Memorial to S'Mores

(My sister, Alicia, with her glorious creation, 2010)

There's only one thing better than finding a dry place on a rainy day, sparking a raging fire, and leaning back with a bunch of family and friends: HUGE MARSHMALLOWS!

I learned something this Memorial Day weekend: there are now marshmallows BIG enough to fill an entire graham cracker and require an entire chocolate bar. They're called "Giant Roasters," and they make even a rain-drenched holiday cheerful. They're GIGANTIC: a treat to be reckoned with.

(A bag of fluffy glory, 2010)

(My sister and nephew, a moment of Memorial silence, 2010)

A beautiful blog, Twig & Thistle posted an idea from Packaging Specialties here in Seattle just a bit ago that I found charming and will certainly make to give as a favor at the next Giant Roaster BBQ.

Pies and Packaging

"If you are going to give a gift, why not make giving it a pleasure for yourself as well. Shop at stores you enjoy. Wrap with beautiful ribbons. Make it an experience worth a "Thank You" card from yourself to yourself." R.E.L.

Today I put together party favors for a girlfriend’s baby shower this weekend. The party is going to be hosted at an adorable hole of a pie shop on Magnolia, called the Seattle Pie Company. Since we’re going to be enjoying pie, and the invitations were cherry pies, I am sticking to the theme and giving everyone pie filling (aka: a crisp Washington apple).

I know, I know. Functionality of this gift is at a low, but I’m sure ladies will stash them and enjoy them despite that.

I'm a sucker for the planning of it, and took a lovely hour browsing at Packaging Specialties. This is why I love gift giving: I get to shop at Packaging Specialties, and paper stores, and floral wholesale houses. A word about this shop specifically – GO! There are a few locations around Seattle and the Eastside, and if you’re throwing a wedding, a holiday party, or just want some beautiful paper to frame and put on your wall, it’s a great place to start! It’s not all artisan, but it has all the tools you need to wrap to your heart’s content.

I started by getting out my calligraphy pen, a gift from The Non-Scotsman. It’s not the most practical writing tool, but I love the thick layers of ink on these gift tags:

I threw the heart-friendly fruit into tiny, organic-looking brown bags from Packaging Specialties,

Wrapped them in my favorite twine (used by the beloved Watson Kennedy)

And voila!

Nature’s apple pie.