BS: I Opened My Present

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 10:46 AM

I am still none the wiser. I have examined the front of my postcard clue with a magnifying glass, not interesting secret marks or anything that I can see. Just pictures of pretty buildings in Lingfield. Means nothing to me!

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Becca72
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 10:27 AM

I got a present from Australia!! Thank you, Santa for the selection of sweets and little lighthouses. Can't wait to add them to my collection. I'm a little concerned about the musk flavored Lifesavers...where I come from Musk is a smell, not a flavor. :-) Oh, and let us not forget the tube of Vegemite!

Thanks again!

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: bfdk
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 04:04 PM

My pressie arrived, too, courtesy of SS Bat Goddess.

Thank you for the assortment of goodies; a T-shirt, an excellent CD sampler with the promise of a full CD yet to come, a golden 'item of clothing' - or rather two, I'm not saying anymore.., a cute little bottle of yummi maple syrup and maple leaf shaped syrup bites, nice-smelling goat milk soaps, various ornaments and fridge magnets and a small jar of NH pebbles + a bunch of travel brochures that make me want to come and visit. Please book me onto the whale watch cruise, I missed out last time I was Pondside ;-)

Thank you Linn, a treasure trove definitely worth waiting for!

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: RangerSteve
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 03:29 PM

Thanks, Sandra. I think I have a baking pan that will serve the purpose. I'll try making one soon.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 11:46 AM

Oh, good, Sian- That was a mystery on both sides of the Atlantic!
Meanwhile, those elves are really slow- I still haven't gotten any prezzie! :-(

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 07:32 AM

Steve - the lamington is Australia's national cake! It's baked in a large tin (baking dish size, not a loaf tin) & cut into 2 or 3" cubes & then covered in choccie icing & rolled in coconut

Pic & info on size of tin here!

If you need any other Australian terms explained try a Google Australia search


sandra (who does not live in Earlwood)

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: sian, west wales
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 04:56 AM

Oh! Allison, I found out that the wine was from a friend in Toronto! She had ordered it from one of those overseas 'hamper' services and they'd sent the card, but with no name on it. Of course, I didn't look at the label on the outside as I thought it was from my SS and I didn't want to know in advance. She kept asking if I'd received a 'little something' from her and I kept saying 'no'. It had the potential of turning into something of a French farce but ended up as classic English Shakespearean: All's Well that Ends Well!

Happy 2009, all!

sian, west wales

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: greg stephens
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 04:49 PM

Well, a clue arived, a postcard from Lingfield. Which would lead me to guess that my SS was cats, except the letter I received from SS specifically said he/she wasn't cats. So I am still floundering. More thought needed, I think.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: RangerSteve
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 03:27 PM

I think I responded to another thread concerning my SS presents, so I'll do it again. My SS lives in Earlwood, NSW, Australia. I got two great cookbooks, and I've already found some recipes I want to try. One question, though. What's a Lamington tin? Sounds like what we call a loaf pan, but I'm not sure. Any help would be appreciated.
There was also a toy stuffed bird (a crimson rosella) that sings when you push on it's stomach. I give it a lot of play on cloudy days. A photo book of early Sydney scenes, and various other Australian souvenirs. Thanks SS.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: GUEST,greg stephens SS
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 10:32 AM

Has your clue arrived? Look carefully at the front.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 02:40 PM

You're welcome, dear Sian! What fun it was to get you!
(But I have no idea where the wine bottle came from... unless my dwarfish elf took matters into his own hands!)

Allison


Meanwhile, I was warned that my Santa would be late. Yup, it's late.





Waiting........

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 09:26 AM

I still haven't got a clue. And I think I was promised a new one.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: sian, west wales
Date: 08 Jan 09 - 03:51 PM

Well I had a great bundle of gifts from my Secret Santa, a.k.a. my old tea-swilling friend, Animaterra!

The Animaterra Women's Chorus CD is right up to the mark, another corker in a growing tradition of corkers. And a marvelous (hand-knit?) scarf with hint of a blue that is identical to my winter coat, and has been worn, and loved, over Christmas in Montreal and the Niagara Penninsula. And a previously-loved book of appalachian song, and some maple sugar candy and even a page of newspaper funnies! Crackin' good! Oh - and absolutely hysterical wrapping paper; toucans and flamigos and such-like wearing santa hats. LOL!

You're an absolute treasure, Allison! You'll be on people's "10 Most Wanted Santas" next year!

