Awfully Blessed

One glorious and fateful evening after visiting our favorite camera shop and having a delicious dinner of German Spaetzle, Debbie and I wandered around visiting and went into the mall.  Debbie noticed the "awfully chocolate" store.  She had gotten their chocolate cake on her birthday and her husband had the chocolate Hei Ice Cream.  She liked the ice cream better than the cake so we promptly ordered a scoop.  Or was it two?

This ice cream is unbelievably good.  It's rich and dark and not too sweet.  It comes in a cute chinese takeout box.  The little green paddle they give you to eat it with is just the right shape to help you savor every bite.  I was sold after my first taste.  I had to have it every time I went to the city and found myself near a mall with an awfully chocolate store.  Or at least within a few MRT stops. :)  It truly is the perfect chocolate ice cream--no candy or nuts needed.  Even Ben says so and he doesn't eat ice cream without "a crunch".

My last trip for the chocolaty goodness. :(

Singapore friends--if you haven't been, GO.  Don't even bother collecting the $200 as you pass go, just go try it NOW!  You will thank me. 

I've been anxiously waiting a visit from my dear friend, Jessie, and her family.  She's the best and I could spend days straight talking to her about everything from ice cream to traveling to raising kids.

You can imagine how awfully delighted I was when she pulled out a black "awfully chocolate" bag.  I was literally in tears.  Not only did I get to spend the evening with her sweet family, but I also had a special delivery straight from Singapore carefully and lovingly transported across the world in an overhead compartment.

She brought me (among other sweet gifts) awfully chocolate mooncakes.  I can't think of a more perfect gift.  Mid-autumn festival is a delightful holiday.  

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the four most important Chinese festivals.  The festival is for lunar worship and moon watching, when mooncakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy. Mooncakes are offered between friends or on family gatherings while celebrating the festival.  Typical mooncakes are round or rectangular pastries, measuring about 10 cm in diameter and 4–5 cm thick. A rich, thick filling usually made from red bean or lotus seed paste is surrounded by a thin (2–3 mm) crust and may contain yolks from salted duck eggs. Mooncakes are usually eaten in small wedges accompanied by Chinese tea."  Info from Wikipedia 

Traditional mooncakes are gorgeous, but I can't say they taste that good (to me).  Awfully chocolate mooncakes, however, are scrumptious.  They've got looks and a sweet spirit!  No lotus paste in these--only pure unadulterated rich brownie and butterscotch.  Heaven.  I enjoyed every last "wedge" minus the Chinese tea and enjoying them with family and friends.  I sort of ignored the sharing part.

Samara's carrot was jealous of all the face time the mooncakes were getting.  

Isn't the bambo box gorgeous?!  I felt like royalty every time I opened it to sneak a mooncake bite.  I have the box along with my mooncake mold displayed up on the kitchen shelves.  Every time I look at them,  I am reminded that I am oh so awfully blessed to have such wonderful people and experiences in my life.  Thank you Jessie and Sarah for the sweet gift that will always remind me how blessed I am!!