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!

I must have checked the All About Java list a million times and it *is* the Giants you love and listen to all the time when you are driving, right??

I wish I could have convinced you she was a bigger A's fan. That would have been priceless. But that blanket is PERFECT for Nanita.

Aims, YES! It is perfect!!! Thank you so much!

do not listen to the Suzi person