Nonetheless, that’s what we were doing Tuesday morning as we sat ensconced in our chairs in the front room, necks craned so we could see over the windowsill. After the trash was hauled away, and we completed our discussion on the pros and cons of end loading versus side loading, Dave made breakfast, and I sat down to check my To-Do list. Number 1, organizing!
And that is how later that afternoon, I found myself standing in the kitchen surveying the innards of my chocolate lover’s cupboard. It’s packed with milk, dark, and mixed confections, and it was certainly time to sort through them. Sadly I knew we would never eat most of it and that at least some goodies needed to go to a new home where every morsel would be appreciated. My gaze shifted to the other end of the counter. Hmmm, Perhaps the spice cupboard should receive the same attention. It was chock full of seasonings in clear jars with no name. I don’t bother labelling because my theory is that since I taste everything before it goes into a pan - and since baking is a rare event anyway - desserts etc. will turn out fine. There was that one time I used salt instead of sugar and didn’t discover it until my guests took their first bite of cake. Except for everyone being a little thirsty for the rest of the evening, we all survived. So, yes, it was definitely time to give that cabinet the once over too.
I love chocolate, but ‘out of sight’ really is out of mind, and it works quite well for us. Now you might ask, then why do you collect so much? Especially if you are storing most of it? It is a fair question, and I can assure you that it is entirely my fault. I consistently over-buy at Christmas, completely forgetting, or rather, ignoring that our kids do not eat as many sweets as when they were younger primarily because they are all trying to maintain healthier lifestyles. One filled with more leafy greens and less sugar. But when I hit the stores in December and the magic of the season is all around me, I succumb to my impulse to buy edible memories. Memories of my younger years when all of us could eat mounds of cookies, cake, and chocolate but not put on any weight because we were active, working it off shovelling snow and tobogganing down the hill.
When Oscar’s Deli still operated in Regina, it was heaven on earth to walk in there. The smell of cured and smoked sausage mixed with the aroma of fresh Maple Leaf Bakery buns always took me back to when Mom’s Christmas supply, ordered weeks in advance, would show up at the bus station in Swift Current. It was so exciting to open that box; bratwurst, blood sausage, weisswurst, wieners, cookies, marzipan, mini cakes and chocolate - rich, German chocolate - spilled out onto the table. Before the shop closed for good in 2014, I bought plum spread, curry ketchup, canned soups, and of course, all the chocolate I could find. You would not believe how much I miss that place.
So anyway. Some of my chocolate had to go. And it did. I have friends who would never turn down a bar offered in friendship. Between them and family, I got the pile down to a manageable level - one that Dave and I can munch on until November when I will likely, despite assurances to myself that I will not, bring in a fresh supply all over again. I was also able to pare down the spice cupboard. Away to my daughter went the red chilli pepper flakes, turmeric, curry and mustard powder, all bought for my imaginary culinary life. I kept the cloves and cinnamon sticks for hot apple cider, a drink I rather like. I didn’t label a thing. I still trust my taste buds more than my eyesight.
And that was that. Two more tasks crossed off the list. Both got me through a gloomy day, and by the time supper rolled around, I was ready to eat and then take Dave on in a rousing game of Scrabble. We’re not much for snacking before bed, but one of these days, we might try popcorn drizzled with chocolate as our evening munchie. It’s not as exciting as garbage pickup day, but it will have to do.
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Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the writer.