Surprise in the Mail

My surprise finally arrived in the mail yesterday!

Hubby bought me a gift which was meant as a surprise for me. It was supposed to get to me before my birthday (a month ago) but it was held up big time. He kept this as a secret/surprise until I saw a "Stephanie Alexander" in the credit card statement and I asked him what it was. Coincidentally, my SIL G just bought a copy of the book for herself. I saw it (hard to miss because it is a huge book) just last week when I visited her place. That was why the name was familiar to me. In a way, I ruined my own surprise.... but I was still very surprised and moved when I learnt that hubby was willing to pay an expensive price to buy a book for me!

Personally autographed and addressed to me by the author (I blotched out my name)

This Kitchen Garden Companion (KGC) book is really informative and useful, not just for the non-green-finger me, but for any adult and children to learn and grow your own veggies, fruits and use them fresh in your kitchen.

If you ever dreamed of picking fresh salad leaves for the evening meal, gathering vine-ripened tomatoes or pulling up your own sweet carrots, this is the book for you. Follow in the footsteps of one of Australia's best-loved cooks and food writers as she reveals the secrets of rewarding kitchen gardening. Be encouraged by detailed gardening notes that explain how adults and children alike can plant, grow and harvest 73 different vegetables, herbs and fruits and try some of the 250 recipes that will transform your fresh produce into delicious meals. Whether you have a large plot of suburban backyard or a few pots on a balcony, you will find everything you need to get started in this inspiring and eminently useful garden-to-kitchen guide.

First and last page of the contents section

This is my birthday, wedding anniversary and Christmas gift, which is not too bad, considering that hubby is not the type who buys gifts for me (or others). Gifts is also not either of our love language. This is the few pressies I get from hubby, where it was not because he knows that I wanted it but he decided to get it because he knows that I will like it and I (and him too!) will benefit from it.

Poor hubby...I hope he will not stop trying to create surprises for me. I may create surprises for people but it is hard to surprise me :p The next time, I must learn to be discreet and pretend to be ignorant so that I will not ruin the fun for the 'surpriser'.