Life is full of little surprises!

I feel like it's Christmas around here! Today has been full of wonderful little surprises.

First, I took my daughter to Kohl's to get some new shorts. It hit over 100 degrees here and that means shorts! I got a coupon with my Kohl's bill and it was for an extra 30 percent off. I read it and I reread it. It was 30 percent of the total purchase. Sale, clearance, and regular prices. Nothing was excluded from what I saw. Soooo...

I finally got my Kitchen Aid!!!
$90.00 off the sale price. How could I not get it. I mean, really. And just in time to make my Daring Bakers challenge. How exciting for me! I truly believe ever DBer should have a KA.

Check it out. My sexy new shining chrome KA.
That baby will get some miles put on it.

Then coming home, I drive by the postbox and notice that the key to the box for packages is gone. Hmmm, could that key be in my mailbox?

So I unload my treasures and run to the mailbox.

Yahoo, a package for me!

Remember when I entered my Chili Verde with Sope recipe in the Tamale Open? The one that was hosted by Coco of Coco Cooks and Ben from What's cooking.

Well, I won. I receive this great Indian Soft Hammered Spice Box and 8 spice blends.
(Tandoori,
dried Thai Chilies,
Sansho seven spice blend,
Himalayan Pink Salt,
Quatre Epices,
Ras-El Hanout,
Chipolte Chili Powder,
and Panch Phoran).

Wow, what a package!
Check out the Tamale Open round-up at Coco Cooks.

In addition to my prize, Courtney sent me some of her fresh made canned goods.She sent me a wonderful looking Apricot Cherry Preserves with Vanilla Bean and a jar of her Watermelon Rind Preserves aka Glamah Rinds. You'll have to go read the story behind the Glamah Rinds.

A big, giant Thank You to Courtney for everything. I love the spices and the spice box. And I'm tickled to get to try your preserves!
People like you make the world a nicer place.