In My Mailbox! Red Saltwater Sandals and Apple Butter

Don't you love getting mail? I mean real mail, not catalogues, or even magazines, but real mail. I do. One of my favorite things about going to summer camp was getting mail from my new friends after camp was over. I stalked the mail man all summer long.

I like getting packages too. It is so fun to see that box waiting for you with some new treat waiting inside.

This week I got 2 lovely packages in the mail. 2!

The first one was from a blog giveaway I won. How much fun! I don't often win contests and so it was a real surprise. The blog is Small Measure, written by Ashley English. I really enjoy her blog. It is about country living, raising chickens, growing food and most deliciously, about canning and preserving.

I won this.

And this morning, I cut into a fresh baked loaf of bread, spread on the cardamom apple butter and I tasted heaven. Smooth, sweet and with a touch of that cardamom, it is just right. I also ate some right off the spoon. It is good.

I emailed Ashley to thank her and ask/beg for the recipe. She sweetly replied she'd like to give it me, but must wait until the publication of her book. Publishing rights and other such legal matters. So I must wait until spring for the recipe.

I was planning on getting the book anyway, just for the cover art alone, but now I really, really want the book. I hope you get it too. It is good to support our friends who are following their passions. It is available on Amazon for pre-order.

Also, visit Ashley's blog. She will be doing more giveaways like the apple butter each month.

Next up: These little lovelies.

Red. Saltwater Sandals. Oh My.

When I showed them to Aaron, he said, "you want those?"

Heck yeah I do!

But I think these are kind of a love em or hate em item.

They are salt water sandals, the kind little kids wear. They are fire engine red. They are a statement.

Yep. I love them.

The sandals are a belated birthday gift from my mother-in-law. I have been wanting them for almost 3 years now. Don't ask me why it took me so long to get some. I just kept forgetting I wanted them. Then my friend, Alicia, who is so stylish and put together you can't help being a little jealous, would walk in with her navy blue ones, and I'd think, "dang! I want some of those."

We both saw them ages ago in Blueprint magazine. (another great magazine gone) She actually ordered herself some right then and there. And now I have mine.

I think I want yellow next.

My philosophy is, if you really like something, you should own it in several colors, or every color if you and your pocketbook are so inclined. At $30 a pair, you might just be able to own them in all your favorite colors!

Come spring, Lilly will have a pair, and the boys. Except Aaron. He, apparently, is not a fan. Usually Aaron has much better fashion sense than me. Actually I have no fashion sense at all. But there are times when I step out on my own. I might look back in 10 years and wonder what in the world I was thinking, but for now, I am smitten.

I'm off to enjoy an afternoon snack of apple butter and toast. Check in tomorrow for my pinto bean recipe. I have food on the brain.