Christmas Chocolate

Last year a friend sent me a link to some very special chocolate.  I e-mailed her back saying that it sounded wonderful however nothing I could afford.  She decided then that that would be my Christmas present. 

                               
                                  I have never had a chocolate bar that was numbered. 

                                           And let me tell you: it was good!  Really good.

Chicago Chocolate

Last year I was in Chicago with three of my sorority sisters.  We took the train in from Michigan and spent four days shopping and eating.

We were getting tired and two of the gals were lagging behind when I suddenly looked up and saw the sign. "Oh!  Oh!" I took off, feet no longer hurting.

"What?  What is it?" my friend who was walking with me asked.  She took off after me and then abruptly stopped as she looked up at the shop I was disappearing into.  "You don't need to hurry," she hollered to the other girls who had picked up their pace.

"Why?  What'd she find?  Clothes?  Purses?"

"No.  Her store."

"What's that?  Chocolate?"  I heard laughter before the door shut.

"Yes."

Yes, the chocolate store is what I found.  I discovered Vosges a few years ago.  Pricey but well worth it.  My favorite of the line is Mo's Dark Bar.

Hmm, might as well have a piece since it's sitting right here . . .

Running out of Chocolate?

Recently I was sent a news piece stating that chocolate was being threatened due to the ebola virus.  Because the countries where the trees grow have closed their borders workers can't get in to pick the pods.

Next I received a news article that chocolate was being threatened due to drought conditions in those parts of the world and the high demand for chocolate.  Friends and relatives are telling me I need to start stocking up.

What good will it do me to stock pile chocolate?  I'll eat right through it.  It's those of you who don't care for chocolate (gasp!) that need to stock up for the rest of us.  You're not going to eat it.

You're going to be the hero who soothes the savage beast who comes beating on your door when they are completely out of chocolate! 

A collectible chocolate

 not a delectable one

Hot Chocolate

With temperatures now in the 80's I really must remember to take my emergency chocolate out of my purse.  This happens every year, hmm . . .

Cacao Nibs

I needed some cacao nibs for a cookie recipe I want to try.  I called all over until I tracked some down.  I entered the store, which I'm not familiar with, and began talking to the woman who was stocking the chocolate bars.  She offered me a sample and I went a little overboard.

Can't wait to dive into them, one by one!

Chocolate mug shot

I discovered a cute little shop when I was asked to do a book signing for their 1 year anniversary.  Sadly, the shop is no longer around but I bought a couple of things while there and this was one of them.

 

 "Forget Love, I'd rather fall in Chocolate!"  

 The little 'lily pad' sitting on top discourages inquiring cats from taking a lick.