Treasures from near and far

Today brought about treasures. Some near and some far. The first one was the arrival of THIS COOKBOOK:

It's Pioneer Woman's cookbook and I spent the better part of my afternoon flipping through it. I love it - it's colorful - of course her own amazing photos are used to illustrate step by step process for each recipe and it's very Ree! I sat and chuckled as I read her quips and humorous one-liners. She will be in Austin in December and I am HOPING I can make her book signing!! I'd love to meet her, get my book signed and get a photo with her.

The other treasures I have actually had for a few weeks now, I am just now telling you about them. Actually, I have been cleaning out what is supposed to be our office (it is undergoing major transformation with painting, the addition of shelving and rearranging and de-cluttering and all that fruffamuffin) and I remembered that my folks brought me some more goodies from Beijing. On this last trip, my mother returned to the silk factory to purchase some more goods...

One of which was this beautiful table runner. I LOVED it immediately. In person the green is a lot softer, not quite so yellow. But anyhow, this is it...

I will be using it as soon as the holidays decor is put away (I have not even taken it out yet, point it, when the holidays are over).

Love the details. And, my mom said that compared to some of the rugs and wall hangings, the detail on this table runner pales in comparison.

The next little surprise came in this lovely red box.

And this is what was inside. Anyone want to take a stab at it???

Have any ideas what this could be???

I'll let you stew about it (if you don't already know what it is)...

I'll reveal it's purpose tomorrow!!