Aug 30, 2016 |
There’s something beautiful in the death of Gene Wilder.
Not that dying is beautiful. But he kept his final struggles from the world, stating “He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world.”
Of all his characters, Willy Wonka is my favorite. Maybe because he was born from a children’s book. Maybe because the candy is colorful. What child doesn’t want to live in a world that’s completely edible? Maybe because, as I grow older, I understand Wonka’s snarky comments on humankind more and more.
This is one of those celebrity deaths that will bother me for a while. But, because he wouldn’t want the world to be sad, tonight I’ll watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and remember what he taught me about success.
1. All it takes is Pure Imagination.
Willy Wonka: All It Takes Is Pure Imagination.
Without imagination, there is no forward movement. Goals don’t drop out of the sky, and success is never overnight. Start with a dream, come up with a plan, and never stop moving forward.
2. Be sweet. Be salty. Be balanced.
Willy Wonka: Be Sweet. Be Salty. Be Balanced.
Sure, the world is better when sugar’s involved. But too much sugar makes you sick. Not enough makes you mean. So move forward with enough sweetness to brighten someone’s day. But bring enough salt to preserve your place in the world, to leave your own flavor, and balance things out.
3. Don’t give up. Your Golden Ticket is out there.
Willy Wonka: You Have More Chance, Because You Want It More.
You have to get through a lot of pushy people who will try to interfere on your way to success. Haters gonna hate, right? No worries. As Grandpa Joe said when Charlie asked if he had a chance to win, “You’ve got more, Charlie, because you want it more.” So keep on keeping on, always believe in yourself, and, bonus, you get to eat more chocolate along the way. But remember this, too: Charlie thought the Golden Ticket was lost to him. Several times. Others were winning. He cried himself to sleep. He was miserable. And then, he was a winner. Don’t give up. Your Golden Ticket is out there.
4. Take care of the little people.
Willy Wonka: Take Care of the Little People.
Wonka didn’t get to be who we was all on his own. No, he had help. But bigger than that, he felt a responsibility. The Oompa Loompas were more than his workers. They took care of him, and he took care of them. There were plenty of Wangdoodles and Hornswogglers and Snozzwangers and rotten Vermicious Knids out to get them. Going beyond the employer-employee scope, he gave the Oompa Loompas opportunity, safety, comfort, and shelter. Now that’s something to sing about, yah?
5. Don’t be a brat.
Willy Wonka: Tell Me Again What the World Owes You?
There were five Golden Ticket winners. Five kids and their guardians had the chance to inherit the kingdom. But four didn’t deserve it. Charlie didn’t either, truth be told. But Charlie did something the others didn’t: He ‘fessed up. He went to the source, apologized, and tried to make things better. The others laid claim without blame. That is, they took what they perceived as theirs, without consideration of how their acts would affect others. Charlie and Grandpa Joe went to Willy Wonka, returned the Everlasting Gobstopper, and expected to walk away empty-handed. Their sincerity won Willy Wonka over, and won them the lifetime supply of chocolate. See? There’s a reason your momma told you stop smacking your gum!
6. Just roll with it.
Willy Wonka: Just Roll With It.
Let’s face it: The Chocolate Factory is a magical place but there were some, uh, problems. Like Augustus Gloop going down the river and up the pipe. And Mike TeeVee transmitting himself into tiny particles. And Veruca and Violet with their all-about-me attitudes. Did any of that bother The Candy Man? Not at all. He thought, talked it out, delegated, and moved forward. That’s a recipe for sweet success!
7. Success doesn’t mean selling off the store.
Willy Wonka: Don’t Sell the Geese Who Laid the Golden Eggs.
When you find what works, hold onto it. Invest in it, protect it, grow it. But don’t give it up to the highest bidder. Success is a maintenance plan, not a service order.
8. Don’t forget who you are.
Willy Wonka: We Are the Music Makers, and We Are the Dreamers of Dreams.
Successful people know one thing: Who they are. They learn, grow, change, revert, detour, strive, push, pull . . . But they are always in motion. They may not always know where they’re going, or how they’ll get there.
