Promise, when I sent yours, and the guy asked if it was fragile, he rolled his eyes when I said "don't make it a target" and he stamped it fragile.

Wow, here is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory:
Two "Golden Tickets" -- California instant lottery tickets LOL
Coloring pages for my nonexistent grandchildren LOL (giving to children next door) Again, I just asked librarian for coloring pages for the Linnea box, great minds think alike.
An ergonomic paring knife, just what I needed for slicing tomatoes!
Enchanting lip balm
Lavender/witch hazel skin toner
Mike and Ike fruit candy
Rainbow of Starburst candy
Packages of almonds and cashews
Fleur de Sel sea salt -- I have never had this
Blueberry Sugar -- wow, looking forward to this, too
Heath chocolate bars
Hershey chocolate bars
Almond roca
Toothpaste -- its in the story, guys
Fourteen packs of seeds, including and not limited to: beans, beets, herbs, lettuce, peas, perilla, radishes, red perilla and tomatoes. So many seeds! Wonderful!

All beautifully wrapped and somehow fit in the envelope. All of it was labeled with clever tie-ins to CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Annie thank you so much!

Mary E.

This post was edited by cottonwood468 on Fri, Sep 26, 14 at 12:40

Post Office/Package Anxiety! The lady here at my local post office helped me repack my Wizard of Oz package because I didn't originally have it in a Priority Box. Lesson learned! She was very nice about it. She asked me to say something nice about our post office :)

But... After seeing the damage to other packages, my anxiety is extremely high. Ugh. Dear God, please let my packages get to there destinations in one piece!

Annie - I'll get you my pretty... and your little dog too!

Mary - Your package sounds wonderfully delicious. Hopefully you win the lottery!

Jayeanne - Your package looked lovely. We love homemade bread. I'm seeing a trend with toothpaste :)

TGIF!
Promise

LOL I have to enter the 2nd chance lottery on-line!

Erica, remember the vine climbing between the windows of the dining room, in the photo contest? Shortly after that, tendrils started showing up between the blinds, indoors ... now I wake up to the sunshine hitting the red blooms up on the dining room blinds. It is taking over the house.

Mary E.

This post was edited by cottonwood468 on Fri, Sep 26, 14 at 11:13

Mary,

Did you find the hershey bars???

Did you find the Wild Blueberry Sugar????

I am a big Sea Salt user....Sea Salt is a very nice finishing salt....use just prior to serving. I have many varieties! Veruca Salt from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory would have wanted you to have this Fleur De Sel Sea Salt. Enjoy!

Oh Promise.....
“Going so soon? I wouldn't hear of it. Why my little party's just beginning." .....says the wicked witch of the west

Annie

Mary and Erica - My Lionstail has left babies all over my main flower garden.It really is trying to take over the world!!!

Mary - Midway and O'Hare are a mess today.

Annie - Are you a good witch or a bad witch?

Promise

Annie
Yes, the Hershey bars ... but there will only be one in the photo, (-; Edited the post above.

AHA, BINGO ... found it found it found it. I found the Blueberry Sugar! Wrapped and IDK how I missed it, playing with the Lavender toner. Almond cookies with Blueberry Sugar anyone? I didn't know there was such a thing.
(hugs) to Annie

Promise, yeah I woke up a half hour later ... no plane noise. Regional radar center in Aurora shut down. Until at least 7pm. Lead story here.

Mary E.

This post was edited by cottonwood468 on Fri, Sep 26, 14 at 12:51

Mary,

Great you found the stuff!! Hope the lottery tickets are winners!!

Promise,

Am I a good witch or a bad witch....I suppose it depends on who you are talking too!

Annie

Margo I recieved your package and had the best time following along with the gifts. I had a computer virus Trogan that just kept letting things in so I stayed off till all threats are gone. Am disappointed by the loss of items in Jayeannes. I think I.ll eat a twix oh they are all gone :] Susan

Susan... Just read your email....

