A Surprise in Today’s Mail

As we all know, sadly, the holiday season of 2019 has come and gone.  We are now into a new year and a new decade.  But that doesn’t mean presents aren’t still loved and greatly appreciated.  I love presents anytime.  🙂  I received a surprise present in today’s mail, from my friend Karen, in San Diego, CA.  It totally made my day.   I was feeling a little wiped out after an event that happened at work this morning and was just really kind of in a bit of a funk.  It really knocked my socks off.  So getting this surprise today really perked me up.  My care package from Karen made it all better.

Every year, Larry and I host our annual ornament exchange party to ring in the holidays.  Part of Karen’s care package included a fun ornament.  NO!  This one is for my tree.  It is not one for the 2020 exchange!  I love my new ornament, but the part of the gift that was just what “the doctor ordered” was a fun little packet of cocktail recipes called “Karen’s Twelve Cocktails of Christmas“.  I think I just might need to make one for tonight.  Karen knows me well.

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The cocktails included in this libatious packet are:

  1.  Christmas Cookie Cocktail
  2. Poinsettia Cocktail
  3. Santa’s Sleigh Cocktail
  4. Champagne Cocktail
  5. Candy Cane Cocktail
  6. Hot Spiced Butterscotch Rum Cocktail
  7. Glacier Cocktail
  8. Classic Cognac Cocktail
  9. Holly and Mistletoe Cocktail
  10. Orange Coffee Cocktail
  11. Gingerbread Cocktail
  12. Christmas in a Glass

Don’t these all sound fun?  I can’t wait to try them all.  I promise I will have tried them all at least once WAY before Christmas comes around again.

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My favorite gifts are ALWAYS those that are fun, creative, and made from the heart.  This was a perfect gift that I can enjoy anytime of the year.  Thank you, thank you, thank you Karen.  Love you lots.  🙂

 

Author: ajeanneinthekitchen

I have worked in the restaurant and catering industry for over 35 years. I attended 2 culinary schools in Southern California, and have a degree in culinary arts from the Southern California School of Culinary Arts, as well as a few other degrees in other areas. I love to cook and I love to feed people.

27 thoughts on “A Surprise in Today’s Mail”

    1. I know right?! I almost like ornament exchange parties better than actual gift parties for that very reason. Ornaments are fun and festive, and so different. Usually you can find some really fun ones that are not expensive either, but at the same time, it puts everyone in the holiday spirit.

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      3. Yes, we make it a game too!
        So everyone brings Socks in a gift bag, no one can look in the bags. Each person pulls a number out of the box. When then went in numerical order beginning with number 1, who will select a bag and show them. The higher numbers have a choice of taking someone else’s socks or opening a new gift. The same socks can only be taken 2-3 times, your choice. At the end everyone puts a socks on, so we do a Circle of Socks Photograph. There was plenty of food, fun and fellowship that kept us busy. We watched a movie too!(Overcomers)

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  5. Now I know why my book delivery to you was delayed. USPS says it’s because of an earthquake in Puerto Rico (To me, it sounds as likely as “because of riots in Hong Kong.”), but I can clearly see that it was because it couldn’t arrive with this ornament care package. They both need their own spotlight. LOL (It arrived in Denver this morning.)

    I’m sorry to hear that you had a challenging day yesterday. I hope that today you are able to start anew! Stay golden.

    And the cocktail recipe idea is genius!

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    1. 🙂 🙂 🙂 I completely agree. Both of these wonderful care packages need their own spotlight. 🙂 I am eagerly awaiting my book.

      I loved this cocktail recipe idea. i only wish I had thought of that.

      I had a stalker stalking me at the pool yesterday. He was in my face and following my every move, then he started making obscene gestures in the window, with my whole class watching. All of us were getting a little freaked out. But the final straw was when he pulled his pants down in the pool area and flashed everyone. We finally had to call the cops. He had some mental issues, but I am SO sick of people using this as an excuse. I DON’T really care what issues people have. WE ALL still have to follow the same rules and safety standards. Until he pulled his pants down and flashed everyone, there was nothing we could do, because no one was hurt or harmed. But once he did that, it became a misdemeanor. The rec center decided NOT to ban him or press charges, but he can only come to the rec center with someone there to supervise him. I guess it’s an OK compromise for now, but it just infuriates me to no end that nothing can be done until there is actually a victim. ARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!! Society is going to Hell in a hand basket. I am getting so sick of people!

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      1. Is there no security at your pool? It should have never gone THAT far!

        I agree. Everyone can hide behind the “mental issues” label.

        Well, if he was “in your face,” couldn’t you tell him that you felt uneasy/threatened and ask him to stop (It sounds lame, but is a necessary step before engaging in further action)? People have called the cops for less. But again, YOU NEED SECURITY THERE! You can’t have random people walking in?

        WHAT? Now I understand your outrage. It must have felt like they didn’t care about you or your class, but focused on making profit (from his membership).

        See, that’s why you HAVE TO play victim sometimes. You should told someone you were feeling unsafe and unable to perform your job. They should be the ones responsible for providing a safe work-space.

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      2. Thank you for the support. Nope. No security. We live in a strange, twisted world, and it seems to only getting worse, not better.

        Playing the victim just isn’t in my DNA. I am more the rescuer than the victim, and even that takes it’s toll sometimes too.

        On another matter …… I got your book today. I am so excited about reading it. YAY!!!!!!!! Thank you so much. And yes, we are definitely soul sisters. 🙂 You know you always have a place to stay when in Denver. And you know there will always be plenty of food too. 🙂

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