Oh Oh!

[Mistress Muffy]

I have not been out on New Year's Eve in ages.

New Hubby just invited me to accompany him on New Years Eve to his high school reunion!

The muffster>>>>>>>what am I gonna wear??

[Mummy deer-est]

where is it?

[Nancj]

Same here I can't ever remember being out on New Years eve, Just recieved an invite to my cousins wedding for that day, should be fun.
As what to wear, when in doubt go in black. always timeless, always classic, always sexy.

[Sickie Ickie]

And always slimming. Worked in the 1940's and still works for today!

[Mistress Muffy]

this is hilarious......ever since Mummy asked where it was going to take place.....I keep forgetting to ask him! Oh what happens to the brain as we age!!lol


The Muffster

Yes I do have a classic black dress in the closet.....but sexy???? fraid not!!lol

[Sickie Ickie]

I'm sure you could make a burlap sack look sexy Muff. :)

[Mummy deer-est]

Sickie Ickie >>> a man who actually knows how to give compliments! :D

I try to go with jeans, black boots, and a cute cleavage showing shirt (but in a not trampy way ;) )...as long as the venue allows. So if it is at a bar you could do that....otherwise, I agree that a black dress or slacks would be nice.

[Nancj]

I tried to go the burlap route one year but I didn't get the sexy look I was going for, I looked more like a scarecrow..... oh wait, that was for Halloween!?!? never mind!

[Sickie Ickie]

Nancj- LOL At least you got the turns of heads. ;)

Mummy, hey- if you got it flaunt it. :D

[Mistress Muffy]

I agree...on the flaunting what you have!!! But kids my flaunting days are over & done!! lol
Well Sickie on that burlap comment........Thank You so much, such a charming thing to say!! I did buy a new belly dancing costume last year!! Maybe they'll need some form of entertainment!!lol

The Mistress

[Mistress Muffy]

OK....I finally found out where the Reunion thingy is gonna be on New Years!

There is a old renovated mansion in Thomasville that they turned into a restaurant...that is where the party will be!! Guess that sounds like "the Black Dress!"

Muffer

[Mummy deer-est]

Yep, do it up, Muf!

[bethene]

Sounds fun!- I agree- a classic little black dress is always perfect!

[Mistress Muffy]

Well here I am bringing another old thread back to life!!lol

We went to the reunion on New Year's Eve, 1st off it was not in a renovated old mansion turned into a restaurant! It was in one of Thomasville's oldest renovated dept. stores from the old days when Thomasville furniture ruled that town! It was just lovely to say the least the way they had it decorated...it was like being in a fancy hotel! The buffet of finger foods was also put together nicely, started with a chocolate fountain & trays of fresh fruit, there was a couple of large crudite trays, a delcious type of spinach dip that was served warm in a chafing dish, korean spring rolls, (very well done I might add...most people cook them to long but these were supurb). Some type of round chicken w. cheese inside , delicious meatballs & punch. It was delicious & the table was decorated very high class, just beautiful. Also had an open bar!

The music was the best....all that music from the 60's when these guys were in school. I met a lot of Joe's friends and heard stories that he will never live down! Then everyone started to dance...Oh My God these people were dancin fools!! It was such fun to watch them! So yes my dear friends...it was worth going!!

Oh yes and to comment on my dilemma......I went out & bought a new outfit.....black velvet pants with a top that had a long jacket that came to above my knee...I'm pretty tall so I can get away w/ long jackets.......it was all copper colored glitter.....so you could not forget me...cause I left a trail where ever I went!!! Long live the Muffster!!lol


Muf

[Mummy deer-est]

Sounds like a great time, Muf! And you sound like you looked great!

It actually sounds like the xmas party for my hubbys work....very good food, open bar, but no dancing, unfortunatly, b/c we love to people watch! I would have loved to watch at yours!

[Sickie Ickie]

how tall are ya Muf?

