Starz of South Texas have arrived in Connecticut!!

20 years ago

I got my swap package from Brenda in San Antonio today, and I must say I LOVE this package!

Brenda, You really did your research and made some wonderful choices. Thanks so much for taking the pictures, and for the thought that went into your selections.

Brenda's theme was the Starz of South Texas and what brilliant stars they are!!

Here's a picture of the lot, all wrapped up! (Pics courtesy of Brenda!)

Brenda sent a lovely home made card that described each star, and a great personal note with some more detail about her choices.

Her notes from the card:

Austin

This is the first start of South Texas, since it is our capital. Here you'll find the Fonda San Miguel Mexican food restaurant, which is an acclaimed State favorite, so for your reading and cooking pleasure, enjoy Fonda San Miguel Thirty Years of Food and Art. Austin also is Ausin Slow Burn Green Chile Jam and some Texas Sassy Pickle Chips.

The Hill Country

This is our next star, a part of Texas we call "The Hall Country." Texas Hill vineyards has a Pinot Grigio for your wine 'fridge. Fredricksburg Farms is touted for their Raspberry Peach Chipotle Glaze. For a sweet touch, there's Fain's honey.

San Antonio

My home "star." A visit to the Quarry revealed a condiment set for your goodies. then to Williams-Sonoma for a sought after microplane, as well as an avocado gadget (for that guacamole). For a little spice, there's Fireman's hot sauce for your tacos and a San Antonio Scene magazine featuring "Margaritas."

South of the Border

Next star is a little something that comes from across the border: Mexican Vanilla... it rocks.

The Nuts

Now, we can't tala bout the Starz of Texas without talking about the nuts. First, there's the Texas shaped crackers (which is nutty 'nuf by itself), but made in Canada! And, alas AND LEAST, a Texas Monthly magazine for your reading pleasure which includes a recipe article and also shows how really nuts we are here in Texas!

I (Bizzo) just have to say how like a kid I was with all this this afternoon!!

Here's a pic of all the Starz!

The Pinot is in my Wine Fridge chillin', the Condiment Plates are on display in my open shelves in the kicthen, and will be absolutely perfect for when I serve Tacos, as I bring all the fixin's in little bowls to the table!!

I hadn't gotten a microplane yet, and love it!! And about that avocado slicer... I just bought avocado's today, so in a couple days when they are ripe, I'll definitely be trying it out. I've always wanted one, but never wanted to buy one. It's a great gift for me.

I've never tried mexican vanilla, but you should have heard me exclaim when I opened it!! I couldn't resist and had to take a whiff right away. I've read a lot about it, and now I can try it!! (I think whipped cream for my berries I bought today is a perfect start!!)

Brenda really did her research, because I love to read, especially Foodie things, and the magazined (she also included a couple of cool local newspaper articles) are great fun, and the San Miguel book is incredible!! Beautiful and fun!

I kept running from the kitchen with a new goodie saying to my husband "look what we got!"

Brenda, you rock! I am really looking forward to tasting my bits of Texas.

I just LOVE the goodies!!

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Comments (34)

sheshebop
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
That condiment set is to die for! Wow! You will love the Fredericksburg Farm stuff. Mae sent it to me the last swap. That is a truly awesome package, bizzo. Brenda sure did a great job!
kent4489
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Bizzo...whoo hoo, that is one super package. Love that condiment set.
Brenda...nice, very nice indeed. And wrapped nice too!

Jayne
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Marigene
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a super swap, you did good Brenda! Love the color of that condiment set. Rasberry peach chipotle glazing sauce sound interesting, an avocado slicer is on my "want that" list and you will love the microplane. Enjoy!
mustangs81
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
This is so fabulous Brenda!

I think everyone is really outdoing themselves.

I agree, that Raspberry glazing sauce sounds terrific and the condiment set is gorgeous.
annie1992
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Wow, I love that condiment set, it's such a pretty color.

That's a great box, Bizzo, enjoy it.

Annie
goldgirl
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Brenda - what an awesome package you sent, just gorgeous! Bizzo, I know you're gonna enjoy everything!
dedtired
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a beautiful and taseful package!! Everything is so well thought out. Raspberry Peach Chipotle Glaze -- oh yum! The cook book looks like a good one and of course the condiment set is adorable.

Nice job, Brenda. You do rock!
trixietx
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Oh, the condiment set is so pretty and unusual and I haven't ever bought anything in Fredericksburg that wasn't delicious!

What a nice packcage, Brenda.
compumom
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a cute package theme! Everything looks interesting and I'm especially interested in that Chipolte Glaze. Can't wait to hear the report!
chancesmom
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
That package is gorgeous, wrapped and unwrapped. Those condiment dishes are really eye-catching, and am sure you will get lots of use out of them. Nice regional fare!

great job Brenda!

janet
riverrat1
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Yum! Mexican Vanilla!!!

I bought an Avacado slicer thingy the last time I was in 'california. DH uses it all the time making the most perfect slices of avacado. I can't seem to get the swing of using it.

