I agree it probably shouldn't be called chocolate. But whatever it is, I love it. (Only the good stuff, though. The cheap stuff tastes like sweetened school paste.)

Lindt's white chocolate Lindor Truffles (with smooth white chocolate filling) are a good example of the good stuff.

My dad just called me to say I got a package from "someone named Nicole"!

Will open it tonight, can't wait!

Eee! I can haz package from Oregon! I'm doing an open-and-post...

...this is a very well-sealed package...

OK, I'm in.

Socks! Socks with toes! Long socks with toes! So warm-looking and colourful! Just what every sometimes-housebound researcher dealing with English weather needs. Yay!

Ooh, a book that made my Secret Santa laugh out loud. 'Bizarre Books: A Compendium of Classic Oddities'. Oh, that's genius. "Frog Raising for Pleasure and Profit"; "Ultracool Dwarfs". Hah!

Oh, pretty notebook. I carry one in every bag I own, and I own a lot of bags, so this will come in very handy.

A pen on a chain that can go around my neck! Fastens with magnets so I can write with it at will! Someone knows I don't usually have many free hands. :D

Oh and look, a spiky hedgehog to keep my jewellery in one place next to my bed - that's pure genius. I am always dropping my engagement ring and cross chains down the side of my nightstand.

Oh and homemade cookies! How fantastic! Tasting... Oh, a taste of America. Awesome. (Really good cookies!)

The present is completed with little cards and envelopes.

Thank you, SA! *bounce* *puts socks on* *more bouncing*

This post brought to you by the ridiculous over-use of exclamation marks.

DEAR NICOLE, I LOVE YOU.

Dear All,

I need to tell you how great Nicole is, and in minute details. You see, what Nicole sent me, IMHO, was all related to food. And you see, I love food, and the people who are feeding me - even more. Seriously. There were several times in restaurants when the waiters came with my order and got my shining smile and grateful eyes and a heartfull "I love you" from me. I hope that doesn't make me a crazy person.

So, what did Nicole send, you ask?

Nicole sent me chocolates and these candy-grandpa-sticks. Nicole sent me a CD of The Afghan Whigs (soul food, brothers). Nicole sent me a postcard and a necklace. And all are great, but above all - Nicole sent me a Pillsbury cake-to-do and a silicone baking dish for muffins. And you see, world, few weeks back my baking dishes for muffins, years in the family, got rusty, a little bit. I still thought that with enough butter everything will be OK, but my mom said it's time to let go. So between the semester and the moving I didn't have time to buy new baking dish, and I thought I'll buy one THIS WEEK.

And then, in perfect timing, I got this. Thank you!

I was so excited by this alone, that I'm writing the post after I put that Pillsbury thing (I had no idea what it'll taste like, and I kept looking at the package for hints, until it got me - "bake it, silly, and then you'll know how it tastes like!") into my new, shiny baking dish. It's in the oven now, and I can't wait to see how it'll taste like.

Thank you, Nicole, so much!

And again, I love you.

Yay for awesome gifts!

Mmmm, vanilla!

Oh! I'm so glad it arrived and that you liked it all, Shir. Nothing that I was baking this year wouldve tasted very good after three weeks of travel, so this was a compromise of odds and ends you might like.

Oh, and the necklace looking thing is actually a headband / headwrap thing. But you could probably use it as a necklace if you wanted to.

Oh, and the necklace looking thing is actually a headband / headwrap thing

I was wondering about it. With my forehead, I stick away from headbands.

Thank you, SA! *bounce* *puts socks on* *more bouncing*

You're so welcome, Seska! I'm glad it got there swiftly. Also very pleased you enjoy it all. It was very fun to put together! :)

I got home last night from work to see a big box on my front porch and hurried it inside. Aims had already given me big hints on the contents, but the real thing was even better. She made me a super big and super cozy San Francisco Giants fleece blanket!!! See her work of art here!