FALL FRUITS FESTIVAL - CHOCOLATE

I know that I'm just one of millions of chocolate lovers; but I'm sure you'll agree -- the passion that some of us feel for chocolate makes us feel like we must be the greatest chocolate lover! I now make that claim!

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I love chocolate more than anyone else!

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I'm a bit of a chocolate snob. Growing up, my children's Easter bunnies and little chocolate Xmas ornaments were always safe because I only eat quality chocolate. I have a chocolate stash in my bedroom as well as at work for emergencies. And I'm completely serious when I say that it's necessary because there are times when only chocolate can satisfy and/or heal you.

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Can I get an AMEN out there, sisters?

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For many years, I used to feel extreme guilt for eating so much chocolate, so often; but I no longer feel that way. (I think it has to do with aging and menopause and letting go of the yoke of "what others will think" or "what's proper".) There are much worse vices, right! I do eat chocolate every day -- but not large quantities. And yes, there are times that I overindulge (like the $30 at Rocky Mountain recently that was lovingly imbibed over a 3 hour period.) But golly gee! Gosh darn it! It's so yummy; and life is so short; and it can be difficult! So, as stated above, I've done away with my own personal chocolate guilt!

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(For anyone out there who still experiences this debilitating condition, I am available for prayer, the laying on of healing hands and full-scale choco-guilt exorcisms! Payment in quality chocolate only please!)

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For the past year, I have commissioned myself to be on a lifetime quest to try out as many kinds of chocolate as I possibly can. There really is nothing to compare to the smell, the texture and the taste of a good chocolate!

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I can't pick a favorite chocolate recipe. So, I'll give you a good, quick standby for school bake sales and Girl Guide meetings etc.

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Melt 1 bag of good quality chocolate chips in a double boiler. Add 1 cup of unsalted peanuts (or other nuts of choice) and 1 cup mini marshmallows. Stir; drop heaping tablespoons of this mixture onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Chill. These "candies" will easily peel off once they harden. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. You can also jazz them up with chopped candied ginger, flaked coconut, M&M's (add these last) or anything else you can imagine. Kids love these!

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And now -- I leave you with this Ode to Chocolate which I found on the following blog. It so completely voices my own personal feelings about chocolate, and I really wanted you to share it with others who have "the chocolate monkey on their back"! The author http://tumerica.blogspot.com/search states that it must be read aloud, and I agree. Try it:

Ode to Chocolate

Brown creamy friend—

You contribute to my well-being,

Soothing stimulant, Smoothing recovery

You race my heart,

Unsludge my brain.

You are liquid pleasure

Sweet-tongued

Inspiration to forgive—

Edible love.

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Sorry, mates,

You are supplanted by the bean of a plant

Rich, dark stimulant;

Woven into Luxurious

Gratification and Oral love.

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Truffles, Eggshell delicate

Yielding to Creamy inside—

A raison d’être.

Chocolate cheesecake

Chocolate mousse

Chocolate bar

Milk chocolate

Dark chocolate

Bittersweet—

I gratefully surrender to your ardor and sultriness.

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Like lust, Too much is consuming.

But some—A light flirtation

With satisfaction and Harmless instant love.

Passive passion

Erotic confection

Pliable

Melting

Luscious Paramour

Melted

Amiable

Tender

Smitten

Departed love surrogate.

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Yet, unlike carnal cravings,

Easily attainable again.

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Sweet One.

Wonderful Chocolate.

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And this one by a 3rd grader named Addison:

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Brown and rich
Better than gold and silver

Melts in your mouth
Some dark, some not

Wonderful so wonderful

Wrapped up in its wrapper

Waiting for me

Oh chocolate I love you so much.