I love surprises !

This morning when my doorbell rang I saw the postman with some mail and a parcel. I was quite surprised to see the parcel was for me; it's my mother who is forever ordering clothes, which I then have to return when they don't fit or aren't suitable.

When I looked it was addresses to me! Then when I opened the parcel I found it was a gift, of two customized tote bags, from Sam. She has used significant dates and family names to create the logo on the bag. It is a really novel idea from The Craft Pantry and I love these bags. Now that I no longer use plastic bags I am getting a wonderful collection of tote bags to use instead.
These are really strong canvass bags and they are eco friendly.

Thank you very much Sam, now I need to go shopping to use them! xxxx

Archives:
2008: Meme

June Taylor Conserves

Don't you just love getting a parcel. When one arrived from
Sam I knew it was going to be some of June Taylor's wonderful conserves.

There was a jar of her Olallieberry & Lemon Verbena (this is a new recipe) and a jar of Boysenberry in a lovely presentation box. I haven't tried them yet but I just know that they will be wonderful. I might just get Beccy to make some scones while she is here so that we can have a cream tea.
So thank you very much Sam xxx

I may have mentioned that Beccy, Joules, the grandchildren and two of their friends arrived this afternoon to spend a week with us. Well actually Joules has to fly home on Tuesday so he doesn't get as long as the others. I'm sure you will be hearing more about their visit over the coming days.

POSTSCRIPT
In answer to a question in my comments
What is an Olallieberry?
Genetically, it is approximately two-thirds Blackberry and one-third European Red Raspberry. The Olallieberry was developed in 1949 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Oregon State University by crossing a Loganberry with a Youngberry. While primarily developed in Oregon, it has never been very productive there and is primarily grown in California. Because the olallieberry has blackberry on both sides of its parentage, it exhibits many of the same flavor characteristics of the blackberry. However, olallieberries are much larger in size and generally are sweeter than blackberries grown under the same conditions.

How did the Olallieberry get its name?
“Olallie” is a word for berry that was used by Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest. So you’re actually saying “berry berry”!

How do you pronounce Olallieberry?
Say the “o” first and the rest will follow (oh-la-leh).

How do you spell it?
We have seen it spelled all sorts of ways – ollieberry, ollalieberry, olallie berry, lallieberry, olalliberry, ollaberry, olliberry, and even hallieberry!
But it is o-l-a-l-l-i-e-b-e-r-r-y.

And, how does it taste?
It’s tart, sweet, juicy and delicious.
This is what my research tells me

Archives:
2007: Rocking Girl Blogger Award

Surprise Parcel

My surprise parcel was posted yesterday afternoon so hopefully it reaches it's destination safely. I wonder where it will end up!!!!