Today: Get the mail.
I’m not much of a risk-taker, especially when it comes to giving my home address to a complete stranger via the internets. I’ve just unintentionally set up this post to read like a stranger danger after-school special or Lifetime movie. Relax. I’ve not been mailed anthrax or kidnapped. It’s much, much better than that: I got a box filled with Canadian treats!
Jaime of Embracing Balance, one of my favorite food blogs, put out a call for people willing to exchange products across borders. Again, I’ve somehow made this sound completely creepy. Not drugs or contraband… food, people! Sadly, our neighbors to the north are lacking one of the happiest places on Earth: Trader Joe’s. I imagine, what with things like affordable health care, immaculate city streets, and the Royal Mounted Police, most Canadians wouldn’t necessarily feel that they’re missing out on much. That is, unless they’ve spied a peanut butter filled pretzel. I had so much fun putting together a little package of goodies for Jaime. I got to the post office, filled out the customs form (and felt a little silly declaring chocolate covered edamame) and off it went.
Just a week later, this beauty arrived:
Though we’ve exchanged a few emails (including one where I requested something called a Mr. Big Bar, at Nick’s suggestion… which brings me to this disclaimer: there were two Mr. Big Bars, but one did not last long enough to be photographed), what we know of each other is only through our blogs. As you have now figured out, I ramble about nothing, so I probably didn’t give Jaime much to go on.
Somehow, though, she managed to send the most perfect, thoughtful selection of Canadian goodies!
From a copy of Chatelaine (in French) to Nova Scotian maple syrup and honey, to a bar of fair trade white chocolate… she knew the way to this cold Bostonian heart. I tried my first (and second and tenth) ketchup flavored chip this evening. They were pretty amazing. Thank goodness I’ve never seen them here… I would be in trouble.
My favorite surprise? She included a bar of Grammy’s Gingerbread handmade soap from The Pampered Damsel. If blogs had smells, this one would usually stink… but today, it would smell like spicy gingerbread heaven. I cannot tell you what fun this was. I sort of just did, but really… it was really fun.
Jaime: Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Also On Tap for Today:
- Come out of my Thanksgiving food coma
- Return home to a perfectly clean condo (thanks, Nick!)
- Get ready for brunch with the girls at Franklin Cafe
Maybe we should make exchanges a regular ol’ thing. Who else is in?
Comments (5)
Jaime
November 27, 2009 at 9:28 pm
You can thank my blog readers for those ketchup chips. I had no idea that was a Canadian flavor! They are a favorite for kids because of the sticky red fingers they make. 🙂
Hope your honey liked his Mr. Big. I admit…I bought three…but ate one because they are tooooo yum. hehe.
That soap smells like you can eat it doesn’t it. I found it at an Xmas fair and could not resist. Delicious.
Thank you again! I’m so glad you enjoyed the experience. Here’s hoping we can find others to play along with us!
Allison (Eat Clean Live Green)
November 27, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Just found your blog from Jaime’s – I really like it! 🙂
Can you not get Smarties in the US? who knew?!
Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty
November 27, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Glad you like your Canadian gifts so much!! eh? haha
I would totally 100% be down for an across border exchange!! Especially someone who lives close to a Trader Joes!! Email me if you are interested!! I can’t guarantee it would be much healthy stuff though hehe… !! But who knows!
Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty
November 28, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Yay, that would be awesome! The package you sent to Jaime was amazing!! I was totally swooning over it! hehe
Email me and we can chat about the exchange!! 🙂 Maybe after Christmas?? Then I could take some time to think about the exciting package!! 🙂
dairyfreebetty@hotmail.com
Today: Special delivery. « On Tap For Today
January 19, 2010 at 11:49 pm
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