Today was Fast Sunday. And so, after church was over, food eaten, the fast broken, Michelle went off with cocoa and various dark chocolates and almond paste in hand to go play with an old friend also in town on break.  (I’ll link to her blog and pictures (scroll down) when she posts them.) Celebrate with dessert!

And so they had fun making chocolate cupcakes with a chocolate-coated marzipan mouse and cheese on top of each; Michelle came home with a container with two layers’ worth in a rubbermaid. On the top layer, there was one mouse that had a triangle to nibble, the one I got handed was facing a whole wheel of almondy Brie with a tiny bite’s worth taken out, and there was one with a red slice. Totally charming.

She mentioned that they couldn’t use white chocolate to draw with because she hadn’t ever found any that didn’t have dairy in it. I told her that’s okay; if they hadn’t been done in dark chocolate (and dark chocolate is always a good thing), they would have been three blond mice.

I was just pulling dinner for three out of the oven when the door opened. (I wasn’t expecting her back for awhile.)  “Mom? Can we have my friend for dinner too?”

“Sure! Here, help me adlib here.” (Opening the fridge and looking for what we could stretch it with.) “Hummus a few bars and we’ll fake it.”

So three became five and the master chef and her friend took over. Sounds of laughing and chop chop chopping came from the kitchen while I knitted happily with my feet up at her invitation, and a superb stir-fry got added to the meal.

I so love having my children around while I can!

A great party chez Johnna.

And a Happy New Year to all!