July 8, 2016 - Top Chocolate Shops in the World & Treats that are safe for your Horse

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 24 DAYS

Did Someone Say Chocolate?

So, what do you think -- did this week fly by for you as quickly as it did for me?

With the holiday week, I felt like I lost a day somewhere and kept thinking yesterday was Wednesday.  But, here we are at Friday.

And it also happens to be Foodie Friday.  Yesterday, in honor of 'Chocolate Day," I promised to tell you a bit about some of the the best Chocolatiers & Chocolate Shops around the country!

​But, before I do - a bit about our day yesterday...

My girlies did amazing this week riding.

Unfortunately, yesterday, Kelsey took a bit of a spill and bruised her shoulder.  Poor kid - she is such a trooper.  I wish I could say the same about her mom.  It more than FREAKS me out when these kids fall while riding.  UGH - so scary.

Apparently, it looked worse than it felt because after camp, all the girls came back to our hotel for a few hours to swim.  

Jumping around; splashing and having some good old fashioned fun, these girls ended the day with lots of laughs.

Needless to say, they were OUT COLD by 8:45!
One more day of riding today and then they have a two day break.

I have to tell you, I took about 20 pictures from the day; brought the camera so I could upload them to my blog....and what did I discover -- Gianna took the camera disk today!!
​So, I'll have to publish these tomorrow.

Back to Chocolate talk...
​I did a great deal of research the past two days about the "Best" chocolate and the best Chocolate shops around the world - couple that with my own experiences, and this is my list...  

After going through much, there were a few that came up time and again - here's my list...

Jacques Torres Chocolate, NYC

New York City, USA
Jacques Torres Chocolate
www.mrchocolate.com
Self-proclaimed “Mr. Chocolate,” pastry chef Jacques Torres is renowned for his chocolate-chip cookies and “wicked” spiced hot chocolate

Other sweet delights include chocolate-enrobed graham crackers, milk-chocolate covered pretzels and Cheerios, and chocolate-covered espresso beans and more.

Numerous locations located throughout NYC including Dumbo and Soho.
​

Bournemouth, England
Chocolate Hotel
www.thechocolateboutiquehotel.co.uk
Can you imagine an entire hotel that is chocolate themed?? Essentially allowing its guests to eat, breathe, and sleep chocolate!!

The Chocolate Hotel offers chocolate-tasting and chocolate-making classes - just right for this chocoholic!!

(What's more -- the hotel is on West Cliff, near both beach and downtown, giving guests the best of both worlds!)

Sachertorte, Vienna, Austria (c)chocoblog.com

Vienna
Sachertorte 
Sachertorte is named for its 1832 inventor, Franz Sacher. He created the dessert to impress his employer, Klemens Wenzel, Prince von Metternich, gaining fame and fortune for himself.

In 1876 his son Eduard opened Vienna’s Hotel Sacher—which is home to the decadent café. There are also four Sacher shops in Vienna.  

The original Sacher-Torte has been the most famous cake in the world since 1832 and the original recipe remains a well-kept secret of the hotel. Only the Original Sacher-Torte is produced according to this original recipe. 
​
I had the pleasure of visiting Sachertorte during both of my visits to Vienna!!

Well, I got through the first week of riding camp! Whew!  Gonna relax over the weekend and before beginning week two.

Unfortunately, I think the weather is not supposed to be great, but it might be a blessing in disguise since me and the girls could probably use some R&R.

We'll see.  I'd actually like to hit a movie this weekend - will keep you posted!

Toodles,
-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 8 DAYS

Horsey days & unlikely horsey treats

Yippie!! FRIDAY has arrived :)

Not that I actually have anything extraordinarily exciting planned for today, but I'm stoked that tomorrow is Saturday and that kicks off a
SUPER FUN few days that even includes another trip down to San Diego - which I haven't figured out how to categorize... should I call it a stay-cation?

I mean other local people call it a vacation when they go...but that just feels so wrong for me to do.

Anyhow, we've all got to pack for whatever it is that we are going to name it!

We'll also be loading the bikes, bathing suits, and lots of baseball fan wear - this is for the
87th MLB All Star Game and festivities which take place this year at Petco Park in downtown San Diego.

Here's a similar read:
Balloons, Biking, and Baseball - a Weekend in San Diego

​San Diego is definitely one of my favorites here in SoCal. It really has so much to offer! I've been taking the kiddos down there since they were wee babies, and I've been going since well before that!

​Here's a little San Diego style FLASHBACK FRIDAY for you:

Me and my lil' sweet pea in San Diego (c)travelincousins.com

With my cutie pies in San Diego (c)travelincousins.com

Me and the tiny tikes (both wearing their New Orleans shirts!) in San Diego (c)travelincousins.com

In San Diego with the kiddies and my friend Nick (c)travelincousins.com

On the USS Midway in San Diego (c)travelincousins.com

With some of the fam bam in La Jolla, San Diego (c)travelincousins.com

Me and my BIG kids in San Diego (c)travelincousins.com

Yesterday was another day at the stables for us.

(c)travelincousins.com

We had even saved some watermelon for Dream to try...to which she turned her nose up at!
LOL

Here's a list of safe treats to give your horse:

• Apples, cut into pieces; red delicious and not the sour types 
• Apricots (pitted)***
• Bananas 
• Beets
• Blueberries 
• Cantaloupe including rinds
• Carrots
• Celery
• Cherries (pitted)
• Cranberries
• Dates (pitted)
• Grapes-seedless, red or green
• Green beans
• Guava
• Iceberg lettuce
• Oranges and orange & lemon rinds
• Parsnips (careful-foliage causes skin photosensitivity and a rash)
• Peaches (pitted)
• Pears (pitted)
• Plums- prunes (pitted)
• Raisins, seedless-
• Split peas
• Strawberries (can include the tops)
• Sweet potato
• Squashes (pumpkins, butternut, acorn, zucchini)
• Watermelon including rinds

It sure is interesting and kinda funny as what these horses like and don't like.
Dream loves Plums and apparently hates Watermelon. While Star hates Apples and loves Carrots

I also was very happy to get my workout in yesterday; I got some needed shopping out of the way, took Dominic to his classes, and even briefly hit up the mall.

Tomorrow will be a busy one and part of tomorrows plan is to hit up the mall for which I have a list that needs some checking off:

• Cosette needs a dress for the upcoming wedding.
• Dave needs an ascot. 
• I need clear lens for my new Oakley sunglasses - for mountain biking. 
• I've got to get some batteries replaced on a few watches.
• Shopping for what Dominic will wear to the wedding.
• I'll be on the look out for an outfit or two for a couple of upcoming European photo shoots.
• Oh and I also need some bubble bath!

​
As far as today goes, we are heading back to the stables for Cosette's horseback riding lesson.
GOSH such a HORSEY life for these kids of ours!

My itty bitty Cosette with baby Dream (c)travelincousins.com

And that is about all the time I have for now, gotta get on the road!

Have a Great One!
​-T