The time has come...

...for care packages!!!

Our friends and family have been asking if there's anything we need, so we thought we'd just post a list of indulgences and sit at the post office and wait :) The word "need" is just so subjective...
We can get quite a bit in the state capital not far away (major priorities like peanut butter, nutella, etc...) but there are some things we are really craving, because we are that spoiled.
So, don't feel like you're obligated to send us stuff, but if you do we'll give you a shout out of how awesome you are on our blog :)


Food related:

• Raw nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc...) and roasted pumpkin seeds and/or pistachios. Trader Joe's sells these big bags of awesomeness cheaper than anyone else I know of...
• Dry-cured sausage/salami products (soppressata, etc...) and water crackers/Ritz
  
• Chocolate covered blueberries or acai berries... an unsatiated addiction thanks to Jacob's family :)
• Fruit/nut trail mix
• Granola mix
• Dried dates... nom, nom, nom! (check exp. date)
  
• TEA!!!!!!! Chai, english breakfast, green and/or black
• Chopsticks (I know, I know... but I really want to make sushi, and you just can't eat sushi with a fork and feel good about yourself)
• Bottle of Sesame oil
• Packs of dried seaweed sheets
  
• Sushi roller
• A tube of wasabi paste
• Bottle of Rice Vinegar
• Bottle of Mirin
• Jar of Shichimi Togarashi red pepper (the spicy stuff they put on Japanese noodle bowls!)
• Dashi (dry stock granules)
• Roasted wasabi peas
• POPCORN! You know who you are :)
• A fat block of Velveeta cheese for making macaroni
• Measuring spoons and cups, hardly anyone bakes here and I can't find these. If my neighbors even have an oven, it is only used to store pots and pans
• Baking Soda... right? We can only find baking powder, and Jacob makes a killer soda bread
• Pretzel or peanut m&ms...
• Spices: Cayenne Pepper, Steak/hamburger seasoning, Lemon Pepper, Curry powder- most everything else we can get
• Herb seed packets: rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme, sage, dill... anything but cilantro. Please God, no more cilantro.

Miscellaneous:

• Chapstick, chapstick, chapstick
• Lent brush or roller, can't find either
• Any good books you've read and don't need anymore (And if anyone has "My Life in Paris" by Julia Child.... Please pass it this way!!)
• Markers (heavy duty kind, lots of colors!), glue sticks, crayons, construction paper, scissors, masking tape, etc... might start an art class!
• Oil paints (Daniel Smith, Windsor Newton, Rembrandt, etc...) Think I found a place where I can buy canvas, etc...
  
• Decorative hooks for hanging stuff
• Magazines! OK, People, Newsweek, Time, etc...
• Postcards from YOU! Something we can put up and be reminded of our awesome family and friends :)
• Clean and Clear sensitive skin face wash
• Bottle of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps (Peppermint scent)... an all in one, fair trade, pure-castile soap (probably found in places like Trader Joe's, found our last bottle in Drug Emporium, go figure)
• Socks! Calf/knee length good old white socks for Jacob... I steal his and he runs out quickly, oops
• Small toys for the kids in our town... dime store items or stuff like silly bands, pogs, chalk, free toys from Happy Meals, etc... they love this stuff! (We may be working on a school library in the Spring- will ask for books later!)

*We figure clothing is more in the mom category to send, but if anyone has any fleece laying around, or sees any super-duper on sale (socks too!) and needs to pad the box they are already sending... we wouldn't turn it down :) Jacob's a Large, and I'm usually an XS or S

*Padded envelopes and small boxes are definitely better to mail than large boxes, which are particularly inviting when it comes to theft... or they don't make even make it here.

*Please use USPS as private carriers are more expensive on both ends (plus you'll have to mail to a PO Box).

*If the box is heavy but compact, it might be cheaper to use an international flat rate box, just ask the clerk.

*You'll have to fill out a customs form, just put "personal items" and very little value. Please do not send anything electronic, there is a minimum entry customs fee of $100!

*Please make a list of items that are inside the box/envelope and stick it (visibly) inside.

*Please write at least one of the following on the outside of the package:

"Dios es amor"

"Dios guarde a este paquete"

"Dios siempre nos está observando"

*The package will probably take a month or so to reach us, so don't mail anything that will go bad within about 6 weeks. We will definitely contact you with due appreciation and worship once we get it.

We'll post the mailing address on Facebook, don't want to post it in a blog.

Thank you all again for thinking of us and entertaining our ridiculous list!
Miss you all!
Lauren and Jacob