Very, very nice...

18 years ago

...and boy am I glad everything was in one piece. We got home late Friday night and as we walked up the path to the back door it look like Hansel and Gretel had left a paper trail. Little chewed up pieces of newspaper everywhere. And cardboard. Great...the dog is dragging home trash. Then we got to the porch. Uh-oh. A big box on the doorstep. Big hole in the box. Our mail is delivered a half mile down the road and normally they'd leave a pick-up notice, but someone must've been there at mail time who thought they'd be a good neighbor and placed it right next to the dog's bed.

It was a package from Jo (though it didn't register at first...I thought the 'co' in jojoco meant Colorado...I don't keep up very well, lol). We carried it in. I could see bubble wrap...nothing leaking...whew!

A very nice selection that you fortunately packed very well. Thank you Jo! (I think the dog was after your, ahem, recyclable packing material.)

First is a bottle of port. I have to say I have never tried port, though I am liking red wine more these days. I think we'll save it for the first snow. Jo says to pair with dark chocolate...fine by me.

The plates are greener than in the picture, and gorgeous. And wouldn't they be perfect for the chocolate pear that's on one of Ann's food porn cards.

The caroler...she's very adorable. A Byers Choice, which I have never heard of. So I googled them and gee....they sell them in Spokane. I may have to make a field trip to the north end and check them out. She will have a special place at Christmas, Jo.

Thanks again...you done good.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (30)

diana55
18 years ago
Very nice!!! I love the Caroler. She is so cute. My DH just loves Port wine. I have never tried it myself, but he likes it with Cheese. You put together a nice package Jo. Enjoy!!! Diana55
annie1992
18 years ago
Katie, I canned some pears in port wine for Mom and she loved them, although I think dark chocolate is a MUCH better choice, LOL

Those plates are really nice and the caroler is cute and unique. I've never heard of Byer's Choice either, I'm off to google.

Great package, Jo, good enough that even the dog wanted a piece of it!

Annie
Related Discussions
Peach Report 2013
Q
Comments (46)
I ate so many perfect peaches this year and it didn't really matter too much the variety. Just if they are heavily thinned and was the peach picked from a well exposed part of the tree. To me, there isn't that wide a range of qualities between yellow peaches on a good year. I was surprised and pleased with the lemony flavor of Earnie's choice this year, something I didn't notice before so I wonder how it will taste next year and is this a common occurance. I have a Red Haven on my property that for some reason puts out a lot of perfect looking watery and bland fruit year after year but I even found a few perfect ones on it. I do like a tree with large sized peaches, deep orange flesh that bears over a long period, like 3 weeks, without the last ones mushing out. Jonboy provides these year after year for me. Earnie's choice seemed to be done in little more than a week. There are now some yellows coming out that are low-acid, so I guess they must be noticeably different but I like higher acid peaches so it's not likely a difference I will appreciate. Messina has great red and orange colored flesh and is a very highly flavored peach. I'm beginning to believe it is a standout in its season as there were very few duds. But this was only it's third year of fruiting so I want to see how it does when the tree is fully sized up. I ate a couple of Autumn Star this year that were promising- does have some acid to go with the sugar. It will have to be good to surpass Encore for a late though. Coralstar is a peach that seemed so wonderful when I picked the fruit from a small tree but now seems to be just another fine large fruiting variety without great distinction as picked off a full sized tree. Maybe that's what happened with TangO but I need a couple more seasons with that one. It is at least a very distinctive peach for its texture and even though I wasn't that crazy about it this year my customers go ga ga for it. Another one that seemed great from a small tree was Desiree- at least for such an early one. I will try to find room to put one where I can evaluate it as a mature tree. White peaches that I liked this year were Manon, which seems to get very high sugar and good size for such an early peach and Lady Nancy which got huge and is the best textured white I've every tasted- nice melting flesh. I loved having nectarines for most of peach season although most of the later varieties crack too much to be practical. Ambre was the exception but it's a young tree and didn't have a lot of fruit. I'm not even sure how much I like its flavor as it is a low acid type. Eastern Glo and Summer Beaut both seem almost as easy to grow as peaches and should be more widely utilized by people who want more snap than a peach is likely to provide. By the way, I think you can call the sports of Loring to be pretty much the same peach but ripening at different times. No important other difference between Jonboy and Loring that I can discern.
...See More
Afterglow from visit to FW Botanical Garden
Q
Comments (25)
Annie, I'd like to hear about that Montreal garden too. Ann, it sounds like you are right about it being R. bruonii. It was definitely huge, and no blooms at all that day. Thanks for the info! Malmaison, I was surprised at how much I liked MAM, they had several specimens and they all looked great to me. One of the happiest looking plants in the garden, and a very shapely bush habit. Bon Silene was as big as an ornamental tree. It was a huge plant, perhaps the biggest tea rose I've ever seen. Nur Mahal was grown as a free-standing shrub. The plant was wider than tall, with an open habit and arching canes. I thought of a fountain when I looked at it. It is not a huge plant, and will fit nicely in my garden. Just guessing, I'd say maybe 4 ft tall and perhaps 5 ft wide. I was like a deer caught in the headlights will all these old roses around me, I'm afraid I didn't sample the fragrance on this one. A guy walking around alone in a giant rose garden in Texas could get beat up for looking like he's TOO interested, so I didn't go out of my way to stick my nose into too many blooms :-) In the book, 'The Organic Rose Garden', Liz Druitt raves about this rose's scent. MadGallica, thank you for the info on brunonii ... I am sure you are right. A person could have crawled up under it and been hidden from view it was so mushroom-like and massive. In the step garden area, I think the designer was going for a "knock-your-socks-off" view as you enter the garden from above. That would explain why they had so much of one variety in that area. It is definitely impressive from that vantage point. Valerie, I felt really fortunate to have seen that many old roses in one day at one garden. It says volumes for the city of Fort Worth to offer something like this free to their citizens. Randy
...See More
'Rhode Island Red'
Q
Comments (3)
I do not winter protect this one. So far it has come thru one winter with alot of live wood. Altho last winter was relatively mild here. The other Brownell hybrids I have are 'Senior Prom', 'Charlotte Brownell', and 'Maria Stern'. They are more winter-hardy than your average h/t, but not to the tips. -Paul
...See More
updates continued thru March 18th.
Q
Comments (2)
These stories are terrific. I'm so enjoying them & am glad you're sending them to the forum, not only to keep us abreast and for our entertainment, but so you've got a record with fresh details of your journey. All the little events that make the ride so special would be lost down the memory hole if you'd tried to recall them after the trip. Life is more colorful in Louisiana, isn't it? People there will interact with total strangers -- it's great. I'm praying for good weather & safety for y'all.
...See More
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
18 years ago
Great package, Jo! Katie, the chocolate with Port gets my vote, too, although my neighbor always opted for a cigar with his. I'd go with the chocolate :) I love the plates and the Caroler is cute! Enjoy your gifts!
lackboys3
18 years ago
Lovely swap box Jo! Katie, you can do a lot with port wine, I second Annie's suggestion to have it with a nice crisp pear. I think you can poach the pears in port, then drizzle with dark chocolate. It will probably look a lot like Ann's card! The plates are wonderful, and a great replacement for anyone who hasn't seen the real autumn leaves change yet:-) Enjoy the caroler, she's quite sweet!
DONNA
riverrat1
18 years ago
What a lovely package. Great job jo!