But they believe in themselves. And their dreams.
And they’re the ones who get the sweet rewards.
Rest in Peace, Gene Wilder. Thank you for giving us the best of Willy Wonka.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Oct 9, 2015 |
Pumpkin Soup
October is a beautiful month, isn’t it? Full of crisp air, sweaters out of storage, leaves changing colors and crunching under your feet. The start of the holiday season before the holiday rush. I think October is my favorite month.
On Facebook, I asked “What are some of your favorite fall/harvest moments?” Each reply was unique to the individual commenter, but there was one running theme: pumpkin. It seems pumpkin everything is what gets people most excited about October.
The Pumpkin Grinch
Each year I share this photo. It was taken by a friend about ten years ago. We were at the local pumpkin patch when I spotted this pumpkin. It looks so much like the Grinch to me. I asked suggested begged my friend to photograph it for posterity. A much better way of keeping it than, say, buying the pumpkin only to toss it out in three weeks or less, don’t you think?
As I was going through the blog last weekend, working to make it a better experience for both you as a reader and myself as the writer [read Under the Hood], I realized I’d not posted many articles on food for quite some time. No recipes, no foodie photos. No reasons to salivate or say “I want to try that!” And I’m supposed to be a foodie person.
It’s also been too long since I’ve posted a Five Things Friday as well. No connecting of the dots between A, B, C . . . you get the picture.
What’s This Girl to do? Why, combine it all together, y’all! So welcome back, October. Welcome back, Food. Welcome back, Five Things Friday.
Let’s get this post started.
- Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Creme Frappuccino. Oh, come on. You know you saw that one coming. I may as well get it over with right away. The first week of September ushers us into that wonderful realm of cinnamon, spice, nutmeg, and that must-be-in-everything-from-now-until-Valentine’s-Day ingredient, pumpkin.
Autumn Bliss
Now . . . who’s not a fan of Starbuck’s? I can’t even talk to you if you’ve raised your hand.
- Soups. Now is the time of year when the slow cooker and Dutch oven live outside the cabinets. They’ll take up residency on the stove top and counter, and stay there until January. Homes everywhere will be filled with wonderful aromas, not-so-quick but definitely easy concoctions of broth, creams, and one-pot meals.
Homemade chicken soup . . . Good for the body and the soul.
I love boiling a whole chicken with added herbs and seasonings to make freezable broth and stock. The only part I throw away are the bones and skin.
- Adult beverages. Please. I’m an adult. I find no shame in admitting I’m a fan of adult beverages. This time of year, I’m all about the pumpkin beer. Am I right? That crisp, dry flavor deserves to be imbibed with something special. Like a pumpkin muffin. Or a bowl of chili. Or a breath of autumn air. And let’s not forget my new holiday classic: The Chocolate Martini.
Chocolate Martini made with Scharffen Berger Chocolate.
Remember when I won that Scharffen Berger gift basket a few years ago? And that beautiful coffee table book came with it? In those magical pages I discovered this magical recipe. My holidays are oh-so-much happier now.
- Casey’s Cupcakes. Even though It’s been over a year since I’ve visited my beloved Riverside and my most favorite place, The Mission Inn, I still long for Casey’s most delicious treats. If you’re in Southern California between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, I highly recommend you visit The Festival of Lights and indulge in a little holiday treat from Casey’s.
Glamorous Gingerbread at Casey’s Cupcakes
At any time of year, it’s an experience you’ll savor. (See what I did there?)
- And of course, last but not least, good for any day of the year, could there be anything better for This Southern Girl At Heart than a huge gulp of sweet tea?
Sweet Tea at Blue Ridge
It refreshes my body, it renews my soul. It reminds me of Blue Ridge and my trip to North Carolina. The writers’ conference. The connections. The beauty. We all need a little more sweetness in our lives, yah? Go on. Take a sip. You’ll be glad you did.
BONUS: To celebrate this unofficial beginning of the holidays, and the return of Five Things Friday with this Foodie Post, today only The Unemployment Cookbook Kindle edition is available for free download. Just click through the photo below to get yours.
