End of the World

December 2012 marks the conclusion of a b'ak'tun - a time period in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar which was used in Central America prior to the arrival of Europeans. Some interpretations suggest that the 2012 date marks the end of the world or a similar catastrophe.

Are you preparing for major devastation on December 21, 2012? If so, you may want to inventory the supplies in your Y2K bunker.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the jokes contrived from this concept. I especially like the irony that Dick Clark passed away during the year without need for a Rockin’ New Year's Celebration.

I know it’s not nice to make fun of people’s beliefs, but I figure this is a safe one. If I’m wrong, there won’t be anyone left to point a finger and say they told me so.

You still have time to sample all the great handmade confections at Van Otis Chocolates before December. Start with their famous Swiss Fudge and then head straight for the truffles. Don’t forget the wine and liquor-filled chocolates, the chocolate-covered popcorn, or the Van Oreos. And be sure to devote an entire day to their amazingly creamy fudge.

Actually, with all that Van Otis has to offer and only seven months left, you’d better hurry!

Happy Mother-in-Law's Day

I’m fortunate to have a wonderful mother, but this Mother’s Day blog is dedicated to my mother-in-law (MIL). She deserves all the love, happiness, and yummy goodness available at Van Otis Chocolates. VO Chocolate Covered Creams will be the perfect gift this year!

My MIL is fabulous and best of all, she’s funny. She’s rarely intentionally funny, but she can laugh at herself along with the rest of us. She’s entertained us so much over the years that I began to keep a journal of things she and my father-in-law have said that we want to remember.

Here are a few stories involving my MIL. Our Mother’s Day celebration is guaranteed to be filled with lots of laughter and likely, some new stories for the book.

Before heading to the prom, my MIL wanted to tell her daughter to be good and have a good time. Her parting words to daughter and date were, “Be a good time!”

In response to a text about my son’s game schedule change, my MIL replies “G7”. She calls not long afterward. Giggling, she says, “I meant to text G8 for great.” I point out that G8 would actually read “gate”.

Upon leaving the movie theater, my MIL says, “That was a good movie, except there was an awful lot of fighting in it.” She had just seen The Fighter.

My son said to me, “I wish you’d have another baby. I want a little brother.” My MIL responded, “No, you don’t. Soon you’ll be driving, and you wouldn’t want to have Joe Jr. tagging along.” My husband (whose name is not Joe) said, “Ma, who’s Joe Sr.?”

In his heavy New England accent, my dad was talking about a former, local ice cream stand called Averills. My MIL, sitting at the opposite end of the dining room table, said, “Who would name an ice cream stand A-holes?”

Happy Mother’s Day!

Pomp and Circumstance

Spring is often a time of celebrations. Whether you’re planning a graduation, anniversary, or other gathering, impress your guests with the Van Otis EliteSwiss Fudge Chocolate Fountain by Sephra. If you live in the Manchester, NH area, the Elite fountain is also available for rental. Call Van Otis at (800) 826-6847 for more information.

As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, (Chocolate Fountain of Youth and You’d Eat (Blank) if it Were Covered in Chocolate), chocolate fountains are a great party centerpiece, appreciated by both kids and adults. Part of the fun is finding different dipping items. This is a new favorite.

Cheesecake Strawberries

Approximately 20 large strawberries

8 oz. package of softened cream cheese

2 tablespoons of sour cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 graham cracker pie crust

• Wash strawberries
• Remove stems and core strawberries with a small knife to make approximately a one-inch-deep well in the top of each berry
• Mix cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla with an electric hand mixer or in a food processor until smooth
• Put pie crust in a separate bowl and break into crumbs with a fork
• Fill each strawberry with cheesecake filling using a spoon or piping bag
• Press the exposed cheesecake filling on the top of each strawberry into graham cracker crumbs
• Skewer or insert toothpicks into the top of each berry for dipping

It’s important to pre-insert a dipping holder into the top of the berry. You want guests to dip the berry tip NOT the cheesecake/graham cracker end. If the filling or crumbs get into your chocolate, they may clog the fountain mechanisms. Extra-long toothpicks or wooden skewers work well. 

And Speaking of White Chocolate...

Put this mix in several bowls and spread them around your next party setting. Be prepared to hear people exclaim that they can’t possibly like it because they don’t like white chocolate. Next they'll get mad at you because it's so addictive. It’s going to happen. I guarantee it. Someone might also give you an award for being the best party host on the planet. I won’t guarantee this, but it could happen.

White Chocolate Party Mix1 1/2 cups of EACH of the following:

• Corn cereal (i.e. Corn Chex)
• Rice cereal (i.e. Rice Chex)
• Toasted oats cereal (i.e. Cheerios)
• Van Otis cashews
• Small pretzels
• M&M's
• 2 large Van Otis white chocolate bars
  

Mix all of the first six dry ingredients in a large bowl. Melt Van Otis white chocolate in a microwave or on a stove top according to melting directions. Pour the melted chocolate over dry ingredients and stir until coated. Spread mixture onto a piece of waxed paper. Once hardened, break apart and store in a sealed container.