the core of the winter and under these conditions, I don't have any problems with scale or mealy bugs. I also keep them on the dry side, and although I want to encourage a degree of dormancy, the trees have leaves on them. New Growth and flowering usually starts in February (I don't really want active growth then but I don't cut off new growth.) Of course, the citrus are moved outside in the Spring for the growing season. I have a few citrus in the house and inevitably they have more difficult time with bugs (mostly scale). Citrus just have a lot of aromatic oils in their leaves and I guess that's why the bugs just love them. By the way, I find that kumquats are a LOT less inclined to get bugs under average growing conditions and also keep their leaves (and fruits) better. I highly recommend them to novice growers. Cutting off the leaves of non-deciduous citrus IS going to set back the plants in the Spring as they haven't been actively photosynthesizing all winter. Besides, one of the citrus that I kept inside has developed a thick infestation of scale ON THE STEMS (not the leaves). There are Citrus that are normally deciduous (cold hardy Poncirus for example), but that's a different story. Jerry D.: Something is wrong if you are not getting active growth on your plants. I find that Citrus tend to grow in active spurts followed by inactive periods (throughout the year if temperatures permit). Some factors that may result in inactive growth include: inadequate sun, excessively wet soil conditions, inadequate feeding, and containers that are too small (or too big) for the plant.
...See More
Do you have to sacrifice 'attractive' to grow for wildlife?
Q
Comments (59)
Hello.... :-) I was searching for something and came across this old thread. I thought it would be nice to update a little. I recently created a spreadsheet to do an inventory of all the plants in the garden and I just counted out that I have 54 different native plants now. Not individual plants, because I have more than that, but 54 different kinds. Here is a review of what I have and how I feel about it, five years later.... Amelanchier has not done well for me, I don't understand why. I moved it twice but it does not perform. The winter moths do a good deal of damage every year to two shrubs, but even the tree I planted, seems to be diseased. Odd. Asclepias incarnata....I had to remove it. It was reseeding and coming up away from the original location. I also found that I just don't have a large enough area to do a good job of a sunny border. My garden is mostly part shade and shade. I love my native ferns and asters. Native azaleas have yet to perform, but have not been in the ground very long. I have one Baptisia australis and I love it. Very easy, very dependable and very attractive when in bloom. Lobelias have been performing well and although I am hoping they will attract hummingbirds, haven't seen one yet. Callirhoe from seed three years ago, this year looks like it will really be great. It's only the end of March and it is full of pretty new leaves. Clethra 'Hummingbird' ...a cultivar, but I really enjoy this every year. Fragrant, with very pretty leaves that always look great. That brings me to the Cornus racemosa. Oh boy. That was a mistake. I was inspired by Elaine's description of hers and I had no idea it was going to sucker and spread like this. It also has not bloomed or fruited in the four years it's been growing. It did amaze me how quickly it grew. It is already 8ft tall. It is large already from a small start. But I'm not sure it is going to work out. I really wonder how far away from the trunk this shrub will sucker. Every year it has traveled. I pulled them up the first year, but that barely slowed it down and I can't keep up with pulling them all every year. I like the shrub and if I had more room, it would sucker into a nice hedgerow. If I had more sun, maybe it would flower and fruit? I have a Viburnum carlesii right next to it that blooms, so I don't understand it. Unless you need a pollinator? LOVE my Hydrangea quercifolia ! I had to move mine a couple of times to find the right location but they are enjoyable at every time of year. Hydrangea arborescens are only two years old, but I am already liking those too. I've been disappointed that some of the spring natives have not increased very much, Mertensia, Tiarella, Uvularia, Trillium, Phlox divaricata and Iris cristata. One of these days they will I suppose. Last fall, I added Maidenhair Fern, Blueberry Bushes, Arctostaphylos, Gaylussacia, and Leucothoe. So it will be awhile before I know how those do. I tried Lilium candense and they didn't come back the second spring, which surprised me. Lindera benzoin has underwhelmed me and so far I have not seen any butterflies using it. I tried a native Lonicera and it did not bloom and died out. A hybrid, called 'Orange Mandarin' did just fine and is still there. I started Viola labradorica from seed and that has seeded itself around a little more than I would like, so I am keeping my eye on it. So...that is the basic review of the progress I've made so far. I have made many trips to New England Garden in the Woods and I'm always on the look out for native plants. :-)
...See More
sacrifice spare room for master bath?
Q
Comments (6)
We bought a 4BR house last year knowing we were going down to 3BRs. When we expanded the master bath into the adjacent closet, we lost the only closet. So, we created a doorway between our master bedroom and the adjacent bedroom (which was the smallest bedroom at 11x10), and now have a lovely walk-in closet. And yes, we did close the doorway from the small bedroom to the hall. I'm so happy we did it as we now have a large bathroom with a two-person shower and separate tub AND a walk-in closet. I think future buyers will be more thrilled with this set up than the old one. And if a 4th bedroom is needed, we or future owners can always open the room back up to the hall. I think an important question for you will be the cost of adding plumbing to an area that doesn't currently have any. It may make financial sense to expand the existing bathroom a bit. Could you do something like we did and compensate for losing some master bedroom space by creating a master suite that extends into an adjacent bedroom? Our plumbing was pricey and we didn't even move the toilet!
...See More
Sacrifices at the altar of the County Fair Judges
Q
Comments (39)
Very late to this conversation. Annie, the pie looks amazing. Although I usually can only eat little pieces of caramel type desserts. So rich. Congratulations on your ribbons! The Skowhegan State Fair which has been going since 1818 is coming right up. There are also other fairs further away from me. I will have to try and enter something next year. Plllog - Here in Maine the hipsters have indeed discovered canning fermenting brewing and baking. In addition to the typical agricultural fairs there is the Common Ground Fair a production of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners - http://www.mofga.org/ It is enormous and chock full of a variety of the upstanding and the cool. Hand crafted hand milled sustainable fried dough. There is also the kneading conference where people come from all over to learn about baking and a variety other grain related things. That is followed by the bread fair where my sister and I set up a booth yearly. I met a lovely young fellow who made and took his miso very seriously.
...See More
Gina_W
15 years ago
Cool! I've never seen a salt cube before. The cookbook - oh baby! And the honey pot is too cute.
annie1992
15 years ago
Orgasmic ap0petizers. LOLOLOL

