Grandma's Chocolates

Well, I had hoped to post a few projects I have been busy working on this last week, but I don't have any real good pictures of any of them. So, I will try to post them tomorrow. Below is just a little something I wrote about a tradition that my Grandma started and one I hope to pass on to my family. My chocolates are still waiting to be dipped....but I did make them this year.

The story is told that one winter my grandma was very sick and bed ridden. Those who know her well, know that this was a very unlikely situation. It is very hard for my grandma to be “doing nothing”. Subsequently, she was reading through the newspaper and found a recipe for chocolate candies. She later tried the recipe and ever since made them every Christmas. As a child I especially looked forward to Christmas at Grandmas. They were few and far between since we lived in Brazil. I remember exactly how the evening would go. After a scrumptious meal, the dishes were cleaned up. My grandpa would read the Christmas story and we would exchange gifts. Finally, the desserts were served. Usually, homemade peppermint ice cream and a crown loaf. Don’t get me wrong, all of this was very delicious, but I believe almost all of us saved a special spot in our stomach’s with those chocolates in mind. We would all wait in anticipation to hear Grandma descend the stairs to the freezer where a sturdy, square, green box was kept with such care. She would then let them get to room temperature, (because this is how they tasted the best) before opening the box for us to savor them with delight. My mouth waters as I think of all the creamy, rich flavors...cherry, (with real cherries inside) mint, orange, raspberry, and walnut. I would not know how much love and care were poured into these special treats until one Christmas when I received “the Recipe” as a gift. It was not a card, but a detailed little book with pictures, and all the techniques my grandma had learned over the many years. Since then I have made these same chocolates every Christmas. I have learned a few secrets myself along the way, the kind of things you learn only by doing. They are truly an art I hope to master some day...but I will always treasure and appreciate my Grandma’s chocolates because they are by far the best I have ever tasted.