If you have a green salad, I'd suggest Cathy/Mustangs Fig and Proscuitto salad. She uses arugula, but I use spinach because it's more easily available here. I don't even like salad, usually, but I just love this stuff and it would go nicely with quiche. Mustangs' Salad with Proscuitto, Parmesan and Figs 4 tbls olive oil 2 oz thinly sliced prosciutto cut into strips 1 tbls raspberry jam 3 tbls fig balsamic vinegar 1/3 cup dried figs, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces 1 tbls finely chopped shallots 5 cups baby spinach (she uses arugula, I think) 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted 2 oz Parmesan, shaved into thin strips 1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 10 inch nonstick skillet over medium heat; add prosciutto and fry until crisp, stirring frequently for about 7 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towel to drain and cool. 2. Whisk jam and vinegar in medium microwave-safe bowl; stir in figs. Cover with plastic wrap, cut several steam vents in plastic and microwave on high until figs are plump, about 45 seconds. Whisk in 3 tablespoons oil, shallots, ? tsp salt; toss to combine. Let cool to room temperature. 3. Toss arugula and vinaigrette in large bowl; adjust seasonings with salt. Divide salad among individual plats; top with portion of prosciutto, walnuts, and Parmesan. I don't usually plate it individually, I put it all in a large bowl and let guests serve themselves. Annie

Mtn said it much better than I did.. I agree with her completely I want to be clear that I am not saying, "don't under any circumstances send a gift"! I love giving gifts and I think I am a good gift giver. I try to always choose gifts to reflect the personality, circumstances and needs of the recipient. In this case, the OP says they haven't seen the bride-to-be in a great many years and something like a toaster doesn't feel right... and she's definitely in the "check the box" realm of gifting. In the absence of "knowing" her niece, I made a few suggestions for something personal and modest that I would think would be appropriate for the relationship and event. I don't know who prepared the invite list but I would never dream of inviting someone so many states away and not close to the honoree to a *shower*. Much as I am big on giving gifts, I am not big on doing things out of obligation. I would mark the event with something focused on the family and the family's traditions... even if that went "off registry". Anything else would be family tax as Mtn so aptly put it. again, I would go off a family recipe.. a holiday tradition.. something that belonged to grandma or great grandma.. something that reminded you and the bride-to-be of a memory. I received (not as a shower gift) a potato masher that had belonged to my great great great grandmother as a gift. It is a much cherished gift that cost nothing. My sisters still reference the small cookbook of recipes my grandmother gave them for their wedding showers. These are small things that mean lots.. and that *I* think are appropriate shower gifts.

My daughter was married on May 6th, and she had three showers earlier in the spring. At each shower, the hostess gave a small welcome greeting -- i.e. thank you for coming to celebrate DD, etc. Two of these greetings led into an invitation to start the food (buffet style). The purpose of each was to thank the shower guests, and to transition from the initial casual / arrival / chit-chat part to the food / activity part of the shower. And yes, one of my daughter's bridemaids saved the ribbons and created a ribbon bouquet that she carried at the rehearsal! We are in the South, and a lot of these traditions live on.

Your coasters are lovely. I have two sets of needlepoint coasters made for my mother and me by my sister-in-law over fifty years ago. My set has a tightly woven back glued on and my mothers set has nothing attached to the back (they are very neatly done as I'm sure yours are too.) I use them primarily at the bridge table and like that they may be slid out of the way when necessary. I am happy that they are not water repellant so any condensation on a glass is absorbed by the wool yarn rather than puddling on the coaster. The coasters seem to dry out very quickly. I have never had to wash them although I know I could if necessary. I'm sure the recipient will be thrilled, especially since they go perfectly with the beautiful china.