vvvvvvv - there we are. (Evidence that there is no preparation in my blogging process, other than the uploading of photographs...I'm aware that not everyone does it this way but it's how I roll.)
Where was I? Ah yes, back in the Calle Bolivia having a most successful chocolate Easter egg making session due to the fantastic weather conditions we had in March. (Just before we moved to our house...during which time the heavens opened upon us.) Over the summer months, chocolate making is not just impractical but impossible - but, as a nip arrived in the air with September, my mind began to turn to the idea of chocolate again. My order arrived just before I left for the UK but when I returned, we were in the middle of a real heatwave with temperatures back up into the high 20s (C), and chocolating was not a possibility.
So I stayed with Zentangles and really indulged myself with some favourite tangles in this piece, which is called 'Banners' for no real reason.
I am particularly fond of the little black, spotty ribbon that threads through buttons on the left of the picture and have been practising, with varied success, a paisley shape and pattern. It's such good fun!
Up at almost 1000m above sea level, we can have bright sunshine, a chill in the air and low humidity. And that's how it's been today. Perfect chocolate making weather.
I made some vanilla milk chocolate truffle at the end of last week in preparation, (the ganache will keep several weeks in the fridge before use and can even be frozen successfully) and when FR and the children had all gone off to their various pursuits, I put a load of washing in and then BEGAN!! I was a tad worried that I might have lost the touch after so many months without making but the results look pretty good...and, having tried one, in the name of quality control, I can say 'the touch' is not lost.
It's a lovely feeling to have the mojo flowing once again. Shame about the picture quality...but at least you won't be tempted to reach in and take one!
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| Hand dipped truffles |
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| Thin, minty disks...for after dinner ... or not! |
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| Do you like the tin I keep them in? |
What makes your mojo flow? Can you eat it? Wear it? Look at it? Share it? Go on, share it!
As for the chocolate truffles -- I'd take two ;-). But it's the thin chocolate mints that would really do me in -- 'Death by Chocolate', as they do say!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Broad...(or should that be 'the' Broad..) The chocolate is from Belgium and is delicious ...I don't have to do much to it to make the mints - just add some brown sugar for crunch and some peppermint essence for the flavour. The ganache in the truffles is made from milk chocolate and cream. In England, I always used fresh double cream but here, I can't get it so use Elmlea instead. I swear I can't tell the difference! This batch seems particularly good....grab your two quickly! Axxx
DeleteIf only my hands could reach across the sea....!
ReplyDeleteI can see I'll have to come to Spain in the cold weather....
I used to spin, dye and weave...but when Leo was so ill I didn't have the uninterrupted time I needed and I haven't gone back to it.
These days I stick to cooking and reading. Idle cow.
I don't have the image of you as an idle cow, Helen, even if you can't do as much as you used to....Spin, dye and weave - wow, that's an impressive list of skills.
DeleteAs for coming to Spain in the cold weather - there will always be some chocolates for you to try when you do!
Axxx
Helen.....idle cow.....I don't think so ! Jx
DeleteThe chocolates look divine. Now....how am I going to compete and tempt my lot with home made chocolates that contain no milk ? I guess dark chocolate is ok, but I cant see the kids going for that. I'll just have to make some for them....and some for me, and of course, as I am not nearly as expert as you, I'll have to practice and practice. I am planning this years ginger bread house. I have cheated and bought the basis of the actual building itself from John Lewis...so all I have to do is stick it together and decorate it.....but as all the kids do is lick the decoration off, it seems a waste of effort in making the gingerbread itself.
ReplyDeleteThe zentangles are gorgeous......now, how about a zentangled chocolate plaque ???? Those amazing patterns translated into white chocolate would be incredible.
Its brilliant isn't it, to be enthused by something creative. I shall resume my crochet work as soon as I get back into being here...rather than there, if you see what I mean. Jxxxx
As you might imagine, I have been thinking long and hard about doing a zentangle chocolate plaque....I am quite sure some really skilled folk could do it but not sure my piping skills are up to it.
DeleteI do hope you'll show us your gingerbread house when it's done. I have never made one...but my mum's recipe for parkin pigs would be perfect for making one. Hmmm...perhaps I could practice my zentangle with icing easier than with chocolate. Give it a go, Janice - bet you could do it!
