The Syndicate

I regret that I missed this It’s always been a lot of fun. Perhaps next year...?

Spacedaisy wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:54 am

Glorfindel wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:19 am Spacedaisy: You are most welcome, my dear friend. My culinary skills are rudimentary at best so perhaps someone more highly skilled in that field (like S-V-S) may be able to advise you in the use of the sauces - I've not tried them myself but I've heard good reports about them. As for the ornament, for anyone who can't read the inscription under the image of Captain Picard, it says, "Dream big and make it so" - a play on Jean-Luc's iconic line from the Star Trek Next Generation series. I am beyond thrilled that you were happy with it, my friend and I hope that (through our friend, the indomitable Captain Picard) I may be able to inspire you just a little in those times that you may feel down or discouraged and need reminding of all the wonderful things that await you in your life.

I also really loved the card and note, it was really sweet. And you have amazing handwriting!

Now, you're just trying to make me blush (and are succeeding )

Oh, and in reference to your earlier post, of course 'chilli' is spelled with two 'l's

@Spacedaisy: You are most welcome, my dear friend. My culinary skills are rudimentary at best so perhaps someone more highly skilled in that field (like S-V-S) may be able to advise you in the use of the sauces - I've not tried them myself but I've heard good reports about them. As for the ornament, for anyone who can't read the inscription under the image of Captain Picard, it says, "Dream big and make it so" - a play on Jean-Luc's iconic line from the Star Trek Next Generation series. I am beyond thrilled that you were happy with it, my friend and I hope that (through our friend, the indomitable Captain Picard) I may be able to inspire you just a little in those times that you may feel down or discouraged and need reminding of all the wonderful things that await you in your life.

It's just passed midnight here in Australia and is now Christmas Day. So, Merry Christmas to all my friends here - I wish you all a safe and joyous celebration that will become in time, a memory you will treasure.

Spacedaisy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2017 11:37 pm Alex told me by text while I was at work that a package came with my name on it from Australia and I knew immediately it was you, I was so excited!

Is it bad that I find the image of you sitting there staring intently at at that package under your tree so amusing?

Seriously, though - I do hope you like it, my dear friend

Spacedaisy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2017 8:38 pm a package came from Australia!!!

@Glorfindel

Yes, t'is true - I lucked out this year! Not only did I get TWO Syndicateers for the price of one for my secret Santa recipient/s, I got a really good friend into the bargain

NOTE TO SELF:

Christmas 2018 Secret Santa Naughty List

• 1. 2017 Syndicateers with no discipline or self-restraint

My gift has (only hours ago) now been dispatched. Unlike last year, I've left nothing to chance and can to the best of knowledge assure its recipient that it WILL arrive before Christmas.

Note to GGR (Glorf Gift Recipient): Just a warning - you should probably expect something a little, well... 'unconventional' and it would of course be well for you to remember that it IS (after all) the thought that counts. Given that it will arrive before Christmas, I don't believe there is anything perishable in there so I'd hope that you can resist the temptation to open it before Christmas Day

Please don’t think me a pain but by my calculation, there are only six full weeks between now and Christmas. Besides me, is anyone else up for this grand event?

Spacedaisy wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2017 1:28 am Good idea, I will visit this tomorrow night to refresh how we did it last year and get things moving for this year.

I can't wait!

Epignosis wrote: ↑Sat Jun 17, 2017 3:14 pm I'm slow as Christmas.

Well, Epi - it's the first of October tomorrow so perhaps we should all start getting ready for the 2017 Holiday Goodie Exchange shortly

Would it be presumptuous of me to suggest an international Syndicate Easter Egg Hunt?

juliets wrote:She indeed has been in Israel and I would bet she selected them and sent them while there.

Indeed she did I thought it was such a cool thing to do!

Oh, and not sure if I said this earlier, but congratulations to SpaceDaisy for having done such an amazing job of organising this whole event. I think it's helped (me, at any rate) get to know my fellow Syndicateers a lot better

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

Epignosis wrote:I don't want to knock other cultures, but damn, when your fertility god also happens to be your trickster god...that's just messed up.

This entire event has turned out far more amazingly well than I thought it would. It seems Syndicateers are exceptionally keen and thoughtful gift buyers

Golden wrote:Wow, matty took part all the way from Australia? That's amazing. Maybe I should do it next year.

It's Australia, my friend - not the end of the earth...

S~V~S wrote:Well, he IS an Elven Lord. Maybe he has special powers.

I am beyond thrilled that you liked my gift, my friend I hope you have the most awesome Christmas. Sadly, my special powers don't extend to the US postal service - I was beginning to doubt it would ever reach you...

Metalmarsh89 wrote:Wow! That's some amazing gifts right there Sorsha! Kudos SVS.

I have to concur with my learned colleague - who'd have thought a 'secret Santa' gift could be so considerate and thoughtful?

Elohcin wrote:

As for whoever has me. I will have a new address after Wednesday!

Congratulations, Eloh, Epi & Simon