Sunday, March 29, 2009

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

Friday, March 27, 2009

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!


Tuesday, March 24, 2009

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.  

Monday, March 23, 2009

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!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

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.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

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!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

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

Friday, March 13, 2009

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!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings!


We are fast approaching traditional wedding season. These days, we pretty much have wedding orders going out every week (we've even had Christmas weddings!). These cute little bride and grooms are the newest addition to our wedding items. They are made with white chocolate and rice crisps and are hand-decorated to look like the happy couple!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Cakes Galore!


It's been craaazzyy cake week.  We introduced our Small Celebrations Cakes at Eve Chocolatier and the response has been great.  Today, I'm posting the Monarch Cake.  It's decorated with light pink buttercream icing and chocolate butterflies!  It's getting really, really hard to make all these beautiful cakes and not get to eat any!  Have a great day everyone...it's a beautifully warm day here in little ol' Chatham.

Pauline

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Daisy Cake




A man from Tokyo came into our little boutique the other day and ordered a daisy cake for his wife's birthday.  His wife is originally from Chatham, Ontario, Canada but now lives with her husband in Japan.  When they come to visit they pick up treats to bring home with them.  He let me know that their family and friends in Tokyo love our creations and that even a food critic was delighted by our treats!  It's great to hear these lovely comments and makes early morning baking very worth while!

All the Best!
Pauline

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Personalized Easter Eggs!


The springtime merriment is upon us...fresh air, first blooms and lively coloured Easter eggs!  End your hunt early and delight your loved ones with personalized Easter Eggs at no additional cost before March 28th.  Our cheerful selection of spring chocolates including Almond Cracked Eggs, Bunny Buddies, Hand-Decorated Egg Crisps, Classic Chocolate Hare and many more charming treats are now available in our downtown Chatham boutique at 14 King Street West.  Visit us Monday-Friday from 10am-6pm and Saturday 10am-5pm or on our website at www.evechocolatier.com