Eve Chocolatier Boutique

The Fairbairn Wedding

The Dog Days of Summer

Another beautifully sunny Sunday afternoon at our home in the Chatham-Kent countryside. Steve was busying himself with his gardens while I was enjoying a good read. The dogs, as usual were on hand for comic relief and a good "snuzzle".

Hercules! Hercules!

Hercules!  Hercules! ...my cherished red bike Hercules will be getting a fresh paint job and a basket for some upcoming summer adventures.  I have yet to determine the paint colour...check back to see Hercules' new mini-makeover!

An Ode to Chatham-Kent Farming Traditions....

As chocolate artisans, we create our truffles by hand and know the "labour of love" that uncompromising quality requires.  Our new Country Market Truffle Collection features Chatham-Kent growers, producers and country cooks that work from the heart to create delicious and fresh ingredients that are an expression of the land itself and of the people who live here.  This collection illuminates and applauds these hard-working individuals who take pride in their craft and have an eagerness to pass on our region's traditions to the next generation.  

Mary and Gary Celebrate 50 years!

My sister and I made a special cake for some very special people. Mary and Gary truly are the "salt of the earth" and this May they celebrated their 50th anniversary. This wedding cake was designed around the dress that Mary wore on her wedding day, a tea length dress with purple and pink roses. We were asked to make this cake by Mary and Gary's children who really wanted something special because the couple didn't have a cake on their wedding day. Cheers to the happy couple!

Swept Away by the Windy City

...Yes, yes it is. My first question about Chicago was answered on my arrival, it is indeed windy... But what else? I've heard plenty about the ex-mobsters, the hotdogs and deep-dish pizza but what lies beneath the usual tourist badges that this city wears. Being as I engaged in almost tourist exclusive entertainment, I went surfing the net to find interesting things you could do on your trip to Chicago.
1. Maxwell Street Market - Continuing its long tradition of offering Chicago immigrants and locals a space to sell odds and ends, the colorful flea market hosts 518 vendors every Sunday, year-round. In addition to household goods, clothing, CDs, jewelry, power tools and produce, there are several Mexican food stands offering authentic fare like enchiladas, tacos, tamales, plantains and horchata. Live blues is played at the market weekly (weather permitting).
2. City Gallery - City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower, 806 N. Michigan, presents exhibitions of Chicago-themed photographs by Chicago photographers. Chicago's most cherished landmark for over a century, the Historic Water Tower was transformed into the city's official photography gallery in 1999. Yet another example of a successful public/private partnership, City Gallery was created through the leadership of Chicago's most famous photographer Victor Skrebneski, who also helped design and restore the recently dedicated Water Tower Park which surrounds the Historic Water Tower. Marshall Field's Project Imagine also sponsored the renovation of Water Tower Park.
3. Chicago Greeter Program - Get the inside scoop on a Chicago neighborhood with a local expert. The Chicago Greeter Program offers free walking tours of the city hosted by resident volunteers. From the Ukrainian Village to Lincoln Square, the Greeter Program is a great way to learn the ins-and-outs of this dynamic city.
4. Movies in the Parks - Creating avenues for Chicago families to enjoy summer in the city, the Chicago Park District announces Movies in the Parks where more than 170 current and classic movies will be shown in neighborhood parks throughout the city, from June through September. There is no better place to be this summer than your neighborhood park. Grab a picnic basket and a blanket and enjoy the show. You bring the snacks, we'll bring the stars. All movies are free and begin at dusk.
5. Free Street Theatre - The Free Street Theatre group puts on productions in various inner-city communities throughout Chicago. Shows range from political satire to performance puppetry and admission is by donation.

Creepy Crawly Candy

Some souevenirs I brought back from my week in Chicago at the All Candy Expo.  Yes, these are candy covered bugs.  A gift (..and double dog dare) for my husband's work colleagues...these pictures make my skin crawl!

Ice Cream En Route!

Our gourmet line of ice cream produced by the famous Toronto artisan maker Greg's Ice Cream is en route to Eve Chocolatier. The cooler with be stocked and ready for Retrofest next weekend in historic Downtown Chatham. Ice Cream flavours include:
Coffee Toffee (my personal favourite)
Roasted Marshmallow
Sweet Cream
Chocolate
Chocolate Mint-O
Mango
Maple Cream
Pistachio
Lemon Meringue
PB Cups and Chocolate

As a special offer to our blog readers we have posted a coupon for $1 off any ice cream cone. (Valid until June 1st. One coupon per customer.)