The Unemployment Cookbook, Kindle edition
Happy start to the holidays. Happy eating.
Now it’s your turn. Leave a comment and tell me: What are some of your favorite foods this time of year?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . #FiveThingsFriday. What are your favorite foods this time of year? #pumpkineverything @realmojo68
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . #FiveThingsFriday The #Foodie Post. #October is a beautiful month, isn’t it? @realmojo68
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . #Starbucks #Pumpkinbeer #cupcakes A few of my favorite things. #FiveThingsFriday @realmojo68
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
Do you have a copy of The Unemployment Cookbook? Would you consider leaving a review on Amazon and Goodreads? That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Sep 21, 2012 |
This one deserves a post all its own.
Wendy was one of two winners for the Scharffen-Berger sponsored Chocolate Heaven post. She took this photo via Instagram and posted it on her Facebook page as well. (Don’t worry, she gave me permission to repost it!)
How cute is she?!
“Maybe one of my favorite days ever! Look what came in the mail !”
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Aug 24, 2012 |
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.
YOU CAN ORDER MORE WONDERFUL CHOCOLATE PRODUCT DIRECTLY FROM SCHARFFEN BERGER ONLINE.
I believe in chocolate. I believe it has magical powers to uplift spirits, create amazing kitchen delicacies, and basically make the world a much better place.
My love for Scharffen Berger started nearly a year ago when I won their $150-value gift basket assortment through GoodLife {Eats}. Filled with cocoa powders, baking bars, chunks, nibs, and their book, “The Essence of Chocolate”, I quickly fell in love deeper than I ever thought possible.
This is the chocolate all other chocolates compete with. This is the chocolate that should be in every fine confectioner’s shop, every store, every kitchen. This is the chocolate that makes me want to sing songs from Willy Wonka every time I taste it.
This is the Chocolate God.
Imagine my delight when Scharffen Berger agreed to sponsor a giveaway on Frankly, My Dear… And then they suggested their Artisan Bars. Eight perfectly delectable varieties made with the purest of cacao and other ingredients. All I had to do was taste them myself to write a review.
All I had to do was eat
eight full bars of chocolate.
Sometimes, it’s hard to be a blogger. *Snicker.*
Overall review:
Public Relations/Customer Service: 10 stars
My contact was immediately responsive, and went above and beyond our initial agreement by sending me a second shipment of bars when she heard some of the first had been compromised in delivery during the Southern California heatwave.
Their website, ScharffenBerger.com, is more than just advertising. Incredibly user-friendly helpful, and supportive, they explain their chocolate-making process, offer chocolate-based recipes, and describe each product.
Want to know which Artisan bar goes well with your Sumatran coffee, Sauvignon Blanc, aged gouda or other food item? Click into their Pairing Navigator. It offers suggestions for snacks and beverages to compliment their delicious chocolate [Although you don’t have to. This product really stands on its own!].
PRODUCT: 8.5 stars
It’s hard to miss the authentic cacao flavor and aroma that inherently makes Scharffen Berger the best chocolate around. Each individual bar is an experience in itself. I found myself fully satisfied after just one or two bites, making it easy to save some for later (unlike drug-store chocolate bars, where I tend to indulge in the entire bar all at once and am still left wanting a bit more flavor).
The one small disappointment [if I can call it that], is that this chocolate is so specialized and well-crafted with real cacao, it melts faster than your drug-store candy bar. This is not the kind of bar you want to let your five-year-old hold in her hand for any length of time.
When my first shipment arrived on Day Three of Southern California’s record-breaking heatwave, I immediately refrigerated the bars. The next day I opened the Extra Dark Chocolate bar and was not disappointed. While the shape of the bar wasn’t as pretty as its original form, the flavor and aroma were still beyond measure, and the quality had not been terribly compromised.
Can you imagine how much more wonderful the second shipment was, in its fine, unmelted glory? I felt as though I was at my own private wine-tasting party. Each bar offered pieces that I held on my tongue until they melted away, leaving me with textures and aromas I’d fallen in love with. Every. Single. Bite.
Can you say, “Exquisite Experience”?
