Last week I mentioned two of my favorite things: books and chocolate, but we only talked about the books. This seemed like a tragedy that needed to be fixed.
This month I’m sharing some of my favorite things, thoughts, and ideas because I’m learning to celebrate me.
For a long time I’ve celebrated everyone around me. I’ve chosen their needs and wants over my own. And that’s not bad. But I was losing myself. I was forgetting to make time to celebrate the amazing creation that I am.
I’m not saying this out pride in myself, but pride in my Creator.
When we deny who God made us to be, we deny His authority, power, and beauty.
So, I’m learning to celebrate me. In the big things I learn and the little things like books and chocolate.
Now let’s get to the chocolate.
Before you think, “a whole post about chocolate?” let me assure you that this is absolutely a post about chocolate. But at the same time it’s not.
I’ll tell you about all the chocolate things, but the truth is it’s about giving ourselves permission to talk about the things we love.
It’s too easy to brush them aside as frivolous, or little or unimportant. But if it’s part of who we are and how we’re made, well, friend, there is nothing insignificant about that.
There are three chocolate faves you should know about:
My favorite treats. I can’t really call it candy because I think chocolate is a category far above candy. My favorite chocolate treats are these caramels and this classic.
The caramels are absolutely perfect. Sometimes I find them at TJ Maxx and I give myself permission to get them no matter what the number on the scale is because they make me happy.
And the classic cannot be messed with. I’ve had gourmet versions and homemade versions, but Hershey nails the classic combo perfectly. There’s something to be said about a reliable classic.
My favorite dessert. You should know, my husband and I have been known to drive 5 hours each way (in one day) just to enjoy this dessert. It’s that good.
Sac de Bonbon is a treat we discovered when we were exploring Stowe once upon a time before kids and house and all the things of life. We were just two young marrieds in love with no reason not to drive 10 hours for dessert.
I’d show you a picture but I can’t wait to eat it on the rare occasions that I enjoy the treat. This picture I found on a travel site will have to do.
I don’t know all the official terms, but there’s a chocolate bag, filled with mousse and topped with fruit and whipped cream. They say it’s for two but if I’m driving 5 hours for dessert I’m getting one all for me.
We’ve introduced this magic to our kids and they’re just as willing to jump in the car. Head to The Whip at The Green Mountain Inn in Stowe. It’s that good.
Favorite Things: Chocolate Edition ——> https://rebeccahastings.net/favorite-things:-chocolate-edition Share on XMy favorite to make at home. I love to bake, and my favorite part of baking is usually before it gets to the oven. And chocolate chip cookies are my favorite. They may or may not make it to the oven before consumption.
I don’t have a single go-to recipe because I love to try new ones. My oldest is now even better at cookie baking than I am. I’m okay with that.
This cookbook is a great one for all things chocolate chip, especially the “Choc-full of Chocolate Chip Cookies” and the “Kitchen Sink Chocolate Chip Cookies.”
They key to the best chocolate chip cookies? Great chocolate chips. (And chilling the batter helps a lot too!)
What’s your favorite way to enjoy chocolate?
Check out these great sites I’m linking up with: Literacy Musing Mondays, Purposeful Faith, Tea & Word Tuesday, Abounding Grace, Tell His Story, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, Moments of Hope, Tune in Thursday, Dance with Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Grace & Truth, Heart Encouragement
This post has left me craving all things chocolate! That caramel bar looks divine. Thanks for linking up with Hello Monday!
The caramels are fantastic 🙂
Since ice cream is my ultimate favorite vehicle for all flavors, I guess it’s my favorite way to ingest chocolate. And, here in New England where it’s cold so much of the year, we still manage to consume more ice cream per capita than anywhere else in the country (maybe the world??). Pretty amazing and dedicated people we are!
Yes, us New Englanders can be dedicated. Glad it’s to ice cream 🙂
What a delicious treat this post is !!!
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Scrumptious! My favorite restaurant dessert is the Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola cake at Cracker Barrel. SO good. But at 700+ calories, I have to split it over a couple of days. I love chocolate chip cookies, too – I have two favorite recipes for them, one with peanut butter and the other with instant vanilla pudding in the mix. Another snack I really liked was chocolate-covered potato chips. I don’t remember what company made them, and they don’t seem to be around all the time – probably a good thing. 🙂
All of these sound delicious!!!
