#seattlenovember2017

Speaking of the #nwchocolatefestival, look what else came home with me: #markhamandfitzchoc's zingy and jazzy 52% dark milk chocolate bar, with butter-caramelized pecans and black salt, on Nicaragua cacao! It's dark and milk, crunchy and smooth, shadow and light! #seattlenovember2017

Reflecting on gratitude this Thanksgiving weekend, I'm grateful for wonderful people! So here's my #postchocolateshowmontage 1 from the #nwchocolatefestival earlier this month; this montage features some pre- and post-show parties and events! 💛 Here's to innovative and inspirational chocolate makers and professionals I get to work with and know, kind and compassionate people I get to have meaningful relationships with, or lovely new friends becoming dear old friends, often with a dash of #sillyandquirky! : ) More montages to come...! 🌟 #thankyou #seattlenovember2017 (at Seattle, Washington)

Delicious #macrinabakery pastries at the delightful #fryemuseum in sweet Seattle, as vibrant autumn transitions into cozy winter! #seattlenovember2017 (at Frye Art Museum)

What a treat to meet up with a dear friend in Seattle during the #nwchocolatefestival, whom I originally met on a plane to Seattle for a prior #nwchocolatefestival! 🌛 And what a treat to enjoy great conversation over chocolate hazelnut dessert and more at famed #mattsinthemarket, from a table overlooking an iconic #pikeplacemarket sign (swipe)! ⭐ Btw the off-menu vegetarian platter was also fantastic! #alreadyeaten 💛 #seattlenovember2017 (at Matt's in the Market)

"Real poetry is to lead a beautiful life." #basho #seattlenovember2017 (at Seattle, Washington)

Chocolate waterfall: tempering machine in action at the #nwchocolatefestival! ⭐ Tempering means bringing chocolate to the right series of temperatures, so that the crystals line up in just the right fashion to give you shiny, snappy, stable chocolate. I've heard it described as having a roomful of dancers get into a conga line! 🌞 #seattlenovember2017 (at The Northwest Chocolate Festival)

Chocolate duality: hooray for dear #sirenechocolate's double Ecuador/Tanzania bar, which isn't a blend but is 2 single origin bars in 1 package, so we can compare and contrast color and flavor! ☀️🌙 The rich Ecuador bar gives notes of flowers and stone fruit, while the bright Tanzania bar gives citrus and sweeter notes, yet both are 73% dark chocolate. And you can see something of the difference in color in this photo! 💛💛 I first tasted this pure, precise brand 2 years ago at the #nwchocolatefestival, enjoy every iteration of dear Taylor's consistently first-class creations, and am adding this double bar to my craft chocolate subscription boxes! #seattlenovember2017 (at The Northwest Chocolate Festival)

Chocolate perspective: a visit to sweet Seattle isn't complete without popping into #franschocolates! ..... #seattlenovember2017 (at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle)