Au Canada!

Since canning was one of new obsessions of 2010, I eagerly followed fellow bloggers Andrea and Matt over at Putting Up with the Turnbulls. They totally amaze me with the amount of canning they do, and with the variety of different recipes they try.  It's truly inspiring for a new canner like myself.  Last month, they hosted a holiday giveaway, in which they were giving away the bible of canning books, the Bernandin Complete Book of Home Preserving.  For us Americans, it's the infamous Ball book.  I've never owned a copy, though, I bought one to give to my mother-in-law.  When Andrea contacted me to let me know that I was chosen as their random winner, I was so surprised and completely excited.  And since I didn't buy a copy for myself, this was so completely awesome.  The package arrive from Canada and had such nice personal touches.  I loved how she stamped the packaging with holiday images!

Inside, it was so nicely wrapped with a really lovely handwritten note.

I can barely control my excitement over this book.  I really cannot wait to try out some recipes!  I wish spring would come faster already!

Included in the package were two amazing hand carved birds.  One was a red dove ornament, crafted by Andrea that went right on our tree.

She also sent us a hand carved bird on a spring.  This one now sits on our dining room table as part of the centerpiece.  Andrea has a website featuring all her lovely hand carvings, go to http://thymeoftheseason.wordpress.com/. This was such an amazing holiday package, THANK YOU so much Turnbulls!!