Friday, December 14, 2007

Chocolate heaven!

We had a wonderful few days away in Brugge, Belgium! It was nice to visit with a couple of people there who have become friends after our many years of regular visiting. I was excited to find out that one of them who owns a quilt shop is holding an open house in February and was getting ready to email me about it. I think that will be the perfect excuse to book our next visit.

You may ask what is it that keeps us going back to this city three or four times a year? Well, one reason is CHOCOLATE! I am a real chocoholic and this city is chocolate heaven. Some of the biggest and best Belgian chocolates are found in this city's wonderful little shops.


Now I must admit that I had to get this photo especially for Becky of Sweet Cottage Dreams when I saw their Christmas display this year included some dark and milk chocolate Scottie dogs. Aren't they adorable? The shops change their windows constantly to reflect the season or holiday.


This year many shops have these pretty vintage boxes filled with a small assortment of chocolate bonbons. The prices are very high now so while I love the boxes, I was not tempted to buy them.


What we do buy each time we visit is a large box of Leonidas chocolates. They are just the best chocolates! You go into the shop and tell them what size box you would like and they allow you to pick out your own selection. What could be better. We buy only the dark chocolate and have particular kinds of filling that have become our favorites over the years. Just look at these stacks of truffles!


We also had a wonderful treat in a cafe where we again had to have our fill of chocolate. We ordered coffee and a pastry. Don't they look wonderful and almost too pretty to eat?


Almost but not quite! I really loved this pastry. Just look at it inside! It was heaven and yes that is gold leaf sprinkled on the top.


Just to put your minds at rest, we did try to balance this out a little. Our last meal yesterday afternoon was vegetable soup followed by a wonderful salmon salad. Mind you, dessert was vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Well, I did warn you that I am a chocoholic!

I will share much more from Brugge on Sunday...

15 comments:

Kristen said...

Oh my goodness! That is a LOT of chocolate! :) I am sure that you were both in heaven! I wold opt for the salad over the chocolate, but it all looks wonderful! I do like a truffle every now and then! It sounds as though you had a great time and what a wonderful excuse to return in February, eigh? :) Have fun this weekend at the cottage!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh - I'm in heaven. But even though all that chocolate looks divine, it's the salad that looks absolutely stunning!

By the way, I tagged you for a Hoopla, come by my blog and see.

angelasweby said...

Well Heidi, I have to say, your photography is so amazing! I really felt I could just reach in and take one of those gorgeous creations - trouble is my hand kept knocking against this glass screen - how frustrating :>)I loved the vintage boxes and admire your self control. Hmmm, did your coffee and cake look yummy. Brugge really is a magical place. I have yet to see it at Christmas but it's definitely on my 'to do before I depart' list...haha!

Nancy said...

Wow! I would be in heaven Heidi! I have never seen such beautiful chocolates. I love the trees and the walnuts. The Christmas boxes are beautiful and very special. I have never seen anything like these. Thank you for sharing, and I would be going a few times a year too!

Mary said...

I love Belgian chocolates Heidi - they are usually all I buy, except for the "real" Cadbury's bars when in England - they taste so much better than the ones sold here which are made I believe in Canada.
I loved the little choc. owl and the trees, and that stack of truffles, ummmm, can I take just one please!
Glad you had such fun. Enjoy the weekend - Christmas really is coming now. Are you ready?

Nancy said...

Sorry I got home to late to catch you on Skype. I did try Jos's laptop which was still on, but no luck. All the chocolate looks yummy and since I've been there, I know it is. The chocolate car is just like one I have in the attic from when I was a kid. Mine is cast iron.
Love you, Mom

Nunnie's Attic said...

I'm so glad that you a nice time in Belgium. How you walked away without buying out the store is BEYOND me. But kudos to you!!

Love,
Julie
https://www.nunniesattic.com

Andylynne said...

What a wonderful trip you had, I can see why you return often. The chocolate is to die for. For true chocoholics it must be devine. Alas it's the salad that has my heart in a flutter. I have been a sald person since I was a small child. ( not that you can tell) That salmon salad is beautiful. But I bet I could manage some of that chocolate if I put my mind to it:)

Mandie said...

OHHHH Heidi! That Chocolate looks Soooooo Yummy! i love Dark Chocolate. It's such a nice little treat! I have to admit that I indulge myself in Dove dark chocolate from time to time.That salad sure looks yummy too! :o) Can't wait to see your next post about the Chocolate city :o)

Love you!
Mandie

the tattered nest said...

yum-o! it all looks so good, even the salad! looks like you had a wonderful time...

diane said...

oh my, no wonder you go back! Those boxes are such a treat, so pretty and the ensemble of chocolate looks so pretty, too, that I MIGHT want to save it! It all looks way too scrumptious and I am sure I could not resist buying and eating. I hope you can stretch your purchases out to February when you return!!!

Reginas Cottage said...

Hi Heidi,
I have nominated you for a blog award
please visit me to scan and name 7
random facts.
Hugs Regina

Amy Marie said...

Yum Yum! Good job balancing all that chocolate out with a salad! Those are two of my favorite things! I'm sure you'll need a few days to recover from that! Haha

Karen said...

Holy smokes - I think I gained 10 pounds just looking at those pictures of CHOCOLATE - YUMMMOOO. Sounds like you had a wonderful time and what a great relaxing get away at this time of the year.

Hugs - Karen

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Heidi, thank you for thinking of me and taking the scotty picture. You are too funny! Every treat looks wonderful and those nuts look so reallllll! I can see why you love going there. Like you, I love chocolate, and the darker the better! Those desserts and coffee look sinful, but delightful. Hey, it is the holiday season and what fun would it be with nooooo treats!

The salmon salad is making my mouth water.

Thank you for walking us through Brugge! Loving it!

xo
Becky