Chocolate Soap

Yesterday I water-proofed our side deck.  Besides my misstep and spilling it down the front of me it was also hot out.  Went to take a shower and discovered I needed a new bar of soap.  Rummaged through my stash (I have no clue why I have so many different soaps.  Apparently when I see an odd one I just buy it and store it and then go buy another one) and found this lovely little gem.

And Now the Trouble Starts

Part 2:  (Part 1 is The Bridal Shower)

"Here," Janelle shoves what looks like a bag at me.  Where did this come from?  "I need both hands."

"Let go!"

"No!"

I bring up the rear.  I realize now, since I have plenty of time while the two of them battle their way down the steps that I am not holding a bag but a bunch of papers.  I recognize these as the papers that were handed out when we started playing games.  These are strategically wrapped around something bulky, in a  cone shape.  A large cone shape.  I do not remember this and none of us won anything.

"What is this?" I ask as we settle in the car and drive off.

"Oh, that's for you.  While you were inside grabbing cake I ran around to all the tables outside and took all the chocolate.  You're welcome."

"What?  You did what?  I'm the only one that likes chocolate!  Fran is going to blame me for this!" I screech.

"I know!"  Both sisters laugh.

I take a peek, "You took ALL the chocolate?"

"Yeah, four tables worth," Janelle waves a hand.  "Don't worry, everybody was inside."

"How could you do that?"

"I did her and you a favor.  It was all melting in the sun."

Even if I tell Fran it wasn't me she's not going to believe me.

A few weeks later I call Janelle.  "Did you ever hear from Fran?"

She gives a short laugh.  "Oh, yeah.  She called."

"Did she notice we left early?"

"Yeah.  They opened up one of our presents and wanted to thank us.  When they couldn't find us, they realized . . . also, nobody else knew how to work the margarita machine . . ."

"Oh, great.  What'd ya tell her?"

"That you had to get home."

"What?  Me?  What about Rebecca's foot?"

"She went to the doctor's yesterday.  It's healing nicely.  I'll tell her you were asking about her."

I just can't wait to show up for the wedding.  Wonder if the chocolate and/or wedding cake will be under armed guard? Locked behind a glass case? Or none there at all?

Best to bring my own.  Something tells me I'm going to need it after Fran gets done with me.

A Bridal Shower

My daughter was recently in a wedding, hence the 'Together Forever' bag of M&M's.  While I am not partial to M&M's except in baking or Hershey's I must say that these dark chocolate covered caramels are w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l!

However, the M&M's reminded me of a recent get-together.  I, too, am going to a wedding very soon.  We'll see how much chocolate is there.  I can attest to the fact that there was plenty at the bridal shower.

Being the chocoholic that I am I was very good staying out of the various chocolate cookies, the chocolate brownies and the chocolate cakes.  For the first hour.  By the second hour I had discreetly grabbed a cookie here and there and had slunk off to eat them, making sure that there were no crumbs on me each time that I reappeared.  It was most fortuitous that my two sorority sisters who know me well were kept busy.  One being the hostess of the shower and the other being the only one of ninety people who knew how to work the margarita machine.  Yes, she was very busy with that job.

So, the cookies were easy to grab but not so the brownies and cakes.  One of which had a secret ingredient in it that I was really itching to sink my teeth into.

We stood around and made small talk with strangers, had lunch, played games and then -- it was announced the bride-to-be would now open her gifts.

"She's got to have over a hundred presents," I hissed.  "Do you realize we'll be here for another two hours?"  Another two hours  before dessert.

"We can always leave," Janelle* said.

"We can't up and leave," I said.

"Why not?  We're outside.  She'll never miss us."  Janelle's sister Rebecca* had recently had foot surgery.  With her toe to knee cast and a pair of crutches coupled with a beautiful sunny day, we had opted to sit on the deck along with a handful of other people who had moved inside to watch the presents being opened.

All three of us turned and looked at the narrow steps leading off the deck to the cars.  We huddled back, "I really wanted to try that one piece of cake . . . plus the brownies."

"Oh, yeah, the cake has something special in it.  I wouldn't mind a bite of that myself.  Okay, I'll check on the margaritas and see if I can't grab something.  If nothing else I can probably swipe some cookies."

"No!  I'm full of cookies!  Just the cake and the brownies."

"Okay, I'll see what I can do."  A few minutes later Janelle came out empty-handed.  "There's too many people standing around.  I couldn't do it."

"Okay, I'm going in," I said.

I hung back but positioned myself so that when I saw an opening I could quickly grab a plate and forks and then I'd swoop in on the good stuff.  Ah, they're moving closer to see what the guest of honor received.  Closer, closer, keep going . . .

I grabbed the plate, the forks, brownies, cake -- I feel a presence at my elbow.  Now, I'm short so everybody pretty much towers over me and this young thing did just that with a glare.  I think she's going to do all right disciplining her kids when her day comes.  But I have age and wisdom on my side.  "I'm terribly sorry to be doing this, " I whispered, "but I have to leave shortly and I just wanted a little bit of dessert.  It all looks so delicious."

"Oh," she brightened, "I completely understand.  We have plenty.  Help yourself."

I make my way back to the deck and hand out forks.  Janelle takes a bite of cake right after I have put my piece in my mouth and pulled the fork out.  "Oh!  She soaked it in coffee!  That's the secret ingredient."  Okay, most people would love this.  I hate it!  I can't even stand the smell.  Why did I not notice this when it was headed for my mouth?  My nose is right there! 

"No!" both Janelle and Rebecca say as I look out over the yard and start to stand up.

I can't argue my case with my mouth full.  But the more I keep it in my mouth the more the dreaded liquid is sinking into my tongue.  Janelle gets up, grabs a bottle of water from the cooler and hands it to me.  "Here.  Wash it down."   

"Oh, it's terrible!" I finally get out.  "I'll never get the taste out of my mouth as long as I live!"

"Have some brownie," offers Rebecca.

"This is great," Janelle says between mouthfuls. "I have got to get the recipe."

Okay, I have still not quite recovered from my awful ordeal, although the brownie helped, but we are done eating and all three of us are looking longingly at the steps.

"Come on, nobody's looking," says Janelle.

"I'm not feeling good about running out," I sighed.

"Do you want to stay?  We'll be here for another two hours at least.  Rebecca, how's your foot?"

She thinks about this.  "Yeah, I think I need to go home and put my foot up."

"Yes, cuz there's no place out here that you can do that," I look at her.

"Let's go."  Janelle and Rebecca stand up.

"Shouldn't we at least say good-bye to our hostess Fran* if not her future daughter-in-law?"

"Fran won't let us leave -- she'll never miss us."

Janelle goes first and realizes that besides the steps being narrow they are a little rickety.  She turns around and grabs Rebecca's arm.

"Let go, I can do it myself!"

"I'm trying to help."

"I don't want your help.  I want to grab hold of the railing."

"No, if you start to fall I want to have a hold of you."

"I'm going to fall if you don't let go!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Ya know, if we can't move quickly, can we at least move quietly?" I grumbled. 

They both turn and look at me. 


I will post the conclusion tomorrow:  And Now The Trouble Starts

*names have been changed because these are my actual sorority sisters who still haven't forgiven me for writing the book, Beg(ga)(he)r, about sorority sisters.

Jelina Chocolatier

I am having the best success at finding good chocolate for a reasonable price at my local Meijer store.  Recently I found these two and had to try them.  They are both a fair trade chocolate and  very good.