WANTED: Two outta three!!

19 years ago

My (first) box is here!!

It actually arrived last Friday, but I have been really busy all weekend and am just now able to post.

Maria was my partner and she must have sent spies!!

Everything is perfect!

First here's the box:

{{gwi:1467246}}

There's a card on top that says to read last.

Then my wrapped gifts. So far, all I can see is the awesome fruit chutney!

{{gwi:1467247}}

Here's a closeup:

{{gwi:1467248}}

Then I opened the smaller squishy package and found 2 beautiful hand knitted dish cloths that perfectly match my decor.

Here's a couple of shots of my dining room curtains and a pillow on my couch.

{{gwi:1467250}}

Next I opened the BIG box and found a delicious looking Italian cake called Panettone.

{{gwi:1467252}}

Here's everything together:

{{gwi:1467253}}

The very sweet card was to let me know that the cookbook willl arrive separately from the book seller.

Maria had a wonderful theme:

"Things her Nonna would have made"

I love it all and am honored that you wanted to share some of your Italian heritage. I am anxiously awaiting the cookbook..........

I did see your post on the other thread today that you had to make a second choice. Based on all these goodies, I know I'm gonna love it!

And just so you know.......I HAD to make a pork roast so we could try the chutney.......it is absolutely delicious!!!

There's a little left, so we'll be having chicken sometime this week.....or maybe it'll just go on my leftover turkey sandwich!! Yummmmmmmmmm.

Haven't tried the cake yet, but probably will serve it for Thanksgiving!

Thank you so much, Maria! I am happy you were my very first swap partner!

Deanna

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Comments (29)

sheshebop
19 years ago
Lovely package! I love the theme! Maria, Did you make the chutney?
lori316
19 years ago
Italian desserts - what's better than that?!

Maria, those hand-knitted dish cloths reminded me of my grandmother. What a sweet theme. And the fruit chutney sounds yummy.

Enjoy it, Deanna. Nice job, Maria. Can't wait to see the book.
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annie1992
19 years ago
Deanna, those colors do go perfectly with your decor, and the chutney sounds like it is (was?) amazing.

An extra dessert for Thanksgiving is always a good idea, I can't wait to hear about the cookbook.

Maria, what a nice swap you made.

Annie
Gina_W
19 years ago
Well, that nice package was worth the wait! And there's more coming? Hmmm, someone else who can't count...
momto4kids
19 years ago
Those colors are perfect for you! Great job! The chutney looks yummy! Italian cake...I've never seen a cake like that before! I'm sure it's good,too! And you still have a cookbook coming! Spreading out the rewards of your swap package! Lucky you!

Great job Maria!
wizardnm
19 years ago
I really like hand made dishclothes like those. I usually buy then at craft fairs, they work good.
Panettone......yum!
Can't wait to hear about the cook book.

Nancy
chancesmom
19 years ago
very lovely package! now I can't wait to see what cookbook you picked out!
Terri_PacNW
19 years ago
That chutney does look good. I've never had panettone. Hmmmmmmmm...RR and Mario Batali used it on their Iron Chef competition instead of pound cake in a triffle.
It looked soooo good.

I love those handmade dish cloths..

Oooh we have to wait for the cookbook...It's nice to know another package is coming, isn't it. LOL
trixietx
19 years ago
What a nice package, I love the dish towels and the chutney looks delicious.

I have never had panettone, but it looks like a pound cake with fruit and it looks really good. I don't like fruitcake but I think I would like that.

Can't wait to hear about your cookbook!
compumom
19 years ago
We're often gifted with Pannetone during the holidays and I find that some of them make a delicious french toast or bread pudding! How sweet and thoughtful of Maria to use that theme and make those dishclothes. They're too nice to use!
alison
19 years ago
What a wonderful package. Those knit dishclothes are so useful -- what a bonus that they match your colors!

Can't wait to see the cookbook -- pannetone is such a great holiday treat.

Nice box!
doucanoe
19 years ago
Oh, those dishcloths and home made chutney are wonderful! Maria, did you make them?

I have never tried Pannetone either, but it looks good enough to eat! LOL The other night on Iron Chef, Mario and Rachel made a really great dessert using Pannetone. If I can find one, I mught try to make it!

Great job, Maria, I can see why Deanna is ecstatic!

Linda
lsr2002
19 years ago
I love Pannetone and look forward to it every holiday season; and I've never met a chutney that I didn't love. Maria must have had spies to have the colors in the dishcloths be so perfect for you home. I'm looking forward to hearing about the cookbook too.

