I don't like the German postal service, it's even fair to say that I despise it. How can they so consistently and successfully press my buttons so well? Everything they could possibly do wrong or even wreck, they have accomplished over the last years that we have been living in Munich. Mere coincidence or weekly routine, yesterday I was queuing for over 25 minutes, solely to pick up my latest Amazon fix. When I had arrived, the sight alone was daunting - the post office at Orleansplatz was jam packed. The dismal post office queue snaked all the way from the counters through the huge post office building, all the way out on to the sidewalk - even for German post offices rather disturbing...

When I finally made it - waving with the package slip in my hand - to the counter, I had to restrain myself from jumping directly into the lady's face, after she returned and said with a tone colder than the outside temperature that she couldn't find anything. My obvious are-you-kidding-me-look made her turn on the spot and vanish for another five minutes, eventually returning with the package. Good for her. Out of curiosity what today's response might be, I asked my standard question: "Any chance I can find out the reason, as to why the postman didn't want to leave it with the neighbors in our house?" She replied, shaking her head: "Maybe the driver didn't know?" With a raised eyebrow I returned (having been there many times it almost felt like a rehearsed play): "Well, we even have a sign at the main entrance that begs all delivery services to ring at neighbors' doors, even the small shop across the street is happy to help out..." She, already being on auto-pilot: "I could give you the number of our customer service...". Well, how could I have thought of a different ending this time...? Hope dies last!

Despite getting a bit antsy, I wasn't expecting to be receiving my little European foodblogger treat early - still, my curiosity rose from day to day, from whom might it be?

European Blogging By Mail was initiated by Andrew over at Spittoon, who brought Nic's idea to our continent. I haven't joined the previous rounds due to holidays, so I was eagerly awaiting the 3rd round. London-based, but really a cosmopolitan per her background, Johanna from thepassionatecook organized this round's pairings for the 32 participating foodbloggers all across Europe - "Comfort Food" was the theme. My head was bursting with ideas about what to send, but miraculously every idea was somewhat related to PASTA or CHOCOLATE. So the biggest problem was to narrow down the pool of ideas to a total of 2 kilograms, otherwise the postage of the parcel would become more expensive than the package's content itself. Besides the fact, that there are very few pleasures bigger than shopping food presents, Johanna's pairings also pointed me to a UK-based foodblog, I haven't come across before. Anne from "Baking for Britain" lives in London and is dedicated to baking regional specialties from the island, providing historical background on the featured treats and charming photography of her intriguing creations. Definitely worth checking out!

Funny coincidence: Anne received her package on the same day as I received mine - a huge box with wonderful gifts from Moira at "Who wants seconds?", also UK-based. I treated Moira's newly arrived parcel the way I treat every present - I ripped it open right then and there! Foodbloggers just know - know so well the finer art of packing food parcels! Moira's was put together so thoughtfully, from the main actors to the tiny details:

* Clam chowder (cans of clams and clam juice): While I only had it once on a trip to Boston, O. is dying for it since his post-grad time in New England. Never thought about preparing it myself! Since Moira included one of her well-proven recipes, I can't wait!
* Bay leaves from her own garden (I am sooo jealous!)
* Oyster crackers
* Snickerdoodles - I love the name! Another new discovery for me: homemade cookies with a luscious taste of cinnamon, prepared after a James Beard recipe. Thoughtful as foodbloggers are, she even added a slice of bread to keep them soft on their journey - although I have to admit, they didn't make it past this weekend... ;)
* Rooibos Chai Tea, Moira's fav: Being a tea-drinker with heart and soul, this is the way to make me happy! The tea and the Snickerdoodles made such a perfect match!
Accompanied by a lovely handwritten letter, I was completely touched by this wonderful parcel. Besides the fun and the goodies European Blogging By Post brings, it is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow foodbloggers better - emails have been flying back and forth over the last days.

If you are a European-based (food)blogger and interested in joining, keep an eye out for the next round! Johanna's round-up is online and constantly growing!