Chocolat

Given that classes are over, us Bucknell students have a LOT of time on our hands. I have been passing the time reading Nicholas Sparks and, since I finish books faster than most people, I have just bought another book- a bestseller in Ireland. Its 500 pages- the only reason I bought it. So it should last me quite some time.

 

So Catherine and I decided to attend the Chocolate Festival in town. Wow. What an experience!

First of all, the place was a-bustling. Every citizen of Tours was in attendance.
It was quite the learning experience because we took the bus there, I learned a lot about taking the bus- a task I've never accomplished in Chicago.


 There were probably just under 75 booths of different Chocolatiers from Tours and the surrounding areas. My favorite part was the samples. The entrance fee was 2 euros, and I was worried I would have to pay to taste chocolate. But Nope! Different places cut up little pieces of what they offer so you could taste them all. Needless to say, I ate enough chocolate yesterday that I have no interest in any sort of chocolate item for the next few days- who ever thought this point would come.
The most interesting thing I ate was probably this chocolate that was I guess natural? It wasn't sweetened with sugar or fake sugar- but some sort of natural sugar. Well, anyway, it was very good.
We also tasted Macaroons that were made the way they were made in old times. I'm assuming that's what it was because they were decribed as "a l'ancienne." Those were a bit strange though. I did not want to return.

Man creates masterpiece

Weirdest thing I've ever taste tested- will not come back for more

These are almonds covered in colored cellophane- so pretty

 Catherine and I then decided to try a workshop. We signed up for this free workshop which was clearly meant for children. We arrive and we are given little chef hats.

Not the most attractive pic

Happy chef Catherine

 We then put warmed chocolate on wax paper, and put 1 apricot piece, 1 hazelnut, 1 pistachio, and 1 raisin in the chocolate before it hardened. It was fun! I didn't get to taste it because at this point, I really COULD NOT eat any more chocolate, but we saved all of our pieces for our classmates as a treat.

Makin chcolate

finished product

Last night, because I knew Beatrice would be jet lagged, I offered to make dinner. I wanted to make something American, but I then didn't know what to make because I feel that everything Americans eat is rooted in another countries traditions. For example, I love eating stir fry, well thats asian. Fajitas? Mexican. Spaghetti? Italian.
So, I struggled with what to make for about two weeks. I finally decided to make a pasta dish that I love to eat in the summer because it is super light. You saute tomatoes, and other vegetables in a pan. I used peppers and zucchini. And then you toss this mix over pasta. Super simple. But it was DELICIOUS last night. Good work me.
This morning I slept in, went to the gym, came back and made my oatmeal. Beatrice, still jetlagged, didn't pull herself from her bed until 12 pm! Good luck sleeping tonight and getting to work on time tomorrow! This afternoon, she wants me to go with her to surprise her niece at school. We then are going to go to her brothers house for dinner. Hmm...