Thursday, August 28, 2008

Autumnal Bliss


“But I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees”
 C.S. Lewis quotes

Friday, August 22, 2008

Back to School


Sharpen the pencils, dust of the brushes and polish the lunch boxes...it's back to school! Now we know you're excited (even if they're not)...so, why not send them off with a special care package. At the shop, we've designed a cute little "back-to-school" treat bag but you could also pick out their favourite treats and create your own. For the little tykes...they can even colour their own lunch bags for their special first day treat! Have fun these last few weeks of summer...soon we'll be putting on our scarves and mitts.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Desert Daisy - an astonishing gift from my sister!



I just received an absolutely astonishing gift from my sister. The Desert Daisy, the only novel remaining from H.G. Wells written when he was a boy around the age of twelve. It is amazing that a boy of twelve wrote such a book, complete with an Editor's Preface and Notices of the Press (too cute!). Here is the Preface to the First Edition:

Dear Reader
You have in your hand "The Desert Daisy" a romance of the olden time. I am not at all vain but still I think that if this book is not read when Shakespeare is forgotten it will have been grievously ill treated. I, assisted by H.G. Wells of Bromley have illustrated this work as well as written it and although the contrast between my pictures and his is likely to throw his in the shade, still I hope that on the whole the reader will be pleased with them.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Newest Find!


Actually, it's not that new. I bought it at a garage sale about 3 weeks ago and am now just getting around to do something with it. It is an older buffet with drawers (I took them out to clean...so they're not in the picture) but the piece is missing the cupboard doors on the side. I thought filling the space with a nice rustic basket on either side would be quite charming and add a little informality to an otherwise formal piece. Now, the big question...where to put it? This is the dilemma of every hoarder, looter and collector of all useless things.... Where do you put it? More specifically, where do you put it so your mate won't stumble upon it and go. "Ah, not another find". I'm thinking the front hallway will be the perfect place....he hardly walks through there...ah, perfecto!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Engagement Picnic Basket


This weekend I was invited to dinner for my birthday (happy birthday me!) and to celebrate the engagement of our friends Matt and Meg. In a pinch I decided I would put together a little basket to bring as an engagement gift. Simply, I had a basket in my kitchen and I lined it with a vintage apron I had found at a flea market the weekend before. I wrapped up some different chutneys and jams that I had...I usually pick up these up at different specialty shops when I travel and keep them on hand for such occasions. I also added some baked goods and some fresh veggies in my garden...Oh, and two bottles of old-fashioned lemonade and a bag of kettle-cooked chips... (got those down the road at the general store). I attached a cute tag that said "Married life isn't always a picnic...but worth a few bees in your basket!) Voila! A lovely gift with found objects, garden veggies and general store goodies....not too bad I think, not too bad!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Eve Chocolatier - A Family Business!




Well, Eve Chocolatier has become a family business. On August 11, the business welcomed Anita Griffith and Amanda Griffith to the staff. Both my mom and sister have always been a part of Eve Chocolatier but they are now officially here full-time. My mother retired from hospital finance after 24 years and my sister is back in the kitchen after her maternity leave with little Miss Mouse. Oh, it's a great party here. A mix between work and maybe Thanksgiving dinner....should be interesting! Anyway, next time you're in please say hi and welcome Anita and Amanda! Oh, and just 'cause they are family, I made sure to post the goofy pictures.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Lavender Scone Recipe

Lavender Scones

Ingredients:

2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. sugar
6 tbsp. butter (frozen)
3/4 c. heavy cream (chilled)
2 eggs (beaten)
1/2 tsp. dried lavender buds (minced)

Direction:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine all the dry ingredients and pulse in food processor for 4 pulses. Add butter and pulse for a few more pulses until pea sized pieces of butter are in the flour mixture. Empty into bowl and place in freezer to chill. Whisk together wet ingredients and set aside. Once flour mixture is chilled, make well in centre and add wet ingredients to well. Blend wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Add the minced lavender to the assembled dough and stir until just combined. Turn the mixture out onto lightly floured parchment paper. Roll out into a 1 inch thick round disk. Using a serrated knife, cut the round into 8 equal parts. Place the wedges on an ungreased baking dish about 1 inch apart. Bake the scones for 23-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack. Serve room temperature with a nice cup of tea!

Recommended Tea: Loose leaf Rooibos Provence Tea. Available in our retail store.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

A Little Touch of Provence


Mr. Joe Korpan just made his delivery today of some dried lavender from his lavender farm just outside of town. That's right folks, it's local...can you believe we have these beautiful lavender fields just outside of Chatham! The delicate smell is filling the store and its pretty bunches are giving me a smile (even though I'm having a very, very, very busy day) We have brought in the food-grade variety, so you can add it to your scones, cookies, tea...or your bath! I will post some different recipes tomorrow...working late to finish a wedding order...busy, busy, bee! I think this bride is going to have a beautiful weekend!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Oh, Mr. Darcy


Take a break, you need it. This evening, when you've got all your extra work finished, dinner cleaned up, the lawn mowed, the gardens weeded, the trash at the curb, kids bathed and put to bed...or whatever else occupies your evening. Take a break, a break just for you. Now this post my not interest some men, but girls, I know that you can't resist a little Jane Austen. My personal favourite is Persuasion. I would have always said that my favourite was Sense and Sensibility but now Persuasion has made it to the top of the list. Now, find a nice cozy spot in your home. Light a candle, prepare a cup of herbal tea and put it in your fanciest tea cup with a saucer. On a small dish add a nice truffle (the lavender truffle is perfect with herbal tea) and sit and enjoy. A little quiet reading, a nice cup of tea and a decadent piece of chocolate makes the world melt away! Oh, Mr. Darcy...

Friday, August 1, 2008

Wine and Chocolate Tasting - August 14th



The upcoming class in our Taste and Learn series of classes is on August 14th at 7:00pm in the retail boutique. It is a wine and chocolate tasting and will be great fun. Our friends from Smith&Wilson Winery will be treating you with samples of their wines and we will be tempting you with delicious chocolates. This will be a great night out! Tickets are $30.00 Call to book you seat 519-351-0555. Hope to see you there!