Wow this is a mess. Did you get the 3 lockets I made to go with the book dustpan , shopping bag, cookies, and a homegrown Black mountain yellow tomato. Wow I made a mistake on such a light box. The lady at the post office pressed the sides when weighting. Darn. I did not insure it. Well on to next month. Susan

I guess I lost some items along the way?? No...I didnt see any of the items you mentioned (above) in the box...it did have a big tear/hole in it and I see they tried to tape it back shut but I see it didn't work out so well.

I was just reading your post about your storybook...too cute...I was thinking maybe that mouse found its way into my box somewhere along the route and gobbled up the cookies =)

Enjoy your weekend ladies....

Jayeanne

Jeanne, I received my BINGO prize. Cute...cute....post it notes x 2. They are black and red and white and have cherries too.....I always enjoy the prizes you send. Thank you so much!!

Well, I am a very Happy witch right now. The storybook I chose, "The Wizard Of Oz" arrived today.....from Promise! I have a lovely glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that I will enjoy as I tell you what the nice witch from "Promise" land sent me. It might take me two glasses of vino to get through it, as there is quite a bit of surprise in the box. Here we go......................

*The outside of the box...I was greeted by Glinda, the Good Witch and the Lion...then I opened the box up and each flap welcomed me with pictures and quotes..Somewhere Over The Rainbow....I'll Get You My Pretty.....There's No place Like Home....Follow The Yellow Brick Road......too cute!!

*A Wizard Of Oz 2015 calender...every main character in the book has their own month....even Toto!! Toto deserves his own month as the wicked witch of the west put him through hell.

*Scarecrow on a stick....I just put this in one of my succulent plants in the house....cute...cute!!!!!!!

*A basket with big red poppy flowers. The wicked witch left her mark with her hat buried in the poppies. It should go on the bike that I do not have...so it will go on my treadmill!

*Two blue and white gingham with glittery red ribbon planter pots...darling!!

* Luminessense candle....Apple pie...NICE!

* A box Of SKITTLES....skittles have a rainbow of colors....shall I sing to you, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"....No I shant. Dorothy sings it much better!

*Tornado Twisters (very clever) twist ties.

*Seed bags....I am guessing these are in honor of the old bag of a witch...hehehe.

*A "Journey" photograph book.....a journey always tells a story!

*Sweet Dreams" Herbal Tea bags.......You do all remember Dorothy had a dream??????

*A Magnet of Dorothy and Toto.....this is darling!

*A RED sequin heart applique...would go great with Ruby Red Slippers.......

*Rainbow stickers....Shall I sing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".....No I shant.....Dorothy can sing it over and over and I will never get tired of it!

*A Yellow Rose cutting.....she has been misted and is safe from any bad witches that might be lurking. She will have the name "Promise"...........thank you!!

*A lovely plaque with hanging red sequin ribbon....that says, "There's No Place Like Home"......and if that is not enough.....there are also painted ruby red slippers. Did you make this? Or one of your daughters? I love this!!
And there is no place like home.......so true!

And then there are Seeds of plenty.....

Crystal Palace Lobelia
Bean Contender
Basil Lettuce Leaf
Beet Tall Top Early Wonder
Papaver rhoes "Shirley's Double Mix"
Bells Of Ireland
CA poppy Carmine King
Burpee Oriental Poppy Mix
Lions Tail Wild Dagga
Cilantro
Euphorbia Marginata Snow on the Mountain
Coreopsis Mahogney Midget
Coleus Rainbow Mix

Promise, absoloutley lovely and fun .........The Wizard Of Oz never goes out of style. Thank you for bringing it to life in my home tonight.

Annie

Annie - Glad you enjoyed it. I could have just kept packing that box. I love the Wizard of Oz so much. My girls have the cutest pop up book of the story. I would have loved to send you a book but I couldn't find it!

Yes, I painted the plaque. It was fun!

My interpretation of the seeds.
Poppies - Put Dorothy to sleep
Lions Tail- Cowardly Lion
Corepsis tictoria 'Mahogany Midget'- MUNCHKINS
Bells of Ireland - Emerald City
Coleus Rainbow Mix -Somewhere over the rainbow
Euphorbia marginata (Snow on the Mountain) -Snow that wakes up Dorothy

The other seeds were on you want list :)
Promise

Really fun, excellent package, Promise! So much fun to see everyone's packages and we still have Mary's and Shirley's to see. Fun!!!