Lee
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
19 years ago
Great package, Maria. Pannetone is so good! Very pretty dish towels! Looking forward to hearing about the cookbook! Enjoy your gifts, Deanna!
maggie2094
19 years ago
Great theme. I love that the towels match so well. Enjoy, Deanna.
traceys
19 years ago
Wonderful package you put together Maria. The dishcloths are beautiful. I admire anyone who can knit. I've never had Pannetone but it sounds delicious. I can't wait to hear about the book.

Enjoy Deanna!!

Tracey
stacy3
19 years ago
awww - what a fabulous theme!!!!!! I really love it - and the dish cloths are beautiful - they actually remind me of slipper s my grandma used to make.

Beautiful job Maria.

Stacy
mer4205
19 years ago
Hey Deanna! I'm glad the washcloths are the right colors! The chutney is my special recipe. I use mango, apples, and mixed dried fruit. The pannetone is great with a cup of espresso. It is also great in bread pudding....
I hope the cook book has arrived. It is one of my all time favorites.
My computer is finally on-line. So I'll post more as I get a chance to check out everyone else's swap stuff! -maria
Lars
19 years ago
Very beautiful and thoughtful package. The panettone reminds me of my roommate in San Francisco, whose Sicilian mother sent us panettone (and Italian cookies) every Christmas from NYC. Of course we had plenty of Italian bakeries in San Francisco, but it was special to get NY panettone each year. I like it much better than regular fruitcake.

Did Maria make the dishtowels? They are really beautiful!

Lars
dgkritch
Original Author
19 years ago
Maria,
No cookbook yet.............
I am checking everyday! Can't wait....well, I guess I can.....no choice, huh? (grin)

I hope my mail lady didn't swipe it!! hee hee
It's a small town..........I can find out where she lives!!!

I will post a picture when it comes and let you know. Then we can super-duper officially wrap up this swap!
Deanna
mer4205
19 years ago
Deanna, I have not even thought of calling the mail order company. I will call tomorrow to see what is happening. I would think you should have it by now...-maria
sally2_gw
19 years ago
What a neat theme, and nice gifts. I never would have thought of hand knitted dish cloths. They're great. Maybe you can drive by the mail carrier's house and sniff for the smells of wonderful cooking. That might be a clue!

Sally
mer4205
19 years ago
Hey Deanna! I called and the book shipped out on 11/22 - you should have it any day now! Said it takes 7 - 12 days to get to you! -maria
dgkritch
Original Author
19 years ago
Oh Boy!!
Now I really can't wait to get home.....maybe it'll be there just in time for some weekend cooking!
Thanks for checking, Maria.
Deanna
dgkritch
Original Author
19 years ago
Wahoo! My cookbook came on Saturday!!
And it was DEFINITELY worth waiting for.
It's called the Italian Baker.
I think it has everything you ever wanted to know about bread in Italy. History, regions, local ingredients. And it's gorgeous to boot!
Here's the cover!
{{gwi:1467254}}

I spent 2 hours Saturday evening reading on the couch.....(thanks Maria, I didn't get anything else accomplished! grin!!)

I didn't even get a fourth of the way into the book. This is going to provide hours and hours of fun! Reading, then trying the recipes!

Thank you Maria, I love it!!!
Deanna
User
19 years ago
Oh Deanna, I have that cookbook. What a great choice of cookbook Maria sent you.

Can't wait to see what you bake first.

Ann
wizardnm
19 years ago
Nice cookbook, looks like a great addition to anyones collection.
Send it my way......LOL

Nancy
mer4205
19 years ago
Oh boy! I am so glad it finally arrived! This is the all time greatest book of Italian bread and pastry. The method of making the starter will make a bread that is better than any crusty bread you would find in the Bronx, NY.

Deanna, the recipe for Ciabatta on page 106 is wonderful - you will impress your friends! Also, my favorite biscotti recipe is on page 409(I usually double the recipe)- I add the grated zest of one orange and 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract too...also, biscotti are great with a native to your area dessert wine....and there is the Panettone and Pandoro recipes to try...Carol Field is a wonderful writer-she really shares her love of Italian baking through the history and research to the reader.

My Nonna was a great bread baker - from little "bird's" she made that held hard boiled eggs for Easter to her pane d'casa...many of these recipes recipes remind me of her.

Hope you have a great time experimenting! Enjoy! -maria
Terri_PacNW
19 years ago
Wow that's some reading material. It sounds lovely!

WANTED: Two outta three!!

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