DAY 2 FAMILY VACATION

Today started out with a trip to a farmers market. It really was a bit craft fair and a bit homemade stuff. I gut some vegan watermelon licorice. 

Then I went on a hike to see a wooden carved troll as tall as a house. 

Then I went in the hot tub with some family but one family member got the brohmine/clorine up her nose so we all had to get up. She is fine. 

Then we had dinner and I watched 1/2 a movie. 

It was a fun day. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY 1 FAMILY VACATION

I woke up very early this morning to get on a plane to Colorado. Almost all family is coming, that makes us 13 people in one house. My trip on the airplane was uneventful and luckily short. 

When I landed I drove to a vegan spot to get some delicious food. I ate half of it and then drove the rest of the way to meet up with the family. 

I know you've heard me complainant during other vacations with my family that I did not get a room to myself or was asked to sleep on the couch, this time I got the whole "east wing". I have what is basically an almost apartment it has a living room area, a little kitchenette, washer/dryer, bedroom and bathroom. I think since I'm still masking due to the uptick and covid, they thought it best that I have an area where I can go and take off the mask. Plus I can have my own vegan food. 

I did show my family the vegan candies that I made and I received a resounding standing ovation. Everyone loved them. 

Until tomorrow...

GETTING THE PROTOTYPE READY

Today was a bit of a let down after the graduation celebration. 

I made my last batch of chocolates this week. I perfected the cranberry chocolates by making the cranberry thicker inside the chocolate. I also added a bit more sugar. One of my neighbors gave me constructive feedback. The cranberry was too thin and not sweet enough. The orange cream was over powering the chocolate. I used a combo of dark and milk chocolate. That was a mistake.  I made more with dark chocolate. 

Tomorrow I need to decorate them. I'm putting orange zest on the orange chocolates and a white dot of white chocolate on the cranberry. 

I made a new box with the gold tissue paper. I made a mistake and bought stickers that only allow a laser printer. I don't have one so I need to visit a Kinkos tomorrow to print the label, sticker to close the box and the story on the back. 

Until tomorrow...

GRADUATION DAY!🎓

After five long years, my previous foster kid GRADUATED HIGH school. I've been in charge of his education for the last five years and there were times I did not think this would happen. 

Today I got up before the sun rise so I could drop off the dog with the dog sitter and bake my way 2 hours to wear the graduation was taking place. It was a lovely ceremony where at 9 to 12 kids graduated high school. They had a woman singing the National anthem beautifully. They actually had a guest speaker who was very inspirational. Then the kids went up and got blank pieces of paper because their diplomas are being mailed to them in the mail. But all the kids had their cap and gown on and it was exciting. 

I wore a t-shirt that said proud family of a 2024 graduate and I brought a banner that said we are proud of you congratulations. 

After the ceremony we went to a restaurant for a celebratory lunch. I insisted we sit outside which everyone agreed. Then I went back to the foster kid's apartment. I had never seen the apartment so that was nice. We hung the banner on the wall to brighten up the apartment. One of the presents that I brought was a small rice cooker. I also brought a dreamcatcher and t-shirt from my month at the parks. I think a good time was enjoyed by all. 

I stopped by an outlet store and bought one discounted pair of hiking shoes and another pair that was discounted and 50% off. So the second pair was $27. I would say a good bargain. 

Until tomorrow...

YES, MORE CHOCOLATE

After working this morning, I started making chocolates. This time I perfected the orange cream. It needed a better base and this time I used coconut cream. 

Then I made dark chocolate with blueberry puree. I think they are good. 

I had to get prepared for tomorrow before I went to bed. 

Until tomorrow...

NO CHOCOLATE TODAY

I delivered samples of chocolate to my neighbors. I am awaiting feedback. 

I met with my friend who is a coach. We are working on my chocolate business idea and her website. We are helping each other and keeping each other accountable. 

Until tomorrow...

FABULOUS HIKE & CHOCOLATE

We got up not too early and went on a hike. I heard it got busy early so we were there at 10am. It was a lovely hike through the woods. The only thing that happened was that we ran into a coyote. It was about 10 feet away. It just came out of the brush and scared me. I yelled, waved my arms and grabbed Miss Vivien Butterfly. The coyote stopped on the path and looked at me. He then darted into the other side of the path but he didn't disappear so I waited for another hiker before walking. We were all safe but shaken up. 

I came home and started making chocolates. I made two different types: dark chocolate cranberry and chocolate orange cream. I personally like the orange cream the best. I made 30 of each type. 

Out of the blue, my friend from yesterday came over. He kept me company while I made the second batch of chocolate. 

Until tomorrow...

NO CHOCOLATE

My friend is in town this weekend and we decided to spend the day together. First we went to a chain restaurant and sat out on the deck. We talked and talked. 

Then we went to the local aquarium. We saw all sorts of fish and sharks and otters. They had one of those tunnels you walk through. Boy did that make me feel funny. I did not feel well at all. Sort of vertigo. 

We took a few of those silly photos that they haven't the end. One had us look up and the photo gets funny. 

Until tomorrow...

STILL MORE CHOCOLATE

I got going early and took my Amazon returns to UPS. I bought different boxes and paper cups for the chocolates. I really like the small black boxes. The rest went back. 

Then I had my doctor appointment with my concierge doctor. She is so great. We went over everything. I told her about the GYN appointment and she gave me a list of other doctors. This time I'm changing doctors. (If you don't remember, I had a big problem with the office manager who refused to let me get services for excruciating pain until I paid a co-pay that I didn't owe. The doctor convinced me to return.) I need to get on this task immediately. 

Then I came home and took a nap. I have been testing my blood sugar for a couple of weeks. For the last two days my blood sugar has been really low when I wake up. It seems the doctor is probably right that I am hyperglycemic. That is not good news but better news than pre- diabetes.  We talked about how I need to eat 6 smaller meals. She also didn't believe my blood sugar was that low. I wish I had brought the machine with me. 

Then I had an hour and whipped up some chocolates. I want my friend to taste them while he is visiting. I think they taste good but let's see what others say. 

Until tomorrow...

AUGUST ALREADY

I can't believe summer is almost over. Why do the summer months seem to go by faster than other months? I have some trips to look forward to and that eases my longing for the summer to last longer. 

I have a friend coming into town this weekend so that will be fun. 

I made more chocolates today. I think they taste good but the chocolate is too thick. 

These are cranberry puree and dark chocolate. I think they are good. 

Until tomorrow...