Monday 13 December 2010

Santa's early visit

I got my Secret Santa package in the post! All the way from County Cork :) It's the first time that my Santa doesn't have to travel outside the country. I've lived in Ireland for about six years now and I don't know how I have managed to never visit Cork city, but now I'd love to go and say thanks to Em in person. Maybe a trip in the new year?
I opened the package immediately, because I'm like that. I prefer instant gratification than later delight. But I did pause for a second to take a photo of the content. I couldn't believe how generous my Santa has been. Huge virtual hug to Em from C'est la vie! Seriously, thank you so much. This was way more than I expected, you made my day! I looked for an email on your blog to thank you immediately but I didn't find one, so this is the only way I have to show you my appreciation ;)


Em sent me 3 books - Dracula by Bram Stoker, The Tent by Margaret Atwood and Perfume by Patrick Süskind. Two cds - Mick Flannery (Irish) and Basia Bulat (Canadian), who I had never heard of before, and two mysterious packages which turned out to be two special kind of French artisan sea salts: Fleur de sel and Gros sel both from Nairmoutier in Brittany. Em describes the first as being the gold of salt, and I'm almost hesitant to try it out as it's so precious!

About the books, I've read Perfume before and really enjoyed it, but I have never read Dracula (I know!) and the only book by Margaret Atwood that I've read is The Handmaid's Tale which was fantastic, so I'm glad to have another one of hers handy.
Also, I've listened to the cds once each, and yes, it's my kind of music. Will be playing them lots, especially Basia. So thank you so much again for everything, you've been a wonderful Santa.

Wow, I can believe this is the 4th Secret Santa exchange. The 4th! I'm just going to let that sink in...
And then warmly thank all the people who make this possible every year:
Allie, Amanda, Amy, Jen, Jen, Kelly, Lenore, Nicole, Selena.

Big hugs to ye too!

http://holidayswap.wordpress.com/

6 comments:

Em said...

Hi Valentina!

I'm glad you enjoyed the pressies :)
Pity for The Perfume, but that's a risk you run when dealing with book lovers...

Have a happy holiday!

Amanda said...

What a wonderful gift! You're not alone having not read Dracula yet...

Nicole (Linus's Blanket) said...

You got great gifts Valentina! Enjoy.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

What a great gift!! I've never read Dracula either but think I need to amend that in 2011.

I'm a pleasure delayer so I had to giggle at your instant gratification comment. ;)

Lenore Appelhans said...

You lucked out :)

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful gift! It makes my heart so happy to see the swap in action and how wonderful everyone in the book blogging world is!

Enjoy your gifts!