He's back! And laden with gifts (even if some of them were assigned to him)! The Gordon Ramsay book is gorgeous and I've only had a chance to skim through it, but I already see several recipes I'll be trying soon. The beautiful bottle of Grappa will be brought out on special occasions, while the giant box of Red Label tea bags (Sainsbury's best!) will keep us going for a few months. The Fleur de Sel will join the other row of salts near the stove, and the mustard is a great addition to a rather ridiculously large collection of various sorts. The McVities will be scarfed up very quickly once my kids find them, but the Harvey Nichols Champagne Truffles are mine, mine, MINE, and will be carefully hidden.
The little bottle of truffle oil and the lovely round of Cioccolantini Ripieni (filled chocolates) are a gift from Marla, of Bella Baita View (expect a post from Jack about his afternoon with Marla and her husband soon). Thank you, Marla! I look forward to making something special with the truffle oil and to trying the chocolates!
It's like Christmas here today, because I also received a package from Munich. The talented Kerstin of snowflakes & blackvampires and I agreed way back in November to send each other a handmade gift. She's a lot more on the ball than I am, and got hers out already! The two postcards are of her own design, and the lovely handmade box contains yummy candied almonds. Thanks Kerstin!
Jack is a good man.
Posted by: helen | February 20, 2008 at 01:23 PM
wow. the shipping was pretty fast then. i´m glad you like the stuff. the two postcards are prints of atcs i made. but i took the ideas from original pics from georgia o´keefe and some other artist.
Posted by: ksklein | February 20, 2008 at 03:38 PM
So much fun and such great loot!!! Grappa...did somebody say grappa??? I don't know if you've ever tried it but I keep a bottle of chocolate grappa in my fridge. It makes me feel like Maxine - the cartoon character - grabbing a nip every now and then. Absolutely to die for!!!
Posted by: giz | February 20, 2008 at 04:01 PM
Wow... great gifts! And which Gordon Ramsay book is that? I might have to look into it. I love the Digestives in the back... I miss those so much...
Posted by: Aran | February 20, 2008 at 06:04 PM
What fun to get great things! And I am sure you are glad not to be cooking for one!
Posted by: Gretchen Noelle | February 20, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Christmas all over again! :p
I've chanced upon the 3-Star Chef book at the store, but it's always shrinkwrapped and I'm too embarrassed to tear it open when I've no intention of buying it... I hope you try something from it soon!
Posted by: Manggy | February 20, 2008 at 11:06 PM
You are so welcome. It's fun to see them in your very appealing stash of gifts there. The postcards are lovely and would like a littl nibble of those almonds. Perhaps she'll share the almond recipe.
Posted by: Pasticcera | February 21, 2008 at 08:27 AM
oh lucky you!!! im glad his home
Posted by: dhanggit | February 21, 2008 at 09:19 AM
end of those eating days alone :-)
Posted by: dhanggit | February 21, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Dude!!! SCORE!!! Bet you're happy to have him home.
Posted by: Cakespy | February 21, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Loot! Edible gifts are the best gifts. :)
Posted by: Adele | February 21, 2008 at 02:21 PM
You know, I will find those truffles. :-)
Glad to have you back, Jack!
Posted by: Sophie | February 23, 2008 at 02:54 AM