I actually love that silicon mat! How nice to have the cookie placement marked out for you.

All the jams sound great, but I've never had rhubarb - I'd probably start with the strawberry. Can you make a pie with the apple?

The cookbook sounds like a good fit for you - I'll be interested to see how they use fewer than 5 ingredients.

Lars

Wow, that is a very nice package! I think as I start to do a bit more baking I need a silicone matt too!!! And the jam sounds amazing. Sarah is too cute.

Enjoy it all, Phyliss

janet

I am so glad everything arrived in one piece and you like all of it. I spent a lot of time deciding what to send. I'm a little obsessive, LOL. Oh carp, Julian just woke up. Well here is the "To my Partner" with all the blanks filled in...

-Robin

Ah, at last I am done deciding what to send you, however the wait is not over yet. You see the cookbook has not arrived yet and I only placed the order for your local item last night. I could have gone to get it, but the temptation to go on a spending spree would have been too much for me. So paying shipping is the more frugal choice.

Then there is your homemade goodies, which I believe is 3/4 complete... There is one item I would really like to make and add to the grouping, as time permits.

You local was the hardest choice for me to make, would you want some syrup, or chocolate, how about some salad dressing, or I could send a Snow Flake Bentley photo of a single snow flake crystal? Oh the choices they might kill me I thought as I tried to narrow it down. Finally I remembered King Arthur Flour and looked there yesterday. I thought maybe a mix to help you make a pie crust, there was a fruit pie kit that had that and some more. But no it was backordered, and it seemed a little mean. So I got you a cookie mat with markings for spacing and a King Arthur Logo too. You said you like to bake cookies in a thread so long ago, so this should fit, I hope...

So while I am done deciding, and even the shopping is done, your package is not ready, you will have to wait some more I am sad to say.

-Robin

Oh yum, Robin's jam is always wonderful and that mat looks very handy. I'll bet David will love that, put a cookie on the dot. LOL

Of course, that baby girl sleeping next to the box is perfect too, probably why you need that "5 ingredient or less" cookbook.

Annie

Phyllis, I was just admiring that KA cookie mat last weekend in my new KF catalogue. I'm thinking you'll enjoy it.

The jams sound wonderful. The rhubarb would be what I went for first. It would bring back memories of my Mom. She made a rhubarb pudding that I loved as a child. I'll bet none of them last more than a couple weeks.

I like the idea of the five ingredient cookbook. I also cook mainly from a pantry & need recipes that don't call for weird stuff. Looking forward to seeing a couple examples.

Great package, Robin! and enjoy your goodies, Phyllis!

Sarah is darling.

Tricia

Oh I don't know Phyllis- Sarah looks to be perfectly content with your swap box !

Jams are GOOD-- especially rhubarb , nothing better on a warm biscuit . Tricky thing that mat . And I love the idea of that cookbook-- going to be used alot I bet.

That mat is sooo cool! What a nifty trick..the marking spots.

Lots of jams to try..
And I'll look forward to you sharing some recipes from that Book!
I like things that are minimal and quick.

Oh, I'm not sure which item I like best. I love them all! I think I would have a Jam tasting. LOL!

Great job Robin!

MMM. I haven't had rhubarb jam in I don't know how long, but it is one of my faves!
I have looked at those silicone mats, too, but have not gotten one yet. Maybe yours will be my inspiration! Five ingredients or less? What's not to love?

Great box, Robin! Phyllis, Sarah is a doll!

Linda

The mat seemed like the perfect purchase when I made cookies with Sebastian. I kept moving the cookies to the correct spacing when he wasn't looking. But placing them on the mat he would enjoy. However I did not think to get myself one.

The rhubarb in the rhubarb plum jam comes from my new backyard. My next door neighbors gave me a second plant so maybe in a few years I can make a full size batch. however I knew Phyllis loves rhubarb so I knew what I had to do with the rhubarb in the freezer.

Sarah is beautiful btw, so glad the box is not disturbing her nap.

-Robin

lars, the apple pie jam is called that because it contains apples and apple pie spices. So it is a little like eating an apple pie. In this house we like it best on French Toast. Annie bakes it into the centers of bran muffins i believe.

-Robin

Okay, Phyllis, you win for best picture. All kinds of sweet things in your shot. That jam sounds like it's out of this world -- drambuie and cointreau? Apple pie jam? Let me at 'em. Wow.

Okay Robin, did you intentionally color coordinate the pastry mat and cookbook ;) Wonderful package. The cookbook sounds right up my alley too!

Great package, Robin. Those jams look fantastic! There is nothing like homemade jams! Great cookbook and the mat is really cool. Nice idea! Enjoy, Phyllis! Sarah is a beautiful little doll!

Great choices, Robin! I speak from experience when I say your jams are the best! I still want to make some Apple Pie Jam.

Yep, Phyliss gets the best swap box photo award. Enjoy all your goodies!

That swap is really, really nice, but I am sorry to say that it was just a little overshadowed by that absolutely adorable little munchkin in the baby carrier, lol. The jam is great, I love the cookbook, and the silicone mat is awesome....BUT...the baby is breathtaking!

That cookbook sounds right up my sister's alley - let us know what you make. Love the homemade goodies and the mat -- and Sarah is too cute for words. Enjoy!

I WANT THE BABY!!!!!

Everything else is awesome too.

You're going to have lots of fun. We want to see that mat in use and of course, post recipes!