I knew you could.
BARS:
Milk Chocolate with Sea Salted Almonds (41% Cacao)
Who doesn’t love sweet and salty? I know I do! The almond bits are small, which I found wonderful. No tooth-breaking with this bar! The melt-in-your-mouth chocolate mixed with the crunch of the almonds and essence of sea salt is an unexpected combination that satisfies both a sweet tooth and those looking for a heartier chocolate.
Extra Rich Milk Chocolate (41% Cacao)
I honestly thought this bar wouldn’t be as wonderful as the others. I like my chocolate to have substance and more than “just chocolate”. I like nuts, caramels, flavor explosions. And then I nibbled on this. Filled with hints of caramel, it was so savory I had to share it with my family. They couldn’t believe this was “just” a milk chocolate bar. It was like eating the purest hot chocolate drink, in bar form.
Milk Nibby Milk Chocolate with Roasted Cacao Nibs (41% Cacao)
Roasted Cacao Nibs (bits of raw cocoa) add a remarkable crunch to this milky chocolate bar. Similar in texture to a chocolate-covered coffee bean, this bar is great in small amounts to be savored and saved for those special nibbly moments (no pun intended).
Mocha Dark Chocolate with Freshly Roasted Coffee (62% Cacao)
Bliss. Chocolate covered, coffee flavored bliss. Opening the wrapper was like opening a bag of freshly ground coffee beans. And the flavor! Have you ever had a cup of coffee so exquisite, so divine, that nothing else mattered? I may have to just melt this bar in my mug tomorrow morning. I’m certain nothing else will ever compare. You can’t overindulge on this bar. If you’re a chocolate-and-coffee lover, this bar is a necessity!
Semisweet Fine Artisan Dark Chocolate (62% Cacao)
An interesting undertone of fruitiness and honey, just as the label indicates, adds a unique blend to this nearly addictive dark chocolate. Even with being my least favorite bar of the bunch, I still found myself coming back to this flavor.
Nibby Dark Chocolate with Roasted Cacao Nibs (62%)
This richer, deeper experience with all the glories of the Milk Nibby bar, was more satisfying with each bite. Because of the fullness in flavor and texture, I found myself savoring, as well as saving some for later.
Bittersweet Dark Chocolate (70%)
I was wonderfully surprised with my first taste of this bar. I expected something more appropriate to baking than tasting; but what I experienced was a smooth, almost light-and-fruity flavor. This was Dot’s favorite of the bars, and she said it best: “It tastes like pure chocolate without added sugar.”
Extra Dark Chocolate Bar (82% Cacao)
I admit it. I went for this bar first. I love-love-LOVE dark chocolate. The darker, the better. And besides, it’s healthy, right? Okay, so I also won an extra one through Scharffen-Berger’s daily twitter giveaway, which arrived two days before the big shipment. Still, I would have pulled this one from the pack first. I’m just that way.
The aroma itself is worth buying the bar. If Scharffen Berger made a candle from this, we would all be so very happy, I guarantee it. 82% cacao. Eighty-two percent! The true chocolate flavor was refreshingly bitter yet lively.
And now after all that, we get to the part you’ve been patiently waiting for:
The Giveaway
TWO lucky people are going to win an eight-bar gift pack from Scharffen Berger!
1. MANDATORY ENTRY: Leave a comment on this post: What is your favorite way to eat chocolate? This entry is mandatory. If you don’t answer this question, all other entries are void.
2. ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: You can earn up to seven additional entries (for eight entries total) by doing each of the following then leaving a comment here telling me you’ve done so. If you already do any of these things, that counts as an entry only if you post it in the comments. (Additional entries will be verified):
a. Follow me on Facebook and share this giveaway.
b. Follow Scharffen Berger on Facebook.
c. Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway.
d. Follow Scharffen Berger on twitter.
e. Follow me on Pinterest and pin this giveaway.
f. Follow me on Stumble Upon and Stumble this post.
g. Share this giveaway on your own blog and leave the URL link in the comments below.
BONUS ENTRIES ONLY COUNT IF YOU LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH AND I VERIFY.
