Free Friday!

If you have read even one post on this blog, you have probably figured out that I LOVE chocolate.  Unabashedly.

If I had to be stranded on an island with four food items they would be chocolate, chocolate, chocolate and chocolate.

I’m kidding.  What kind of moron chooses four of the same thing?

It would totally be chocolate, bacon, filet mignon and champagne.  Now that’s a fun island.

I love all types of chocolate.  I am an equal opportunity chocolate lover.  Sure, I love Godiva and Lindt.  But I also love Russel Stover’s assortment boxes and Cadbury Creme Eggs.  And God, I friggin’ LOVE a cheesy Valentine’s Day chocolate heart assortment.  You listening, baby?

But then there are the really special types of chocolates and sweets.  The kind that are homemade and unique and clearly well-thought in advance, with passion and attention to detail.

These types of chocolates might be my favorite.  I think largely because you don’t know what to expect when you bite into one.  I LOVE surprises.  (You still listening, love of my life?)

So let me tell you I was super excited to work with M.W. Sweets.  Her sweets are made with organic, fairtrade products and are obviously handmade with love and care.

She sent me the Small Sampler Assortment and it couldn’t have come at a better time.  You know those moments where you  are really hoping for something, even though it isn’t a huge item, like world peace or a cure for cancer?

I was running down the stairs and was going to drop the boys off at The Little Gym, so I had about 45 minutes to myself to drive to Costco and back.  At the base of our stairs I saw a package.  I grabbed it and brought it with us, but didn’t open it until I was alone.  Hoping and wishing that it was what I thought it was…because I could really use some sweets right now.  And to eat them alone!  Is it too good to be true?  Will my dream come true?  As soon as the boys were out of the car, I grabbed the keys and tore open the box.

A small miracle! My Sampler Assortment!  Have I mentioned I LOVE sampler assortments?

I dove in, while trying to also savor each bite and pay attention to the flavors.

First of all, there is Peppermint Bark, which can be hit or miss.  Sometimes people make these thick, hard globs that say ‘No, I didn’t really give a rat’s arse as I melted down this chocolate from the craft store and threw some candy canes on top.’  This Peppermint Bark said the opposite.  It was smooth, delicate and perfectly crispy crunchy.  Not break your teeth crunchy.

There was a Caramel with Almonds.  (That is CA-RA-MEL, not CAR-MEL, in case you are one of those people who is confused.) Soft and sweet with crunchy almonds, just like you would imagine.

A Classic Dark Truffle, which was, well, CHOCOLATE.  Can’t go wrong there.

An Espresso, Chili and Cinnamon Chocolate Truffle.  Amazing!  Hard chocolate outside, creamy filling, and unlike the ‘Mexican Chocolate’ truffles I used to always attempt at dinner parties, I don’t think this one would make anyone’s eyes bulge out and beg for a glass of milk, or water, or SOMETHING FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ANNIE ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL US?!  I guess I have a thing or two to learn about spice amounts.  Whatever.

Then there was the most fun of the  bunch, in my opinion, a Butterscotch Truffle.  Let me be completely honest, I don’t like butterscotch.  Or at least, not the kind that people (silly people, really) try to put on sundaes and such. Sundaes are meant to be topped with chocolate, people! Or maybe peanut butter if you’re feeling frisky.  However, this had tiny crumbles of those old-school butterscotch candies.  The kind that the resident ‘Old Lady’ in your neighborhood had in a glass jar growing up?  Was that just me?  Did your street’s old lady drink beer at noon and play checkers outside and have white tires and quahog shells around her garden beds?

Clearly, this truffle had me strolling down memory lane.  It was nice.  And now I miss Maybel.

Last but not least, was my favorite, a Pecan and Dark Chocolate Truffle.  Did you know dark chocolate is good for you?  I kid you not.  I saw a pamphlet.  Plus, I am currently obsessed with pecans.  Obsessed.  This truffle was perfect.

So, there you have it.  I didn’t mean to do quite such a thorough review, but I am passionate about chocolate and love eating chocolates that you can tell were made with passion.

Can you think of a more perfect Valentine’s Day gift?  This could totally be given to a boyfriend, girlfriend, friend, teacher, boss, yourself, anyone, really.  And you get to be traditional, but  not boring.

And, ahem, you get to do all of this for free. (I won’t tell.)

Although, even to those of you who don’t win, I seriously suggest you try some of these sweets.

Here is how you enter:

Leave a comment below about why you love (or hate) chocolate.  (Hey, just because you hate it doesn’t mean you can’t win this for someone else. ) (First mandatory entry)

‘Like’ the Real Mommy Chronicles page on Facebook and leave me a separate comment stating that you did so (1 additional entry)

Visit the MW Sweets page on Etsy, here, and leave a separate comment stating that you did so (1 additional entry)

Three separate comments, three chances at winning this amazing, homemade, fairtrade, organic sweet sampler.  Good luck!

You have until Monday at noon to enter.

Congratulations to our winner, Catherine!  I’m so thankful a girl after my own heart won.  Who invented white chocolate anyway?!?  Although, perhaps if we both were to try MW SWEETS’ white chocolate we could both be converted…  Enjoy your SWEET winnings, Catherine!  And a big thank you to this week’s participant, MW SWEETS!

***Contest is now closed.***