BBM4 - My Package from Lindy

Wow. I'm still collecting my thoughts about what to include in the BBM4 package that I'll be sending, but my package from Lindy arrived yesterday. It was packed to the gills, with music, homemade goodies, and an assortment of interesting ethnic ingredients from Pittsburgh's Strip District. Lindy also included a wonderful handwritten letter explaining what was included and where it was from and recipes for the things she had made.

Lindy sent two of her homemade jellies: White Peach and Basil Preserves, and Rosemary Garlic Jelly. The first is sweet with a firm set - perfect for toast. The Rosemary Garlic Jelly has a softer set and is also sweet but with the not-so-breakfasty flavors of rosemary and garlic. Lindy suggests using it as a glaze, an accompaniment to roasted lamb, or added to gravy. I've had little tastes of each and they're both wonderful.

Unbelievably, Lindy sent a third homemade treat - Chinese Chews. I love these! Actually, it would be more proper to say I loved these. They're gone. I was so busy scarfing them down I almost forgot to take a picture. So what you see above are the last three just moments before their demise. They are basically date nut bars, but somehow more addictive. I think it's safe to say I'll be making these myself in the not too distant future!

Since Lindy was unable to pack up some pierogis for me, she hit upon the brilliant idea of sending a selection of goodies from some of the many ethnic food stores in Pittsburgh's Strip District, aka "the Strip". She sent amaretti from the Italian grocery, dried chestnuts from the Chinese supermarket, Sumac from the Greek store, and some Harissa Sauce from the Middle Eastern market. And if the abundance of ethnic markets in Pittsburgh isn't enough to make you green with envy, they also have a Penzeys! Lindy included a packet of their Herbes de Provence, one of her favorites.

As for the music, Lindy sent a full length recording of La Traviata with Teresa Stratas and Fritz Wunderlich. I love opera and I especially love La Traviata - it has beautiful, haunting music and a great (but of course tragic!) love story based on Alexandre Dumas' La Dame aux Camélias (Camille).

Thanks very much Lindy for such a thoughtful and generous package!! Thanks too to Jason for hosting this Music Edition of Blogging by Mail. Keep an eye out for the round-up here.