Modern Vespa

How do you know?

I sent mine out today, I hope my recipient forgives my not wrapping it. I was really looking forward to this gift exchange, but did not anticipate so little time to spare.

So sorry in advance, hope you still like in...

I was late sending mine as well - but it should arrive any day now. There have been some awesome gifts so far!

Came home in a pissed off mood (a bubba in a pickup deliberately swerved at me to try to keep me from passing...a story for another time) only to find a Royal mail package in my box. My mood was instantly lifted! Loved the scooter paper on the inner envelope and the scooter on the card.

I immediately opened the Maltesers. Haven't had them in years. Milk Duds here. Two of the stickers will go on my scoot. The Donkei Skök sticker will be saved so I can replace the one Bill and Jim gave me in Savannah when needed. I have it right out front so it tends to get pelted with bugs and was worrying about what to do if it gets worn out or damaged.

The shower gel says "Snow Fairy works her magic then vanishes until next Christmas". Looking forward to the Snow Fairies magic in the morning. Will I be sparkly at work? After shower I am going to give the Gentleman's Relish a try on some hot toast. Y'all can sort that out among yourselves.

Thank you so much for the thoughtful gifts Alice. Was really not feeling the Christmas spirit much but this is moving me towards it. Merry Christmas my friend.

Gentlemen's Relish?! What is that Alice? Do I want to know?

Sorry it took so long to post, family issues.
Thanks stickyfrog, the pancake mix and maple syrup came.
Funny story,I was in the kitchen of the church that sponsors our sons Boy Scout troop, getting things ready for their camp out, and Rick brought by your package.
I had my son and two other boys in the trailer putting up supplies, so I opened your package. Rick and I were so excited to get them and made plans to make pancakes on Christmas day. The boys ran in and saw the pancake mix and yelled, "Sweet, pancakes for breakfast." Damn. Thats right, troop 271 had your pancakes, but I got none, (the boys said they were great.).
I did manage to keep the syrup, and love it. Been baking muffins with maple syrup frosting, and we plan on using it Christmas morning.
Thank you, thank you, you have made so many people happy with your gift.

Glad you liked it and that it made so many happy. As an alumni of Troop 56 from Riverdale in Gloucester, MA I know pancakes are a boy scout staple. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

. I got mine, but the one I send hasn't spoken up yet. Maybe I can find some BV 500 swag for you.

I'm so glad it arrived, Sticky! And I'm glad I got you in the draw. (Actually I've been kicking myself since dispatch for forgetting you were a cat person.)

Gentleman's Relish, for the curious, is a spiced anchovy paste. It's great with buttered toast on a cold winter's day!

I am glad you got me too Alice. Didn't have time this morning to make toast and try the Gentleman's Relish. Will try to get by sorry butt out of bed earlier tomorrow so I can try it.

Presents!!!

The package came a few days ago but I'm only posting now as I've been super busy with work and finals.

A big thank you to Fledermaus from Fon Du Loc, Wisconsin!

It's tough to see from the picture (phone camera) but we got a slew of fair trade and vegan friendly items; some yummy lime marmalade, sun-dried tomato caper spread, raspberry lemongrass tee (my girlfriends favorite ), and a delicious (already devoured) bar of organic orange dark chocolate.

It all sits so perfectly next to our mini christmas "tree" and ornaments.

Thank you so much for the card and kind gifts Mr. Fledermaus!

Have a wonderful Holiday MV!!!

Sounds like you may need to resize the picture before uploading. 600 X 800 pixels it the max. FAQ: How do I resize a photo?

I just closed and then re-opened internet explorer. I'm on an old pc. Thanks!

The Gentleman's Relish is an acquired taste. I got some at Harrod's once. After the first taste I almost tossed it out, but I stuck with it and by the time I'd finished it I wished I had more.

Yum!

When I got home from work, I saw my present sitting there. Hooray!

Rail 50 sent me a gift basket full of almonds from Blue Diamond. I'm a fan, and I'm sure the rest of my family will love them, too.

Rail 50, I used to have some older Cubs programs, but I think they got lost, either when I moved a year ago or when my basement flooded. I went on a road trip out to Colorado and came home to find that apparently my sump pump decided that I wanted to turn my basement into a pool But, if I do happen to find one in my unpacking or at a local thrift shop or something, I'll let you know...

Oh, and I sent my present out on Saturday, so someone should be getting their present today or tomorrow. Unless the USPS is super swamped...

You know what's surprisingly fun? Seeing the things you picked out at the receipient's home. Sort of a strange but wonderful feeling

Speaking of acquired tastes...

