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Monday, May 4, 2009

(Looky Looky) Many Thanks.

Would you just look at this gorgeous bar of chocolate I received in the mail last week? It was from my favorite CheeseWench over at Cheese is Alive! She did a post telling us all about her visit to Marion Street Cheese Market in Oak Park (Chicago-area) and preceded to tease...uh, tell us about the amazing Dark Chocolate Gouda Bar she tried. DARK CHOCOLATE GOUDA BAR!!!! Are you kidding me? Suddenly, I couldn't think straight. I was salivating. How long would it take me to get to Oak Park? Mmmmm..dark chocolate. Is there a link to their website? Mmmmm..Gouda. What did she say the name of that place was? Et cetera, et cetera. When I finished reading the rest of the post (I'm sure I did, though all I can remember is dark chocolate Gouda bar) I promptly found the website for Marion Street Cheese Market...wait a minute! No order form! What! Seriously, I need to get to Chicago. Fast forward to some time later, after many deep breaths and slow counting. CheeseWench has posted an update! Marion Street Cheese Market will ship these. But, since she is so awesome, she offered to send a bar to the first ten readers who emailed her (and vowed to send her something yummy in return)! Can you say Lightning Fingers? Anxiety that I was too late? Losing nails in anticipation? But YES I did it. I made it into the top 10. And she's quick. When I walked in the door from work a few days later, there was a beautiful manila package addressed to me sitting on the kitchen table. Here, my dear friends, is what it contained: I didn't know whether to rip it open with wild abandon or carefully pick the sticker off with my somewhat re-grown fingernails. So, I took a deep breath and proceeded midway between the two. I ripped that stick on the back right in half and slowly peeled back the plastic while that warm, cocoa smell wafted gently, yet forcefully toward my nose. It was so beautiful; so lovingly hand crafted. I broke off a few squares to expose the shards of aged Gouda that were nestled inside.

I didn't really want to shove the whole thing in my mouth (well, I kind of did) because I knew this was it. It was meant to be savored...enjoyed...reveled in. So, I ate three squares and folded the rest back into the wrapper for later. It was like heaven on my tongue. The chocolate was so smooth and creamy. The Gouda was generously studded throughout...it was salty and almost tasted smokey; it was a bit crumbly, because it's been aged for 2 years and it was perfect! I am the kind of person who equally enjoys sweet and salty. If I eat a piece of chocolate, I like a salty nut to balance it out (think Raisinettes in your popcorn...oh, or Reese's pieces in your popcorn...that's me). So, it is my dream bar of chocolate. Thank you so much CheeseWench...you have made my week. I will be getting a hold of you next time I head to Chicago (to stock up on these if nothing else). I made myself save 1 little square until I was done publicly worshipping it...goodbye lovely chocolate...until next time.

I also wanted to take this time to thank some people who have blessed me with some awards recently. Giz and Psychgrad over at Equal Opportunity Kitchen have given me:

Thank you, I love it...and I always look forward to reading your blog! If you don't know this awesome mother and daughter team, head on over to Equal Opportunity Kitchen and pay them a visit! There are so many blogs that I find adorable and love to read. I have passed awards on to many in the past, but would like to pass this on to a couple of my newest foodie blogger friends: Teresa at A Blog About Food Kim at The Ungourmet and to my (non-foodie, in that she doesn't blog about food. But she does like food and visits me often to let me know that!) blogger friend: Tanielle at The Polka Dot Daisy. Teresa at A Blog about Food passed the Premio Meme award my way...since I shared 7 of my personality traits with you HERE, I won't put you through it again. But, if you didn't see them and want to...they've pretty much stayed the same. Thank you Teresa :) And, since I did pass it on to some people not too long ago, I'll hold off on passing it for now...UNLESS of course you want to grab the badge and share with us...I'm always up to learn more about my favorite bloggers!

I also want to give a BIG, SPARKLY thank you to Kim from The Ungourmet for calling me Awe-Summm (I do think I'm the Queen of ALLL Things, at least at home...or so I'm told)! For this award, we're supposed to share 7 Awe-Summm things about our self. Hmmm.... 1. I'm modest...I have a hard time naming awesome things about myself (unless it comes to my food...then I'm pretty straight-forward).

