I'm ready to guess who sent mygenerous spa basket:Sheldon?
Cuz u live in AZ and my stuff was from AZ.
Am I right? Am I?
If that aint it, I got nothin', outta ideas.

BTW if you look closely, one of the soaps is called "Tombstone Gunslinger Body Soap" I LOL'd when I saw that. It all seems like nice soap. I'll be testing the "Chocolate Mint" bars and "Dead Sea Scrub", the other soaps I'll have to resist though. I have bad reactions to certain "fragrances" they add to soaps, even within the same brand, weird I know. There were some other cool things in the basket non-soap that'll I have no fears about utilizing though!

Sorry I'm so late about giving a descriptive post, wasn't sure what to say. I didn't want to lie, but at the same time I feel rotten that I can't use some of it.

SG: I'm kinda sad to inform you I didn't go to Mexico for your gourd. Actually, never been to Mexico at all. Always been to poor for vacations that are not family visits. No family south of the border.
I did go to a super-neat antique store downtown. Best shopping around if you ask me. I have a obsession with boxes, hide-holes, ect, I had a hard time parting with that find!
I'm glad you like the doily, I thought most people would find them weird. I knew you were cool and should like them tho!
I'm starting to think you're a British version of me.

Here are my nifty ornaments:

OK, here's my pics.

Pre opening

Attachment 21040

And here they are revealed. A nutcracker ornament, a packet of lollies and the very best of all, a pie lifter with glass beaded handle. It's beautiful and I love it. I only have a couple of shoddy old ones around here, so that was a gift I could really use. I'd kiss you if you were standing next to me Case! You did very well. :)

Attachment 21041

Here's a closer view of the handle. It's so pretty!

Attachment 21042

Oh, and there were little notes with each gift too, but since the good camera hasn't arrived yet, i couldn't get a clear enough shot to show you those too.

I am glad I went with my instinct on the pie server, then. I found it at a local holiday art sale. They didn't want to sell it to me, for some reason...I think they were just advertising the art center in town. When I waved cash in front of them, they said "Oh, okay."

The other two gifts were impulse buys at the store...I just thought there was a chance that your grocery stores probably had different stuff than ours. Those were items that I liked, so hoped that you would, too.

I am so glad you like them! I figured you were really into baking and cooking (like me) and would like a special utensil.

I refuse to answer that question as it may tend to incriminate me. :-)

And that's why I sent a bunch of different types of soaps. Just in case of allergies. And I have no problems if you want to re-gift them to some of your friends or family. :-) I hope you like them.
And don't forget to play with the duckie. Hehehe


On another note. SS hasn't come for me yet. Must be because I'm Jewish. lol!!!

Well, Chanukah isn't over until sundown next Monday, so they have time to catch up.

You made brilliant choices. :) I'll be smiling and thinking of you every time I use the pie lifter. Good stuff!

Oh my, my, my! What a Merry Christmas Eve it is indeed!

A box has arrived at the WolfApt!

It's waiting under the tree!

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...190_resize.jpg

Sometimes a reused box will yield a clue ... who is this fellow? Is he my Secret Santa? And what, pray tell, is a "Comb Bind"? Is that the stuff he's using to secure that unconvincing comb-over?

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...192_resize.JPG

Ah ... I see. Comb Binding is the plastic thing that puts together the booklet that he's clutching to his chest like it's a personally autographed copy of Brianna's New Hot Autobiography titled "Autoerotography." Maybe he's so happy because she's coming over to personally reinact some of the spicier bits!

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...194_resize.JPG

Curiouser and Curiouser ... so, let me think. Who is it that admits to working in marketing?

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...195_resize.JPG

Moving on, there's an envelope with some little stars drawn on the front ... Just stars there, no clue, just an acknowledgement of my personal greatness.

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...197_resize.JPG

I had trouble getting a good picture, so as I was moving the envelope to get a better look ...

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...199_resize.JPG

Oooh! HelloKitty Goodness!!

Ah, the wolf is excited.



Christmas Accomplished!

The comb bind guy looks like Gary Sinise--maybe wolf's present is a Hello Kitty CSI kit? You know there's gotta be one.

So, I unwrapped my Secret Santa gift last night, and got very excited when I saw the velvety jewelry box...and indeed, good things do come in small packages, as they say. Beautiful and elegant things!

I will have to leave it at that for now, until I can post proper photo documentation...I must model some of them.

Hurray! my gift got here! *smiles* The postie decided to leave it underneath the upturned bottle-recycling tub outside my house...it may have been there for a few days lol. I found it accidentally when I was clearing up and decided to put some bottles out.

I haven't got my camera working again yet, so a description will have to do for now. The parcel contained a lovely paperbag and inside was a gorgeous teacage which has a little chain coming off it with a tiny British teapot design o the end.

Along with the tea cage were two packets of the most amazingly aromatic fruit tea. One of them (Caramel Apple) had unfortunately burst and was doing a damn fine impression of packaging, with just a hint of pot pourri lol. But there's still half left in the packet and the other one (Cherry Chocolate) is completely intact.

Either I am ridiculously easy to buy for, or my secret santa's pyschic lol. Thankyou Binky!

