CHOCOLATE!

Now that I have your attention, I would like to discuss world peace and the environment. 

Just kidding.

 I am blessed to be married to a good man and to have two lovely daughters.  Two problems, none of them can read or listen! My clan of wonderful and lovely people suffer from two illnesses, "Not reading" and "not listening" sicknesses. I write messages that do not get read. I send emails that do not get read. I speak words that do get heard. Illiteracy or hearing defects are not the issue. I have narrowed the problem down to one thing, lack of attention.

All this "not reading" and "not listening" sickness got me to thinking, what to do? I post signs, in attractively bright colors, in huge fonts. I post them and yet, I am constantly asked questions about the very things the signs clearly explain. I have conversations, the same conversations, multiple times with these clan people. I have conversations, apparently, no-one hears. I am not a very patient woman. I am however, very good at acting like a patient woman, so, I sigh and say, 'Well Honey, like the sign says, you just ______ please. Thank you.' The greatest problem is, I do not see my Lovelies (because of scheduling) so that is the main reason for posting signs. That, coupled with my lack of patience, I admit. 

I obviously need to be smarter. CHOCOLATE drew you in, Dear Reader, so I'm thinking it might just be the attention-grabbing, magical mechanism I have been lacking. I draw them in with CHOCOLATE in huge lettering and then, zap them with the details like 'put your laundry away.' I am going to give this a try in other aspects of my life where these illnesses are rampant too, like grocery store lines or driving. I plan to make a sign that says "CHOCOLATE" on one side. The other side will say "NO." Nothing else, just "NO." Keep it simple is my motto in cooking and in communicating.

Share your sign ideas and maybe, just maybe, we can help each other be heard. Wait. What did she say? She lost me at world peace. 

To say "Thank You" for reading this blog post to the end, here is a super quick recipe for chocolate from my upcoming cookbook.

Chocolate-Dipped Ice Cream Cones

        Chocolate Melts as needed
        Ice cream cones of choice as needed
        Optional additions: Sprinkles, nuts, mini chocolate chips, coconuts, dried fruit
        Favorite ice cream

Equipment You Will Need:
Microwave proof bowl, spatula, cookie sheet, waxed or parchment paper, hair tie

Shopping Guide:  
Chocolate melts, ice cream cones, optional additions listed above

Time: 
20-30 minutes, including assembling and cooling the ingredients

Tie your hair back. 

Place the chocolate melts in the microwave proof bowl and microwave in 20 second intervals until the melts are melted and smooth.
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper while the chocolate is melting.
Dip the ice cream cones into the prepared chocolate and either place on the prepared baking sheet to cool now or dip the chocolate cones into any combination of optional additions you like and then set the cones aside to cool. 
NOTE: The cooling and setting time will be shortened by placing the dipped cones in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set.

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