~Rabindranath Tagore

Last week I was feeling a bit more economically conservative than usual; my budget had no room for extravagance.  One evening, not in the mood to cook but not wanting to spend the extra money on take-out, I headed home to my kitchen. Before entering the house, I checked my mailbox and found a happy surprise.  A local pizzeria had sent me a gift certificate for a free large pizza!  Many of my friends had recommended this restaurant and I'd been meaning to give it a try. What perfect timing!  The free pizza coupon arrived just when I needed a bit of serendipity.

This unexpected gift from Mamma's Brick Oven Pizza reminded me of the pleasure of giving and receiving little surprises.  There's nothing like finding a gift-box of goodies on your doorstep.  A dear friend of mine often mails out little care packages full of her favorite things to all of her loved ones.  She has surprised me with dried lavender from Diamond Hitch (see link at right), cans of hand-caught Albacore Tuna from Oregon, and a variety of goodies for my cats.  Each parcel brings with it the delight of receiving something unanticipated and the warmth of knowing that someone took time out of their busy schedule to share something special.

Even traditional gifts can be more intriguing when delivered by what we call "snail mail".  My friend Astrid has two boys that I've watched grow up.  Although they live only 30 minutes away, I often send their birthday gifts through the US Postal Service.  Now every year each of the guys looks forward to the arrival of a mysterious package, addressed especially to him.  Knowing this makes sending the packages something that I also look forward to.

Giving can be just as much fun as receiving.

This week, say thank you for the happy surprises in your life by sharing one with someone else.  Send a surprise package.  It doesn't have to contain anything expensive or time-consuming.  You could share a cool product that you've discovered or a book that you've recently enjoyed.  Or open up that box of mementos from your past and share a meaningful photo with an old friend.  

Say thank you to the planet by using eco-friendly packaging.  Re-use a box and line it with shred from your paper shredder or scrunch up those annoying junk mail flyers and transform trash into gift wrapping.

Most importantly, don't put off sending a surprise package.  The perfect time is now.  

Be a humble messenger of happy surprises.  

Summer is the perfect time for Shrimp in Grape Leaves.  These tasty little surprise packages are super easy to make and always a hit when I bring them to summer cook-outs. 

1  16 oz package frozen medium (70 to 110 per pound count) cooked tail-off shrimp 

1 and 1/2 cups Greek vinaigrette dressing with feta (bottled or homemade) 

1 jar of preserved grape leaves (8 oz drained)

3  stainless steel barbecue skewers (about 10" long)

In a medium sized bowl, combine frozen shrimp and vinaigrette.  Cover and thaw several hours or overnight in refrigerator.  When shrimp is thawed, cover your counter or other work surface with plastic wrap or foil (it gets a little messy).  Carefully remove grape leaves from jar.  Carefully separating grape leaves as you go, spoon 3 to 4 shrimp into the center of each leaf and fold outer edges toward center, over shrimp, creating a tightly wrapped package.  Add packages to skewers, making a kabob and leaving an inch or two at each end.  Spoon a little of the marinade over finished skewers for extra flavor.  Grill skewers 1 to 2 minutes on each side to heat through.  Makes about 30.