I sit here, a happy (snow) bunny. My mind is engaged, my tummy is looking forward to some interesting cooking, and my ears are pretty.

My SS package arrived while I was away in Canada but there is NOTHING nicer than dragging in from a long and tiring trip to have presents awaiting.

I my parcel was a book on weavers and weaving supplies in New Mexico, a book of recipes celebrating the 2009 Albaquerque Tomato Fiesta (if I ever travel America, that will be a 'must-see'!) and the sweetest little pair of earrings which I think are silver-set turquoise li'l flowers.

IIRC, the earrings were the idea of Mrs. Santa - a very very wise woman with excellent taste.

It is my guess that my SS is Art Brooks ... who I know doesn't live in New Mexico (speaking as someone who knows his SS from last year intimately). The "Mrs Santa" allusion fits. However, if I'm wrong, then AB is playing evil elf for some other 'Catter, as I'm pretty sure I saw his name on the return address before my friend whipped the wrapping away. (She takes this SS stuff way too seriously! Packaging was even recycled from her house so I couldn't rifle through the garbage.)

Anyhooo, how good are these presents, eh? Come summer, I'll be making up a mess of tomato based sauces,with some other dishes in the meantime. Not sure I know what all of the ingredients are; I shall have to wikipee on "arugula", "Fontina" or "Bucheron" cheese, "Peekytoe" crabmeat (would steel toecap crab work?)and "orecchiette"? NO! DON'T TELL ME ! It's all part of the magic.

So, thank you Santa! Perfect job! Hugs & kisses and Happy New Year!

sian