Chocolate

Rick and I adore chocolate--nice dark chocolate.

Switzerland has wonderful chocolate. Although we do buy the mass manufactured chocolate, our favorite chocolate in the entire world is from a store in downtown Geneva. Auer's has been a family business since 1939.

Sometimes we buy just two pieces, save them for bedtime and even though they are small, take small bites, savoring the flavor. This is not chocolate to shove in your mouth piece after piece. It is a delicacy. It's a wonderful way to end a day.

Walking by yesterday, I saw an advent calendar in the window. Each date was to hold one chocolate.

I could not stop myself.

I went in.

The shop has a tantalizing smell of chocolate. It has an old-fashioned feel of originality and of quality that only a firm built on the passion for chocolate can create.

The sales people always smile as they package the chocolate to order. Celebrities who go to Geneva, make it a point to stop and shop.

For the next 15 minutes, the sales girl and I picked out 24 black chocolates. She described each one, praline, salt, pistachio, walnut, double chocolate, caramel, etc. There were squares, balls, a checkerboard and one with chocolate spikes.  Another was decorated with gold leaf. Her gloved hand placed each one in paper and inserted it in a date box. The sales clerk suggested a champagne chocolate for Christmas Eve.

Then she lovingly wrapped the entire package. It is a gift for Rick and I from me. Each night, we will open the box for the correct date until the 24th. And then there will be that champagne chocolate.

Rick and I as a newish couple are still building our Christmas traditions. We can save the boxes and next year go buy another 24 chocolates, although I suspect during the year, we may find more than one reason to go into the store.