But first- Who is working quality control at the candy heart message factory?
and Be My Valentine Gallery – Hearts around the house
Red Cupid photos courtesy of my friend Joanne (wood cut creations by Sue John’s husband)
Candy from my sister. Sweet!
Tray of raspeberry jam hearts at Colangelo’s bakery in the strip
And the one I brought home with me to devour!
Or is it good for several games?
Saw this chocolate board and chessmen when I visited NYC – Spring Break.
If you want one, they will make it for you, fresh!
Li-Lac Chocolates Window They bill themselves “Manhattan’s Oldest Chocolate House”
8th Avenue at Jane Street, Greenwich Village
Oops you can see my reflection, too.
Once you start looking for photographs in your archives that say “serenity”
-you think of more and you’re seeking the ones that make you feel calm and peaceful inside, just to look at them.
So you just go with it, like a raft on a gentle ocean wave.
A wordless Wednesday, more or less.
If you follow the blog, you know that Laura and Mary and I went to Punxsutawney PA February 2nd to see Phil the Groundhog predict six more weeks of winter!
Groundhog Day has always been a favorite holiday in my family. The celebration breaks up the winter and dreary February days.
It’s a holiday where no cards or gifts are necessary.
Last week on Spring Break, Mary and I took a short (12 mile) side trip to Woodstock Illinois where they filmed the movie Groundhog Day in 1993.
We drove around a bit, walked around the town square and had a nice coffee (see below). Mary is back in New York City and I am back in Pittsburgh now but wanted to share our quick visit to the scene of Groundhog Day movie, Woodstock, Illinois.
the town square
The Opera House served as the Pennsylvania Hotel in the movie
Tip Top Cafe is now a Mexican Restaurant
Groundhog Days are celebrated in February!
Signage,
Mary found this place Ethereal Confections
The most delicious method of making coffee
Our server came out to the place we were sitting and brought us two samples of delicious chocolates, made on the premises
A highlight of our visit to Woodstock Illinois
Hey, it’s your birthday!
Happy Birthday to my friend V, who tells me good stories and makes me laugh! Enjoy your day. This angel is a music box.
A little iPhone shot of a still life I put together for your birthday.
Thanks for looking at the four days of 2010 Snowmaggedon photos this week. I imagine most people are weary of watching and talking about any weather ad nauseum but depending where you live, it’s been tough to ignore.
(Okay, Rob, Shuey and Kristin don’t mind sending the Florida temps to me)
Right now I’m curled up with a laptop and a shawl, enjoying the flannel sheets, unwinding from the week, deciding whether or not to go down to the basement to take the clothes out of the dryer while they are still warm and unwrinkled or wait until morning and give them a quick whirl.
This is what I found on my computer keyboard on my school desk this morning. Yes, I considered tidying up for the shot, taking off the knitting, removing the battery charger, pushing the papers to the side but this is what it actually looked like, unretouched. The custodian who cleans my room left me a lovely heart of chocolates. An early morning surprise.
not artfully arranged or set up. AS IS. A jumble but authentic.
(See the Knitting Blog for student progress in knitting since last post)
Thursday night the girls and boys basketball teams won their respective games in the playoffs and advanced to the next round. I photographed both games and this is what it looked like when I left school around nine. Getting more proficient at the action shots. The players sure move fast.
On my way to the parking lot, I looked back and saw this scene outside of the school.
The Manager’s Special today, heart shaped donuts. The students appreciated them even if they are probably on a list of food one should never eat!
And then the bonus of the day- homemade Green Pepper Jelly shipped via the USPS from Omaha, Nebraska. Thanks J. Steve and I had some fancy appetizers before dinner. Steve had bought a container of organic cream cheese so I opened it and put them on some gift crackers Steve brought home.
This dish was given to me by my loving neighbors Ann and MJ who have both passed.
So that’s my Friday. Thanks for making and sending the jar of Pepper Jelly, J! Delicious.
Happy Fourth Anniversary Charlotte and Joel. What a beautiful wedding it was….married on her Grandparents’ Valentine Wedding Anniversary. So romantic.
We made an evening run for me to pick up something at Target. Little plastic containers for soup.
On the way to the parking lot, Steve asked me if I could drive by his work so he could get something he left there.
Someone had brought two delicious French pastries from La Gourmandine Bakery as it turned out.
He brought out the box and opened it in the car and there they were. Two lovely pastries.
When we got home, I cut the raspberry one in half and ate it, intending the other half for him later. Ooops. I ate the other half too. Here is the description on their website
Tartelette aux Framboises
(shortbread crust filled with baked almond cream and topped with fresh raspberries) and the description of the
chocolate one courtesy of baker Lisanne
in the box so glad he remembered they were at work and they didn’t go to waste! Happy to swing by and pick these up.
close up
I saved this one for Steve.
I happened to be at the Milk Shake Factory on Carson Street last Wednesday. Did I mention that they have Happy Hour and all Milkshakes are half off fro 4-6 PM? You might remember the post I did of the place.
It’s right down the street from the Post Office where I had to mail a couple of packages.
Anyway, the chocolate covered bacon, by Edward Marc Chocolatier, was looking at me.
There are eyes on it, aren’t there?
Once my friend R brought some over to the house but I can’t remember how it tasted except I know how bacon tastes and I know how chocolate tastes but can’t remember the combo.
Didin’t buy any , just got a half price milkshake, but caught a shot of it with the phone and wondered who got the idea to dip bacon in chocolate.
There are recipes for chocolate covered bacon all over the internet ( I just checked) and it says that it is a popular dish at state fairs.