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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

foodie to foodie {july pen pals}

i think
foodie pen pals
is single handedly
saving the postal service
each month
about a thousand packages
go 
flying across the world
filled with
goodies
tailored to individual tastes
what the sender knows of the receiver
is very little
he/she may read your blog
or
ask what you favor
wonder about allergies
&
food true loves
then
pops a whole lot of goodness
in the hands of 
parcel post

july was my second month of participation 
in
foodie pen pals
dreamed up and managed by
lindsay of the lean green bean
it is a whole lot of fun
and
anyone can join...
....it isn't just for bloggers
so
on to the treats i received
a darling gal named marisa from the college cuisiner
put together a really special package 
first let me say
i am a bit sappy
but
there is a rule
the package must include something written
well
marisa
knocked it out of the park
it made me teary eyed
can you see it?
it is a journal
with recipes and ideas and food quotes
bound in leather
that SHE made
it is wonderful!
i have already decided to "borrow" the idea
along with this fabulous gift
the box was filled with all the things i love
crunchy homemade kale chips
(already gone)
quince jam her sister made
(already opened and enjoyed)
delicious almond butter
(also gone)
green tea for my morning pick me up
(not gone, but well on its way)
a personal chocolate milk
(which i am saving for a weekend mocha marathon!)
and some amazing crackers
what?
no photo of the crackers?!
that might be because
they. are. gone. too
hmm
well
marisa did offer this quote in my new favorite journal
so it is kinda her fault
thank you marisa
i truly loved everything in the box
oh
there were also bubbles
which are so much fun
i broke them out immediately
figuring our african grey would find them amusing
no g
he kept telling me to
"knock it off"

i sent my package to heather
who is also in california (like me)
but doesn't have a blog
she was kind enough to
send a little post along
for me to share with you
about 
what i sent her
take it away heather!

I was the recipient of Christy’s box this month for Foodie Penpals, and was I thrilled with the amazing things she sent.  The first thing that was great about my pen pal this month was getting to discover Christy’s blog.  She has some great recipes!  My eggplants are finally ready for picking and I tried her eggplant involtini recipe, which was fantastic. Her box was just as wonderful and Christy must be a mind reader for things people will love.  
The first thing I noticed was a tin of Chana Masala.  I did not tell Christy this, but I just went to a friend’s wedding in India this April and I am on an Indian food kick.  It smells wonderful and is all set to be used for this tandoori salmon recipe I want to try out this weekend.  There was a box of green tea chai.  I don’t drink coffee, but looking at my desk at work right now, I have at least 8 kinds of tea and this is a great addition to the mix.  The chocolate covered grahams were delicious and did not last long after the picture was taken.  The olive oil is so good drizzled on a fresh picked tomato with a pinch of coarse salt. I have already made a note to get more of this oil when I run out. As if everything wasn’t wonderful enough already, Christy has also given me some of the wildflower honey from her hives.  I am so jealous about her having beehives and the honey is so good that I haven’t figured out what is the best way to enjoy it yet. I don’t want to waste it on something that won’t really showcase the really floral flavor.  On top of the food, I got a neat little bundle of the cutest things.  There is a Pinocchio bottle stopper, adorable.  There are also some cute little picks that will be fantastic on a cheese platter. And finally, a handy bottle opener that will be added to the wine opener in my picnic basket, since I always forget it doesn’t open bottles.
Thank you so much for all the delicious and fun treats, Christy.  Your box was thoughtful and I appreciate everything you sent!

if all this seems like fun to you
join up