Eclipse Chocolat and Handmade Earrings from Pink Candles at Ridgemont High

A few months ago, Canine Cologne of Pink Candles at Ridgemont High emailed me to ask if she could send me a present. She makes earrings and she'd like to give me some. Gosh! How nice is she? And wouldn't it be nice to have a pair of earrings from an online friend?

What I got was a very heavy BOX! And inside were these artisan chocolates from Eclipse Chocolat in San Diego. You can read about Eclipse Chocolat's chocolate cupcakes and drinks in her post. I'm totally going to visit if I'm ever back down there. They have dessert platters with chocolate cake, fruit, cheese, and drinks too!



The chocolates were:



Kyoto Green Tea - matcha green tea infused with white chocolate, flecked with ginger and toasted rice;

Blackberry Sage - sage infused with dark chocolate, flecked with desiccated blackberry bits;

Moroccan Spice - harissa spiced dark chocolate studded with honeyed pumpkin and sesame seeds; and

Mango Masala - masala-curry spiced milk chocolate studded with candied mango pieces.

Every single chocolate bar was so delicious. The flavor notes were subtle, but not overpowering.

The earrings she sent me were just lovely. I can't believe she made them all herself! She even wrote descriptions of each pair.



From left to right the earrings are: Czech glass rondelles, zebra stone, green jasper, labradorite and black Czech glass, and purple aventurine.



From left to right: Millefiore (Italian Murano glass); green jade, orange aventurine, and dyed jade; sterling silver hooks and findings, purple Swarovski hearts, fuchsia Swarovski bead, and crystal Czech glass round; Czech glass dagger with Czech glass round; and cathedral beads.

The last three are my favorites. She even remembered that my favorite color is purple. That's because it's her favorite color too. :)

But even better than the chocolates and earrings was her very sweet letter. She wrote such nice things that it brought tears to my eyes.

Canine Cologne, your words came at just the right time. It reminded me of what I liked about blogging - the genuine interactions and online friendships I've made, the love of food and desire to share it with others.

Thank you again so very much.

Eclipse Chocolat
2121 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92104
619-578-2984
Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*****
1 year ago today, ba noi's death anniversary.
2 years ago today, pan-seared scallops marinated with ginger and orange juice on a bed of sauteed pea shoots