wanted: i am so ex-sigh-ted! i made out big time!

18 years ago

My package arrived, my package arrived, and I don't know who's more excited, me or my kitties!

Two of my kitties are eager to see what they got from Nina.

Much to my delight, Nina went on a shopping spree at Trader Joe's for me, and put together a "gift basket". I've long had Trader Joe's envy, but no longer. She sent me a sampling of her favorite things from there, including 2 delicious sounding vinegars - White Balsamic and Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar, plus some Mango Ginger Chutney and some Olive Tapenade spread - 2 things I've never had before. Yes, I admit it, I've never tasted Chutney or Tapenade, but I'm sure looking forward to it. Who doesn't like Chocolate? She really nailed it with Espresso Chocolates and with chocolate dipped chocolate chip cookies. I've already gotten into both, and after eating that Espresso chocolate candy am hoping I'm not up all night! (it'll be worth it, they're delicious!)

But wait, there's more! She also sent me a set of Fiesta Ware Ramekins. (I forgot to mention these in my email to you - sorry!) I love Fiesta Ware, also, and have a set of plates, with hopes of collecting more. You nailed it!

Not finished yet. She sent a beautiful set of serving spoons/servers, which will come in so handy. They are elegant, and I plan to use them next time I entertain, or maybe even sooner.

She didn't disappoint my kitties, either. They got some twisties to play with, but I think they're more interested in the box, and have already had fun jumping inside it. But what's more special than ever, she remembered my grandson, Christopher. He got his own gift, and Thomas the Train toy. I can't wait to share it with him when I get to see him. Finally, and this has me probably the most excited of all, she sent me some of her own recipes. One for French Bread and one for home made Manicotti, made the real Italian way. I love Italian food, and am loving exploring bread baking. I can't wait to make both her recipes, and keep making them till I've mastered them. I just may have to keep trying over and over again...;-)

Here's everything together.

Thank you so much, Nina. I am thrilled with my gifts!

Sally

P.S. I also forgot to say that I think the card is adorable!

Sally

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Comments (25)

girlsingardens
18 years ago
Sally,

What a great box. In one of my swaps I had someone help out on my TJ's envy. Their food and snacks are the best. I love the ramekins, I have 32 place settings of fiesta ware and would love a set of the ramekins to add to my collection.

Stacie
diana55
18 years ago
Trader Joes.......Oh I'm so Jealous. Living in Canada....I never get the stuff. Oh, how good it all looks. Love the serving spoons too. Way to go Nina. Youv'e come up with some special things for Sally. Enjoy them all !!! Diana55
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maggie2094
18 years ago
Sally, you scored! I have never seen FiestaWare ramekins. The colors are great and those serving spoons are gorgeous and you can't go wrong with TJ's! I have to go back now and look at everything - I really want those spoons! Oh, and the recipes! Nina, you covered all the bases - I love your choices.
compumom
18 years ago
Great box! So many good gifts and useable too! Enjoy!
shaun
18 years ago
Sally yes you did score! Enjoy all of your goodies!
Nina, you are a very generous swap partner. I think I see more than 3 items there, not sure though. *wink* *wink*
sigh
18 years ago
Ahem. Sets. The ramekins were a boxed set, as were the servers. I did take some leeway with the Trader Joe's stuff but (thanks to careful forum sleuthing) I knew that Sally didn't have a TJs near her & that she had really wanted to visit one. So technically the TJs stuff is a gift basket, without the basket. I'm so relieved that nothing broke!

What I didn't know was that Sally like Fiesta ware. I have a ton of it & I just love how cheerful it is & how durable. The ramekins are so handy that even the non Fiesta smitten can find lots of uses for them.

As for the "extras"- I remember how excited Sally was, hopping a plane & hoping to make it in time for her grandbaby's arrival & how nicely he cooperated. My son loves his Thomas trains & started playing with them when he was about a year old so technically the train isn't for Sally. And the twist ties? Those are my tiny grey cat Gremmie's favorite toys. She will stalk & hunt those things all day & night. I find them all over the house.

Sally, I am so glad that you like everything & that you made it safely. I wrote out the extended directions for the french bread because you said that you had never made it before but I use the basic recipe for pizza dough all of the time & it's wonderful. The manicotti are so easy, any questions just email me. My gardenweb email is old, Ann T has my current one.

And I'm especially glad that the cats approve! I had a hard time keeping Gremlin out of the empty box, too.

Whew!

Nina
riverrat1
18 years ago
Wow wow wow! Niiice going Nina.

Sally, that Orange Muscat Vinegar is wonderful. I make a homemade dressing with that stuff that will knock your socks off! Peppi keeps my pantry full of it because I don't have a TJ's anywhere close to where I live.
sally2_gw
Original Author
18 years ago
Oh, good, I've been wondering how best to use the orange muscat vinegar. I've already put the balsamic vinegar to use in my salad for lunch today. I mixed it with some cilantro pesto I made the other day, and topped my spring greens with it. Different, but tasty. I can't wait till my lunch break!

