#gildedstone

*Steps up, holding two cups and placing them on the table before the judges*. 

Hello! I’m Molly Cappelli and this is my entry. *Scratches the side of her cheek as she rocks on her heels.* Um- it’s called Cioccolata Calda, which is the same name as Hot Chocolate, but it’s a bit different. It’s more of like- that stuff, er- *taps on her chin for a moment in thought* Pudding! It’s like pudding because it has a thick consistency, but it’s still hot chocolate! 

For the Ingredients I used...

1 ½ cups of whole milk 1 Tablespoon of fat free half & half (or cream) 4 ounces of good quality chocolate  2 teaspoons of sugar 2 Tablespoons of corn starch

In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk and cream to hot but not so hot that it would boil. Next I added in the chocolate and sugar and whisked it until the chocolate melted. Then, I removed the pan from the heat momentarily to take about 1/2 cup of the liquid and whisk together with the cornstarch until it was smooth. After, I put the pan back on the heat and added the cornstarch stuff back into the rest of the chocolate, whisking constantly. I cooked it for a couple minutes longer, whisking constantly, until the mixture had the consistency I wanted.  Once it was done, I put it into mugs and added a bit of whipped cream and then brought it here.

Boat rides were torture.

As soon as the ferry docked at Castanet, Sara had to race for a railing to steady herself on, staring into the deep blue water surrounding the dock. Seasickness was honestly the worst when you lived on an island, but she couldn't do much about it. She had to go placed for work, after all.

Today's trip, however, was purely for pleasure.

As Sara walked through the town, she thought how nice it would be to see Gil again. Would he be surprised that she'd gotten away from work so fast? Well, to be honest, she was surprised too.

Well, what the mayor didn't know wouldn't hurt him. And she was ready for some fun in the winter sun.

gildedstone replied to your post: 

Ah - perhaps that’s it, then. We don’t often have tourists these days. The pleasure’s all mine, Will. [He smiles politely, shaking Will’s hand before replacing it in his jacket pocket to warm it up again.] What brings you to Castanet, if I may ask?

[Notices the farmer as she calls out to him, straightening up a bit as she approaches.] Oh - sorry. I’m Gil. [Holds out a hand for a handshake.] It’s nice to meet you, Sara - sorry if I’m bothering you. I was just passing by. Is this your farm?

[shakes his hand firmly] Gil, huh? Nah, you ain't bothering me at all I was just... [glances back at the rice plants] ... Attempting to figure something out.

Just passing by, eh? Bit out of the way for sight seeing. Yep, this is my farm, the Wilder Ranch. Used to be my Dad's but well... he passed.

[looks up from fussing over a rice plant and blinks]

Er… howdy, stranger. You look a little lost… can I help you?

[Abandons the dying plant and walks over]