fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

"I love you like a fat kid loves cake. You know my style, I say anything to make you smile." - 21 Questions by 50 Cent Ahoy! The candy bar layercake above is just a taste of why I haven't been blogging or commenting very much lately - the Ogre, I and our trusty crew pillaged together our pirate wedding in less than six weeks. I shall be sharing more treasure from our September 29th celebration as soon as the tide will allow. Flutter to my Wordless Wednesday Directory for a list of blogs that regularly host WW Linky Parties. Grab my button as a reminder to return next week for more photography fun!

Mom and I traveled to New York City on a bus trip last Saturday. After taking a pedicab tour around Central Park, we ducked into the Time Warner Center to cool off - and discovered the Whole Foods Market. We'd already eaten lunch, but I couldn't resist devouring tiramisu and chocolate bread pudding from the $8.99/pound dessert bar. Ilona of Nonoluna's Handmade Wearables must have channeled my cravings. Her scrumptious platter includes a ceramic heart dish, pink sugar soap and my cocoa fairy . Treasuries shared by readers between May 29 - June 4 Chocolate Creams With Pink Icing Let's ROCK Remember - In Red, White & Blue They Call it Mellow Yellow The Unusual Paper Theory Sensational Green Pink Champage under Summer Skies My Summer Garden Chocolate Dreams Summer fun accessories Nothing Ordinary Here ... Weekend Delights

The fairy watched hopefully as the human pulled a stoneware cup and saucer out of the cabinet. Her heart fluttered as milk was poured and warmed in the microwave. She was so hypnotized by the cup turning like a merry-go-round that she missed the magical cocoa powder appear on the counter. The fairy jumped when the microwave let out its shrill call, but crept closer as the human carefully removed the cup. Cocoa was whisked into the milk, then topped with a heaping swirl of whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. The smell of sweet chocolate wafting through the air was irresistible. The fairy buzzed wildly through the house, rang the doorbell and was back in the kitchen before the sound had even reached the human's boringly rounded ears. "Now who could that be?" the human murmured, releasing her grip on the handle she'd been about to pick up. The human left the room and the fairy triumphantly dived toward the steaming drink. She hugged the cup happily, warmth filling...

There's nothing like hot chocolate to help melt away the harshness of cold weather. This year I expressed my cocoa adoration in a fairy drawing . I finished coloring her in time to print on mini magnets for my coworkers' Christmas gifts last week and will be unveiling her to the rest of the world on the next Sunday Sketches. I fluttered around the office, giving everyone a magnet and a flavored Land O Lakes hot chocolate packet of their choice. This week I took a stir around Etsy to get a taste of what homemade hot cocoa mixes are available. I wouldn't have been able to afford 30 of these delicious kits to give as gifts, but am considering treating myself. I usually top my hot winter drinks with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, but am intrigued by the handmade marshmallows. Aren't those starbursts adorable?! 1. Gourmet Hot Cocoa Kit - The Chocoholic by Danielle's Sweet Shop 2. Rich Handmade Hot Cocoa Drinking Chocolate for 2, Vintage Brown Mugs and Saucers...

Last Halloween, I whipped up a Creamy Espresso Chocolate Pudding Potion to share with the boys and ghouls at a costume party. The liqueur dessert was such a scream that I was requested to bring it again. I tweaked it a bit and added a no bake chocolate cookie crust. This easy dessert recipe is perfect for when you don't have much time to spend in the kitchen ... or just crave chocolately deliciousness. Easy as Dirt Chocolate Liqueur Pudding Pie Ingredients 13 oz Oreos or Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (I bought a package from the Dollar Tree and probably could have used less - but didn't want any leftover cookies to tempt me later) 1/4 cup Butter 5.9 oz Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix 1 cup Whole Milk 1/2 cup Godiva® Milk Chocolate Liqueur 1/4 cup Saint Brendan's Irish Cream Liqueur 1/4 cup Three Olives Triple Shot Espresso Vodka 8 oz Extra Creamy Cool Whip Chocolate Cookie Pie Crust Recipe 1. Crush 30ish cookies as finely as you can - I don't possess a food processor, so I ...