Do you get excited when you see the UPS or FedEx truck pulls up in front of your house? You know you're about to receive a package but you have no idea what it is or who it's from. I love that feeling-- the unexpected surprise. I got a great surprise this week from Big Sister and her awesome husband. It was an early holiday present, and their timing was perfect!
They've been working hard in their kitchen canning local produce and were so sweet to send me a "taste of back home". From left to right is the greatest Apple Sauce you've ever tasted-- It's just like taking a bite of apple pie. Dill Pickles are next and they are Beloved's favorite. Apple Butter is in the middle and perfect on a freshly toasted English Muffin. Next are Bread and Butter pickles that are to die for! And the smallest jar on the end is Corn Relish. I'll admit it, I'm hoarding that one for myself. It's fantastic and so-- Ohio-- specifically, my family in Ohio. Grandma canned this when we were kids and we ate it all the time. This jar is my new "comfort food". I get really homesick during the holidays and a teaspoon of the Ohio Corn Relish a day helps keep the blues away.
A million thanks to Big Sister and her awesome husband. All I can say is more please!
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While you're blog reading this weekend, here's a surprise I know you will enjoy!
This pretty lady on the left is the delicious Alix of Casa Hice. (Braja called her delicious and now I do too.) If you haven't met Alix you MUST-- She's terrific! So terrific, in fact, that she's featured in this week's Sunday Roast presented by Eddie Bluelights.
In case you don't know, Sunday Roast was originated by the one and only David McMahon of Authorblog. When he stepped away from blogging to work on his novels he turned the reins over the Eddie. Anyway, Alix is featured this weekend in an interview about blogging and it's well worth a click over to check her out!
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And last, but not least, did you read my interview with Kristina P. on Blog Commenting HERE? Cuz if you didn't, you might be surprised about a certain DEADLINE coming up at MIDNIGHT MONDAY, November 23rd that you'll want to participate in-- Especially if you look good in blue! (And yes, that's a hint!)
I hope you are having a great weekend. I'm off to sneak bites of Ohio Corn Relish and beg my Big Sister for more.
What surprise would you like delivered this holiday season?
Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna
Photo Credits: Joanna, Alix and Kristina P.
Posts
A box of smiles.
ReplyDeleteWhat? No bread and butter pickles?? LOL
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I always look forward to is fig preserves.
How fun to get an unexpected package in the mail! Enjoy your goodies!
ReplyDeleteI love unexpected surprises! Do you think there's any chance Fed Ex will deliver a cleaning lady to dig me out of this mess??
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful surprise! And I love how cute they look!
ReplyDeletenice. i love surprises and those sound yummy! hope you have an amazing weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great big sister! I'm fortunate enough to have mine live right across the street!
ReplyDeleteHooray for unexpected surprises!!!
Eddie emailed me about the Sunday Roast! Look at me, participating all over! I never do these kinds of things.
ReplyDeleteJoanna, I almost cried when I read/saw what your sister sent you. Nothing beats a gift of homemade food tied up in sweet childhood memories.
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Thanksgiving darling. I'm wishing you and your family the very best, and hope that this holiday finds you all safe & healthy.
Love & hugs, xo d
I love unexpected surprises and ones that are homemade and from someone we love dearly, is even better. How very nice!
ReplyDeleteThe surprise I would love to have delivered to me would be in the way of my grown children and grandchildren. None of them will be home for Christmas but I can always wish huh?!
OMG, the jars of goodies look so tasty. Apple butter is one of my all time favorites, I wonder if I could make it myself, will check out what it takes to make it. Lucky you to have a sis who is handy in the kitchen and shares!!
ReplyDeleteAnd when the UPS guy gets out of the truck wearing shorts--BONUS!
ReplyDeleteToo cool! My mom used to can all that stuff, except for corn relish (she's not from Ohio). And guess what Miss Chef and I are planning to send our families for the holidays?!? We canned all kinds of strawberry goodies this spring, and a bit of tomatoeyness this summer...and I think some other fruity stuff.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you are clever enough to appreciate such gifts; and that you have someone caring enough to send them halfway across the country. (I know what you mean about hoarding the good stuff, too!!)
What a great sister you have. I will be over later for some apple butter and English muffins and bread and butter pickles. Yum!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy both the food and the good feelings that come with that special surprise gift.
Oh yeah. I'm a big squealing jumping around hand clapping three year old about surprises. Nice haul!
ReplyDeleteSurprises are nice, especially when they come from family. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift! They look great, and I'll bet they all taste yummy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift! They look great, and I'll bet they all taste yummy.
ReplyDeletenice post - it reminded me of the Ball jars in my mom's basement. She also did some canning but it became too time consuming I guess because I don't recall her doing after she started to become an empty nester.
ReplyDeleteI suspect canning is becoming a lost art.
Also, since it typically is saved in a glass jar shouldn't it be called jarring?
I've never tasted corn relish before but it sounds delicious. There's nothing like homemade goodies to put a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteI would love anything homemade this season!
Joanna!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAs soon as the paramedics arrive with the defibrillator, I will be back to write a proper thank you. But for now, I'm still clutching my chest and gasping for air.
You are too good to me. I don't deserve you. And PS: I have a girl crush on you too.
Thank you Joanna. I know you're responsible for today and I can't tell you how much that makes me adore you.
