Hi Susie,

We all feel terrible for Maria and were shocked to learn of Tyler's death.

I am sure that she wants you to enjoy everything she selected for you with such care. Hopefully she will return to us when she feels up to it and see our swap posts.

I am interested in that book; seems when I travel, I seldom get at chance to eat in the places that the locals know. I love that they made notes in the book.

Also intriguing among the other goodies (yummy blueberries, esp), is the Lost Woods Hot Sauce. I want to hear about that when you try it.

Renée

Susie, How great that Maria has such good friends to take care of this for her at this difficult time!
Sounds like a fab box of goodies, I am especially intrigued by the maple vinegar. Let us know what you make with that!
That book sounds wonderful, and I love the addition of personalized notes!

Linda

If I remember correctly, Maria had mentioned to Ann (or someone here) that Tyler also enjoyed the swap box process, so that perhaps makes it even more special.

Everything sounds wonderful, but that tequila lime cocktail sauce sounds awesome ;)

Susie, what a very special package that I know you'll treasure.
Maria, still sending thoughts your way. Your friends must be great to take care of sending this for you. Lovely gifts.

Jayne

WHat a nice box! I adore blueberries -- anything blueberry at all. I even love the color. The travel book sounds the best. I would appreciate it if someone wrote notes in the margin for me -- how helpful.

Maria has a heart of gold. I only hope it mends again one day. I can't tell you how often I think of Tyler and Maria.

Susie - I think you got the most special box of all.

Pam

Susie,
Very eloquently said. A wonderful box filled with special items, enjoy !

Maria, how thoughtful to personalize Susie's book ~ neat idea.

What a thoughtful and special swap box. I love anything maple and the book would be better than any travel guide, I think.

Enjoy Susie. Maria is still in my prayers here, I'm glad she has friends good enough to ask them to do this for her.

Annie

What a great box Maria (and friends)put together for you. I love that there are notes in the cookbook. That's a great idea. Everything sounds delicious.

Enjoy your gifts Susie.

Tracey

Some intriguing sounding items. Maple Vinegar and Maple Champagne Mustard..
Mmmmmm those sound wunderful!

(I don't know the story about Maria's Loss, but I'm sorry just the same.) It's never easy to loose anyone we love.

What a wonderful support system Maria has as well. Good friends are best kept close!

Maria is an amazing person to carry through with our swap fun in the wake of her tragedy. I'm sure you will enjoy the package immensely Susie.

You're right Susie, Maria's tragic loss makes this box even more special. Besides, it sounds like the contents are special too. Mmmm maple vinegar and Maine blueberries. Great!

I just think it awesome that Maria continued with the swap after the tragic sudden loss of her husband. That makes this a very, very special swap box indeed. And it truly was. Great stuff!

Wow, if someone had a reason to bow out of a swap, it's Maria. But the fact she went ahead and did it... that's special, SusieQ. And what a great assortment it is. Love maple. Love it! The books sounds great, too. I do hope you enjoy it all, SQ. By the way, I noticed you've been MIA. Where you been?

I also recall that Maria said DH loved to help plan out swap boxes. Wow, how special he was.

Does the seafood shack book have recipes in it? Even if it doesn't, it sounds like something I'd love to browse through! Everything else sounds great also, I'm sure you will enjoy it all.

Susan

Oh what a lovely box. I think it's amazing Maria, with everything going on, could focus on getting someone to send it out for her.

It's a great assortment. I like that mustard! And the tequila lime cocktail sauce sounds great! I believe I have that cookbook (bought it a couple of years ago when I was in Maine). If it's the same one, I enjoyed reading is as well as the recipes.

Super package Susan. Enjoy!

Maria, great work! Still keeping you in my thoughts.

Another one here who has noticed Susie's 'vacation'. Welcome back!
I think the boxes from Scott to Maria and Maria to Susie will be among the more memorable to them. Nice assortment, Maria!

Susie, you truly did get a special box from Maria. You are going to love that maple champagne mustard and maple vinegar. And the wild blueberries. Good job Maria and you are in all of our thoughts.

Great box Maria. I'm looking forward to you coming back and posting.

Tequila lime cocktail sauce...Yuummmmmm, let us know!

What a very special swap box, Susie. We're all thinking of you, Maria...see you when you're ready.

What a VERY special box. That's what makes this forum so special. It's good to know Maria has such good friends supporting and helping her at this time.

The book sounds very, very special. Enjoy your package Susie...

Maria, what a wonderful assortment of items you and Tyler picked out for Susie on your recent trip to Maine.

Stacy

All I can do is ditto what was said above. I can't say what I would do in Maria's situation; I don't know that I would have her strength and I can't say that I could even get everything together to the point that I could hand the project off to friends.

Indeed, Susie and Maria now have a special bond.

Cathy

What a very special package!

Thinking of you, Maria!

How thoughtful and meaningful this package is. Sounds like alot of really special treats.

Holding you in prayers, Maria.

janet

Suzie somehow you are just the right person to have Maria for a swap partner this time. I can't explain it but you are so familiar and loving and safe.

Maria, God bless you for still doing this is, my thoughts are with you.

Now this thread brought a tear to my eyes..... what a special swap box. Lots of interesting goodies too.

Maria, we're thinking of you and sending prayers.

What a wonderful box. The cocktail sauce sounds wonderful.

I can't help but picture Maria (even though I have never seen her) shopping happily for everything and then life changed in a blink of an eye. I too have been thinking of her and her late husband.

Susie, I hope you do get to visit some of those seafood shacks. Sounds like fun.

I come back to this thread everyday hoping to see a post from Maria. If your reading Maria know that you are in our thoughts everyday!

Susie, a lovely post. And a special swap box from Maria.

Ann

How touching that Marie through her friends would send her swap . And how very special those items will be for you Susie .

Marie-- hope to see you back .