[Nancj]

So glad to hear you had a great time. I agree, watching other people dance can be quite entertaining. And what is it about a chocolate fountain at a party? I had my husband buy me one for my b-day last year not because I love chocolate but because it just makes any party even more fancy.
and what better way to show up at a New Years party then to be all decked out in GLITTER! I bet you looked beautiful!
Like I said before I had my cousins wedding to go to that day, until she called the night before and said that the wedding was called off, sure I felt bad for her, but boo hoo for me all dressed up and nowhere to go.:(
oh well maybe I'll get lucky and get to go out somewhere next year.

[Sickie Ickie]

Isn't that the atheist slogan after death? "all dressed up and nowhere to go." ? :p

[Nancj]

LMAO!!! thats me!!

[Mummy deer-est]

Aw, that is horrible nancj. Must of stunk to have to call it off the night before.

I also have a chocolate fountain, but I can't get the darn chocolate right for the life of me! It was so messy the first/last time I used it, that I'm thinking I'm going to give it away -- unless you have any tips!?

[Sickie Ickie]

yep- try using syrup instead of hard chunks.

[Mistress Muffy]

SIckie I'm 5'9

Mummy I had problems w/ mine too....my Aunt got me a little one(there is a photo of it in my halloween food album).....found out that the chocolate I used was just too thick..I used my dipping chocolate. This year in running around I have seen stores carrying special chocolate that has more wax in it for perhaps a more fuildy chocolate that goes thru the machine easier. Is that what you were talking about?

Muf

[Mistress Muffy]

Sickie just saw what you posted here....Yes you definately don't want to start with chunks cause those little machines have a low temperature to keep your chocolate melted...it won't melt chunks quick enough for you to use. I put already melted chocolate that I had melted in my tempering machine in it...but still I use virgin couveture so its thick as hell...no additives.

Muf

[Nancj]

I had problems with mine also the first time I used it. The first time I used it I used regular hershey chocolate, it was too thick and the more oil you use the more it loses its flavor. then I tried using a more expensive chocolate like Ghiradelis(s/p)? it melts a lot better and is thinner. also mine has a little wheel on the bottom that helps to adjust the level so that the chocolate can flow smoothly, I didn't realize that until the third time I tried it. that seemed to help a bit. also you can buy a liquid chocolate that comes in a bag meant to be used in fountains, saves on having to melt it first.

[Nancj]

My bad, the chocolate isn't in liquid form you just don't need to add any oils to it.

http://www.sephrafountains.com/sephra-fondue-chocolate.htm
http://www.chocolatefountainchocolate.com/fountainchocolate.htm?gclid=CJrqvY307JACFVB1OAod7G PiiA

[Mummy deer-est]

yeah, we used ghirideli too, with the oil, but it just didn't work. I think if I added more oil it might, but like you said, I don't want it to be too oilly. Also, it is a freakin mess to clean. Really really messy.
What is your dipping chocolate, Muf?

[Mistress Muffy]

I use to dip all my candies in Ghiradelli...very fine chocolate with a wonderful flavor. These companies that sell bulk chocolate to the candy & baking industry are at all the trade shows. I thought Joe would go nuts when I took him to the candy convention. Every booth has free samples...he ate like crazy & thought it was wonderful!!

Anyways....I cannot get Ghiradelli out here. I buy chocolate in 50lb.cases. To change coatings was a huge ordeal. It takes a lot of time to find the right chocolate to go with various centers. When moving to NC I was not sure what we were gonna do. Ghiradelli would not even sell it to me by pallets. SO I finally told them on the phone>>>>>Screw you guys!! 25 yrs of using their chocolate & they act like that. Lots of distributors were saying that since Ghiradelli started selling their candies & candy bars that ordering 50lb. cases of chocolate was getting harder & harder, they are not interested in selling to the small manufactuer anymore. SO......we shopped for quite awhile to find a new chocolate. Now I use Callebaut.....its $113.00 MORE a case than my old price. But the flavor is simply outstanding.

