Thursday 12 March 2009

The Chocolate Exchange!

Leanne came to our little town on Monday and we had our chocolate exchange! I was really surprised because friends who have been to America tell me that American chocolate is horrible, but really, I couldn't tell the difference. Leanne said I could probably tell the difference with a solid bar of chocolate, but these ones had fillings. What I did notice is the obsession with peanut butter that ya'll seem to have! (Notice that little bit of NC accent coming out there?) And the Milky Way's are completely different! Did you get one before you went home Leanne? Oh, and look what I found in a little news agent's on Tuesday evening!


America is taking over the world!

Knowing how much Leanne loves birds I took her to see the swans we have in our town. They must have known the Bird Lady was coming because more showed up than usual! I think Leanne probably has a better photo of that than I do, but here is one of Leanne feeding the swans.


These were a little bit too big for Leanne to get them to perch on her arm and feed from her hand!!

We also went to our local country park, which Leanne said she enjoyed, but I realised later that she really just wanted to get her hands in some clay! She made me this lovely little bunny!


I couldn't believe how quickly she made it! She used the terracotta clay that I had since we had that one out anyway - my tutor suggested making tiles in terracotta to contrast with the white slip at class for Leanne's sgraffito demonstration. Unfortunately, the other coloured slips he had ordered hadn't arrived yet. The demonstration was fantastic! Again, Leanne worked so fast! Everyone seemed very impressed, and I noticed that one of the male students, who is usually very shy and doesn't really talk to anyone, came over to speak with Leanne to tell her how fantastic her work is. Being completely in awe, I didn't even think about getting my camera out! I'd make such a lousy reporter! But once the piece is fired I will take photo's to show you.

Leanne also did some carving on a vase I have been making at class! So although we didn't actually work on it "together", it's a great privilege and honour for me to have a piece made through our combined efforts.

Look what else I got too!




I have been drinking exclusively from this wonderful mug! Water, juice, alcohol, hot drinks - you name it, I've been drinking it from this mug! This was such a wonderful surprise because I'm so curious about the Octopus. I've never actually seen one before, not even on TV, but I'm collecting a series of wildlife books and DVD's at the moment and the next issue will have Octopodes (Octopi, Octopuses) in it!

So I have two things left to say:
Leanne, thank you so much for two wonderful days! I enjoyed your company so much! And thank you for your beautiful gifts!
And secondly:
Jafabrit, I have more of Leanne's pieces than you! Neh neh neh neh neh! :D

15 comments:

Judi Tavill said...

Great stuff!

Not to freak you out...BUT we've actually been having a major peanut butter scare in our delightfull little country... I think Reeses are fine but watch that American peanut butter ingredient ... There is one factory that was giving people salmonella!!! My husband(originally from England) and both boys HATE peanut butter so it's a non-issue here... I hold back anyway...

queencraftygirl said...

SOunds like so much fun! My dad and brother love Reeses! Glad you enjoyed some of our wonderful chocolate treats. What beautiful swans. I have only seen two before, when I traveled to New York.

What a cute, little brown bunny! Maybe you should name him Reeses :)

Love,
Queeny

Undaunted said...

Judi, I'm not a huge fan of peanut butter and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it combined with chocolate, but actually it was quite nice! We had a scare here not too long ago with Cadbury products, but nothing can put me off chocolate for long!


Queeny, there was such a huge flock of swans that day, all pushing and shoving for some bread! I hope Leanne got a good photo of them all.

Reeses is a great name for the bunny! We were wondering what to call him! He's kind of a red brown at the moment, but I don't suppose he'll stay that colour once he's fired. I'll have to see if we have some brown glaze at class so that he looks like chocolate!

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Undaunted said...

Thank you so much MonkAre. I have looked at your website too - your craft gifts are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic, Linda!! How fun to meet Leanne in person...

There is some pretty bad chocolate here in the US - but also some pretty good ones too. :)

We're weaned to peanut butter, didn't you know that??

Undaunted said...

Hahaha! I know that now! At least the chocolate bars didn't have peanut butter and jelly in them! Yuk! What a combination!

Considering the bad reputation that American chocolate has I find it incredible that it's now being sold here - a country with a good reputation for chocolate! It's like selling snow to an Eskimo!

jafabrit said...

oh pooooooo! I might just have to fix that re: the painter girl collection LOL! Oh what a fun blog entry, and boy I must have lived here too long because I am also fixated on peanut butter, and i LOOOOOOVE peanut butter cups :)

glad you had fun meeting.

Undaunted said...

Hahaha! Watch out Leanne! Jafabrit is going to hold you to ransom for your pieces!

I actually quite liked the peanut butter and chocolate combination, although the thought of it made me feel ill before I tried it! I suppose those American people know what they're doing sometimes! :) (But I'm still not convinced about peanut butter and jelly!)

Kathy L said...

Well it sounds like you were in heaven for those couple of days. Leanne is so talented. And you are so right about our chocolate unless it is from Fanny Mae (that is about the best we can do). European chocolate is to die for. Americans in general love peanut butter...My son eats two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch every day.

k

Undaunted said...

Oh, I thought it was good Kathy! I couldn't tell the difference! (Apart from the peanut butter thing!) I think we've only had one bar with peanut butter in before (chunky Kit Kat) and I think it was a bit of a trial thing.

I've not heard of Fanny Mae, but feel free to send me some! :)

Musings of a Mom said...

Great post! The swan pictures (between both blogs) were incredible--just beautiful birds. The bunny is adorable. I look forward to seeing him glazed.

The great chocolate debate! My favorite are the Lindor balls, but I do like Reeses. When we come to London, I'll have to try all that wonderful chocolate. Can't wait!

Undaunted said...

Do you not have many swans over there T?

That bunny is so cute - Scott has claimed him already!

I'll have to send you some chocolate so that you don't have to wait so long!

jafabrit said...

Oh yak, no I can't do the peanut butter and jelly (jam) thing. Nooooooooo. I can do peanut butter everything else, but not THAT.

Undaunted said...

Hehe, yeah that does sound quite nasty! It occurred to me the other day that peanut butter and chocolate spread would probably taste like a Reeses bar sandwich! :)