After a long wait — and a little bit of mystery courtesy of the Italian mail service — my parcel from Canada finally arrived! Mardi has truly outdone herself: the box was overflowing with treats and thoughtful finds. I was especially excited because Mardi is the friend who introduced me to Foodie Exchange, so opening this parcel felt like a celebration. Here’s a look at everything inside.
- Black Tea (Monk’s Blend) and Green Tea (Green Chai): both teas have an incredible aroma. They smell so good I almost don’t want to use them. I’m already brainstorming recipes that will bring out their flavors.
- Odile Chocolat with lavender and caramel: one bar disappeared immediately. It leaves a wonderfully fresh aftertaste that’s hard to forget.
- Chocolate Pecan Cookies: these were yesterday’s dessert and they vanished down to the last crumb. Everyone loved them.
- Bacon salt: low fat, low sodium, and completely natural. I can’t wait to sprinkle this on eggs and bacon for an extra savory kick.
- Maple Butter: perfect for spreading on morning toast. Smooth, rich, and unmistakably maple.
- Maple Syrup Lollipop: a playful sweet treat that highlights pure maple flavor.
- Demerara Butter Crunch: a delicious combination of salted caramel, almonds, chocolate, and butter — rich and indulgent, but irresistible.
- Herbs for goat cheese: I’m eager to try these on fresh goat cheese to see how the flavors pair.
- Salad dressings — Poppy Seed and Tarragon: we don’t usually dress salads this way at home, so I’m curious to experiment. I’m already planning a small dinner with friends to taste and share these goodies together.
Alongside the parcel, I decorated an Easter egg I’d like to share. My original idea was to create an artistic, delicate design, but while working I kept thinking of Alice in Wonderland — probably because I’d just watched Tim Burton’s film. Instead of traditional peach branches with soft pink blossoms, I painted surreal branches bursting with color and topped with tiny cupcakes. It became a whimsical, slightly mad design that feels perfect for a tea party straight out of a storybook.
Imagine a Mad Tea Party under this tree: bright, playful, and a little bit unexpected. That’s exactly the mood the egg captures — colorful, imaginative, and fun.