Hope you had a Most Excellent holiday! Happy New Year - Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

sian

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 06:16 PM

Christmas 2010?

sandra (who was successfully writing 2009 on stuff till filling in a very official form - scratch out date & start again!)

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: SussexCarole
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 05:59 PM

Sorry you've had a tough time Santa, thanks for letting me know. No worries - perhaps save it for next year eh?

xx

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: GUEST,Sussex Caroles Santa
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 05:49 PM

Sorry Carole Santa has had a rough time of late.

You've not been bad I have.

I'll try to send something when things have settled down.

Santa

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Becca72
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 05:39 PM

SussexCarole,

We should form a club. I haven't heard word one from my Santa. :-(

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: SussexCarole
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 05:28 PM

I must have been really bad this year 'cos my santa never sent me one to open. Though his elf sent me a lovely Xmas card & decoration for my birthday.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Hawker
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 06:46 PM

No Greg! Your Santa definately doesnt have a red breast......unless Santa has been playing with the face paints again..........SANTA! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Tee Heee.
As Santa says the clues are all there.........
Cheers, from your own santee ;0)
And it isnt me either!

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: greg stephens
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 04:32 PM

Oh, I thought Robin must be the clue. If there's another one coming, I'll wait. The only Mudcatter with a Robin and Cornwall connection is Little Robyn, as far as I can see, and she hasn't been to Cornwall this year I think. And my SS claims she/he has. I am still in the dark.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: GUEST,Greg Stephens Secret Santa
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 06:05 AM

I thought that everyone knew that my Christmas Robins are the little birds that keep a watch on the world for me and bring me messages of what is going on and who is behaving themselves. That's why they figure so much on Christmas cards and why you have to look after them for me, especially in cold weather. Clue on its way.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: greg stephens
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 05:43 AM

Thanks for the hint, SS. Now, I thought your letter was a bit heavy-handed and odd in ther way of robin references, so I kind of thought that might be the clue area. I will go back and have another look.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: GUEST,Greg Stephens Secret Santa
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 04:08 AM

The clues are all there, but, just to help, I'll send you another one. Watch for my Christmas Robins winging their way towards you.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 09:19 PM

I too would like to know who my Santa is! (please, at least a hint!)

Travelling elvi who send a a Gracelands postcard from Florida & post the parcel in New Zealand - a parcel that contains a magazine about YORKSHIRE & a lovely hallmarked silver needlecase that came with a batch of lace bobbins that cost PENNIES along with a knitted knitting bag & lovely box (both made by Santa?) ...

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 01:00 PM

I am still not certain but I suspect my spontaneous Secret Santa is/are Carol and Andrew. A very large bottle of Jack Daniels was presented to me from them at our pre-New Years Eve Christmas Party.

Thank you, guys! I plan to ring in the New Year once I have the house and bottle to myself.

SINS

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 10:32 AM

Thank you for bringing this back up to the top! I've been meaning to respond to say that my Secret Santa parcel did indeed arrive late last week. (Notification was slow--we've had catastrophic computer failure here so I felt like I was viewing the Internet through a keyhole for a few days, and the major rebuild is due this week.) Anyway, thank you so much! Complete transparency seems to have been the rule this year--my Santee didn't beat around the bush, he just asked Liz who it was, and I received a note from my Santa saying when the box would be shipped. That is one way to remove the torture aspect of the process!

RangerSteve, I imagine these days you're not drinking the local spirits, but what kinds of foods do these go well with? Are they dessert wines? We'll have to find an occasion so several folks can taste them, but I'd like to have the right kind of food. Please advise!

Meanwhile, I'll stick the CD in and give it a listen. Thanks for sending also the local publications--that's always half the fun, reading the local newspaper. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: greg stephens
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 10:13 AM

WEll, I am still no nearer identifying my Secret Santa. Give me a hint, someone!

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: RangerSteve
Date: 01 Jan 09 - 08:03 AM

My Santee's gift went out by priority mail on Tuesday. It should get there by Jan. 2. I hope.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: jacqui.c
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 08:18 AM

I opened my pressie upon my return from the UK.

Thank you Barbara - I got a book on knitting and some really beautiful fine yarn in a mixture of my favourite colours. Once life settles s a little I'll have a good read and the prospect of making something pretty!