Shirley is doing fine. She's not looking forward to foot surgery. We'll send prayers your way, Shirley. :)

Jeanne, I just can't believe September is wrapping-up! This was a super-fun swap. I hope we can have this theme again sometime. Thank you so much!

Sheri

Two steps forward, one step back. I'm getting there Shirley.

Mary E.

What a great morning seeing all these wondeful packages. All of you are just the best at coming up with ideas. That Wizard of Oz package seems to have the whole story. LOL I need to watch the movie again!

Swap to be sent by Jeanne RECEIVED BY ERICA
** Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland chosen by Erica

Swap to be sent by Nicole RECEIVED BY SHERI
** Big Red Barn chosen by Sheri

Swap to be sent by Annie RECEIVED BY MARY
** Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chosen by Mary

Swap to be sent by Margo - RECEIVED BY SUSAN
**If You Give a Mouse a Cookie chosen by Susan

Swap to be sent by Shirley
** Jake Hatches a Plan chosen by NonnaG

Swap to be sent by Mary
** Linnea in Monet’s Garden chosen by Shirley

Swap to be sent by Susan - RECEIVED BY JAYEANNE
** Magic Locket chosen by by Jayeanne

Swap to be sent by Jayeanne - RECEIVED BY MARGO
** Pinkalicious chosen by Margo

Swap to be sent by Sheri RECEIVED BY JEANNE
** Pinocchio chosen by Jeanne

Swap to be sent by Erica RECEIVED BY NICOLE
** Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs chosen by Nicole

Swap to be sent by NonnaG - RECEIVED BY PROMISE
** The Hungry Caterpiller chosen by Promise

Swap to be sent by Promise - RECEIVED BY ANNIE
** The Wizard of Oz chosen by Annie

Shirley, are you okay? We haven't heard from you for awhile. When is your surgery?

Everyone have a good weekend. There is Gamecock football today and the sun is out for a change so it sounds like a good day.

Jeanne

I was wondering where Miss Shirley was.......I remember reading that she was having surgery in October. Prayers for you.......................

I am going to try and post the new OBF swap for October today. I am headed out of town for a few days....let me try and get my act together!!

Thank you again Jeanne for hosting OBF "Storybooks" ..............Wonderful!

Happy Weekend to all!!

Annie

I heard from Shirley yesterday, I think she is just busy with all the things she wants to accomplish before Oct.
Here is the Cardinal Climber vine, found a space between the windows, climbed through the blinds in a very decorative way, blooming in the DR sun.

Annie's awesome CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Some chocolate is missing from the picture, LOL.

Mary,

That's a great picture of your cardinal vine! It looks pretty happy snaking its way through your blinds.

I see we still have new photos appearing. Love them!
Jeanne

This post was edited by sandlapper_rose on Sat, Sep 27, 14 at 15:50

Goodness ladies I am getting so far behind I can't believe September is coming to an end. As you all know I am having foot surgery on Oct. 7th so I am trying to beat that date and get everything done outside. In comes two tulip orders and two daylily orders. I will have all those planted by tomorrow (only like a few tulips left to plant). I promise Nonnag your storybook package will go out on Monday. My Doctor has told me I can not be on my foot at all for 6-8 weeks. I bought some crutches but can't use the hateful things. I hope I get better at using them but doubtful. I am going to borrow a wheelchair from my Aunt and hope I can use it a lot.

Mary E - I will have to look up the Doberman Tulips...have you seen the Ice Cream Tulips? I ordered some and can't wait to see them bloom.

Promise-Your Daughters are darling. I bet you have all kinds of good times with the both of them.

Annie-Nice box representing the Wizard Of Oz Storybook..good job Promise. Everyone has done such a wonderful job with these storybooks.

My Niece had a Going-Away-Dinner for her Son this evening. He is leaving this Tuesday for the Army. Made his mind up 4-5 years ago he was joining after graduation.
She said she cried all day and I was so sorry for her. I have been there and done that myself.

