CHOCOLATE SERENDIPTY

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

THE COOKING CLASS

When I was a young mom, in my early twenties, my mother in-law invited me to take a cooking class with her. I had two tiny darling girls at home and their dad worked in another state. So I was starving for any form of adult outlet. So off the cooking class I eagerly went. The class was taught by a lady in her forties or so. She taught the class in her home. It was lovely and toy free. The class lasted a few weeks. It was fun, we always finished each class with dinner.

I learned so many things, techniques, methods, pairings and what to have on hand for an impromptu dinner when the President drops by.

I was in culinary in school (architecture too, but that’s another story) and all in all I think am a pretty stellar cook. But the lessons I learned there were invaluable.

I have made the Stuffed Pork Loin for countless Church Christmas dinners, the simple but elegant Cherry Bomb dessert and the Perfect Crepe recipes for years. But I hadn’t looked at this cook book in years.

I was gifted huge zucchini the other day, and I knew just where to find the perfect recipe for Zucchini Boats. So tonight I made them! Still so yummy!

SOMEONE TO LISTEN

A man came into my office the other day. He was nice, a happy guy. I’ll be honest, I don’t even remember what information he was looking for. But after I helped him with what ever he stopped in for, then he started to talk.

He told me about his first wife, the crazy one. Then he told me about the woman he fell in love with. How they went places and did things and how she was the light of his life. One afternoon after she got home from work he asker her what she wanted to eat. She said she didn’t know what did he want? He said oh no, we aren’t playing that game. She went to change and started dinner. When she came into the kitchen he said “Get the hell out of my kitchen! You gave no input, so you get what I make.” She knew he was teasing so she when to sit in her recliner. When dinner was ready he went to get her. But she had passed away from a heart attack there in her chair. He told me about the little sister of a friend he grew up with who he hadn’t seen since they were kids, and how she called him out of the blue a couple years after his second wife died. She said she had thought about him out of nowhere and felt like she needed to give him a call. They got together sometime later and after a while became Mrs number three. He told me how she was adventurous and loved to go places and do new things. He told me about the fun they had. She was on her way home not long ago and driving through the last intersection on the way, someone ran the red light and killed her. My heart went out to this man. He told me about the trip he is planning, no real timeframe, just him and his dog heading out. As he left he asked if I had any frienemies that I wanted to introduce him too. He said with his luck, she’d be dead in six months. He tried to make it funny, but how could it be? As he left he turned and asked me “Who’s going to save me this time?” I told him that I think he will save himself. He thanked me for my help and he left.

I think he just needed someone to listen.

Monday, July 19, 2021

THIS THING HAPPENED TODAY

Not mine! Just cute to play with!

Sunday, July 18, 2021

SWEETPEA

BLACKBERRY TIME

Saturday, July 17, 2021

SHE KNOWS

My daughter in law sent me this picture.

She knows me so well!

Friday, July 16, 2021

BLACKBERRIES

Not one, but two, gallon ziplock bags full of fresh blackberries made their way to my cute little house yesterday. The endless possibilities are tantalizing! Jam bars, cobbler, crisp….but I think I am going to try my hand at Blackberry Bourbon Preserves. I have been reading up on the technique and I think I should be able to do this thing over the weekend.

I’ll keep you posted!

YUMMY TREAT

I picked some of these up a couple weeks ago on a road trip. I had forgotten how magical they are. Last weekend I made a batch with chocolate Rice Krispies. It’s a darn good thing I took them to a get together or I would have eaten them al by myself! So yummy!

PLACES

There are so many states I haven’t seen yet and so many places I want to visit.

CLOUDS

Beautiful!

OCCUPATION

I would be a farmer and a Grandma! ♥️♥️♥️

Thursday, July 15, 2021

WATER TO WINE

CREATIVITY

Unused creativity is not benign — it metastasizes. It turns into grief, rage, judgment, sorrow, shame. We are creative beings. We are by nature creative. It gets lost along the way. It gets shamed out of us.

Brene Brown

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

TAKE ACTION

Something magical happens when we take action:

Doors open and opportunities come our way.

Ask yourself everyday:

What can I do today, right now, that is in line with the vision I have for my life?

Remember that the future is created in the present moment.

What we do today matters.

https://susie-moore.com/featured/what-do-to-when-life-goes-wrong?fbclid=IwAR1-S-0MLpkCb1jxkF1528aAdjl9zZfVa3vduUEKcx3SMwdxcIaAlJOkr1w

SHINRIN YOKU

FOREST BATHING

https://thedyrt.com/magazine/lifestyle/forest-bathing-a-perfect-excuse-nothing-woods/

RED BLACK WHITE

My friend sent this:

“I tried not to say a bad word - 4 red tee shirts & 2 black tee shirts & one white tissue in my wash machine. Took me 30 minutes to clean that mess☹️my fault!!”

We have all been there!!!!

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

A WEE YOUNG THING

One of my favorite clients stopped by my office today. He is heading to England this week. His brother is very ill and although he will need to quarantine for two weeks, he will be permitted to see his brother in hospice. (My client is fully vaccinated) He has a house in Manchester, so he will stay there. The flights cost far too much if you ask me, but truly money well spent. As we were looking over the itinerary he said that when he returns from England he will stop back in and see me. He said he wants to plan a very nice trip for the fall. He leaned in closer and said “I’m getting married!” I was delighted with the smile that took over his face. He told me they met at the gym, in a swim class. He told me how lovely she is and how happy she makes him. I asked if she was over the age of 35, and he said that she is a “Wee young thing” of 72! My client is 77. I am delighted!

OVER THE YEARS

Pictures of me on this date:

Lynn’s Wedding in 1984

Monday, July 12, 2021

TRUTHS

SALSA CHICKEN

It may be silly, but there is something comforting about coming home to a crockpot of salsa chicken. Salsa Chicken Nachos are a HAPPY THING! Happy Monday!