Sweet Dreams and Renovation Nightmares

I am currently in the middle of a home renovation.  What had started as a simple paint and redecoration scheme for our bedroom has developed into a complete redo of our upstairs electrical.  How it all started was my husband and I were ripping off an old border on the wall, when somehow he decided to remove the wall scones.  Well, then it all begins to unravel.  He starts examining the wires and then pulls the cord from the wall, pulling a channel through the entire plaster.  Now he's in full DIY mode and has crawled up into the attic and is examining the electrical for our entire upstairs.  Prognosis:  "Honey, we've got to redo all of this electrical...it's all hack-and-slash and we might as well do it all at once."  It might be an appropriate time to mention that while he was up in the attic, he's determined that it was quite damp on the roof and the simple shingle patch job we had projected to complete in the summer must now be a complete new roof!  My husband is a brilliant man and has personally developed many trade skills while renovating our home but one skill he has never been able to grasp is the "switchback".  The idea is that in order to climb a steep hill you move from side to side and only tackle one small bit of the mountain as you switchback slowly progressing upward.  I understand his logic "Why paint and decorate when we are only going to eventually have to rip it apart later."  The logic that he doesn't understand is momentum and motivation, when you rip everything apart and then try to put it all back together it becomes daunting and it can zap your momentum to keep the project going.  Too many times I've pulled everything out of a room to completely reorganize it to only step away and feel the weight of a huge lurking job left upstairs to complete.  Never do I seem more engrossed in the television than when some large job I've started is half finished.  Anyway, while he's busy reading the Electrical Codes Manual, I've been perusing the Country Living website for some bedroom inspiration.  I've posted some inspiration photos here.  When the bedroom is finally complete, I'll share some photos (don't hold your breath though...it may take a while).

Pauline

Country Living 

The Chicks are Hatching!

Our little chocolate chicks are hatching in time for Easter!  Filled with coconut lemongrass ganache and nestled  in a fine dark chocolate nest.  Print off the coupon to save 10%.  This is a Treats in Type blog exclusive coupon!

Yum! Sweet Deal

BUY ONE, GET ONE 1/2 PRICE on our entire collection of kettle cooked brittle.  Choose from our delectable varieties:  Sunflower, Sesame, Mixed Nut, Cashew and Trail Mix.  Our brittle is also available in No Sugar Added Peanut and Mixed Nut.  This offer ends on March 31st and is available in-store only.  Visit us in historic downtown Chatham at 14 King Street West.  

Blue Bird Cake

Milk and dark chocolate bird silhouettes on a blue buttercream icing cake. The picture shows the icing more green but it was actually closer to the colour of the blue bird.

The Rose Cake

This cake was made for my husband's work colleague, Dana. Her mother turned 70...Happy Birthday Marg! Chocolate roses with copper dust and pink buttercream icing. Very Victoriana!

Farmer - A Career Mooove

Although farmers have been polled to be one of the most trusted people by Canadians, they are not often considered to be cool, edgy or hip but the French National Farm Organization is trying to change that.  They have launched a new ad campaign to increase awareness amongst urban dwellers of the opportunities in farming.  Check out the ad campaign here.

Yum! Truffles on Sale!

This week only! Our entire collection of truffles are Buy One, Get One FREE! This offer is available in-store only so come over and say hello to us at our retail store at 14 King Street West in historic downtown Chatham!

Fairy Cake

Shop regular and good friend Mark requested a special cake for his daughter Rylenne's birthday. He wanted Tinkerbell with skates and a light saber...all her favourite things. Here is our best effort! Happy Birthday Rylenne!

Pauline

The Bee Cake

We designed this cake for our most esteemed scrapbooking shop owner. Kim V. owns the beautiful shop Paper Pickle in our historic downtown. This cake is for her daughter Julia's 3rd birthday. Happy Birthday!

The Oven is my New Best Friend!

Well, the cake orders are rolling in. I've become quite close to my oven over the last few days. It is sort of an odd relationship, but it works. I understand that she can go off by a few degrees every now and again and that if I don't regularly clean out those burners she'll be smokin' mad. Am I going crazy, quite possibly. For now though this new bond is producing beautiful edible art. I've got many order to complete today, stay tuned for pictures!

Springtime Merriment! - Top 3 "Fresh Air" Favourites

Easter is one of my favourite times of the year. The land is thawing, giving way to tulips, daffodils and fresh green grass. Most of us have been cooped up inside for many months and are clawing at the door to get out and experience the warmth of spring. Here is a list of some of my favourite things to do in Southern Ontario in the first weeks of spring.
1. Maple Syrup Farm - A trip to the sugar bush to taste some fresh maple syrup always means spring to me. On Saturday and Sunday, some maple farms have a brunch...delicious. Plan a great day out at one of the many maple syrup farms in Ontario. Check out the Ontario Travel Website for a farm nearest you.
2. Drift Wood Collecting - In Southern Ontario, we are surrounded by lakes. My mother and I like to step out onto the beaches in early spring to collect driftwood pieces. They make great ornaments for your garden or as planters.
3. Easter Egg Hunt - Plan an Easter egg hunt for your friends and family. My sister lives beside a wooded area and is planning her spring hunt in the woods. It makes a great adventure for all ages.


*My niece, Miss Mouse, is enjoying her cereal. It is such a cute picture, so I added it to this post. She's ready for some outdoor adventure with her new best friend, Bunny!