Shirley

Susan, did you find the seeds at the bottom of the box. I sent a large ziplock with 15+ packages of seeds. I thought if there was anything you couldn't use, you could trade for something you can. I hope they didn't get tossed out with the box.

I am not getting follow up posts again. I am getting frustrated with GW.

Margo

Oh Margo I am sorry I did not mention the large amount of seeds and poem for Margos seeds you sent. I loved everything and I wil use alot of the seeds u sent. I wish I could start them now. :) I was so distracted by the loss of the 3 lockets I made for the book for Jayeanne. I can not figure out the 3 large items[ Cracker barrel shopping bag and dust pan and brush and home grown tomato] being gone also. Breathe deep. Life is good. .

Thanks Susan for letting me know. I was afraid they got tossed out.

I wonder if someone decided to help themselves to the things in the box since it was damaged. You would think if those things were found, they could have figured out where it came from.

Shirley, good luck on your surgery and be sure to drop by and give us updates.

Margo

Susan...from the sounds of this I think someone did just help themselves to things in the box....the right side of the box was torn the whole way open and was re taped. I could tell it was not the tape you had used either. Please do not worry so much- this is not your fault. I am very happy with the things that were in the box and it is the thought that counts =)
Hugs!
Jayeanne

Nonnag-Your storybook package was mailed today, delivery confirmation #9114 9012 3080 1149 8895 87.
Should be there on Thursday.

Shirley

Waiting for one more to be mailed and then both to be received. It has been a fun month!
Jeanne

Swap to be sent by Jeanne RECEIVED BY ERICA
** Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland chosen by Erica

Swap to be sent by Nicole RECEIVED BY SHERI
** Big Red Barn chosen by Sheri

Swap to be sent by Annie RECEIVED BY MARY
** Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chosen by Mary

Swap to be sent by Margo - RECEIVED BY SUSAN
**If You Give a Mouse a Cookie chosen by Susan

Swap to be sent by Shirley - MAILED
** Jake Hatches a Plan chosen by NonnaG

Swap to be sent by Mary
** Linnea in Monet’s Garden chosen by Shirley

Swap to be sent by Susan - RECEIVED BY JAYEANNE
** Magic Locket chosen by by Jayeanne

Swap to be sent by Jayeanne - RECEIVED BY MARGO
** Pinkalicious chosen by Margo

Swap to be sent by Sheri RECEIVED BY JEANNE
** Pinocchio chosen by Jeanne

Swap to be sent by Erica RECEIVED BY NICOLE
** Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs chosen by Nicole

Swap to be sent by NonnaG - RECEIVED BY PROMISE
** The Hungry Caterpiller chosen by Promise

Swap to be sent by Promise - RECEIVED BY ANNIE
** The Wizard of Oz chosen by Annie

Shirley has the tracking number for LINNEA IN MONET'S GARDEN.

Jeanne, thanks for hosting. I loved this theme.

Mary E.

NonnaG yours should arrive tomorrow.

Shirley

Not sure why NonnaG hasn't posted that she received hers.
I received my storybook swap from MaryE and this is what she sent.
Mounds Candy bars
Lincoln penny
Garden Cress Seeds
Green Tea
Bookmark
Two seed droppers
Beautiful card
Bird Napkins
Beaded necklace
Amaretto pecans
almond toffee
Coconut candies
pin with lily pads
silk water lily

Thank you so much Mary E, great theme items for your storybook.

Shirley

Cute stuff U got Shirley. How do we send chocolate without it melting?

Happy Friday everyone!!'

If you read the book, it all comes together. Plus when I joined GW in May, OBF was celebrating Shirley's half-birthday with Shirley related bingo.

Mary E.

Great Monet's Garden box, Mary! Coconut... yum!

Nicole, I just send chocolate and hope for the best. It can always be refrigerated when it arrives. :)

Shirley, I'll drop Nonna a line, too. Hope she's ok.

Loved this swap. Thanks Jeanne!

Sheri

Swap to be sent by Shirley - MAILED
** Jake Hatches a Plan chosen by NonnaG
(Waiting to hear from NonnaG)

Swap to be sent by Mary RECEIVED BY SHIRLEY
** Linnea in Monet’s Garden chosen by Shirley

That's a great swap package you received, Shirley.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this swap.