Callabaut has a domestic chocolate made here in the states but I use their imported brand its just made differently. Its hard to find the right chocolate.....many of the chocolate companies sell anywhere from 15-30 different kinds of chocolate. Its up to the candymaker to find the perfect marriage between chocolate flavor & the center. When attending the shows we taste chocolates like you would wines. Cleansing the palette between tastings. I still am on the hunt for a good sweet dark chocolate. No luck yet.


Muf

[Sickie Ickie]

wouldn't you have to make the sweetness yourself to marry with the fruitiness of the dark?

[Nancj]

Mmmm Muffy, You made my mouth water with all that talk about chocolate. your so lucky you can go to those candy conventions. there was one held in Chicago I think last year at the McCormick Center I had wanted to go But alas, it was not open to the general puplic.:eek: CURSES!!!!
so in the end I had to conjure up other creative ways on how to rot my teeth and gain weight.:(
(It was easier than I thought)
So if ever your in Chicago for a candy convention, give a girl a call, I'd be more than happy to accompany you.

[Mistress Muffy]

Nancj....the last time I went to that show I came home with shopping bags of free candy.

That is the National Confectioners Show where approx. 900 candy companies show their product to buyers. No outsiders & no kids allowed. They do have a special party for kids one morning of the show & its great. Hords of candies and cake & ice cream. They have a clown do a show & it ended with them taking all the kids to see an IMAX movie there.

I been attending the Retail Confectioners Show in Philadelphia. Its more of a show for manufacturers. Within the next 24 months I should be geared up enough to show my products at the NCA show in Chicago, I'll call you and you can come and hand out samples for my booth!!!

Muf

[Noel]

Wow - how awesome to be able to attend a candy show!! I see them all the time on food network programs! I just finished watching one show that was focused on coffee!

[Mistress Muffy]

Yes Noel...there are several candy shows a year. People attend to buy 6 months prior to the season.

Also many attend just for the great deals the companies give us. For instance I ordered $3000.00 worth of printed box lids, buying them at the show I got free shipping which saved me a lot of money. I also went to purchase a new tempering machine, but because I bought a floor model they were showing at the show I got an $8300.00 machine for $5600.00. I was thrilled to say the least.

Lots of the vendors have show specials so lots of people attend to get in on these deals. Plus there are classes given by a lot of the industry experts and also the opportunities to see whats new. Its an all around great experience. When I come home I'm just psyched!

Muf

[Noel]

Wowza, Mistress Muffy! What a great deal of money you saved!! Your job sounds so delicious and exciting!

[Sickie Ickie]

I think the big tadoo last year was aerated chocolate.

[Mistress Muffy]

Noel...it is really fun!

Now Sickie...what is aerated chocolate?

Muf

[Nancj]

Nancj....
I been attending the Retail Confectioners Show in Philadelphia. Its more of a show for manufacturers. Within the next 24 months I should be geared up enough to show my products at the NCA show in Chicago, I'll call you and you can come and hand out samples for my booth!!!

Muf

You just became my new BFF :happyfatsanta:
I can't wait, do let me know.... I would be more than Happy to help out. then we can party around town in the city!! who knows what mischief we can get into :twisted:( I'm loving these new icons)

[Sickie Ickie]

aerated chocolate is chocolate that has lots and lots of bubbles in it. Let's see...

http://www.bubblechocolate.com/

Heralded as a new breakthrough in chocolate sensation. :)

[Nancj]

That sounds soooo YUMMY!!!

[Mistress Muffy]

Ichkie ...what would I do without you? You find all the unusual chocolate items for me! Thank You so much!

Nancj it has been awhile since I "Partied" in Chicago. When I get there my family has 5 million activities planned...I'm worn out from those trips home!!!lol But we do have a good time! It could be 25 degrees below zero & my Aunt is still raring to go!

Muf

[Sickie Ickie]

Yep, here in IL we learn to dress in layers...and layers..and layers....

[Nancj]

me I'm trying to shed my layers even if I have to freeze my @$$ off:)