Written by This was one of my favorite kinds of chocolate bars when I was young. For those unfamiliar, Twix originated in the UK in the late 60’s and was introduced to the US in the late 70’s when I was still in grade school. They typically came in pairs of two biscuits covered in caramel and milk chocolate. The name is a radical shortening of “twin biscuits” or what the literary would call a portmanteau, which is an overly long and complex word to describe smushing words together into one, like smog and Microsoft. Later, they would make a ton of different “flavor” options, but I’d graduated to plain old dark chocolate bars by then. I guess it was seeing all the recent Halloween candy on display in stores last month that made this one pop into my head first. Either way, it’s a good excuse to try one again!
Though I loved these treats growing up, I discovered wine pairs far better with a deep dark rich chocolate so that’s my true favorite these days. Also, I love the simplicity and intensity of a pure chocolate flavor. My absolute preferred chocolate is Christopher Elbow, our Kansas City chocolatier, now also available in San Francisco. These chocolates are rather expensive, so they’re only consumed on birthdays and holidays, but they’re a wonderful treat that’s worth every penny in the pleasure they provide. What I love most about these chocolates is that they are visually stunning. Each one is painted in an array of elegant and beautiful patterns making them each a tiny bite-sized work of art. And the taste is equally amazing, so the entire experience is magical.
As I grow older, I’ve past the time where I can just consume any little piece of chocolate sitting about. Mostly because of that damn slower metabolism I’ve mentioned here before. But these are the little treats from my past that I remember dearly. The ones that made life happy. And as we head into an important election here in the States tomorrow, it’s the little things like this that can make me manage to feel good about life. As a kid, I could never have guessed that an openly misogynistic racist would actually be a serious candidate for high office. But that’s the funny thing about childhood. We can’t always see what was always around us and what our country was really like. In my youth, it was simply a collection of wonderful people, all different and beautifully interesting. It’s still that way for me today. And I continue to hope that hate will lose and the loving among us will help everyone realize we’re all just twin biscuits, trying each day to make our lives more wonderful.
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Quinacridone Gold, Carmine, and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
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Terrific Twix doodlewash! Wine and dark chocolate? Yum! Maybe we should indulge tomorrow evening as the results come in – I think we’ve earned it after all the noise pollution of the last many months. Cheers, Charlie! 🍷🍫🍷
Thanks so much, Carol! 😃💕 yeah… we definitely need to treat ourselves to some wine and chocolate after surviving this horrible and embarrassing American election season. Cheers to you as well!
This Twix pic takes the biscuit! I like your closing words that remind me of the final words of Canadian politician, Jack Layton, ‘Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.’ I hope you have some fine red wine and your Christopher Elbow chocolates ready for tomorrow night’s celebration.
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 Let’s hope it’s a decision worth celebrating today! But still sad and profoundly disturbing to think it’s even a close race at all. Definitely having the wine and chocolate at the ready!
Well, Charlie, I was also optimistic and even went out and bought some chocolate bark to celebrate, like you and Philippe, with my French husband! Ah, mais non… quelle tristesse…. Here, on the north side of our shared border, we share your deep sadness but resolve to be hopeful, loving and optimistic. What else can one really do? Well, paint I suppose! 🙂
Yes!! We most definitely just keep right on painting!! There’s still hope to be found in the world! 😉💕
The way you painted the gold wrapper is delicious . . . just not quite as delicious as the actual chocolate bar inside.
hehe… thanks, Judy! 😃💕 Agreed! My little way of cheating some metalic textures that I love so much during my food month!
Awesome paintings of a yummy bar.
Thanks so much! Glad you liked it Teri! 😃💕
amazing doodlewash and wise words. Hard to think of much else right now – eh? I painted something tranquil and peaceful tonight to post for tomorrow. Something simple. I just needed to amidst all the chaos and hatred and negativity. Wishing you peaceful dreams and hopefulness for tomorrow!
Thanks so much, Jodi! 😃💕 And to you as well! Here’s hoping hate and bigotry doesn’t win! (but it makes my heart sink that it’s even a question in this country).
i’m with ya!
Awesome Twix doodlewash Charlie. Over the years I too have graduated to dark chocolate. But must admit chocolate of any kind will do in a pinch. With wine? It’s got to be dark. 😉
Thanks, Susan! 😃💕 Yeah… hehe… I have to agree… any kind of chocolate will definitely do if it’s dark!
