It is once again time to link into Friday’s Hunt and Weekend Reflections and the prompts this week are the letter X, Favourite and Wet (water). My word for X is XOCOLAATI. What, I hear you say! Let me explain. That word is made up from the words ’XOCOC’ meaning sour or bitter and ‘ati’ meaning WATER or drink and means chocolate. Here, bet you didn't know that!
The history of chocolate begins in Mesoamerica. Fermented beverages made from chocolate date back to 1900 BC. The Aztecs believed that cacao seeds were the gift of Quetzalcoat, the God of wisdom, and the seeds once had so much value that they were used as a form of currency.
Originally prepared only as a drink, chocolate was served as a bitter, frothy liquid, mixed with spices, wine, or corn puree. It was believed to have aphrodisiac powers and to give the drinker strength. Today, such drinks are also known as "Chilate" and are made by locals in the South of Mexico.
After its arrival to Europe in the sixteenth century, sugar was added to it and it became popular throughout society, first among the ruling classes and then among the common people. In the 20th century, chocolate was considered a staple, essential in the rations of United States soldiers at war.
Back to my Bonchurch series(Part 5). On our way to the very interesting cafe that I showed you on Wednesday we passed Bonchurch High Street that has an adjacent landscaped small pond, fed by a spring, on the site of former withy beds.
On the WATER were a few Mallard and Black headed gulls however I thought the reflections were lovely as the sun was out on this beautiful day in March.
Back to my Bonchurch series(Part 5). On our way to the very interesting cafe that I showed you on Wednesday we passed Bonchurch High Street that has an adjacent landscaped small pond, fed by a spring, on the site of former withy beds.
On the WATER were a few Mallard and Black headed gulls however I thought the reflections were lovely as the sun was out on this beautiful day in March.
Of course, your FAVOURITE may be the chocolate cake but that cannot be mine as I have promised my friend Linda that I will not eat biscuits or chocolate and she is doing the same and we are waiting to see who breaks first!! I think I deserve all those stars on that cake, for resisting the temptation to have a wedge! The staff in the cafe did not bat an eye when I asked 'just' to photograph the cake!
Many thanks for your visit and just one more day to go to finish this series.
Thanks for all those who leave comments.
Many thanks for your visit and just one more day to go to finish this series.
Thanks for all those who leave comments.
You have a whole lot of willpower! And it looks even better because it also has orange! Your chocolate information is very interesting! I think it was Montezuma who drank over 60 cups a day. Gorgeous mallard picture!
ReplyDeleteGinny I have not really got willpower to NOT eat choclate adn biscuits, this is why this system with Linda is working becasue I have to be honest with her (and myself)
DeleteLove the water shots - and admire your willpower. Is their a penalty for whoever weakens first?
ReplyDeleteNo, no penalty but yesterday linda and I went to see Me Before YOu, the film, very moving but sad at the end, anyway we decided that perhaps once a month we would be allowed a treat. I just might go back to have a slice of that chocolate orange cake!
DeleteOOOO the cake looks so good! i think I would have succumbed to temptation!
ReplyDeleteLovely water and reflections!
Well done for only photographing that cake Margaret, how did you resist it.{:))
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you resisted that glorious looking cake!
ReplyDeletejolis reflets sur les plumes vertes !
ReplyDeleteet envie de goûter un bout du gâteau au chocolat ;)
The water produces a number of fine reflections, including that Mallard duck.
ReplyDeleteWill power and great eye with the camera!
ReplyDeletewho do you think will break first !
ReplyDeletepeter
Beautiful reflections. Not eat chocolate? I don't think I could stay away from that for very long.
ReplyDeleteLove the reflections and that CAKE! YUM!! Might as well just call it calorie cake...LOL! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteWonderful reflections! I want some of that cake! Have a nice weekend. :-)
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, now I'm craving chocolate..... :)
ReplyDeleteYeah--- just send me the cake. I know it's low calorie, right? Hey, if you're gonna wish, you can wish whatever you want. Lovely light on Mr. Mallard.
ReplyDeleteChocolate by any other name is fine by me.
ReplyDeleteDid I mix the recipe? Will there be one?!
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine returned from Mexico Christmas trip with a marvelous bar of unsweetened chocolate meant to be dissolved in warm milk, and then whisked. Sugar to taste. It was awesome!
But then a familiar migraine kicked in and I headed to a dark room. But, oh, the memory.
good luck with your challenge eating no chocolate. sounds like you're doing a great job so far. the area you've photographed is beautiful. it looks so peaceful. have a great night~
ReplyDeletei love the nature photos and wish you won in that chocolate thing promise
ReplyDeleteThanks for the XOCOLAATI lesson, the things that I learn.
ReplyDeleteAww, i love chocolate!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat cake is to die for!
ReplyDeleteLoved this series of posts Margaret - glad you found the pool at Bonchurch :) I don't think I would have been able to resist that chocolate cake! Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat chocolate cake is hard to resist. Good for you for not giving in. Lovely series of photos this week. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeletevery pleasing reflection in the water :) Chocolate and ice, yummy
ReplyDeleteHow much willpower you have, to be that close to that lovely cake! The stars are yours!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that the chocolate does look pretty yummy! Wish I had a piece of that!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun history lesson! I do think that the cake looks delicious, and I'm impressed with your will power only photographing it. Lovely images of the water and duck. Thanks for joining in Friday's Hunt. Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have a piece of that cake :)
ReplyDeleteGreat series for the letter X