I can't even think about anything else to say, now THAT's stuck in my brain. (grin)

Oh yeah, the salt cube is cool, I've never seen one of those and the honey pot is very "sweet" too.

Now, back to those appetizers. Cathy, I expect to see recipes and pictures when you're done doing....well....whatever you do with those appetizers!

Annie
doucanoe
15 years ago
HAHAHAHAHA! Orgasmic Appetizers! Love the title and I am sure I would love the recipes as well!

Add me to the list of those that have never seen a salt cube before. I might have to get me one, now, tho!

Linda
mer4205
15 years ago
Sensual appetizers....hmmmmmm - and honey and a salt cube....sounds like a party? ;) Wait until Jessy gets a hold of this!! -maria
artsyshell
15 years ago
Cathy that is so funny that you actually read the labels on the bags,lol. They weren't all from me. Family members come and stay and leave behind their bags. I always save them as they are great for packaging.

I am glad you liked your package. I actually took a class with the author of that cookbook, and most of the people in the class were moaning when eating the appetisers that she cooked, hence the name. I like the fact that it pairs the wine with the appetisers as well. (I bought one for myself too, and she was kind enough to autograph both for me). The pottery dish was made in the interior, and the honey was collected in the interior (of BC) as well. The pottery dish once empty is oven and dishwasher safe, to be used over and over again. I thought it would be great for baking appetiser dips, brie etc. The salt cube I fell in love with and just hoped you would find it unique and differant. I had alot of fun shopping for your package Cathy!

Shelley
ann_t
15 years ago
Shelley, love everything that you sent to Cathy. Love the title of the cookbook. And the little honey pot is beautiful. And that salt cube, well that is what I'm coveting. Another lover of salt here, and I've never seen it sold that way. Great gift for Cathy to enjoy.

Ann
bri29
15 years ago
I'm with Annie, I'm having a really hard time thinking about anything but the orgasmic appetizer book! I hope you enjoy many of the recipes (and the salt and honey of course!)! :)

Bri
dedtired
15 years ago
Very nice! I've never seen a salt cube before. That's cool The honey pot looks like it could belong to Winnie the Pooh. Orgasmic Appetizers? Share those recipes, girl!

Good choices, Shelley and I knwo you'll have fun with them Cathy.
mustangs81
Original Author
15 years ago
Shelley, Thanks for adding the points of interest. I did some googling on the cookbook and the honey and should have included the information in my swap report.

I am torn between hurrying to use up the honey so I can play with the pottery and savoring the honey.

I scanned the cookbook for Christmas party recipes; there's one for salt lovers but I think would have limited appeal as it's made with anchovies--yummm.
Lars
15 years ago
I love everything here too!! That salt cube is bound to impress - how did you ever find it?? It's just too over the top! I love honey also - it's one of the few sweeteners that I can indulge in, and the cookbook has got to be a classic!