2. I am a wonderful mama...my babies are my world and I would give, do, or say anything at all for them. They have made me a better, smarter, kinder, gentler, wiser person.

3. I once bought two fat bags and filled them with groceries to give to a woman on the side of the road (with a sign...she was down on her luck). I had the kiddos with me...hope they will always practice compassion and kindness and sharing.

4. I've been to 26 Dave Matthews concerts (and countless others)...I love live music!

5. I am a shareholder in an Organic, Grass-fed Dairy Farm. I milk cows. I drink raw milk.

6. I dazzle Mexicans with my homemade Mexican food...mexichef is actually Mexican...I only cook like it ;)

7. I want to make the world a better place in any little way that I can. And I mean it.

So, who should I pass this on to? There are a lot of Awe-Summm people out there.... how about:

Donna at My Tasty Treasures

Jenn at Bread + Butter

Jaime and Jen at Jaime & Jenn Dish

Liz and Lisa at Chick Lit is Not Dead

Thanks again for all of this fun stuff and go check out the other blogs if you don't visit them already...they're all great!

***I almost forgot to remind you about my HOT giveaway for May....don't forget to enter!***

Would you like to comment?

  1. Oh, lucky you with all those chocolates.. they sound delicious.

    Congrats on all your awards you so deserve them for this wonderful blog.

    And a huge XXOO for passing this award on to me.. Haven't seen this one, love the sparkles. You made my dreary rainy NJ morning:) Thank you.

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  2. ...you're welcome, Donna! Aren't the sparkles so happy :)

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  3. I am a sweet/salty person as well (that's why trail mix is dangerous in my hands). I can't imagine chocolate with cheese in it. I think I may have died and gone to heaven.

    26 dave matthews concerts?!?!? You are a force to be reckoned with.

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  4. Girlichef!!!

    Thanks for the awesome shout out! We love your site too, even though it always makes us hungry!


    xoxo Liz and Lisa

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  5. Thank-you sooo much!!! I sure don't fit in with the rest of these amazing "food" bloggers:)...so I feel even more honored!!!! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!!!

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  6. Hey girlichef -
    glad you are enjoying the Choco/Gouda bars! please contact me at MSCM if you need any more. We do ship! -Michelle @ marionstreetcheesemarket dot com

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  7. I love the CheeseWench too!!!

    Congrats on your awards, you definitely deserve them!!

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  8. Congrats on your awards! Your blog is adorable and you are awe-summm so you totally deserve them. Love your description of you and the chocolate bar... spoken like a true chocoholic. :)

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  9. Congratulations on your well-deserved awards.

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  10. Wow, dark chocolate & gouda...Who'd've thunk it? It sounds odd to me, but your description is amazing and now I am very curious. I just visited a gouda factory a week ago. Perhaps the next time I'm there, I should suggest this to them!

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  11. Hey, Girli! Congrats on all the awards - you so deserve them. You and your blog are fabulous!

    My fave has to be the one with the sparkly bling. I'm all about bling, and my poor DH *knows* it. :-)

    Hope you have a great week!

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  12. Man, that sounds like heaven to me!

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  13. Oh wow, that chocolate looks/sounds amazing! I'm also a big sweet and salty fan and ghouda is one of my favorite cheeses. I might just have to order a bar of that.

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  14. I love sweet and salty too!

    Wow! 26! You must really like him! I think he should ask you up on stage with him for a song! I have been to 1 big concert, Alan Jackson and Martina. I also went to Country Fest and saw Keith Urban. That's about it for me!

    Thank you for the lovely award!

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  15. It me again! I tried to pick up my award but for some reason I can't click on it???

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  16. Oh My, I would ripe that right out of your hands, lol, no just use my pouty eyes to beg for a little teeny piece! Yummy girli- and congrats on the award, as your cheery, fun, and yummy post deserve it!

    Congrats to the others!

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  17. Thank you so much! What a cute award! The chocolate sounds so good! It's so fun learning more about my foodblog friends. I'm a Dave Matthews fanatic too, although I haven't been to any of their concerts yet, some day!

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  18. Duh! I know this! Where is my brain today! I picked it up and thanks again!

    Happy Monday!