And so, the strip tease continues ...

Two delightful Hello Kitty Candies! They are labeled in Japanese, so I have no idea what kind of candy they are. They are wrapped like we would wrap gum, which, given those wily Japanese, means that these are likely some kind of squid jelly, bound with rice.

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...200_resize.JPG

What else may be here??

A card picturing Matryoshka Santas, and not really giving any clues, at least not ones that I'm picking up on. Handwriting essentially nondescript. Is it block printed to avoid a feminine hand, or one that I might recognize?

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...201_resize.JPG
http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...205_resize.JPG

More Asian stuff ... is it tea? Or something from one of the more mysterious aisles of the Asian Grocer ... Review of the reverse indicates something more mysterious. It's a powdered tomato base of some sort, meant to be used to enhance coloration.

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...209_resize.JPG

And some mysterious gold-wrapped bundles ... what have we here?

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...210_resize.JPG

A very cool shaker dispenser, that will henceforth be known as the "Hello Kitty Dalek." It says "Hello Kitty in the Kitchen" on the front.

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...211_resize.JPG

These Bonito Flavored Seasoning Packets have been Satisfaction almost as long as I've been alive. Hmmm ... Hello Kitty in the Kitchen, Asian Natural Coloring Agent and Bonito Flavoring ... Is this a theme emerging?

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...212_resize.JPG

This last one's a bit heavy ... and it's Whoo hoo! More Hello Kitty Kitchen Accessory!! A great pasta holder!

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...213_resize.jpg

And there's something inside ...

Noodles!

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...214_resize.JPG

Looks like I've got some very nifty meal fixin's here, and some great Hello Kitty Doodads!

Everything Proudly Displayed

http://blackstormhawk.com/cellar/san...215_resize.jpg

I love it all! Thanks so much!!

Now to figure out who it came from ... the origin ZIP, if accurate, indicates Center City, within walking distance of Chinatown and Independence Hall.

Of course, my Santa could be the clever sort, and using this ZIP as misdirection (which leads me to suspect RichLevy).

My other guesses are classicman and bluecuracao.

My official guess is for ... blue. Is it you?

You're welcome!! I am so glad it came in time.

Briefly:

I opened my gift from my SS, much to the horror of Tink's gift from me.

I know it was unintentional, but the shock was so great that we shattered the stunned silence with gales of laughter.

You would have done the same.

ARGh!

All over break it was "I need to take some time from the Cellar, buckle down at work, and work on getting home internet." Then I started reading threads like "what is the cellar for" etc.

I MISSED you guys.

At the risk of letting on who my Secret Santee was, which is probably already figured out somewhere, mine should arrive this week. I am the greatest procrastinator of all, and to ship it on time would have cost me loads of cash. Yeah, I suckee suckee but I hope my Santee enjoys the crap once it gets there.

Hope you all had a great holiday!

*waves* HI SHAWNEE!

Hi Shawnee

@ wolf, I love how you thoughts accompanied each frame! It's as if we could listen you you as you opened each one. Thanks for sharing :)

Mine. See if you can figure out who it was from. All treats were much appreciated by the 4 leggers. And the 2 leggers as well. Thanks SS! :D

http://picasaweb.google.com/AnesMerc...SantaGift2008#

Pic #9, your thumb looks like you're hanging on real tight. :D

I was. There was a lot of competition for those treats. :D

Yeah!!! :::clap clap clap:::

Note that Clearheart vodka is "homemade" here in Cedar Rapids. I think it is as good as any other top shelfer out there. The Cedar Ridge Distillery is the first legal still to operate in Iowa since prohibition. I haven't tried their rum or gin yet.

I was particularly proud of my bacon flavored dog treat find though :D.

Merry Christmas!

I'll bet. :lol2:

Attachment 21142
Sorry, I accidentally covered the word "art" on the note.

Attachment 21143
I am really enjoying the book.

Thank you much, Secret Santa! Now, who could you be?

Thanks again! Even the doggy popcorn was a hit. I have to add those pics to my Picasa page, I will try to do it by next weekend.

limey---If you don't get your gift soon, I'm going to sue the US postal service. I sent it Priority Mail! You don't have it YET?

Bear in mind the postie round Limey's way has to battle his way through herds of live haggis to get there...

Are we all done (aside from Limey :()?
I think it was a wonderful haul this year and the eatables/ potables/ local gifts theme worked pretty well. Personally, I'd like a more definite theme this year. But them I live in an Islamo-fascist state (;)) and therefore respond well to authority.

Actually, it is a pretty British trait. Give us draconian rules so we have something to thumb our noses at! Like I did when I ignored the "budget includes postage" I suppose...

And I'm really glad there were no dropouts this year. Good choice of people and here's to more becoming regulars in 2009, and some of those who were already regulars joining in.

Oh and of course, thanks to LR, who did sterling work in 2008, as Monster did in 2007.

Unless I missed it, richlevy*, Treasunauk, DanaC, Cicero*, SteveDallas, Limey, Ducksnuts and myself** have not recieved their gifts yet.

*I have heard from their senders and know what is going on.
**as of 12/31 anyway when I stopped in to work to check on the lab.