I just poached pears in a mixture of Cabernet and port...omgoodness, they were good. Add some cracked green cardamon pods (in cheesecloth), vanilla, lemon and sugar. Once the pears are soft reduce the poaching liquid down to a syrup. This is on my last meal list ;-)

The plates are great for all kinds of things. I'd use them as bread and butter plates too!

Enjoy your package Katie. It's a good one for sure.
msafirstein
18 years ago
I love leaf dishes and do my entire table with leaves when I can! And your leaf plates are a good size with many uses.

The caroler is too adorable! I keep a little bit of Christmas displayed year round and she would be center on 1 of my shelves.

Good job Jo!! Katie enjoy your goodies.

Michelle
chancesmom
18 years ago
I sure hope you enjoy the Port, Katie, I love it after a nice meal with cheeses and fruit.....but now will have to try with dark chocolate! The plates look perfect for this time of year, bet you can get lots of use out of them.

Lovely package, Jo!
kathleen_li
18 years ago
I LOVE the leaf plates, so pretty. The Byers figure is grand, very collectible, my friend has a collection, treasure it!!!
GREAT JOB, JO, LUCKY KATIE!
artsyshell
18 years ago
That caroler is so cute! Love the dishes and everything else. Nice swap! Was the pancake mix included in the swap too?

Shelley
mustangs81
18 years ago
How very nice! That was my question too Shelley, i.e. pancake mix.

You all amaze me with your packaging abilities, I'm a packaging wimp. I always have a thought to packaging with I make my selections.
ziporion
18 years ago
Michelle, those leaf cookies you made would go great on those lovely leaf plates.
I love that port!

Nice package!

Catherine
jojoco
18 years ago
Katie,
I am so glad everything arrived basically intact. To answer the pancake question, I used the two pancake packages as "packing material", to keep everything from sliding. I called it recycleable materials. I am learning from the pros how to cheat ;)
This was my first swap and I realize I didn't do it exactly right, by including something (the caroller) that has absolutely nothing to do with cooking. But it is a favorite...
I am so glad you enjoyed it all.