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Hollowfox
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 09:22 PM

I got my pressie well in time, and happily opened it first thing Christmas morning, but I had houseguests until today, so this is my first chance to thank you, Trish Bates. You got me exactly what I wanted - music I couldn't get anywhere else! I got a cd-and-booklet set of village carols from the Royal Hotel, Dungworth, and a lovely hardback copy of the Sheffield Book of Village Carols. I've only been able to get a glance at the books and a quick listen to the cd, so now that the dust has settled, I get to savor them. Thank you so much, Mary

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Hawker
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 07:45 PM

Well.........
I opened MY pressie!
Thank you so Much Santa! It arrived on my bed on Christmas morning, and I thought I knew who it was from due to some VERY clandestine dealings with my bearded half and cats.........but when I opened it, I swiftly realised it was a ruse to send me barking up the wrong tree. This is how my detective work has panned out.......Hmmm a lovely CD of Cheshire tunes! Did my santa know I was from Cheshire originally or are they from, Cheshire? If they were from Cheshire, do I know them? Hmmmmmmm...... KEDAL MINT CAKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OMG the BEST of all!!!! I have had to put it under lock and key though, as my bearded half is determined to scoff the lot! I have allowed him a itsy bit each day since Christmas, off my square;0). So now Cheshire, Cumbria.....Then there was the small brandy bottle, I hope you dont think it sacreligious that I felt the need to add a double measure of Lovage to this to enjoy it at its best!Now where does Brandy come into this? France? Favourite tipple, name of pet dog? Hmmmmmmmm A brass loving spoon ....welsh....Now Im confused.........Ah! But wait, CD - Welsh Row Band! is that the link? the CD says Welsh Row is a street in Nantwich ......with plenty of pubs. The words and notation to While Sheperds to the tune Cranbrook - strangely enough, my favourite arrangement! Now did they know that were they told or was this a co-incidence? Hmmmmmm.......Now the last clue was a sad one for me, as I spent my youth working at a local butcher who made his own meat pies and oatcakes, Now I Just LOVE oatcakes......I was sent a price list for London Road Oatcakes, Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent.....but sadly no oatcakes;0( So I am Guessing my Santa lives in the Stoke area, has some sort of Cumbrian link, and cheshire link, possibly welsh too, though it may be a red herring........lastly the bar of yummy Green & Blacks chocolate with Ginger .....I am guessing was an indulgence and not a clue, though was the name green or Black a clue? did the santa have ginger hair? I did a lot of pondering.
On Boxing Dat I typed various things into the google bar of my laptop......Nantwich Fiddle Day 2001......up came 2002, which listed Gina la Faux and The Boat band, further investigation threw up the members of the boat band .......one name of which I recognised as a mudcatter........a click on his personal page revealed that he was from Cumbria, worked in Stoke, and then trying to read that name he had so meticulously tried to mhide on the CD..... Yes, I think I have you sussed Mr Greg Stephens, Thank you So much for your lovely gifts and fantastic clues.......am i right? iam right arent i? amI?........
Well thanks whoever you are, You made Christmas great fun trying to work out who you were and I had great fun opening all the lovely individually wrapped packages!
Cheers, Lucy x

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: GUEST,Barb'ry's thread-hopping SS
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 06:44 PM

See my response to your other post, Barb'ry, my dear, and I'm sure enlightenment will follow.


SS

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Barb'ry
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 06:26 PM

I've already posted in the wrong bit... but thank you (again} most wonderful santa for all my pressies (most now departed into my ever-expanding stomach) and now give me a break and tell me who you are!!
Millions of thank yous
love and hugs
b

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: GUEST,Alison's Secret Santa
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 12:18 PM

Hi Alison!

Glad you like your stocking!

I'm not really from Maine, though I do spend a lot of time there and would like to claim to be "from" there. Focus instead on the origin of the Old Bay seasoning (which BTW is good with lots of other stuff besides crab...). I think I included a CD as well, which includes another hint.

Happy New Year!

Your Secret Santa

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: GUEST,Batty's extremely relieved SS
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 07:34 AM

I am so glad that the parcel got there so fast - maybe a reprieve is in order for the recalcitrant elf who sent it surface mail.

By now the rest of your package should be on its merry way to your part of the world but you will have to wait a few days to receive it.

Keep a watch out for strange men bearing gifts!

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: alison
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 01:35 AM

thank you SO much Santa

I loved my stocking full of goodies - there was just so much!! now I'm waiting to find me a nice crab to try some of the recipes on that tin of "Old Bay" seasoning..............

I have no idea who you are apart from that you seem to be from Maine.......

but many many thanks again - I had great fun wading through all the pressies

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 08:39 AM

To my still anonymous Santa --

Package arrived in yesterday's post -- and I HAD to open it in the car (Curmudgeon was driving so I could do that more or less safely) which was made complicated by bulky winter attire, car on curvy road, etcet etcet.