Correct me if I'm wrong. --just the gifts, not my grammar.

Dani got hers.

No rules = just right!

FREEEEEEEEEEEDOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

:headshake :cry:
unless .... wait .... [goes and looks in shed] ... [[this message brought to you in real time ] ...
:eek: :) :D :dunce: :lol: :jig: pix to follow!

SteveDallas got his. :) It was one of the first in the thread.

Pic 1 - The package which contained ...
Pic 2 - a Buckeye necklace and a tartan-wrapped parcel which contained ...
Pic 3 - ... Buckeye sweeties!
The package contained a letter explaining the significance of Buckeyes in a number of ways and I have now decorated my log cabin with the string of Buckeyes (all I need now is a raccoon skin, apparently!).
Thanks Bri! The sweeties are none the worse for having been in the shed since at least 29th December :blush: and are indeed deelish!
Many thanks!

YAY! Glad you got it!

I had a false alarm yesterday. A package was on my doorstep, but it turned out to be the rechargeable batteries I ordered a week ago.

I sent mine on Monday the 22nd. I knew it would take some time, but had hoped it would be there by now.

I forgot to include the rest of the stuff I got from Merc that I opened on Christmas. A book, Pecked to Death by Ducks, by Tim Cahill. It's a collection of short travel stories he's written for various travel magazines. I've only read the first couple stories, but it looks like it's going to be a good one. Merc also gave me a cute ornament of Santa on vacation, and a blank diary/journal.

Thanks Merc! You're an awesome Secret Santa!

So does the V stand for vegetarian - BigV? If so I'll get a veggie version on its way to you ...

So, just Ducks, Rich, Cic and myself haven't recieved yet. I just missed noting the others. :blush: Both Ducks and Cic's are coming from overseas, and will take some time. Rich's sender said that his will be late via the anon account, and I don't know anything about mine.

My pleasure glattster. I hope I made a difference for a day. I am really a good guy if you get to know me. Cheers.

btw, all the Tim Cahill books are hoot. I love his style. They will take you to places you never thought you could go. When you finish that one, hop on another. Great vacation/camping reads. Best wishes to you and your family.

Duck's has arrived!! YAY, its awesome.

Thanks SS, I know who you are ;)

I have taken pics......the awesomest Bat Cat Calender which has had everyone here in stitches, a cool Buckeyes Hat (I took a pic modeling it) and some Buckeye chocolates that I am now addicted too.

Can I order them online somewhere?

Thanks sooo much.

Much love SS (pics to come tonite)

Yay!

I thought it was funny Bri also sent Ohio State stuff. I saw that she sent a buckeye necklace that I thought about sending you...but I didn't think it would make customs as buckeyes could be planted to make buckeye trees.

I don't know if the shop I got the candies at would ship; they're local, but I am sure you can find them from a number of places.

I'm sooooo glad you got it and like it. Sorry it took so long.

:)

PS I knew you would look cute in the hat.

Obviously BigV can respond on his own behalf, but I think the shock comes from the amusing coincidence that he received a LambChop puppet from his spouse on the same Christmas as he received haggis.

Whoo Hoo!!
 

Last week we had a nasty snowstorm Tuesday night, followed by record breaking cold for several days. School was closed for three days!! On no school days, I stay home with my daughter. Unfortunately, I did not bring my laptop home from work Tuesday, so I wasn't able to immediately say thank you for the Secret Santa Surprise I recieved Thursday.

I know this wasn't from my actual SS, becasue I gave them my work address. So whomever is responsible, thank you!! This was a great surprise!

So, without further ado...

The package...

Contents of red tissue paper.

1) Some wash away your sins towlettes. Obviously this person did some research about me...
2) A really cool fossilized gastropod (snail) shell. I wonder, was this a local treasure? It's really cool.

A couple boxes wrapped in awesome paper!!

The santa one my daughter was like "What is Santa doing?!?"

The Stripping Santa contained:

The Generic Wrapping Paper box contained:

How awesome!

I love the sin towelettes, and the fossil is beautiful. And I always love Happy Bunny.

Nice job, whomever! :)

A solar powered lamp in a jar! How fun!! Unfortunately, my house doesn't get any good direct sunlight in the winter, and although it says safe for outdoors, I don't think they meant when the temp was -20. (-45 or so with windchill :eek: ) I will bring it to work and try to charge 'er up.

Of course I had to open the lid to see how it worked...

There were also a fun set of tumblers. I will enjoy drinking my vodka crans out of them around the firepit this summer, when it is safe to go outside with exposed skin...

The entire haul:

I need to mention that my daughter also got over 30 min of fun rolling around on the floor trying to pop the bubble wrap. Thank the gods, because she was driving me batty not being able to go outside and burn off that energy :)

THANK YOU!!!

Wow, somebuddy loves ya, baby!
What a lovely surprise - big congrats to the big-hearted gifter.

Very cool!

That was so nice. Good for you.

Looks like she is well packaged and ready to safely ship. :D

I giggled last night remembering the pic of your daugther in the bubble wrap, LR. I remembered the video of her playing in the puddle. That girl loves life, doesn't she?

Very cool. :)