Nothing beats homemade jam.
Deanna

That is one happy, sleeping baby, just check out that contented face!

Nice package, especially love the homemade jams, I'd pick the strawberry, smells of summer!

And that cookbook should produce some very interesting recipes, and what a score on the silicon mat!

Very nice Robin! Enjoy your package Phyllis!

Catherine

Phyllis, super package! Sarah is adorable.
Robin, clever, having King Arthur as your local item.

Jayne

I knew that Robin would send something special. Wonderful swap box. That mat will be perfect for when Phyllis makes cookies with David.

Phyllis, what a sweet photo of Sarah. Enjoy all those wonderful jams.

Ann

That swing is a lifesaver! That and the radio - tuned to nothing but static and turned up really loudly. Works for us!

I can't wait to bust into the rhubarb jam. I lovvvvvve Rhubarb! Robin, it killed me how you said in your letter, "The house we bought this summer has a rhubarb plant," like it's a fixture of the house. :D Very important!

OK, bring out the hot bread...I'm ready for jam!! Those all sound yummy. I can't imagine which I'd try first.

You should be able to post TWO recipes since the ingredient list is short. That sounds like a cookbook most of us could use. And the mat will be so handy. It won't be long before Sarah will be rolling up cookies to put on the dots! (She's a sweetie! Thanks for the photo!) A totally great package.

Woo Hoo Apple Pie Jam?? Really? Yum I'd eat that on a spoon!! I also love the cookbook with 5 ingredietns or less that's right up my alley!

Great Job!

Shhhh don't wake the baby!!

The cookbook is really neat! That would be good for me, too! Those jams...very special. The cookie silicone mat is such a great idea. Great package! Enjoy!

Robin..great job!

Strawberry jam with cointreau and drambuie! Apple Pie Jam? Ohmygawd.

That mat is clever. The King knows how to do things.

Very nice!

I'm drooling at the thought of apple pie jam. You've got several to choose from...hmmm, how about 4 slices of toast for breakfast, with a different jam on each slice.

The cookbook sounds great. I'd love to look through that one.

And, of course, all this is upstaged by the little cutey pie who just had to get in on the picture. :-)))

OMG, Robinkate's Strawberry jam is to die for! I'm sure the Apple Pie is too, I could definitely consume 'mass quantities' of both! Sarah is precious, I love little girls dressed in purple!

First of all Sarah is beautiful!! Nothing better than a sleeping baby. Well maybe a smiling one.

Terrific package you put together Robin. I want one of those mats. I just got a catalog this could be dangerous.

All those jams sound amazing. I've never had rhubarb.

Enjoy Phyllis!!

Tracey

that strawberry jam sounds heavenly - and I just love rhubarb. (Sarah looks so BIG already!!!)

That idea of the baking mat is very cool! I need one too as I have a heck of a time with spacing. I usually have to break them apart and they have square sides...

I can't wait to hear about the cookbook, too! How perfect for you with your young children!!!

Wonderful choices, Robin, I liked seeing your note filled in...(I was wondering about that mean part - lol!)

Stacy

What a perfect cookbook for you Phyllis. With two little ones 5 ingredients would be max! Love the idea of the cookie sheet too, David can have some fun lining them up.

I've seen your PB& Jam sandwiches up close and personal!!!! Not with that jam! LOL

That's a very nice package you put together, Robin. That mat looks very handy. It looked like it had measurements on it, too, which would be really useful to me. I find myself in search of a ruler to measure pastry or a dish or something, and needing to wash it cause it was lost in a jumble drawer or had fallen under the sofa. The book looks very useful, and I bet you'll enjoy those jams, if your husband doesn't get to them first!

Sally

Sharon, I totally forgot about the smashed PB&J sandwich! And the bruised banana! LOL All that stuff floating around in my bag...at least David ate it!

(He went through a phase of hating PB&J - I don't blame him - but now he eats it because I cut out the bread in the shape of a heart. Hee hee! Evil mommy!)

"I want the baby!" -- LOL!!

Apple pie jam? Oh that sounds Tooooo good!!!

Awesome package! And Beautiful Baby! I think the cookbook sounds great, the silicon mat wonderful, and the jams delicious.

Nice work Robin!

I have no doubt that all of those jams will be fantastic. I'm liking the cookbook too, can't wait for you to share a recipe. Enjoy it all Phyllis, Sarah is a cutie for sure! Good job Robin!

David

Sarah is beautiful. The jams sound great! Great swap package. Adele

Preserves from Robin...you are a lucky woman, Phyllis. The mat looks very handy. Can't wait to see some quick and easy recipes from that cookbook. Nice swap.

Robin puts together a really, really good package and if you don't like the strawberry jam, send it my way!

I need that baking mat and the cookbook too! This swap has sure added to my Christmas wish list.

Little Sarah is so sweet and cute!

Those preserves look delicious! I love the KAF mat and the cookbook should be very useful for a busy mom! Sarah is adorable! :) Wonderful package, Robin!

Great choices for Phyllis! I got through toddlerhood with a bunch of those '5 in 10' type books. And I know what yum you are in for having been a recipient of some of Robin's jams!

When I finally learn to can, I think the first thing I will make will be the apple pie jam (and the blueberry Jessy sent me). It sounds so good.

Those mats are great. I noticed it in the KA catalog too. What a good idea for baking with kids. I always move the cookies when the kids aren't looking too!

And that book is perfect for a busy mom - with such an adorable baby.