I love chocolate chips in ice cream, but I also love just dipping a chocolate bar in peanut butter. I know I could go the whole peanut butter cup route, but that’s not how I roll! Lol! Thanks for this divergent focus on what brings us pleasure, Rebecca! Summer is a great time to find the things we love and indulge just a bit in them–no matter what the scale says! 😉 Pinning!
Thanks friend. And there is no wrong way to combine chocolate and peanut butter!
Yummy! I live chocolate too, and we have a little specialalty chocolate shop about 30 min away thank makes anything “Hershey’s” taste a little like wax…. sorry Hershey’s. My favorite dessert though is a creme Brulee that my husband makes, it’s perfect, rich, and creamy. Love this little post, I’m happier just having read it. Many Thanks 8)
So glad it made your day brighter. And a great creme Brulee is magical!
You are speaking my love language here! They have some caramels like that at Costco that are to.die.for!!!
Finally, someone who understands that there is a 6th love language 😉
Last night I made Gluten Free double choc brownies with candied citrus peel & walnuts! They’re absolutely DELICIOUS!
I’m not a big chocolate eater but do enjoy this particular brownie recipe 😀
Bless you,
Jennifer
Those sound amazing!!!
That Sac de Bonbon looks amazing! I would definitely drive 5 hours for one of those. I live in a town where Wilbur buds are made. Most days our little downtown smells like chocolate. I walk downtown just to catch a whiff!
Oh my! I would be in heaven!
Even a person who may not be a fan of chocolate will now be wanting some chocolate 🙂
😉
Rebecca, I love your chocolate post. 🙂 I love chocolate too, in many of its forms. I have a lot of food restrictions, so I have to moderate how much I eat. 🙂 I love Whole Foods dark chocolate truffles, which come out around Christmas time. I have a flourless chocolate cake I make that is so, so chocolatey. And then there’s chocolate truffle pie. And then there’s my more-chocolate-than-flour cookie recipe. And then there’s . . .
Thanks for sharing some of what makes you happy. 🙂
Oh boy! These sound so good!!!
Super fun post – and mouth-watering:) I am all about dark chocolate! Love it. There are all sorts of yummy dark chocolate goodness to talk about…but my guilty pleasure is a small bar of dark chocolate (a Hershey’s miniature will work perfectly) dipped into the peanut butter jar!!
Dark chocolate is amazing! And with peanut butter — perfect!
I’ve never heard of Sanders chocolates, but being a chocolate-lover myself, I’ll have to be on the lookout for these! Chocolate chip cookies are my all-time favorite too. I have them several times a week. 😉 I make a batch and freeze them. Then get two cookies out of the freezer in the morning so they’ll be ready for an afternoon treat.
That is such a good idea! Do you bake them and then freeze them? I’ve frozen the dough before, but then I just end up eating the dough!
Rebecca,
I just want to take a bite or a big spoonful of all the eye candy you’ve shown…yum! I recently had to go on a special diet for diabetes, but I told the dietician that I absolutely can’t live without chocolate (ok – a little dramatic), really…no chocolate ever again? So now, if I’m a good good girl all day, I reward myself with one piece of Dove dark chocolate. I’ve learned how to roll it around on my tongue and REALLY savor each delightful hint of sweetness. Every so often if I’ve been good, I’ll split a chocolate treat at a restaurant with my husband. You don’t know how much you love something until you can’t have it.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Yes! I am with you on this! I had some health issues last fall and couldn’t eat much of anything. But my one small piece of chocolate made me so happy I had to make space for it. And savoring it was key!
Years ago there was a department store here that sold Price’s candy. I don’t know if it’s still as good as it was then, but they used to make a chocolate called an Anneclair that was heavenly!
Isn’t it funny how we can hold onto something as sweet as that memory (pun intended!)
Sanders chocolate-covered caramels are my absolute favorite go-to dessert! Now I need to go get a piece! Loved this!!
Aren’t they magical?! Hope you enjoyed some 🙂
Rebecca, as a lover of books and chocolate I couldn’t resist your blog. And I love your epiphany to celebrate the person God made you to be. Many blessings to you.
Always nice to find a friend in books and chocolate 🙂
I’m not a big chocolate fan – but now and then, a Hot Fudge Sundae fills the bill!
I love being friends with people who don’t like chocolate — more for me! LOL And yes, a hot fudge sundae is heavenly!