Jo
Bizzo
18 years ago
Jo-
AWESOME for your first swap! Way to go.

That port looks yummy... and you all are making me hungry with port and poached pears, and chocolate pears, and chocolate... isn't it amazing what a beautiful dish does to a foodie!

Great favorites!! (And packing material LOL!!!)

Elizabeth
earthlydelights
18 years ago
excellent package!!!

i just love port - it is a wonderful dessert wine and yes indeed, a great dark chocolate accompaniment, or then again, sipped on its own.

those plates would be perfect for my thanksgiving table as dessert plates. i would need to get about 20 of them.

byer carolers are made in chalfont, pa - about 20 miles from me. the last weekend in september is when they normally hold their open house and it's a really wonderful experience/event.

way to go jo - katie, enjoy everything!

maryanne
BeverlyAL
18 years ago
Great package! I especially love those leaf dishes.

Beverly
alison
18 years ago
Jo -- what a lovely package! I love those plates, and the caroller is very sweet. I love the ...ahem...recyclable material.

I'm just learning about port, Katie -- enjoy!
Terri_PacNW
18 years ago
Cute leaves...I lika very much..

Neat packaging materials too.
msafirstein
18 years ago
the caroller

The caroler can be used in a tablescape, same as placemats or napkins or.......

I have to say that because of this swap box I was looking at some Thanksgiving Indian figurines today. One I particularly liked but there was no mate for her. And now I wished I had bought it.

Michelle
Marigene
18 years ago
Katie, love the leaf plates, and oh, that caroler is so cute. Port?, hmm, never tried it...nice package, Jo.
doucanoe
18 years ago
I don't think I have ever had port, either, but I love red wines, so I am sure I'd like it. Those plates are really wonderful! That caroller is just too darn cute! Great first swap, Jo! Ya done good!

Enjoy, Katie!

Linda
KatieC
Original Author
18 years ago
OK, I was trying to be vague about the packing materials (buttermilk and buckwheat). I am a good recycler, I will do my duty.

Jo, I'm glad you 'didn't do it exactly right'. She's very cute...I may have to find her a friend. Or two.
arabellamiller
18 years ago
Very,very nice is right!

What a great job you did Jo. Those plates are gorgeous. And nice job with the "packing material"

AM
granjan
18 years ago
Delightful package. Love the leaf plates.
User
18 years ago
Very nice. I especially love the Port. Enjoy Katie.

Ann

PS. Just a reminder though that "Packing Material" other than paper, bubble wrap (etc.) is cheating.
craftyrn
18 years ago
I just love those plates ! And the Caroler is so cute .

And Katie-- port makes a divine, decadent jelly.

Jo , your "packing material" is a big favorite of mine, esp their Buckwheat -- yeah ya cheated but good job anyway.

Diane
homesforsale
18 years ago
I must say I favor carolers too..I have a few and look forward to taking them out every year!

Love the leaves too:)
sigh
18 years ago
must...find...those...leaf...plates. LOVE them!
Also port is fabulous for soaking dried cherries or cranberries in. I use port soaked cranberries as part of my Thanksgiving Harvest Salad and they are divine. The salad also calls for stilton, another great port pairing. Trust me, you'll love it.
Great box!

Nina
jessyf
18 years ago
Oh so there are TWO cheater bags of mix? A second look at the picture - yup, one is hiding behind the caroler!

I have tasted that port. Its very very good! Nice idea for cranberries, Nina, can you post the recipe on Discussions?

Those plates are beautiful!
lsr2002
18 years ago
Warres Port is great with either dark choclate or Stilton. I grew up having little sips of port with cheese on Saturday nights with my parents. It wasn't until I was married and buying it on my own that I first had it with chocolate - total yum.

I love your "packing material" too. It's lucky the dog didn't help more with unpacking.

Lee
sigh
18 years ago
I can't believe that I missed the "packing material"! How clever, how crafty! And oh boy, Lee's right. It's a good thing the dog got discouraged by all of the other packing material.

Jessy, the salad is always a hit. I'll post the recipe in discussions now.

Nina

Very, very nice...

Comments (30)

diana55

annie1992

Related Discussions

Carol Schmertzler Siegel

lackboys3

riverrat1

msafirstein

chancesmom

kathleen_li

artsyshell

mustangs81

ziporion

jojoco

Bizzo

earthlydelights

BeverlyAL

alison

Terri_PacNW

msafirstein

Marigene

doucanoe

KatieC
Original Author

arabellamiller

granjan

User

craftyrn

homesforsale

sigh

jessyf

lsr2002

sigh

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Very, very nice...

Comments (30)

Related Discussions

KatieCOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

KatieC
Original Author