Howdy, friends!
Welcome back for another blog hop with The Blended Blog gals.
Today we are hopping from one blog to the next showing off the goodies we received in our Christmas gift exchange. My pals and I used Elfster Secret Santa organizer to draw names for the blogger we would be giving to.
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The Elfster free online app not only divvied up our names, but also enabled us to create and view wishlists, ask anonymous questions of our recipient, and even leave anonymous messages of thanks, once we received our gifts.
(I learned about that feature a little late!)
If you’re coming from Katie’s blog at The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life, then you know I was her Secret Santa, her Amigo Secreto. And I am glad you are here.
I loved buying for Katie because I feel a special bond with her. We have a lot in common for two gals who were born at least a couple of decades apart and have never met. We are both librarians. She lives in New York and I was born there. She likes wine and so do I.
See what I mean?
And welcome if you are coming by from a stop with Deena! I was the lucky recipient paired with Secret Santa Deena at Shoes to Shiraz.
I also have a number of things in common with Deena.
She lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in Canada. While I have never been there, I have been to Canada. And having been born in Buffalo, NY, I lived right on the U.S.-Canadian border. She is a teacher and I consider myself a teacher as I do a lot of teaching in my job as a librarian. She has two children and so do I, although her children could easily be my grandchildren.
That’s kind the “neat” thing about The Blended Bloggers. While we come in an assortment of personalities and ages, we all have things in common!
But I have wandered off topic, somehow. I know…hard to believe that of me! But tis true.
So, back to Secret Santa.
Here’s the box I received from Deena. Along with a sweet Christmas card with the prettiest message and a photo card of her lovely family.
In an earlier package, I had received the entire series of Anne of Green Gables books. I am pretty sure I had mentioned in a comment on her blog that I had never read Anne of Green Gables. I remember as a little girl loving the cover art on the copy of the book in my elementary school library. I remember checking the book out a time or two but I never read it. I remember wishing I could live in a house with green gables.
Now I can read the entire series of books!
So excited!
The items inside the package pictured above are all about food.
Which is something I love. Love to think about, talk about, eat!
Look at those nummy treats!
I wasted no time sampling the chocolate chip cookies.
Did I say HOMEMADE chocolate chip cookies?
Delicious.
And chock full of chocolate chips!
Then I discovered a bottle of maple syrup.
Pretty certain I have mentioned how much I like pancakes. If not, I have been remiss because I love pancakes. And I cannot wait to try this heavenly syrup. I love the shape of the bottle. Love the golden color of the syrup. How about that label, in English and French!
And then take a look at this deliciousness.
More homemade goodness.
Home-canned, home-grown preserves or jam.
Not sure what the difference is between the two.
But I am sure that this is jar is full of whichever is the fruitiest and most flavorful.
Cannot wait to sample this tomorrow morning.
My mouth is absolutely watering as I finish this post.
Might just have to have breakfast for supper tonight in order to break open these goodies and enjoy.
Thank you, Deena, for a such thoughtful gifts. Doesn’t get much better than good books and good food from a good friend.
Please hurry over to see what Deena received from her Père Noël, her Kris Kringle; you can hop over there by clicking your heels then clicking here. And be sure to run by Katie’s blog here to see what I picked out for her.
Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day here with me.
Big holiday hugs and kisses,
Sheila @ Making the Most of Every Day
Wow what a thoughtful gift! Love that she remembered that about you and she sent the whole set!! Homemade treats = best!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I feel pretty certain that Deena is like a human post-it, full of all of these great details and important little things she remembers about people, what they say, how they feel, what they like. So insightful, so connected to all of us over all these miles. I am blessed to be her friend and the lucky one whose name she drew.
Alison @ Puppies & Pretties
Human post-it note, I love it!
Nicole
Aww I love this gift. Makes me want to re-read the books. What a very Canadian Gift:) Merry Christmas!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
OH!!! I love that you have read the books. I must have been a Canadian at heart, oh those many, many years ago when I was in elementary school. Looking forward to starting the books, fireside tonight. Merry Christmas, dear one.
Shaunacey
what a great gift!! now I want maple syrup lol
Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I would share…but shucks, you live a few thousand miles away. I will enjoy my syrup with you in mind, sweet Shaunacey. XO
deena
yay, glad it made it to you. I have yet to read all the Anne books (my middle name is Anne after the series) but I know you will love them- you’re the perfect dreamer for that series. The jam is Saskatoon Berry, picked from our (and Dan’s parents’) back yard. I meant to add a little info about them, so you can read this instead. That jam was the first batch I’ve ever made and the cookie recipe is my mom’s. HEre’s the info: http://www.prairieberries.com/berry.php
Leslie Roberts Clingan
LOVE that the jam is JAM and is Saskatoon Berry!!! I have never tried that (or even heard of that) but love the originality and the home, sweet home-ness of that. Thank you so much for sharing from your heart, your home, your life. XOXOXOX
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side
What a great gift, and so thoughtful of Deena! Deena did a great job when she sent me my gift last year! As always I enjoyed reading your posts, you are so funny and I love that about your posts 😉 I’ve never read those books either or even heard of them until I was much older, but thinking I need to get Mini Fox them when she gets a bit older and read them with her 😉
Leslie Roberts Clingan
YOU always make me laugh. And I am always so thankful for your supportive, sweet comments. You warm my heart. Deena blew this blogger
gift exchange thing outta the water! I was truly blessed by every thoughtful gift and the beautiful card and picture she included.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Wow! You really got some thoughtful gifts, she really knew what you liked! Isn’t that great? Enjoy these goodies and those books!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, love. I was totally spoiled by Deena. Love it!
lisa
I love the Anne of Green Gables movies – have never read the books (but I am not much of a reader – I know I shouldn’t admit that to the librarian.) Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Leslie!
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Sweet Lisa, I am probably the least readingest librarian around. My husband is often appalled to learn of another book I haven’t read. Just read what I like to read. And read that very slowly. Will have to check out the Anne of Green Gables movies after I savor the books. Merry Christmas to you, my beautiful, fashionable, thoughtful friend.
Carrie
What a great gift! Deena has such a knack to find the perfect gift to fit people. Enjoy it all, Leslie! Merry Christmas!
Lana
This was the perfect gift for you – Deena strikes again! I know you will enjoy all of it!
Alison @ Puppies & Pretties
What a great gift! Books and homemade deliciousness? Perfect!
Wendee Isaacs
Aaaawwww…this is nice. happy holidays dear
wendeeisaacs.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Happy holidays to YOU! So nice to meet you. Thank you for reading and commenting. Please come back again. Stay warm, my friend.
Katie
So fun!! Those books are perfect for you…so thoughtful. Love that Deena included homemade gifts. Great idea!! And Leslie…I love everything you picked out for me!! You know me so well!! Hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Had a quiet Christmas day. Just kind of lonely without family. I hit the jackpot with Deena’s thoughtful gifts, for sure. Glad you like the things I sent you. I kinda like you a little!! XO