Now that I have a pretty good grasp on the homebrewing thing, I’m taking a little time to explore producing the “food of the gods” (this is the meaning of the cacao tree’s scientific name theobroma). I took somewhat of a leap of faith at the last minute and enrolled in an online chocolate making course with Ecole Chocolat which started on Good Friday. This class differs from a chocolatier course in that the objective is to learn how to make chocolate from the cocoa bean which chocolatier’s will later use to make their confections. However, there are quite a few assignments that necessitate sampling various chocolates. I didn’t have to ask the Mrs. twice to help me with my homework!

While the craft beer movement is in full swing and microbreweries are popping up everywhere, the craft chocolate industry is still very nascent. I can see similarities between the two from the few case studies I’ve read thus far but I also noticed that there seems to be a lack of community and support among chocolate makers unlike what exists between many craft brewers. There are signs that things may be changing – and change they must if craft chocolate wants to have a future. Whether my instructors share this view or not, they wish to foster a community – albeit online as we are spread out across the globe – among the students by encouraging us to share homework results and support one another through frequent use of the forums and chat rooms.

All in all, I’m looking forward to what I will learn in the coming weeks.

Thanks to whomever invented the crockpot, we had cornbeef roasting all day and had a ‘traditional’ Irish dinner of cornbeef and cabbage for dinner. We also had shamrock jello jigglers and mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. Yum! Adam had some of his Irish stout homebrew and some great Irish music playing in the background as well as some dancing after dinner.

St. Brigid’s Prayer

I’d like to give a lake of beer to God.

I’d love the Heavenly

Host to be tippling there

For all eternity.

I’d love the men of

Heaven to live with me,

To dance and sing.

If they wanted,

I’d put at their disposal

Vats of suffering.

White cups of love

I’d give them,

With a heart and a half;

Sweet pitchers of mercy

I’d offer

To every man.

I’d make Heaven a cheerful spot,

Because the happy heart is true.

I’d make the men contented for their own sake

I’d like Jesus to love me too.

I’d like the people of heaven to gather

From all the parishes around,

I’d give a special welcome to the women,

The three Marys of great renown.

I’d sit with the men,

the women of God

There by the lake of beer

We’d be drinking good health forever

And every drop would be a prayer.

I love this time during which my babies eat almost anything I put in front of them. Cecilia is too hungry to be picky at this age! Last night was chili night and she ate two helpings and even decided to use the sauce to give herself a facial!

(Did you read the bag?) Yup! You got it! The CIRCUS! How fun is that?! “I” had been wanting to go forever and finally I saved up our entertainment allowance for two months and bought the family tickets. We went all out… popcorn, peanuts, and even the painful $12 cotton candy that came with the goofy hat. Of course since it was my idea and I didn’t want the kids to fight over the hat, I got to wear it! But I had to draw the line at the obnoxiously expensive toys that light up.

The kids enjoyed themselves. No crying or screaming. Their eyes were glued to the performers in awe and big smiles in between enjoying their treats. I loved the highwire act and the upside down people.  Therese liked the tiger performance. Gianna liked the popcorn and the zebras. Cecilia LOVED all the light and music. Adam’s favorite was acrobats on the swings. Fulton liked the clowns.

We’re already looking forward to next year.