Chocolate!

Every year my mother-in-law makes the most beautiful hand-dipped chocolates around Christmas. A few years back I was determined to learn the art, and believe me when I say it is an art. The first year my attempt was less than successful. They tasted awesome, but they looked like a pre-school cooking project so my neighbors got these as gifts:

A bag full of gumballs with a tag attached that
read: "Bah-gum-bug"

My mother-in- law showed me a few tricks of the trade (the chocolate needs to be the right temperature, don't let water touch the chocolate, don't eat more than you dip etc.).This has become one of my favorite Christmas traditions. In a later post, I will give out some of her recipes and techniques (so stay tuned). Let's hope that this year the chocolates make it to my neighbor's door and not in my husbands and children's mouth's!

-Lauralee