Thanks again, Nina!

Sally
Marigene
18 years ago
Wow, Sally, who wouldn't be happy with a Trader Joe's basket of goodies. The serving pieces are beautiful and the ramekins are so nice and colorful. Nina, great choices!
sheshebop
18 years ago
I love that swap package. The ramekins are really special. (course, if you looked in my cupboards you would find tons of mini things)
And I especially just LOVE the accounting system, LOL. We are a pretty ingenious group at getting around those "limits." Nina, you did a good job. I am sure you had fun putting that one together, and you did it well.
Have fun with your bounty, Sally.
jessyf
18 years ago
(Nina - your box is exactly like mine was to Teresa! Two 'things' and a bunch 'o stuff from TJs! WTG!)
lackboys3
18 years ago
Aww Nina, you did real good! That's a super swap box, and it's obvious that you did some good sleuthing since it's all perfect for Sally. The Fiestware ramekins are very versatile, I have 4 yellow ones and wish I had more. Not having a TJ's anywhere near us in Florida, I think the basket of yummies from there is a superb choice! I sure do love those serving spoons Sally, and they will serve anything like salads, pasta, etc. with style. Enjoy it all, and tell those of us with "Trader Joes Envy" what you like the best.

Great choices Nina!
DONNA
earthlydelights
18 years ago
those spoons are just fantastic as is the remainder of the goodies in the box.

sally, what a wonderful and generous partner you had in nina. way to go nina!!!

maryanne
artsyshell
18 years ago
Lovely swapbox! I really like the colours of the fiestaware ramekins. I am going to have to do some more research on fiesta ware. I am in dire need of dishes and all the ones I buy just seem to chip to darn easily, or the plates crack. Great bunch of stuff from TJ's! You'll have fun sampling.

Shelley
mustangs81
18 years ago
Okay, I quite! How do you compete with such an overwhelmingly wonderful box?
Terri_PacNW
18 years ago
That is a great package! I have a set of servers similar in design to those, they were my Grandmothers. I love the shape of the "bowls" on the serving pieces.
The rami's are gorgeous! I love how bright they are!

Well I love TJ's and I think you've everything I haven't tried yet! LOL
Lars
18 years ago
I wouldn't wait for company to use the salad servers. I like to use things like that whenever I have salad in a large bowl, which is not often enough.

Did she also send the Thomas Train?

The ramekins are beautiful! Nice package!!

Lars
annie1992
18 years ago
Oh yes, the ramekins are beautiful, I love the colors, but the serving spoons was really nice, I think I like them best.

TJ's is great fun, isn't it? We bought snacks there several times while we were in California and when I go to Elery's we drive into An Arbor, less than an hour, and shop just for the heck of it.

I also love the orange muscat vinegar but the chocolate, oh my, that's the best.

Annie
stacy3
18 years ago
Cute kitties...

What a great bunch of stuff! I wish I had a TJ's close, too. I've been a couple times when traveling, and EJ sent me some stuff - but it'll be a long while before they put one close enough to me to be convenient - lol.

Have fun!

Stacy
Gina_W
18 years ago
I was gonna say that Jessica started this "bunch of stuff from TJs = one item" -- so whatever, LOL!

Very nice assortment from TJs. The ramekins will be very useful. I use them for "mise en place," among other things. The spoons are very unique. Another smart shopper Nina!

It's funny how our pets get so nosy around a package.
teresa_nc7
18 years ago
Wonderful package! That Orange Muscat vinegar is one of my all-time favorite things from TJ's. Oooooo....Fiesta Ware - always useful and beautiful. Lovely serving spoons too.

Well done, Nina!
lyndaluu2
18 years ago
Fiesta Ware---lovely---the serving spoons are beautiful and the TJ's basket is over the top....

Enjoy Sally!!! Way to go Nina!!!

Linda P
lakeguy35
18 years ago
Someone else already said it so I'm going to say it again.....cheaterpants!! LOL Okay, really, that is a super swap package that I know Sally will enjoy for a long time. Nina, you went all out with this one for sure. If our resident "rat" loves this Muscat Orange Vinegar...along with others...lets just say I'm jelous and envious at the same time. Wish we had TJ's down here in mhy neck of the woods.

David
(who only sent one thing with packing material...lol)
deborah_ps
18 years ago
That is one good looking swap box Sally!
And about those beautiful silver servers? Just love the simplicity...very uptown.
Ya done good Nina :)
mer4205
18 years ago
Hey Sally - wonderful package ---- just love the salad serving set. -maria

wanted: i am so ex-sigh-ted! i made out big time!

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