Great things come in small packages (that hide behind doors).

Lars
riverrat1
15 years ago
Oh WOW is all I can say. Raymond, Watch out!!!

This is a wonderful package! The salt cube is something that I think would be nice to have on hand. LOVE the cook book!

Cathy enjoy your package.

Great job Bizzo my friend.
lakeguy35
15 years ago
I'm with Annie....can't think of anything else to say so I'll wait on our pal EJ to help me out...LOL! Really, that is a great swap box for our good friend Cathy. I know she and Raymond will make the most of it!

David
chancesmom
15 years ago
I have never seen salt that way, that looks too cool. The book sounds really interesting, I love apetizer recipes. Hope you share good ones! That little honeypot is quite beautiful, and so sweet.

Great Job Shelley!
jessyf
15 years ago
I'll take that anchovy recipe, please. And might I suggest you tank up Ray's meds before you feed him anything from that book, LOL. The salt cube and grater take care of your gadget fix, right? And that honey pot is just too cute! Nice box, Shelley.
craftyrn
15 years ago
Sounds like a cookbook every gal needs !

Love the little honey pot -- I see a theme lurking here LOL

Salt grater's a real unique item-- only place I knew salt blocks were useful was in feeding ( reading luring) critters in.

Fun pkg -- Shelly you did good .
Bizzo
15 years ago
I've never seen a salt block before. My first thought was "Salt Lick" - maybe to go with the appetizers?? It's pretty cool... and the appetizer cookbook... I Love the subtitle!! what a theme... salt lick, honey pot, orgasmic appetizers. in a box filled with fun, interesting, (exotic?) shopping bags. Too good to be true :-)

Nice work, Shelly!!!
chase_gw
15 years ago
What an original package. I've never seen a salt block and grater...way cool. That honey pot is so =sweet, just love the colour.

As for the cookbook ;)
mustangs81
Original Author
15 years ago
I'm wondering if Shelley anticipated the theme developing as it has. I sure didn't!
artsyshell
15 years ago
No Cathy, I wasn't even thinking theme. I was just trying to come up with something differant. Glad everyone is having fun with it though,lol.

Shelley
jessyf
15 years ago
Still waiting for the anchovy recipe. I'm impatient.
artsyshell
15 years ago
Can't have Jessy getting to impatient,lol. I think Cathy missed your post. Anyways I went through my book, and I think this is the recipe she was referring too.

Salt lovers canapes (from Orgasmic Appetizers)

2 small red peppers
1 small yellow pepper
vegetable oil as needed

Anchovy butter

1 tbsp sweet fennel seeds
1/2 c unsalted butter softened
6-9 flat anchovy fillets, patted dry and minced
1 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
fresh ground black pepper to taste
24 diagonal slices or rounds of whole wheat baguette, 1/4 inch thick

Preheat oven 450F. Cut peppers in half and place on well oiled baking sheet. Coat the peppers with oil. Roast for 25-30 min until blackened. Place them in a paper bag and let stand for twenty minutes. Peel and seed them. Cut them lengthwise into 1/8" wide strips and set aside.

Toast the fennel seeds in a dry skillet over med heat, shaking pan until fennel is golden, about 3-4 min. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.

Grind the fennel seeds. Mix in the butter, anchovies, lemon juice and pepper. Combine the mixture well.

Preheat the broiler. Broil the baguette slice until golden about 1 - 2 min, on a rimmed baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Turn slices over and spread generously with the anchovy butter. Broil until the butter is golden and bubbling, about 1 min. Transfer toasts to serving platter and top each toast with a strip each of red an dyellow peppers. Serve warm or at room temp.

serves 4-6 makes 24 canapes.

Shelley S.
mustangs81
Original Author
15 years ago
Shelley, Thanks for rescuing me! Yes, it is the recipe I spotted. We held a community yard sale today then I took off with Beau.

Sorry Jessica.

WANTED: Ssommerville Makes Sacrifices...

Comments (24)

Terri_PacNW

arabellamiller

Related Discussions

Gina_W

annie1992

doucanoe

mer4205

artsyshell

ann_t

bri29

dedtired

mustangs81
Original Author

Lars

riverrat1

lakeguy35

chancesmom

jessyf

craftyrn

Bizzo

chase_gw

mustangs81
Original Author

artsyshell

jessyf

artsyshell

mustangs81
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

WANTED: Ssommerville Makes Sacrifices...

Comments (24)

Related Discussions

mustangs81Original Author

mustangs81Original Author

mustangs81Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

mustangs81
Original Author

mustangs81
Original Author

mustangs81
Original Author