My first thought was that my identity had been revealed.. pictures of a coal TRAIN??....Glad you got it. I might have an old Cubs program from spring training.. I'm still looking.... in the meantime... Scooter riders, watch for the train, but more important. Watch out for the tracks!

Don't worry about it. We still have one week. The anticipation is the best part of this whole deal.

Yeah I think it must be an acquired taste. Spread a very slight amount ( a little goes a long way) on toast this morning and could only eat half of it. However, the cats went nuts for it. Very funny watching them both trying to lick a piece of toast with those rough little cat tongues.

Will give it another go later. Is there any trick to it? Like I said I put only a very small amount on the toast with nothing else.

Gentleman's relish: packed and sounds like expensive caviar. Never heard of it but I maintain an "open" mind when it comes down to delicacies. Even though I've never tried it Sticky, I would suggest that initially you try to spread some cream cheese or even butter on the toast before the relish. That may help you finish it. Less is more. A little goes a long way. And keep it away from the felines.

Yeah cream cheese might be just the thing. Too late for the cats though it is like crack for them.

Watch out for their little kidneys - it's salty stuff! Not surprised they liked it, though.

You could try mixing the gentleman's relish with cooked pasta, maybe with some cream cheese too. Pasta + anchovy is love.

Yeah I will have to put them out next time I open it. In pasta? Sounds interesting. I assume very small amounts and maybe with a little olive oil?

This makes me laugh. I can imagine why and how they love it so much. It's like tuna on steroids!

I think the gentlemen's relish sounds fantastic. I like anchovies. Now I want to find some. I imagine in the diverse city I live in, I can find it.

Yeah, same effect here. Amazon comes through! Once again MV has a hidden cost.

I would think North Beach would have more than its share of anchovies.

It has a salty, fishy taste. I think the disconnect for me was trying it on toast which I usually have with butter and maybe some preserves. But the pasta idea sounds good.

I'm sure there's got to be an ethnic grocery store there somewhere that specializes in British food...

Mark

http://www.food.com/recipe/patum-peperium-the-secret-is-out-gentlemans-relish-228778

I am sure my Dad, the Old Sea Dog would love that stuff. He loves anchovies, tins of sardines and smoked oysters.....ACK!

He will also happily eat pickled pigs feet, chicken necks and pickled eggs. I think he has the belly of goat.

Real men eat real food. I wanna meet your dad. Sounds old school just like mine was! Ice cold beer and pickled pigs feet? There used to be a big jar on the back bar of every neighborhood tavern. Second only to a Kipper Snack. All the goodies mom would never have in the house. Man food!

ok - i got my lazy butt to the UPS store and mailed the goodies I have been driving around in my car for a week - crossing fingers it will be there this Thursday

the gentleman's relish is it similar in texture to Anchovy Paste? The paste is excellent on pasta - like a carbonara that tastes like the ocean

I am a big fan of anchovies -- love them on pizza or rolled in olives - now I gotta find some of this relish

TOM my mom ate all the weird stuff in my house. TREPP that stuff is gross. I had an Australian fiance once and he lived on the stuff. Gross.

Santa has been to England!

Many many thanks to QuipMC, my gift arrived today. All the presents are fantastic! I love the fact that they have obviously taken the time to find out a bit about me from my MV profile and posts I have made and bought presents that reflect my interests i.e the Hunter S Thompson bag and badge. They will be great when I am popping down to the shops on my ET4!

QuipMC must also possess some sort of psychic ability because recently I have bought a GTS250 with a small windscreen and it is causing a bit more wind noise in my helmet and I was going to buy some earplugs tomorrow Amazing! Buy a lotto ticket this weekend!

The beer looks too good to open but I guess in the name of Anglo American relations I should force myself to open it....it will be tough but I guess I will manage it, the sweets (sorry candys) I will have to hide from the missus or else I will not have any left to try!

As for the card.......you are right no explanation necessary.....or possible but I love the quirkiness of it!

Receiving these presents today has capped off a fantastic week for me, I have got myself a new job, passed my bike license and now I have these goodies all the way from America!

Many thanks again to QuipMC for the presents and to ScootChef for organising the exchange

Today is the 19th, tomorrow is the 20th. That's one day. I hate waiting...

Yeah, in the loosely knit "rules" the gifts should arrive around the 20th, but really, I said the 20th hoping they would arrive by the end of the year at the latest.

See, lots more time so if you haven't sent your gift out, g'ahead and do it It's a fun little exchange to be a part of.

You're so loose knit you could live in San Francisco....