After a long trip to visit family (and not being able to know where we would be when to confidently give a different address) I finally arrived back home to find a package from my secret santa waiting for me! I had to hold off a day before opening it, as we were running around unpacking, tending to various things, and enjoying New Year's Eve festivities.

At last, I opened the package. In it were two gift bags. I wasn't sure which to open first, so I went for the one on the right-hand side. Turned out to be a good choice, since I spotted an envelope with my real name on it. The handwritten note inside was very thoughtful and touching.

Also in the bag was a pair of wool hiking socks - the right size too! I wonder if this was just a good guess or seabmoby somehow found my shoe size somewhere ...?

The other bag also had something peeking out - a popper! My husband had to explain what to do and what to expect. After the smell of singed saltpeter, I discovered inside a pair of little plastic red peppers and a slip of paper with jokes in three different languages (English, French, and Spanish).

Being somewhat of a bibliophile, I can spot a present with a book in it from a mile away (okay, might be exaggerating) and knew immediately the gift bag contained a book. I was excited to find: "The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild" (by Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence). I'd never heard of the memoir but couldn't have asked for a better selection. I can't wait to read it!

Thanks for such thoughtful and fitting gifts, seabmoby!