AirMail Earrings

My friend, Janine, has lived in Japan for over 25 years now. She blogs over at CraftyTokyoMama.

Each summer, she comes home to visit family. She and her daughter go camping, fishing, horseback riding and anything else Oregon-wise they can fit into the time they have. 

Unfortunately, that meant we couldn't meet up this time. We had to make do with the US Mail. Did you know it's much cheaper to send a package to her parents in Oregon than all the way to Japan?!?   I might have gone overboard throwing things into my package.
Janine, who is the mistress of beautiful packaging, sent me a package that was a delight to see & open.

 These Letter Earrings are already a huge hit at work. My co-worker tells everyone they are addressed to me!
They certainly appear real with "via AirMail" underneath the stamp.
The reverse side has "Postcard" written across the top with "I Love You" in script on the message side.

 Janine, who crochets better than anyone else I know, crocheted these while camping!
I think she blocked them too!
I have a coaster set of four different designs plus a square doily and a smaller round doily.
She had a book with different designs and went hog-wild!

We must live in the dirt when we go camping. If I were to bring something "white" it would be brown in no time.

Little Miss Geisha Girl is actually a "going visiting hanky" that all Japanese women carry.
I'm supposed to bring it when I visit Kyoto next Spring.

Even her card is special! Eastern Airlines! She knows about my airplane problem.

Did you spot the other airplane hanging on the card? It's an Airmail Stamp brooch.

She wraps everything in cute papers and washi tape. 

Each item came packaged. She even gave me some masking tape  (spot the airplane...). Is that a hint?
 

When I send things to her, I am intent on using up all available flat rate space. As in, crammed full!

I sent her some really random items. Blue nail polish for her daughter, Moonstruck (Portland) chocolate bars, MarionBerry Syrup (Neighbor make - Glenmore Farms), random sewing notions, some Clover Wonder Clips, etc.
All jumbled with no washi tape inside a priority box. And a huge pile of postcards for her Postcrossing addiction.

Colton Grange

Friday Rummage Sales

I think I love Rummage sales the most because of the sewing & crafting stuff.
This one was  here in Colton, Oregon
Canby is a tad south of Portland, and Colton is a tad south of me.
It was really a gorgeous fall day for a drive in the country.

Found this box of sewing goodies for $2. When I saw the charms above - three packets full, I was sold. Well - the button jar was worth it, Yes - all of the ribbons - let's just say the box was worth it.
Grandmother Stover's - Cincinati, Ohio.  Have you heard of them? - just the cutest little charm packs.

Dauschounds, lassie dogs, scotties, poodles, bull dogs. Way cute.
Way cute times three packets.

There was a wall hanging. Possibly hand-screened. Instantly I was thinking - cool bag.
What else could I do with this fabric? Ideas?

When I got home, my Marionberry Syrup was waiting for me.
My neighbor makes Glenmore Farms Jams, Jellies, & Syrups right here in Canby, Oregon.
Marionberry Syrup is my favorite and I get a case every year. Do I actually get to use it?
No - thanks to my lectin intolerance, I am staying away from all grain flours so there is really nothing to drizzle Marionberry syrup on. 
Most of the jars are given as gifts to my favorite people. My  nephew, Ian in Minnesota, gets a tad testy if he doesn't have his red sauce.

This Namaste Pancake Mix, by the way, is really, really good. Add eggs - or not. It has Rice, tapioca & arrowroot flours, rice milk powder, cream of Tartar, baking soda and ground vanilla bean. All fantastic if you are suffering from gluten intolerance. Namaste makes a fantastic Spice Cake (add the carrots for a fabulous moist carrot cake) mix as well.

For all that I named this blog after my super intelligent dog, Rocket, he hasn't made too many appearances yet. Here's  where he sleeps while I am at the computer. His safe cave.