Here’s the fine print:
- This giveaway is solely through Molly Jo and the blog Frankly, My Dear…. It is sponsored by Scharffen Berger. There are no other corporate sponsors. This giveaway is in no way endorsed by any other person, business or entity.
- Immediate relatives, employees or persons affiliated with Scharffen Berger, New Inklings Press, or Frankly, My Dear… are ineligible.
- Only legal citizens of the United States aged 18 years and older are eligible to win.
- This giveaway begins at 5:30 a.m. PST on Friday, August 24, 2012 and ends at 5:59 p.m. PST on Wednesday, September 5, 2012.
- Winner will be selected from all eligible comments on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, after 6:00 p.m. PST, through Random.org.
- Winner will be notified by email and will have 120 hours (five full days) from the time email is sent to respond. Should winner not respond in a timely manner, prize will subsequently be re-awarded to another Entrant. Not more than three (3) subsequent winners will be picked for each of the two giveaways. After that, prize will be forfeited and no winner will be chosen. Scharffen Berger, Molly Jo and Frankly, My Dear… are not responsible for any misdirected or undelivered entries, comments, or emails.
- Two prize packs [$40.00 value each] consisting of Scharffen Berger Artisan Chocolate Bars (one each: Milk Chocolate with Sea Salted Almonds, Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate Nibby, Mocha Chocolate, Semisweet, Dark Chocolate Nibby, Bittersweet, and Extra Dark Chocolate) will be given. No substitutions or transfers allowed.
- Scharffen Berger, Molly Jo and Frankly, My Dear… are not responsible for any lost or misdirected shipments, or damages that may occur during shipping.
- You may comment as much as you like, but any comment that does not meet the requirements will not be considered for this Giveaway.
- By leaving your comment on this post, you agree to be bound by the rules of this giveaway in their entirety.
Happy Eating!
[The opinions in this review are my own, and not affected by any sponsor, entity or other person. For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy.]
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jun 16, 2012
My friend Mary lives in Canada. Which is prob’ly a good thing.
We’re both Chocoholics, and if she lived any closer to me we’d most likely be at each others’ door every day sharing the dark sweets in its various forms.
That doesn’t stop us from still encouraging one another to indulge without the other one present. Thank goodness we know our limits. So we’re actually more apt to post pictures on each others’ Facebook wall. Most of the time.
Beautiful, lovely, delicious looking chocolate pictures.
My friend Del introduced me to this website, Foodimentary.com. It’s a fun blog that tells you what foods to celebrate each day. Each. Day.
Seriously, Del?! I owe you the biggest plate of baked goods evvver.
So. Yeah. I finally checked out the blog and discovered that June 16th is National Fudge Day. How awesome is that?
I’m betting you can guess what I’ll be doing after the morning housecleaning, right?! Yup. I’m gonna try my hand at making fudge.
I’m so happy I could cry chocolate tears.
Now, I don’t have any photos of fudge since I haven’t made it yet, but I do have some great photos of my past delicious chocolate goodies.
I hope they inspire you to try your own hand at making some wonderful treats. Enjoy!
The Tiramisu at Bella Trattoria, Mission Inn in Riverside, CA. The coffee was also delectably delicious.
My date with Bocelli.
These donuts will be great when dipped in my ganache.
I made this batch when I wrote my blog review of “Julie & Julia.”
Homemade donuts. Yum!
I didn’t make this great Cheesecake, but it was the finishing touch to my Bunco at Tiffany’s party.
Authentic NYC Junior’s Cheesecake
This is some of the best baking chocolate ever.
Direct from New York!
My Scharffen Berger Prize Package
And it makes a really great holiday drink.
Chocolate Martini made with Scharffen Berger Chocolate.
I use my Wilton Cake Decorating Kit
for more than just icing.
Best Cake Kit
This great ganache was used as a topping
and also a soft chocolate candy.
Making Ganache
These chocolate-covered pretzels are my current
favorite
homemade treat.
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
I hope by now you’re drooling and making out your grocery list. Go on, now! It’s time to make some fudge!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
