Thursday, 12 January 2012

when chocolate is the only answer...



There is nothing like a petit reward at the end of a hard day's skiing... If nothing else I felt it was so well deserved... Day 2 and still smiling... Superb weather, glorious views all day of the Matterhorn, thighs that lasted the distance and knees that bent when they were meant too... All rather remarkable really... I don't surprise myself that often yet today was one of those days... That doesn't mean to say that my legs aren't aching and that my calf muscles aren't like knots in cotton... tied up so tightly they might never relax... and that it won't go horribly wrong Day 3... my tentativeness about skiing will never ease... of that I am sure...

So on to the reward... I felt as if I deserved one after such an outstanding day... As I am in the land of cuckoo clocks, fondue and chocolate... it wasn't a hard choice... chocolate and lots of chocolate... Big fat slabs of chocolate, dark and white, with roasted hazelnuts generously scattered throughout... bliss, heaven, delectable divineness... just so good... The Swiss, I have to admit, make pretty fine chocolate... and as loyal as I am to all things French... this chocolate taste sensation was up there with the best...

For me there is something about skiing and chocolate that go hand and hand. It could be the mountains... all that clean air makes you hungry and crave an energy boost... It might also be that those Swiss 'scenic' chocolate boxes have indelibly linked in my mind the idea that snow and mountains equals chocolate... It doesn't matter... I am happy in this relationship... as long as we part company when the skiing is over...

Note to self... No Swiss chocolate to go... xv

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31 comments:

  1. Yeah! Chocolate is medicinal!!!

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  2. When my cousin from Switzerland lived with us, her parents would send the best chocolate for all of us- enjoy it as much as you can. You deserve it! xxoo :)

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  3. Ohhh I wish I was up there skiing with you! And that chocolate looks phenomenal, by the way...

    XX Kathryn

    http://lacoquettedelamode.wordpress.com/

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  4. It's sounds beyond heavenly and you definitely deserve that chocolate Vicki! Hope you continue to have happy skiing!

    xo Mary Jo

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  5. you are sooo right... i have a fridge full of chocolates!!!

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  6. I can just see you licking chocolaty fingers as you type each descriptive word here "bliss, heaven, delectable divineness"...you deserve it xo

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  7. mmmmm, haven't had chocolate in so long. You naughty girl for having tempted me with that luscious photo. Glad you are having a great time.
    xx jeanetteann

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  8. Oh my goodness, you had me at "chocolate" as they say!! I'm doing a juice detox this week so I think the chocolate image above may keep me going today!!

    I totally agree about Swiss chocolate, it's fabulous. Your skiing sounds wonderful, well done on performing so well :) Enjoy!

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  9. The chocolate looks tempting- but hey, it's guilt free for you- you would be burning any extra calories on the ski field! This is the best chocolate binge you could have xxCorrina.

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  10. Nothing better than a fondue au chocolat. I am in a total "chocolat" overdose after the holidays. I so envy you, being on the slopes...Happy skiing

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  11. chocolate is my downfall...
    la maison de chocolat sent me some downfall last nite and today I'll do penance

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  12. I will take chocolate over just about everything. Glad that you are having a fabulous trip. Be well. Mary

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  13. Vicky,

    LOL! When ISN'T chocolate the answer?! You are wise to leave the lovely gift boxes of sweets in the store...they have a way of following me home.
    Karen

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  14. Sigh. Unfortunately, chocolate is quite often the answer for me, especially when packed with roasted hazelnuts (or almonds). I think you have more than earned your reward, Vicki! xo Gigi

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  15. Bonjour Vicki. After reading your last post, I'd have to say you deserve chocolate. The best chocolate. A lot of it too! You are in the right place indeed. The Swiss do know their chocolate. I have enjoyed it myself quite a bit during my European life. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle) PS: Hope the skiing is still going well and you have not had any new wardrobe malfunctions, or other related mishaps.

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  16. I don't ski..........but I'm good at eating chocolate! Would love to join you - while YOU do the difficult part, I'll go shopping and pick up Switzerland's best. Meet you by the fireplace later!

    Great post Vicki - glad all is going well and, despite the knotted knees, you are getting great exercise and enjoying scenic majesty in the Alps.

    Stay safe - Mary

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  17. Vicki you do deserve delicious doses of chocolate after a day of skiing!

    All the Best!
    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

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  18. What a temptation. I'll have to go to the nearest shop again! Chocolate is good for the brain I tell myself! But remember: dark chocolate!

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  19. This looks amazing! I'm all for a little treat at the end of a productive day. Pretty display!

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  20. Did you know that the Swiss eat more chocolate than any other Country? ...and who can blame them!

    My daughter lived there for 5 years. When she would come home, she would stock up on the cheap grocery store chocolate to give out to everyone here. It was so superior to American chocolate that no one knew it wasn't the finest Swiss varieties. For me, she would bring me the "good stuff" and I would be in chocolate heaven until it was gone.

    We are so lucky here in Portland. We have Teucher Chocolates . http://www.teuscherportland.com/home.php
    The are flown in each week, fresh from Switzerland.

    Have fun. Switzerland is quite the most beautiful place - ever!

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  21. Surely a few pieces of divine Swiss for the road?!! The Alps sound divine Vicki, and I wish you many more wonderful 'runs' down those slopes.

    I'll be dreaming of fluffy snow with caps of chocolate this evening!

    xx Deb

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  22. Not a fan of chocolate but that picture is enough to make me a convert. Happy Day #3. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  23. Your post brought back instant memories of the champagne truffles and chocolate truffle cake my husband once lugged home from a business trip to Switzerland - however...I will NOT be sharing this post with him, as there's no place he'd rather be right now than skiing - don't want to make him sad.

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  24. Of course you deserve a reward, and great chocolate is one of the best rewards EVER! May i have a piece of the pink one? :) Pretty-chocolately please?!

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  25. fabulous to skiing, swiss, and all things chocolate!!!!!!!!! xx

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  26. After all that skiing you deserve some reward. What better way than with Swiss chocolate!!

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  27. I hope you do take some Swiss chocolate 'to go' home with you, Vicki ~ for artistic purposes, of course, as the packaging sounds so lovely. ;) I have to admit that I'd probably choose Swiss chocolate over French if someone was very mean and forced me to make such a tough decision... I'm glad you're having a beautiful time, Vicki, and feeling good out there shuuuushing around on the slopes.

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  28. Hello Vicki

    I am happy to hear you have escaped to Switzerland and enjoying a well deserved vacation.
    While not a chocolate lover, I would be tempted to nibble on the Pink piece.

    Enjoy every minute of your trip

    Helen xx

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  29. In my life, chocolate is ALWAYS the answer. But I like having a rationale for it.

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  30. It is crual to show off all this chocolate! It seems so good!

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  31. Yummy, cant ever get enough good chocolate. Going out to get some!

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