Mel ~

My partner is going to Japan on a snow boarding holiday and has accomodation in a sort of bed and breakfast type place. I thought he should take a photo book about our country (New Zealand) to give the family that run it as a thankyou gift. Do you think this would be appropriate?

I'm having a party next weekend and aside from the usual things (alcoholic jelly, potato salad, bbq meats etc) I want to make melon balls - but not sure what the ratio of alcohol to use or even what alcohol to use. Help!

Yesterday I lost my cellphone, eventually (after calling it many times) it got answered by an asian man who works in a local icecream shop. He was giggling away (so cute) cause I was so relieved at finding my phone. I want to give him something to say thankyou, but what should I give him?

I think he's going to have an awesome time and I want to get him some good christmas presents that would make his trip more enjoyable. I can do the obvious, like buying him some yen to spend, but what else would be good xmas gifts??

I love crime novels, my favourite authors are Michael Connelly, Ed McBain, Lawrence Block, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Robert Crais, Faye Kellerman, Jonathon Kellerman, Jessie Kellerman... who else writes like these?