Craving Sweet Furniture 
Attitude of Gratitude
It’s the day after Thanksgiving and I’m stuffed with gratitude for so many things and so many people. Here’s one snapshot that encompasses the source of much of that gratitude, taken by photographer Millie Holloman. From left to right, you see my family: Pascal, me, my Mom, my baby brother, Chad, my sister-in-law, Cara, my Dad and my brother, Trevor.
We are a family of "do-ers"; we show our love by doing things for each other. And it seems that Pascal and I are often the beneficiaries of all of that "doing". Here is a short and very incomplete list of things our family has "done" for us and for our business this year: steam clean carpets; move heavy furniture and a piano countless times; make bon bon deliveries; assemble boxes for our party favors; sew South ‘n France logo patches on Pascal’s chef jackets; work as "staff" at Chocolate Festivals; chauffeur temporary employees; run errands; deliver bon bons; pin countless safety pins on these cute but insanely high maintenance baby-themed favors I designed; loan us vehicles, tools, cameras, kitchen appliances, and a host of other miscellaneous items as needed; serve as "seat fillers" for special events; donate items to our "Business-is-Slow-and-We-Need-Cash-Flow" garage sale; feed us; comfort us; cheer us on; and so much more. Any success that we enjoy in our business is due to the countless acts of love that our family and dear friends so generously give us behind the scenes. We are grateful for all of you and we’re so thankful for all that you do!
Since our wedding, it has been our tradition to buy at least one Christmas decoration in each new place we visit. This year, we traveled to Buffalo for my brother’s wedding and then on to Quebec City for a mini-vacation. While in Buffalo, we shopped at 
In a few months, we’ll be celebrating our third full year in business. I have two outfits that I wear regularly as The Bon Bon Queen, but as we reach the end of Year Three, I’ve been longing for a third look. One look per year is more than reasonable for a queen, n’est-ce pas?
Growing up, I didn’t have a cool lunch pail like the other kids; no Muppets or Strawberry Shortcake tin box with the matching thermos for me. Mom said that they rusted too easily and weren’t worth the money, so I had to carry a Tupperware lunch box or an insulated cooler bag instead. Although those Tupperware lunchboxes are becoming hot collectibles now, at the time they were the epitome of uncool. Not only did Mom make me carry an embarrassing lunchbox, she always filled it with good, healthy food; no Doritos snack packs, Capri-Sun pouches or Lunchables would ever be found in my lunchbox. Instead, I got egg salad or tuna sandwiches 
with little cups of homemade Tapioca pudding and other home-cooked wonders. Although it was difficult to appreciate at the time, looking back I see an endless parade of love-filled lunches, including the occasional sappy, hand-written note or surprise message from Mom. In the fourth and fifth grades, Mom even packed me double lunches (especially on egg salad days) because the very tall and intimidating class bully, Verna, thought my Mom’s lunches were the tastiest. Years later, when I was home on a break from college, Verna and I crossed paths again in a shopping mall. She sought me out, gave me a big hug, and told me that she still has fond memories of those egg salad sandwiches. I’m proud that my Mom’s lunches made an impact not just on her own kids, but on others too.
It seems that showing love to your kids via their lunches is a worldwide tradition that’s still going strong. Check out this 
most. As the city spruces up for the holidays the hustle and bustle on the streets increases, and the air is filled with a happy electricity, a sort of infectious spirit-infused energy that I just cannot describe. I loved spending my weekends roaming the streets of Manhattan at this time of the year, discovering its many charms. For example, one cool fall day, I put on my favorite hat and scarf and traveled down to the Village with my friend Vanessa. First, we enjoyed an English tea at the very famous 
After our warm pots of tea, our finger sandwiches, and our scones with clotted cream, we wandered through the neighborhood’s tree-lined streets, exploring the fabulous independent boutiques that sell everything from children’s clothes to jewelry to luggage and gifts. Eventually, we stumbled upon 
Meet Star Sosa, jewelry designer, business woman and now… publisher! Star (who is just as brilliant as her name suggests) is the owner of 
For more of my tips on entertaining and to get a great appetizer recipe (Bacon-Wrapped Pecan-Stuffed Dates) visit the electronic version of the 
So, it’s happened again! Another foodie-focused company, 
Speaking of food recognition, while browsing the GourmetByMail site, I found 
From time to time, I like to share some of the trends that I’m hearing about in the chocolate world. Here’s a crazy one! We all know that there are many things that taste even better when dipped in chocolate: cherries, strawberries, pretzels, and bon bons to name a few. But what about tequila, cheese, and cauliflower? If that doesn’t whet your palate, how about chocolate biscuits encrusted with chicken skin? 
Mount Olive Pickles: Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Inc., located at the Corner of Cucumber & Vine in Mount Olive, North Carolina, got its start in 1926, with only a 3,600 square foot building and $19,500 in capital, Mt. Olive has grown to be the best selling brand of pickles in the Southeast, and the second best-selling brand of pickles in the country.
Texas Pete Hot Sauce: They fooled you with the name, didn’t they? That pistol-packin’ hot sauce isn’t from Texas; it’s from Winston-Salem, NC. Inventor Thad Garner acquired a hand-written barbeque recipe, added hot peppers, vinegar and salt and created Texas Pete. The story goes that Garner originally wante
d to call the sauce "Mexican Joe", but Garner’s father insisted on all-American name.
Hardee’s Hamburgers: Wilber Hardee opened his first namesake restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina in 1960. Five months later he had his first franchisee. Now, his burger chain has spread to become a favorite throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern United States.