12.16.2013

SWAP! (take four)




Oh, how I am hooked on hosting these seasonal swap parties.  And with this, the fourth one I've had since last October, I think I've finally figured out the perfect formula that allows swappers to pick and choose just what they want and allows me to exhale into the festivities and connect with friends instead of facilitating things.  (I love you, large dry-erase board) We had 10 swappers this time, a just-right number of participants, I think.  People brought anywhere from 1-12 items (the max), and I continue to be amazed by how much variety there is from one swap to the next, and by the way the offerings just seem to keep getting better.  In the past we've had everything from kombucha mothers and tinctures to plants, knit/crocheted goods, apple pies, kimchi, jam, handmade toys, and hot sauce.  And truly, just about everything in between.  If you want to read more about the previous three swaps, look here, here, and here.  Otherwise, feast your eyes on the goodies this go around:








The following is my booty from Sunday's gathering, and includes my twelve picks during the swap and a couple generous hostess gifts from a sweet swapper (thanks, Amber!)  Um, wow.  Carrot cake-ginger cookies, English butter toffee, peanut butter bars, peanut butter fudge, a (really, really awesome) adjustable cozy for my mason jar, cranberry butter (as in similar to apple butter), cranberry-orange-honey butter (as in butter), hand stamped notecards, apricot-kernel body scrub, vanilla coconut sugar scrub (that I am close to eating it smells so good), lavender-coconut tapioca pudding, lemon curd, and blackberry jam.


All in return for my contributions of granola, elderberry syrup, and herbal vapor rub/lip balm sets (if only I'd made large enough batches of those to have kept some for myself).  Not bad.  Mom, if you're reading this, you've come too far.  Pretend to be surprised if some of this shows up as Christmas gifts.

:::::::

This morning, the morning-after,  I ate some lavender-coconut tapioca pudding for breakfast.  Just like I did the morning after the last swap.  Thank you, Jen.  I will learn to make it myself.  I will, I will, I will.



For now though, I'll eat yours~  Thanks to all who continue to come out for these gatherings, for the community, the connections, the deliciousness, the bottles of wine and mead you bring me as gifts..... for all of it.  I can't help but think of a few blogging friends out there whenever these things go down- about how much I'd love for you to be a part of it as well.  Friends in Texas, Louisiana, California, and beyond.........  maybe one day I'll take it on the road and we'll do a blogger retreat/swap/extravaganza.

one can dream~







12 comments:

  1. Wow. I would have LOVED that.
    Maybe there is a way to do it online next year??
    There is the shipping problem, some things cost more to ship than others...
    But I bet we could find a way to make it work.
    XO
    C

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    1. possibly~ but wouldn't it be better in person? (not that that would be logistically very reasonable) last year for the holiday swap I had a cousin in NJ ship down 24 jars of mango butter. glass jars. crazy. can't even imagine the fedex bill on that one.
      xo

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  2. I wish I could be there (I probably said that last year...) I love home made stuff and lucky for me my step mom loves to create as well as my sister. So I do receive my fair share. That body butter is catching my eye!!

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    1. oh I know! I missed out on the body butter. will have to get the 'recipe' from my friend, the consistency looked perfect.

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  3. i would so very much LOVE to be a part of one of your swaps! i could bring goodies to swap in a spare suitcase ;-) xo

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    1. I remember you saying something about lacking a sizable 'making' kinda crowd in your neck of the woods..... so YES, do come to ours next time! ;) sounds like a fabulous plan.

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  4. Ah, man...that looks fun! Yes, wish I could've been there, but I like the "take the swap on the road" idea too. We could do it! Our own little squam-y type weekend! I love the labels on your elderberry syrup jars. Did your friend make those - they look similar to the pretty printed jar cards. I have some body butter and soap to give to friends around here for christmas that I made last week -- and they need labels, though it's looking like they'll be getting handwritten labels. I love making little gifty things like that. Gifts in a mason jar are just the best! Did you see Alicia Paulson's jars of chai mix gifties. Hmm...I love those. I actually thought of sending little packages to my blog friends -- the intention is there, but time just so happens to be slipping away. Eek!

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    1. let's do it! I found those lovely labels online. trying to provide the link here isn't working, but it is the first thing in my "for future swap parties" board on pinterest. I forget that you make soap. That's something I've never tried. I've not seen her chai mix- haven't checked out her blog in a few days or so. I DO love making chai concentrate as a gift.

      I send you holiday love and well wishes. I too intend to do more, but alas.
      xoxoxox

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  5. Oh, I see that all went beautifully. This is such a wonderful idea. I must do this when we get settled in Cali.
    Not only does everything sound good but I could just look at your photos all day long. It all looks so cozy and inviting! Everyone packaged everything with such care!

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    1. ah, yes. YES! and such an easy thing to coordinate once you put feelers out. I think these things just want to happen ;)

      thank you. we have an amazing core group of swappers who come out every time and the goods and packaging and everything just keep getting better and better, and they really do package things thoughtfully.

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  6. what about a group of crafters... and you randomly draw names for each... (so kind of like a secret santa thing but handmade crafty goodness and all through the year)... but everyone could send "their person" crafty homemade goodness in the mail?? once a month or something... and it would always be a new person... so everyone sends something and everyone gets something...?

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    1. hmmmmm..... tell me more about this fun idea of yours.....

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thanks for taking the time to read and comment~