Jeanne

Shirley....great package!!! Melted chocolate is still chocolate......................some chocolate candy like snickers is almost better melted....sounds good right now!!

Thanks Jeanne for a fantastic September month of storybooks! So much fun and so much creativity!!

Happy weekend!

Annie

Here is a photo, shot just before sending the box. One thing is missing, Shirley will soon know what it is. Mary E.

LOVELY package, Mary! Thank you for the photo!

I did hear from NonnaG and she says she is going to post a photo of her package. I emailed her directly, rather than through GW. I think those emails don't go through sometimes. Where art thou, Miss Nonna? :)

Loving prayers for your surgery, Shirley. It got here fast!

Sheri

There is one more separate cover thing, Shirley will have to tell us if received.
Mary E.

NonnaG - waiting to hear from you so we can wrap up this swap. Thanks so much.
Jeanne

Sheri-Thanks for e-mailing NonnaG, I checked the tracking number and it was received on Oct. 1st...so glad I got the address right. Yes I cannot believe the surgery date is upon me. I have been plagued with a headache all week-end and know it is stress. Will be so glad when this is behind me.

MaryE-I know what the missing things were (lip balm), two of them. My precious GD Brittney confiscated one of them. I love the Bert Bees lip balms. She saw them on the kitchen counter and after choosing hers she gave me the other one and it got separated from all the other things when I posted. LOL

Shirley

Shirley No, no not lip balm, something flat in the mail, mailed a day later.

Thinking of you, and praying for you this morning.

Nonna, tell us about your storybook package, what was the theme and what fun things were in it.

Mary E.

This post was edited by cottonwood468 on Tue, Oct 7, 14 at 7:28

Hi ladies. I will have my Daughter teach me to post photos but for now I'll tell you about my package of treats. Inside I found a Jake Hatches A Plan storybook with highlighted references to each of the following gifts.

white balloon flower seeds
calla lily seeds (my sister is jealous)
journey's end canna seeds
Hale's Best cantaloupe seeds
cosmic purple carrot seeds (I can't wait to see these)
meringue coneflower seeds
sundown coneflower seeds
datura seeds
daylily seeds
Atlanta Big Time X daylily seeds
Dutchman's pipevine seeds
gold columbine seeds
pumpkin tree seeds (I love these!)

coconut extract
cleaning clothes
pirate patch daylily
Carribean double coral daylily
desert moon daylily
sunrise gold daylily
Jake velvet coloring sheet
a really cute pen made from cushi balls that reminds me of a parrot (I love collecting pens)
Lance crackers

I'm so excited about this package. Thank you Shirley.

NonnaG

Wow! Another great package from sweet Shirley. Thank so very much for posting, Connie! :) I'm going to have to look-up some of those daylilies. They sound beautiful.

Sheri

Fantastic package NonnaG......................Shirley is the daylily queen!!!!

Annie

That's a great package, NonnaG. Thanks for posting.
The swap is now completed.

Shirley, will keep you in my prayers that everything goes well and you heal quickly.

Thanks, everyone, for a great month with Storybooks!
Jeanne

Thanks for hosting. Thanks for picking "Charlie", Annie.

This post was edited by cottonwood468 on Tue, Oct 7, 14 at 21:34

I would love to hear from OBF members about other books they thought of using, before settling on their choice.

Mary E.

Mary,

I was going to use "The Secret Garden."

LOL I was very surprised not to see that on the final list !!
I read a 2014 book The Night Gardener, a middle school book
...that was one of my backup choices. I had Spooktacular on the brain maybe.

I just read your updated trade list, it really is a model of how to organize a trade list. Hand pollinating, yet.

Mary E.

I seriously considered Horton Hears A Who. I love that book. I'm a big Dr. Seuss fan. When I was a cake decorator I would make the cakes for the library during Dr. Seuss week. So much fun!

NonnaG

I considered Owl Moon, too, but couldn't see getting a package out of it. It's about a father and daughter going out in deep winter, late at night to look for owls. The father calls to the owls. Mary E.