Saturday in January

out ::

in::

Hope you are enjoying the weekend, too. Thanks for reading.

tt

Candy for grown-ups

Something about Fall makes me crave chocolate. Chocolate and red wine. Together.

I bake cookies more often now, too. There have been lots and lots of cookies around here lately, and I've been fighting an impulse to post pictures of them all. I've been taking pictures, mind you, of every batch, but I've been sparing you from having to look at them. I came close to posting the last round of pumpkin cookies, but pulled it. You can thank me later.

But the chocolate thing seems to be seasonal for me. I trace it back directly to my friend Melissa. A couple of years ago we had a very atmospheric fall cocktail party just for grown ups, and she, rising to the the non-occasion beautifully, arrived with a lavish box of mixed chocolates from Anna Shea. As a hostess gift. Very grown up.

The next fall, on the BIG occasion of my mother's eightieth birthday luncheon, as favors for the guests, I had little chocolate-brown boxes lined with pink tissue filled and tied up with a satiny brown bow, from Anna Shea. The tags were made out of scanned photos of the birthday girl dressed up as Miss Daisy in, oh, about 1931. They were lovely, I think.

Since then, I haven't been back in, although one day, a while ago, Tim came home for lunch and brought me two pieces of chocolate in a little pink bag: one of the most romantic things I can remember anyone ever doing for me.

So, last Friday, walking through town in that perfect fall weather, it seemed suddenly essential that I go in that perfect little shop. It's so European looking, like someplace that might make dolls, or jewelry boxes.

Actually, the chocolates are not unlike either of those things, with their intricate designs and luxurious colors.

I bought eight pieces, just enough for us all to have one for dessert. The girls picked numbers and chose in order, first went a heart-shaped cinnamon one, next a white chocolate coffee one, and so on. Very dignified. I think chocolates like these make you rise to the occasion, whatever it may be.

I saved mine for later. Dark chocolate ganache with a sprinkling of sea salt. Perfect with a glass of red wine.

Very grown up. Thanks for reading.

tt

{p.s. couldn't help myself}