Does the Queen Like Chocolate?

Oh, I had to have this picture, the Queen visiting a chocolate factory in the UK. Wonder if they gave her any free samples?

I Couldn't Have Asked for More

It was perfect.

The launch of my collection of short stories, Emergency, No-Guilt Hot Chocolate, on Saturday at The Book Barn in historic downtown Leavenworth.

Snow threatened all morning, but the worst held off, and by 11 a.m. a great audience had gathered. Barb Spear had set out the tables and chairs, Bob Spear was ready to start the book chat. And a chat it is, although I did a short reading from the title story, and remarked on the political nature of the story Out of Gas on the Turnpike.

The Book Barn provided a truly wicked chocolate cake, complete with chocolate roses.

See www.abookbarn.com

A Lovely Surprise

I was at the Leavenworth Library today, and imagine my delight to discover, as I was leaving, that the flyer about the launch of Emergency, No-Guilt Hot Chocolate on Saturday, March 23, was posted very prominently on a pillar near the entry.

Wicked Chocolate Cake

Can hardly wait!

I've been told that we'll have a wicked chocolate cake at the launch of Emergency, No-Guilt Hot Chocolate from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, at The Book Barn, 410 Delaware, Leavenworth.

A Delightful Day

The Chocolate Event was as delightful as expected. It was the first time I had been in the CW Parker Carousel Museum, which provided a charming backdrop. The taste of chocolate was available in many combinations, cookies and candies, two fountains for drenching fruits, chocolate waffles, chocolate chili (my favorite). Even giving in to indulgence, it was impossible to sample everything.

There were theme baskets which were sold by raffle tickets, and door prizes throughout the event. My son won a saucer and cup combination with chocolate mix packets. I won a haircut at a men's barber shop.

He won't trade.

The event was an annual fund-raiser for the Women's Community Y, a childcare facility in a beautiful mansion on Broadway.

The Chocolate Event

Can hardly wait.

Saturday, February 16, at the C W Parker Carousel Museum on the Esplanade at Leavenworth.

I was in Leavenworth on Monday, taking pictures of the renovation project across the street. I've never been to the Carousel Museum, but I walked up the little slope on the southside to get a better camera angle, and found myself looking inside. Looks like The Chocolate Event will be a lot of fun.

I've seen some of the baskets that will be raffled -- they are spectacular. The Women's Community Y puts a special effort into creating awesome baskets with great themes. Advance tickets are $12, tickets at the door $15.

Okay, I Promised

HERE IT IS.

Step One: Measure one rounded teaspoon of cocoa powder into a mug.

Step Two: Either fill mug with extremely hot water, OR, fill mug with cold water and put the mug in the microwave. Stir to dissolve the cocoa powder into the water.

Step Three: Add your choice of artificial sweetener.

Step Four: Enjoy.

Step Five: If your hot chocolate is TOO hot, you can cool it by adding a rounded tablespoon of vanilla ice cream. The ice cream will begin to melt into a creamy layer on the top. Sip carefully, and you'll get both the deep, rich hot chocolate and the cool, creamy top. (Two rounded tablespoons of ice cream will make the hot chocolate even more delicious, but moves the recipe out of the guilt-free category.)