Glorfindel wrote:I'll be honest - I didn't think I could get too excited about getting overseas - until I got a package from the Post Office last Friday... from JERUSALEM!!! It didn't take me long to work out who my Syndicate Secret Santa was...

I raced home excitedly and was thrilled to find that I was correct in my assumption - my SSS was Elisa (LoRab). I was very happy to find that my gift was like a 'care package' of delectable and exotic middle-eastern treats
From the top, clockwise:
Rugelach: Delectable pastries of dough wrapped around chocolate - there were more than appear in the photo of course but unfortunately, they consumed before the photo above was taken

I'm reliably informed these come from a special bakery in Jerusalem who make the best Rugelach in the world
Bisli: Israeli chippie snack in BBQ flavour
Israeli chocolate bars: with popping candy
Halvah: which is a dessert made from sesame paste and this one has added chocolate flavour
Bamba: Israeli snack food (peanut butter flavoured puffs)
Elisa, obviously you didn't go all the way to Jerusalem just for my gift, but I sincerely appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending me your gift from there. I think it is a very kind and wonderful thing to have done. Thank you so much

I'm so glad you enjoyed the package! And that it arrived!!!! Because I'm fairly certain that I could not figure out how to track a package in Hebrew. My Hebrew is good, but not that good. And Israel is just so much more interesting than Delaware. Enjoy all the yummies!!
Spacedaisy wrote:That thing is really pretty but now I want to know what it's meaning is, lol. So bea or Blooper, clue me in?
Oh and I don't know if Alex told you (MM and Blooper) but the one jelly is the Buccee's brand. Buccee's is this weird Texas thing, it's a gas station on steroids. They sell all kinds of stuff, including specialty foods and candies and so forth. They have very clean, nice restrooms and a TON of gas pumps. And for some reason everyone here LOVES Buccee's. Just as Lorab. It was weird to me, I mean they buy Buccee's T-shirts and walk around in them and stuff, it's bizarre. But, we thought it would be fun to get some specialty stuff from there for a nice Texas/San Antonio touch. So the jellies are purchased there, one is their brand the other is another local brand.
And I'm really glad you guys enjoyed my cookie dough balls and mint chocolate cookies.

I enjoyed making them for you all!
OMG I miss Buccees. I would literally take my friends there when they would come visit me in San Antonio as an important thing to see. There is nothing like it in the world and it sort of defies description.
Metalmarsh89 wrote:I meant to post this a few days ago, but here they are!!
Spacedaisy made a boatload of delicious cookies, and two thirds of them were gone as of this past weekend. Additionally she sent some preserves, including Blueberry Jalapeño and Strawberry Tequila. I've never had such a spread before, but I love trying new things, so I'm really looking forward to trying them.

Thanks Spacedaisy for the gift and for getting the ball rolling on this!!
Does anyone have any recommendations on what to try the preserves with?
I have the blueberry jalapeno!! It is really good in baked brie.