Rochambeau

The Art of Chocolate

Beautiful illustrations of chocolate mold patterns from Confectioner's Machinery and Tools (1930) a catalogue, produced by Thomas Mills & Brother Inc, Philadelphia, PA.

Luscious memories from the movie Chocolat, the Chocolaterie.  Images  found here.

Selection of chocolates and Lavender truffles from Eat Chocolate, a Seattle based chocolate company (found through Seattle's Chocolate Salon).  Their truffles and chocolates are made with the finest ingredients including Felchlin Maracaibo chocolate, organic cream and fresh spices, herbs, fruit and nuts.

Joseph Schmidt from San Francisco, is my chocolate hero! I was saddened to learn he is no longer making his magic chocolate truffles or chocolate bowels.

Patrick Roger Chocolatier ~ Paris

Chocolate sculpture ~ impressive!

Viva Terra

 Organic bonbons ~ Pretty

A beautiful and tasty craft, the art of chocolate! 

Did you realize:

 

Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia in Mexico, Central and ~ South America, with its earliest documented use around 1100 BC.

~ Chocolate has become one of the most popular food types and flavors in the world.

~ Scientists claim that chocolate, eaten in moderation, can lower blood pressure.

 Do you eat it? love it, hide it?   Are you a dark or milk chocolate fan?   Do you prefer hot chocolate or chocolate chip cookies?  Do you sit upon your chaise and eat bon~bons? Or are you a chocolate cake person?

Maybe instead, you prefer apple pie?

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Sealing this post with a:

Chocolate makes me Happy!

Giving Thanks

For family and friends, for health and Autumn, for my life and things to look forward to.  Today I'm also giving thanks that YOU have found your mysterious way into my life, for your generous kindness!

Happy Thanksgiving to all~

 Love,

Constance

Polliciniella

Commedia dell'arte (Comedy of Craft) theatre inspires me.  It's actually the costumes and masks that allure and call my name.  A drawing which hangs on the wall, captivated my imagination and was the force behind creating this Polliciniella figure.

It has taken for what seems like forever to complete.  Lots of starts & stops, remaking & remodeling, for many different reasons.  But today he's finally here, my Pollincinella, also known as Pulcinella, Polichinelle and finally Punch (as in Punch and Judy the most famous puppet, ever).

He wears a Sugar Loaf Hat Tall hat with curved crown.  One that resembles the loaf shape into which refined sugar was made (see example 1 & 2). He wears a mask with a bird~like beak and carries a stick (as he is a bit of a mischief maker).

 

To read more about Polliciniella you can go here and to learn more about Commedia dell'arte you can go here.

  What is it whispering to you today? What are you in the midst of creating?

Natural Beauty

A friend invited us to his lake, just five minutes away.

He lives surrounded by nature.

It is good for your heart and mind to absorb!

To gaze at a reflection, to breathe in some fresh air!

 

To salute the sunflowers, nearing the end of their life.

 

Witness a bee, woozy from the sunflower.

 

To ponder the birth of a baby pomegranate!

 

To watch a puppy play!

 

And smile at her big sister!

It's good to be out here, a gift to take a few moments to STOP!  I am making an appointment with Mother Nature, to visit her more often.  She's a great companion and teacher of the mysteries of life.

Happy week to All!

xox

Constance

~ Queen Beth Marie ~

Queen Beth Marie arrives stylishly, sporting the fanciest pair of turquoise blue tights imaginable, even embroidered with golden threads!

 

She wanders about the grounds of Rochambeau and finds herself intrigued by something beautiful and enchanted, yet curious and different.

Twigs, leaves, acorns and dried rose buds?  She realizes it must be a throne she has discovered.  One designed out of natural elements.    She sits upon this elevated seat and feels happy, then drowsy and falls at once, into a deep, deep, sleep.

She dreams of being in a Forrest, but instead of trees, there are desserts placed upon extremely tall cake stands, towering over her.  All fancy gateaux, one's of the fanciest French variety! 

 

A sweet & luscious dessert is all she truly wants in her dream now! And her wish is granted as she awakens, to a beautiful Bavarian Fromboise!  

~*~

It is different here in Rochambeau, an experience she can't fully explain.  One thing is for certain, The Queen finds herself completely relaxed!! Yet, as a Royal Confection, she knows she must be moving on, as there are more Royal adventures awaiting!  Her carriages are packed and off she goes.....

Avoir & Bon Voyage Queen Beth Marie !

You will be missed M'lady!

Tokyo Sweets Collection 2009

 

Fashion meets Confection ~ My kind of Fashion Show!

A model displays a creation by pastry chef Masato Motohashi during the Tokyo Sweets Collection 2009 in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009.

A model displays a creation by pastry chef Hideki Kawamura.

A model displays a creation by pastry chef Koichi Izumi.

(photos above:  Xinhua/AFP Photos)

Chocolate mask created by Kotatsu Kanda.  Photo above found here

Photo above Yomiuri

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2008's Edible Confections:

Two shots of my favorite!!! 

2008 fashions from Japan Today