Lovely stuff! Flamingo cross-stitch (Flamingoes? Moi?!?), earrings(es), burgundy velvet stole/scarf... Thank you!

Plus the threat, I mean, promise of more to come by New Year's. Hmmm...now THAT's a hint. Narrows it down to...the people I'd already been suspecting.

Argh!!!!

Happy Christmas! And thank you!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 08:37 AM

I've been told that mine has been delayed, also.. something about elves...

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 08:30 AM

Skarpi - yours is on it's way, honest... one of those 13 Santa's of yours is a slacker...

Escapee - yours is also on it's way but may be a wee bit late... situation beyond control and all that....

Stilly, yes I had to translate for you, Maryrrf, I remember now, so glad you like it, I had great fun making those... Kim C - you're welcome and we hope you like the other little things too.


LTS

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: skarpi
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 08:05 AM

havent got any

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: open mike
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 03:08 AM

i finally got my two pressies which were locked in my motor home which is in the repair shop...again.

the c.d's have been ever so cheering on this the day after christmas.

one from New South Wales and one from England.

thank you "Nixon" and "Hilary"

i didn't actually get into the secret santa game as i
did not address my request correctly--just posted in a
thread or two instead of sending directly to Liz.

so i am a lucky girl to have not one but two secret santas.

i think that means that life is getting better...
no place to go but up!!

also looking forward to sharing the chocolates and
trying some of the recipes...

yum--what beverage will go best in the great new mug?

i hear it is not good to drink acid liquids like hard cider
from pewter....is that correct?

thank you, thank you...

laurel

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 12:21 AM

My santee apparently went straight to the source after declaring my signature "indecipherable." And here I was kicking myself that I signed it so neatly! Duh!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: astro
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 08:09 PM

Crane Driver and Sussex Carole, what a fun collection of discs and tapes -- and we are actually expecting our first frost tonight, so we're fighting over the Welsh beanie, while munching on the Cadbury's assortment. Very clever of you, Crane Driver, to get the Sheffield Carols tape into the same package!!

A very blwyddyn newydd dda to you, too!

~ Becky and Michael in Tucson

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Joybell
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 07:44 PM

Tanis, I'll start a new thread about your song request. Maybe someone will come up with the words. Meanwhile -- I think you might have some luck with a CD from the University Of Southern Queensland. Note that I misspelled Nolene's name. It should be Noelene Batley.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Becca72
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 03:24 PM

You caught me, Mrs. Cobble! :-)

Apparently the Customs elves like cookies...hmmm...

Still haven't heard from my own Santa, though. boo hoo

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Mrs Cobble
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 02:46 PM

Thank you santa for all the very Christmassy gifts ... A cute Christmas stocking, a sled with snowman, xmas coasters and some very sweet smelling soap, fridge magnet with reindeer and festive pot holders. A book with recipes and stories from the coast of Maine, must try the blueberry crumble yum. I forgot the festive mug and cookie tin.. but I think the elves ate the cookies as the tin was empty!

Thank you so much .

I wish you a very Happy New Year

I think you may be Becca72 ? ( if so, I do hope your santa has been in touch)

love from Mrs C

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Tig
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 12:37 PM

Thank you Jennie for the lovely gifts in my pressie. The candle and soap smell fabulous and will make me think of you everytime I use them - and that will be frequently.

The scarf is so soft and silky and in colours I love. I hadn't got one in those soft shades. Thanks also for my calendar. It will come in useful as I try and keep track of time.

Hope you had an excellent Christmas and have a good and peaceful New Year.

Lots of love and hugs
Tig
xxx

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Maryrrf
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 12:32 PM

Liz, the card was very simple but beautiful - white background with a green border and a silver foil design in one corner. In the middle a green ivy leaf with silvery sparkles. I see on the back that it said Handmade for ELC sold in aid of cancer research. It's lovely !

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 09:35 AM

I feel very lucky to have a present from Oz even with the uni on the bag.



Thankyou again Secret Santa.

Subject: RE: BS: I Opened My Present
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 07:37 AM

I opened my big pressie and found a wonderful DVD of Miskin at Easter 2006. Although I didn't go to this I spotted a few familiar faces and some great songs and tunes. So thankyou Secret Santa although I'm no closer to discovering your identity! ... might have to give up and ask LtS.

Many thanks

Sarah