Beautiful package! Enjoy
lori316
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I agree, gorgeous package, wrapped and unwrapped!

LOVE those bowls!

Enjoy it all
homesforsale
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I love that 4 piece bowl set..Gorgeous!What a terrific package..
granjan
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Those gifts are too pretty to open! Just kidding. Great stuff. The condiment set is awesome and the cookbook looks wonderful.
teresa_nc7
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Wow! Color coordinated wrapping too - I feel so lame.....

Wonderful condiment set, cookbook and all the other goodies. Was this your first swap, Brenda? You did good!

Teresa
lindainct
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Great theme, beautiful packaging and terrific gifts, love the bowls. All in all another wonderful swap box.
Bizzo, DH is very envious of your wine fridge. We hope to be doing some remodeling soon and are trying to squeeza one in.
Linda
brenda55
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Teresa, yes, this was my first swap; but, remember, I was the first to get a swap box and it was from goldgirl, who set the bar very high.

Thanks, Bizzo, I am glad you liked it, with it being my first swap, newbie and all, I was worried!

Brenda
dlundin
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Brenda, that is awesome. Way to go with the regional stuff. Terrific. The bowls are amazing. Love 'em. Bizzo, knock yourself out with all those fun goodies.
traceys
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Great box Brenda. I can't believe this is your first swap. I love that condiment set. Why can't I find nice stuff like that around here?

Bizzo Enjoy your goodies. Is the wine history?

Tracey
paulines
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Brenda, GREAT swap package! I love the way you divided your catagories and your presentation is beautiful. Love the colors in the condiment set!

Enjoy Bizzo!
lowspark
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a fabulous package, all that great Texas stuff! Who could ask for anything more??

May (native Texan)
alison
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a wonderful swap package! Evrything from the theme to the wrapping to the individual items! I love the condiment set; the color and pattern are great. And Raspberry Peach Chipotle glaze makes me want to fire up the grill.

Great job, Brenda; and I know you'll enjoy it all, Bizzo!
User
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Yet another amazing swap! I must admit being partial to regional themes and this is a super one!

Brenda that is a great swap and so well put together....don't you love that feeling of relief when it's "there" and it's truly appreciated.

Good job and lucky you bizzo!
Lars
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'm an ex-pat Texan, but I go back regularly, and I do love Fonda San Miguel. I have that cookbook also (autographed), and I can vouch that it is one of the best Mexican cookbooks you can have. I also like that restaurant better than any of the Mexican restaurants in L.A. (although Mexico City and Mida give it competition). The art in the book is beautiful too. There are a lot of good flavors coming from Texas and Mexico!

Lars
shaun
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Woo Hoo! Ole!

I also love the condiment set.....it's cute as a button! Enjoy all your goodies!
User
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I love this package. And so beautifully wrapped. I keep coming back to look at those condiment bowls. And that book looks very interesting too.

Brenda you really put together a wonderful gift box for Bizzo.

Ann
KatieC
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Wow...nice job, Brenda. Bizzo enjoy that gorgeous condiment set! (The rest of it ain't to shabby either, hehe.)
blueiris24
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a wonderful package, Brenda! I love it all -- especially that condiment set. Enjoy Bizzo!
doucanoe
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hot damn, Bizzo! When they say everything is big in Texas, they must be talking about this swap box! Wonderful package, Brenda! I love that cookbook and the condiment set is gorgeous!

Linda
bubbeskitchen
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Whoa! I'm ambling in a bit late on this swap. My horse pulled up lame and dab-nabbit, I couldn't make the round-up sooner.

A litte Texas spirit from Bubbe here! (No, I'm not drinking yet).

I love the regional stuff too. How excellent are those condiment dishes and the deliciousness to go with them?
I love these swaps, so original, hardly an item repeated ('cept maybe a weeny prong or martoonie glass).

I am loving the Fonda San Miguel Restaurant book.

Terrific package, Brenda.

Enjoy it all, Bizzo, Ya--hooo!
lakeguy35
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I travel through Texas all the time for work and this is a perfect selection of Lone Star Goodies. I know you will enjoy all of your treats from the Hill Country Bizzo!!

David
maggie2094
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Absolutely stunning. I want to try everything in it. Brenda, you hit it out of the ballpark. Enjoy, Bizzo:)
momto4kids
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
First of all, that's some beautiful wrapping! I wouldn't have wanted to open them for a while! Too pretty to look at! I'd love to try that chili jam and the firemen's hot sauce! The condiment dishes are gorgeous! I love the color. The wines sound great. Great restaurant book! Enjoy!!

Super job, Brenda!!
craftyrn
20 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Oh great package. That condiment set is so neat-- & way handy Bizzo . Looks like you're in for a great "Texas" time.
Clever theme Brenda -- Sassy pickles huh ? bet they're HOT !

Starz of South Texas have arrived in Connecticut!!

Comments (34)

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