Many memories for me too about the twix, soooooooooooo full of sugar (too much for me ).
I’m so in compassion with you about those elections. Both have “des casseroles derrière eux” (scandals) . Out of US, I feel like you have to chose for the less worst of two. The great loser is Democratie, allas. We are not well placed too about clean democratie, in France and next year, it’s our turn……. Good luck Charlie !
Oh ! And in doubt, eat chocolate !!!!!
haha! Definitely… and drinking lots and lots of wine!! lol
Thanks, Laurence! 😃💕 I totally agree that Twix is too sweet! hehe And yeah… democracy is losing worldwide. But here, there’s really only one evil… it’s sad that such a deplorable person is being considered for president. Weirder still that any woman or minority could possibly vote for someone who openly attacks them. It sheds a spotlight on the profoundly sad state America is in right now. No matter who ends up winning today.
I got the result. So sad and anxious for the future…
Yeah… it’s devastating, particularly for couples like Philippe and I. Hoping for the best, but still preparing for the worst. It’s a dark time in American history.
Yum. I could eat that Twix right now! We still have them in the UK, they are one of my favourite chocolate bars.
Thanks, Georgie! 😃💕 So happy you liked this one!! hehe
Good luck today, Charlie. The world crosses its fingers and hopes…
Thanks, Michael! 😃 Yes… we’ll find out in just a few hours now. Here’s to hope.
Twixxx!!!! I love them…
hehe! Yay! Glad you’re a fan as well! 😃💕
Your doodlewash is good enough to grab and eat, very realistic. 😀
Thanks so much, Rebecca! 😃💕
Must say Charlie, I share your sentiments about Twix biscuits and now a days the 85% Lindt chocolate for me…I still love Twix biscuits and do not know why they don’t bring out a dark chocolate twix!
Thanks, Di! 😃💕 Yes! I had to look up dark chocolate because I thought I remember them. They were a 2004 limited edition though… only available in the US.
Your Doodlewash is mouth watering. I am dark chocolate fan although I must admit my favorite snack is a Mars Bar. We may need lots of chocolate to get through today!
Thanks, Carmel! 😃💕 I think just about any kind of chocolate would be a good companion to have to get through this day!
You know, I was never that big a Twix fan as a child, but looking at this doodlewash, I so so want one! That shimmering wrapper is so seductive! I think I was more into Mars bars or Galaxy caramel – so good. Our grandparents used to send us different bars of chocolate every Friday, which was a joy and a gesture much missed. Thanks for the reminder that I need more chocolate in my life. Any will do! 😉
Wishing you all well with the election. Let’s hope the right decision is made.
Thanks, Jacob! 😃💕 Hehe… you’re welcome for the reminder. You know how full permission to add lots more chocolate into your life! And yes… holding on to hope this country hasn’t officially lost it’s collective mind. 😉
I discovered last night that Milk Duds go amazingly well with a glass of Port… 😉 Like how you painted the gold shinny wrapper of the Twix bar, Charlie! Cheers for peace! 🍷💕
Thanks, Jill! 😃💕 hmmm…. Port and Milk Duds eh? lol Definitely going to have to give that one a try!
How do you do it, Charlie? How do you consistently write these evocative posts that so often leave me salivating, and then pay it off with such a marvelous painting? This one blows me away because I can practically hear the crinkling of that metallic wrapper, you’ve captured it so well. Another tip of the hat to you!
awww thanks, Heather! 😃💕 So happy you liked this one… I was thrilled to find a way to paint something metalic during food month. And glad you liked this post. I usually avoid politics, but this time thing have gone too far to stay completely silent.
Amen, Charlie. I took a solemn oath to avoid discussing politics in my blog, but it’s beginning to feel like a matter of moral conscience to say something. (Though first, of course, I have to decide what to say, LOL.)
I love Twix! It’s one of my favorites too. Had no idea it originated in the UK though. Great painting!
Thanks so much, Jess! Glad you liked this one!! 😃💕
What a graceful commentary on the perplexing political situation. Maybe tomorrow I will able to open my heart a bit and see things less darkly than I do today. Thanks for your perspective. At least your Doodlewash sparkles. Some things wrapped in excessive amounts of gold are wonderful.