It’s so very cold outside, and this morning the idea of sitting by a roaring log fire with a mug of steaming hot chocolate in my hands with a good book to keep me company was very appealing.
My reality was that at 7am this morning I was leading my daughter’s horse down to her field as the snow was billowing sideways into my face. Struggling to attach the haynet in the bitterly cold wind, my hands were throbbing painfully and as I trudged back up the path, I was wondering why on earth I had agreed to do the morning shift!
I arrived at the chocolate factory, a wet & bedraggled windswept mess, my carefully blow dried hair, ( in preparation for my meetings) along with my Nigella notion of log fires, fairy lights and hot chocolates a dim and distant memory.
What is it about the thought of hot chocolate and winter days?
I do wonder why the two go together so well and whether it’s because of precious childhood memories, or those classic romantic movies we may deny liking, but secretly enjoy watching. Even if we would never usually think of drinking a hot chocolate, when the snow falls it’s one of those powerful associations we have that brings out the romantic side of our nature.
Of course, I am fortunate in that sitting at my desk I have a choice of six deliciously and equally tempting hot chocolates, (one to suit every mood) And, with the ready excuse of quality control, I can allow myself permission to enjoy one at any time!
So, the most difficult part is to choose which to enjoy, and that’s a whole new story…