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  19. Girlichef, your post made me smile. Your excitement, anticipation, and worship just spilled out all over the page!

    Congratulations on your awards. They're fun.

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  20. Awww...Thanks a bunch. I really appreciate it. Very kind of you to pass it along to me. =)

    Chocolate is like another best friend of mine. LOL. Yummy!!

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  21. Wow, this sounds really interesting. Once I had a milk chocolate and bacon bar. It actually tasted pretty good!

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  22. That sounds yummy, yummy, yummy! I'm impressed with your restraint to save the rest of the package for later!

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  23. Chicago, really?!?! Come on - they really should make stuff like this available to all of us, it's sad : ( Oh well, I'm still marveling over the combo of Gouda and Dark Chocolate - enjoy a square for me!

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  24. holy crap and a half! that candy mar sounds amazing!!!!!!!!

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  25. Dar can you send some karma my way? You are so very lucky. I have to say that chocolate bar is so unique. I am like you, salty and sweet!! Thanks for sharing the description and photos!! Are you feeling better?

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  26. What an interesting bar of chocolate. I am so curious! I have to wrap my taste buds around one of my own!! Thanks for sharing those tidbits about yourself. The more I find out about you the more I love you!!!

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  27. Congratulations on your awards and for your surprise treat! I have got to try those chocolates. I'm on a salty/savory and sweet combo kick right now and that sounds too tempting.

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  28. Thanks for the shout out Dar-Heather-Chef :)... There I got all three and you know who you are.

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  29. ...Sara- chocolate and bacon! Holy cow..I want to try that!

    ...Gin- yes :) I'm at about 90%-much better than before

    ...Reeni- aw, thanks!

    ...and everybody thanks for your congrats and I wish I could share my last square w/ everyone :)

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  30. I am SO jealous! I totally wanted one of these awesome bars. I often talk about how I adore the combination of chocolate and cheese and I have GOT to get my hands on one of these!

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  31. That chocky looks to die for girlichef.......
    Do you need for me to run by and help you "get rid" of a bit of it with you????
    I love that the kitty snaps :)

    Steady On
    Reggie Girl

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  32. I've tried a chocolate cheese before but not a cheese chocolate - I would love to try this gouda chocolates! Yum! Congrats on the awards!

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  33. Congtats on the awards and I enjoyed getting to know you better with the facts about you that you shared.

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  34. wow i'm drooling over those chocolates........and congrats on all ur awards, u surely deserve them!

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  35. Girlichef, you've won my heart with your chocolate. I also love the taste of the salt and sweet together. I like eating M & M's with popcorn. The taste is divine. Great job your doing to help Gloria out with her book. :)

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  36. Chocolate and cheese sound like a great combination. Congrats on your awards. Well deserved.

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  37. The chocolate sounds wonderful. Congrats on the awards. You have a beautiful blog.

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  38. Lucky you with all that chocolate! Now i am drooling and wondering where i can get mine!

    Congrts on your awards. You have an incredible blog!

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  39. I'm so glad to hear that you got the chocolate, and that they will ship to you for any future cheese studded chocolate desires (although truth be told I like our barter system best). I must admit that when I bought the bars for everyone, I did buy one for myself. It's just so Goud-a ;)

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  40. What a sweet post. You deserve the awards - for passing light on - and love how you enjoyed the chocolate. Think you made the giver very happy!

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  41. Wow, I had not heard of a dark chocolate gouda bar, but you make it sound irresistible. Now I just have to figure out how to get me halfway across the country to get some ;)
    Speaking of dark chocolate: do you happen to have a favorite killer recipe for hot chocolate? I've been experimenting lately, and seem to have dark chocolate, thick luscious drinks on the brain. And thought if you had a great recipe to share, maybe you would. Ok, now I'd better check your site thoroughly because maybe you already have :)

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  42. Congrats on your awards! well-deserved!

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  43. Hugs! Thanks for your comment. Let me know how your daughter likes snickerdoodles! :)

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  44. Oh my! Yum and yum! I love raisins and salted peanuts, so I can just imagine! Aged Gouda and dark chocolate sounds just amazing!

    And congrats on all the awards! Very well done! Yay!

    And I'd love to try your Mexican food!

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  45. You are making me hungry for chocolate with this post.

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