Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Excitement's Building

Oooohhhh! The excitement is building in my little world. We bought a couch on the weekend, we are awaiting the display counter and the kitchen is in, after a few hiccups along the way.

Let that not stop me!

We have two new additions to our shop this week with "The Silk Swan", by G. G. Hemmings, local poet and playwright, with illustrations by E. M. Lawrence. This is a numbered, limited edition book of poetry, signed by both author and illustrator and includes some very witty, warm and loving poems from the heart. I have always had a soft spot for poetry and am delighted and privileged to have the books in my shop.

I met with a local designer and creator today, Nicole, at mahlimae and previewed her original pieces of playful art for the young and the young at heart. I was thrown back 30 years at the same time as almost wishing I had another little baby to share them with!...almost...

They received the tick of approval from 3 and almost-7, followed by 3's sorrow at not being allowed to play with them and put them in her doll house and take them to bed, but she did get to cuddle them, just a little.

www.mahlimae.blogspot.com

Now for shop times this week:
Thursday 24th & Friday 25th: Shop 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: Salamanca only 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday: Focus on Franklin only 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We have a limited set up in the shop at this stage, but the kitchen is there and so are the chocolates, so come on by.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Unreliables Replaced

A Taste of the Huon. Ranelagh Showgrounds. Sunday 13th & Monday14th of March

We are heading to the busiest weekend of my chocolate calendar year.'Tis fierce exciting and my 'trusty side-kick', Nikki, will be 'trusty' no longer. With only 6 months notice, she's off to her sister's wedding. A wedding on the busiest weekend of MY year. It's only her only sister!!!!! Well, she's been replaced by Margie, the artist nurse, on Sunday and a combination of my mother, wannabe Elvis, and David....David...

We get to Unreliable No.2. For those of you who don't know, David goes interstate every second week. "Whatever you do, don't go the week before the Taste. It's my busiest weekend of the year" (have I said that before??)

Last week, in front of 'Unreliable No.1, "I need to go to Melbourne next week and I'll be leaving on Monday night so that I can get two full days in, but I'll be catching the early flight home on Thursday, so I'll be home by 7 o'clock". Wha???? Going away....7 o'clock???? What's early about that?????

The Unreliables.

Not to worry, I've got Margie-The-Artist to keep me healthy. And my mother to tell me whatever mothers tell their daughters...

Fun Bits: The shop & kitchen were approved by council yesterday. Yahoooeeee. So we'll be moving in ASAP.
'On the menu for the Taste (as long as I get the time to finish....)

Apple Confit Caramels
Pear Liqueur Caramels
Rhubarb & Blue Gum (an old favourite that I can make again because Gerard gave me some more rhubarb)
Blueberry & Garden Mint (the blue one)
Ginger & Cherry
Salted caramels
Hazelnut praline
Raspberry pralines
Mint discs
Plum bites
Strawberry & Gooseberry truffles
LN Chai Truffles (Lotus Eaters Chai)
Chocolate-dipped strawberries and blueberries
and lots, lots more
Also introducing Leatherwood honeycomb in white, as well as dark and the old favourite, milk.