Whatsit Wednesday: Pralines

Delicious. That is what Belgian chocolate is. Every year that I go to ABSS (Advanced Bible Study Series) in Germany, a small argument of sorts kicks off again between the Belgians and the Swiss. We (the Belgians) of course know that we have the best chocolate. The Swiss think that they have the best chocolate. There Germans, Dutch and Americans simply watch and listen, knowing that they do not even come close. 

But it is the Belgians who have praline. You might know it from a store selling specialty chocolates in the shape of “sea fruit”, like sea horses and shells. They are often a marble mix of milk chocolate and white chocolate and they are filled with a smooth cream-like filling - praline. This was first developed by Jean Neuhaus II and brought to market in 1912. Some may know these chocolates as ‘bonbons”. But Belgian praline is much different than the cookie-like sweet with nuts in it found sometimes in the US. 

The praline filling is based on hazelnuts. Other fillings can be based in cream or even marzipan or a liqueur. They come in all shapes and are good for any occasion. If one is visiting a friend or meeting someone new, a box of pralines is always a good gift, especially for those who might not appreciate flowers. When you don’t know what to buy someone as a gift, a box of pralines will always do nicely. They come in white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate and include nuts for those who enjoy them. 

Neuhaus is still one of the major houses known in Belgium and around the world for their chocolates. Others include Godiva, Guylian and Leonidas. Belgians were able to really get into chocolate because of their link with Congo where they had a ready supply of cacao beans. Belgian chocolate is required to have at least 30% cacao butter to be called chocolate. Many other “chocolates” have far less chocolate (cacao butter) and therefore taste waxy or simply sweet. 

Every two weeks I visit a lady of 93 years in a nursing home who has finally figured out that I do not eat cookies (I am gluten intolerant). Now she always makes sure that there is some chocolate (dark chocolate is my favorite, and she knows this) or some pralines. For her birthday I was sent to a special chocolatier (a store that only deals in chocolates) to get a box of pralines for her guests and the nurses. This store deals only with the best, including American presidents, French potentates and local big-wigs. 

Just for the day

Every day is a gift. Some days we get to work hard, meet lots of people, get a ton of things done and feel content at the end of the day. Some days we work hard and feel like nothing gets done - and we put that day to bed and look forward to the next day to finish things. Some days are just to enjoy with family or friends, or to take time to rest. But each day is a gift.
We try to take advantage regularly of day trips to get away together. It is amazing what you can see within a day's travel - no matter where you live. We have spent time simply biking in our area, or walking not far from our house. But sometimes we take the opportunity to travel a bit farther.
In January we had just a few days that Sean was free and we could get away together as a family easily. So we checked online, made plans and jumped on a plane to Budapest, Hungary. It was a quick two and a half day visit, but a great time together. Check out the pictures here. The history of this city and country, the beauty - in the cold of winter - and the time to share this together was a real blessing.
At the end of the month Shirley and Scott got to take a day together traveling with the train. The camera did not go along - just time together and memories. We had a special train card to travel the whole day, so we stopped in at several different Dutch cities: Den Bosch, Gouda and Utrecht. But the train was as interesting as the stops.
On one of the legs we sat next to a mother and daughter. Somehow we had sat ourselves in a 'Silence' car, meaning that we were to be silent (not quiet, but silent). I can imagine this is nice for those who want to get some work done on the commute. The girl tried, but being silent is not that easy for young children. At one point she was more or less singing: 'Soup, soup, soup, soup.' "Mama, what if you could only eat soup - for every meal. Would that be healthy?" Mother replied wisely, "Well, that depends on what kind of soup you are eating."
Later that day in Gouda we stopped for a bowl of soup. One was spicy parsnip soup (made spicy with a good bit of ginger!). The other was a tomato and bell pepper soup. Both were welcome after a winter walk through the old town of Gouda. Near the end of the day, after walking around Utrecht's lighted canals in the evening, we sat in the cold rail station eating a salad - which was delicious, but not as warm as the soup.
We enjoyed sunshine the whole day, took plenty of time to stop and read about the history, and even spent time speaking with an artist who shared with us about his work. People watching, imagining what the cities were like in the past, listening to all the different languages and dialects - simply enjoying the day together. A full day - a blessing and a gift.
Enjoy your day today. Know that God is able to use you in so many ways, bless you in so many way,  if you will simply accept His gift - today.