Back in May, I blogged about participating in a round of "Blogging By Mail". It was so fun to gather together little goodies for the blogger behind Bucaio who lives in the Philippines. I still visit her blog and one of these days I need to have her take some photos of the local goodies they sell at Starbucks in her area (the sandwiches sound so much better than the ones here in the States!). I've even had my mom e-mail me about things she's found on the Bucaio blog that she remembers from when she lived there.
But I admit, I really was bummed that I hadn't received a goodie box in return. I should have realized the kindness of Stephanie at Dispensing Happiness who hosted this event. See, when the person who was supposed to send me a package wasn't able to, Stephanie sent out a request for "angels" to send packages to those participants like me who had missed out on getting goodies. My angel turned out to be Eva from Belgium. Eva didn't even participate in this round of BBM but sent me a goodie package anyway.
And what a great package it is! Did I mention Belgium Chocolate? Seriously, four little bars of Dolfin Chocolate. Mr. L and I found that splitting one after a meal makes for an excellent dessert. My favorite? Had to be the Lavender one. Dark Chocolate with Lavander from Haute-Provence. Such an interesting taste and I admit I probably would have just passed it up if I'd come across it locally. Eva also sent a small box of chocolates from "her" chocolaterie which is just a few blocks from her work (the little brown box with the orange bow). These obviously went quite quickly! There was also an interestingly packaged box of Zaabar chocolates which I think have different spices in them (I'll have to ask Eva) which Mr. L and I will dive into next.
I also received a container of Le Saunier de Camargue Fleur de Sel (okay, I'm a saltaholic, there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a bit of salt and having it on its own, Mr. L may never get to taste this since it will be hidden for my own use), Green Tea sweets from Keiko (Eva says she drinks a lot of tea), Moroccan mint tea (she had just been to Morocco on a job seminar). She also sent a box of "Hagelslag" which she said are soft chocolate granules that the Dutch have on their toasts or sandwiches at breakfast. She uses them for ice cream and cakes. I think I might use them to shove handfuls into my mouth!
To top off the package, Eva sent along a scarf from Gudrun Sjoden, a Swedish designer who she sometimes buys clothes from since the designer includes ecological cotton in some of the designs. How cool is that! So if you see me around town wearing it, you'll know that it came from the wonderful Eva, who took the time to send me a BBM package because she really is an "angel". Both Mr. L and I thank her for her kindness and thoughtfulness to send me goodies from Belgium. And though I would love to link you to Eva's blog, due to work taking up so much of her time she gave up blogging last December. Okay, the woman doesn't even BLOG anymore and she sent me a package? She's an amazing angel!
Oh, how wonderful all those goodies look and how kind of "Eva". Never give up hope. Make it last and enjoy! It all sounds so good.
Posted by: Mom | August 02, 2008 at 05:19 PM
How sweet of her! But I want to see inside the little box with the ribbon.
Posted by: noble pig | August 02, 2008 at 08:09 PM
wow, that was really great of her. all of the BBM people are nice. i have received some amazing packages in all of the BBM's i have participated in. that's why i knew you would like this even too. ;)
Posted by: chefbarbie | August 02, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Glad it arrived ok and that you and Mr L enjoyed it! :)
The Zaabär chocolates are delicious - forgot to write about it - the one I sent was with coriander from Laos (this since I was in Laos last winter and loved it there). www.zaabar.be
Also forgot to tell you that the scarf is called 'redcurrant', hence why it fitted so well into a food parcel.
Hope to have a new blog up and running before the next BBM so that I can participate for real again.
Posted by: Eva | August 03, 2008 at 01:38 AM
Oh yum! Everything looks sooooo good. What a sweetheart Ava is!
Posted by: Jan | August 03, 2008 at 04:19 AM
Great that you received a wonderful parcel - you deserve no less!
Ok, I'll be spending more time at Starbucks ;-)
Posted by: Kai | August 03, 2008 at 11:37 PM
those granules sound like a great idea for toast!
Posted by: NotSoccer Mom | August 04, 2008 at 01:14 PM
What a lovely thing to do. All the goodies sound so intriguing. I've never heard of lavender chocolates until a trip to the UK where I visited Charbonnel et Walker and had my first taste. Different yet yummy.
And there's nothing better than Belgian chocolates.
Posted by: Jeanette | August 06, 2008 at 09:09 AM
What a fun idea and how lucky you are! It is always a big disappointment when the other half doesn't reciprocate. I love getting mail and goodies but I hate feeling like I am going to let someone else down. I am always really careful to commit only to things I will be able to fulfill.
Posted by: Katie | August 08, 2008 at 01:02 PM