XO
What a great gift to recieve. It is true that some foods certainly remind us of home. You hide that corn relish. That is one of my faves too.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Hug
I also love surprise packages. But, my dog goes absolutely ape when he even hears an inkling of the UPS engine. One day, I think he'll just bust through the glass pane. So, in this case, a UPS surprise would definately be a worse surprise for the driver. :(
ReplyDeleteWow aren't you the lucky one to get such yummy stuff! Good for you...enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI remember making bread and butter pickles with my mom as a kid, but can't find them for the life of me. They were never a big item in the stores here, but must have been part of her childhood.
ReplyDeleteI also love, love, love apple butter. My mom didn't let us have PB&J sandwiches, but we were allowed peanut butter and apple butter sandwiches.
Thanks for reminding me a bit of my childhood.
I would just like a suprise,... so much in life is not so exciting, I enjoy suprises!!! I love to send them more I think!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds super yummy! Lucky!
That brown truck brings joy, doesn't it? What a happy surprise. Heck, it's one of the reasons I like shopping online, because when stuff shows up on the brown truck a week later it makes it somehow special all over again!
ReplyDeleteoh ho, the Wells Fargo wagon is a'COMIN' down your street - oh please let it be for youuuuuuuuuu.....
ReplyDeleteWhat? Your high school never did the musical 'Oklahoma??????'
My husband cans the best bread and butter pickles and salsa, pretty much ever. Maybe we should do a taste test??
You have a very nice sister! I have so many memories of canning tomatoes...ugh. My brother still makes pickles and we are always happy to get some. My grandmother canned the BEST peaches ever, they tasted life they were just off of the tree. I miss them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates on Big Kid!
Free food delivered to your door!! You can't beat that! Especially not corn relish and bread and butter pickles...so jealous.
ReplyDeleteThose look yummy! What a great gift. Which holiday was it for Christmas or Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of delicious... goodies from home.... yummy, what a perfect gift just before Thanksgiving..bon appetit!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to sample the pickles. Yum. They sent you love in a jar.
ReplyDeleteAs far as surprises go, I just like to be surprised.
I have an award for you! Please stop by to grab it!
ReplyDelete(I'm not sucking up to win the Snuggie, either!!) LOL!
Your sister rocks! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteHugs!!
Thank you so much for dropping in! The canned goodies look delish. I used to can when I was young, an I miss that flavor.
ReplyDeleteOkay off to Eddies and your interview link.
Are you in The States? If so, Happy Thanksgiving!
Usually when I see the UPS or DHL guy in my driveway I quickly run and get a bra on!! I love getting packages!
ReplyDeleteWhat delicious surprises - you lucky thing! And you've shared the goodness with us in the form of the Sunday Roast and Kristina...
ReplyDeleteThis stuff is right up my alley! Chef Stu makes and freezed the apple pie kind of apple sauce all year long for me....he makes the pickles and relishes and even salsas for himself! It is very comforting, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI too love when the UPS or Fed Ex truck pulls up to my house. It's exciting! Your goodies look wonderful; enjoy them, as I know you will! bon apetit :)
ReplyDeleteMy mom's peanut butter fudge, apple butter and her nut bread!! That is my Ohio fix too! Small world. My mom lives in Lancaster Ohio and my brother is in Hillard. We grew up in Columbus!!
ReplyDeleteI too love the UPS truck...so fun and so exciting esp. around this time of year!
Hugs
SueAnn
What a great surprise! I love surprises that come through the mail, unfortunately they don't happen often enough!
ReplyDeletewow, homemade dill pickles and apple butter, yummmmmm!
ReplyDelete...but I don't mean TOGETHER!
ReplyDeleteI miss the midwest and all those homemade goodies. I've never tried corn relish but all those others.........mmmm,mmmm. I'm jealous.
ReplyDeleteWHAT! No recipes?! Humph!
ReplyDeleteHow do you eat corn relish? I've had it and I wouldn't know what to do with it. My favorite old fashioned treat was watermelon pickles. They were soooo good!
ReplyDeleteSome of the best food in the world comes from the Midwest! I'm not biased or anything:) Enjoy and "relish" your goodies.
ReplyDeleteI would love my holiday surprise to be delivered in the form of people who no longer care about petty differences.
ReplyDeleteI'd like (a few of) my in- laws to stop despising me, my friends to stop playing drama games so I can talk to them again, my solitude to stop seeming friendlier than other humans.
You are lucky - cherish your family. I wish I could get a box of treats like this from my grandmother. Or anything from grandmama. I've missed her every day since she passed last year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift---those canned good sounds awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by the blog.
All those goodies look delicious and the best part..home made in their kitchen!
ReplyDeleteI would love for the UPS guy to deliver all my kids to my doorstep...safe and sound!
Canning always makes me think of my Grandma! And of simpler times. Thanks for the nice memory!
ReplyDeleteAren't there times ya just want to hug your deliveryman. For the longest time when my son was small he thought these neat guys in big trucks just surprised us with all these goodies. Better then Santa 'cause you didn't have to wait until Christmas!!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your package and have a very blessed day.
I love, love pickles and apple butter!! I like how you carry on the holiday. My friend enjoy and have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. xoxo
ReplyDeleteUnlike working at the postoffice I'd imagine the UPS and FedEx guys get to interact with happy people. :)
ReplyDeleteYep, me and the UPS truck is like the dog waiting for the mailman. LOVE him. lol.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool gift you received! Home! Ahhhh.
How lucky you are! Those jars remind me of my childhood and home. (Apple butter is my favorite.)
ReplyDelete