I shall look out some milk-free recipes for you and pass them on. As long as you like dark chocolate, there are plenty to chose from, though getting a soft ganache is out of the question.
Enjoy your time being there. Axxx
Sorry to but in on the wrong line, but, Janice, if you are into crochet then you might like a friend's blog
Deletehttp://whitepatricia49.wordpress.com/
with some gorgeous crochet pieces among other things.
Thanks Helen. I'll give it a browse.
DeleteYour zentangles get more and more inventive and beautiful, Annie. No wonder you're hooked. As for the chocolates, all I can say is lock them away if we ever meet or my waistline will vanish beyond recall. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs for the mojo, I blog, read, knit, cook and in the summer garden (or at least mow!) Every now and then I have a sudoko binge, then put it away until next time. |This Christmas I have a fancy to try playing the clarinet, so DD and Grandson#2 are going to show me the basics.
Thank you Perpetua - they are great fun to do and almost always turn out rather nicely, it's not something very clever - it just looks like it is!
DeleteThat's quite a lot of creating you do - mowing can be quite zen-like sometimes too, I used to find.
I wish you lots of luck with your clarinet practice - I have no doubt it will be a 'hoot'! Axxx
Your zentangles are brilliant, so creative and as for your chocolates, they look divine, but they are safe with me as I can't eat milk chocolate and only tenny tiny pieces of 72% dark very occasionally (migraines), As for mojo, I love anything crafty and creative,
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chrissie - Zentangle is something anyone can do and it always looks creative. Shame you can't enjoy too much chocolate but my favourite is always the 72% dark...and better not to eat too much anyway! I already know and appreciate your very creative streak. Axxx
DeleteOh I am so pleased to have found your blog again - your pictures of Spain have me yearning to travel again. and as for those chocolates.....superb! Such a professional finish! Do your Spanish friends and family find them delicious and unusual for Spanish taste?
ReplyDeleteOh hello Harriet!! Lovely to hear from you - I'd lost your new link so delighted you've found me again.
DeleteMy Spanish friends and family love all my chocolates - apart from the ginger ones. I haven't found a Spaniard that enjoys ginger apart from a nutritionist friend - who doesn't eat chocolate! Must add you to my blog list so we don't get separated again. Axxx
I could kill for one of your gorgeous chocolates now. A kitkat just won't do.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit of a chocolate snob, BtoB, to be honest but we almost always have a bag of mini Kitkats in the freezer...I love them frozen! If you haven't tried one that way, you have my chocolate blessing to do so. Axxx
DeleteYour zentangles are so beautiful Annie, and as for the chocolates, I am drooling at the thought of them. You are very talented. I wish I was. I used to do pottery years ago and enjoyed that tremendously. I started up again when we lived in Avanos, Cappadocia because it was the pottery region and the clay was easy to come by. But that was 8 or 9 years ago. I do like to cook, and am waiting anxiously for the lemons on our two trees to ripen when I will start on a huge batch of lemon curd.
ReplyDeleteAsk any antique dealer what gets their mojo flowing - the thrill of the chase of course! That said, the really exciting bit is finding out the history of the things you find.
ReplyDeleteAnd, like Janice, I'm sure there must be a way to zentagle chocolate (can zentagle be a verb?)
I can just imagine that excitement for you Nilly - because it come out so beautifully in your writing.
DeleteAnd apparently, the Zentangle mob say that it's not a verb - it's a 'state' so you can tangle in a Zen way but you shouldn't say I'm zentangling...what a load of c***. I've cheated a bit this year and have bought some chocolate transfer sheets that look as thought they're been copie from parts of the Alhambra...I'll show you when I've used them. I'm very excited about them! Axxx
Annie , your chocolates look fab , unfortunately I cannot try them ,but I can get my son to make me some , He is a chefin the Royal Air Force and currently a personal chef for a very high ranking person .. the last ones were delicious but then I am bias :-) , I am reading all your latest posts , sorry not been over lately but I am enjoying the read xxx Anny
ReplyDeleteOh lucky you...I like trying my own chocolates but I love eating other hand made ones even better (as long as they're not BETTER than mine!)
DeleteThanks for reading - I'm behind with lots of blog reading too. See you soon. Axxx