However, to the question of “Are we there yet?” the answer is, unfortunately, “No”.  We need to hang on just a little longer before the sun is slightly stonger, the breeze milder, and the flowers and trees start to peek out from hibernation.

While we wait for these positive signs, here are some positive wishes to fill this seasonal hump period.  With St. Patrick’s Day a couple of weeks away, a few upbeat messages from the Green Isle that might offer a whiff of spring for your spirits.

As sure as there are leprechauns to make a wish come true, tis nothing but the happiest of days I’m wishing you.

Like the shamrocks of Old Ireland may your joys grow all year through- and Irish luck and laughter be a part of all you do.

Lucky stars above you, sunshine on your way, many friends to love you, joy in work and play- laughter to outweigh each care, in your heart a song- and gladness waiting everywhere all your whole life long!

Many blessings to cheer you each day the year through and the luck of the Irish in all that you do.

Here’s a few messages that could make a Valentine’s Day gift even more special.

Doubt thou the stars are fire, doubt that the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar but never doubt that I love.

                        –William Shakespeare

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage.

                       –Lao Tzu

Love doesn’t make the world go ’round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

                      –Franklin P. Jones

A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.

                         –Ingrid Bergman

If you are a natural romantic with a gift for words and poetry, you can write your own message (or series of messages).  Have them each wrapped inside a rich fudge brownie to be discovered with each delicious treat.

Check out a wide variety of products and services offered by entrepreneurs at Collective-E and Savor the Success.

Cook Eat Drink Live

Just got back from participating in the Cook Eat Drink Live event at The Tunnel La. Venue at 608 West 28th Street.  Sweet Muse was asked to participate at the very last minute and we scrambled to bake bunches of brownies for this delicious tasting event. 

The space was filled with vendors offering tastes of wines, liquors, savory treats, and of course baked goods.  Next to us was Pestos with Panache by Lauren.  We were so busy offering brownie samples that I only had a chance to taste one of the yummy pestos they were sampling, the pumpkin chipotle.  Wow!  I wish I could have tried the others too!! 

The event was very well attended and everyone seemed to be having a great time — food and wine usually help with that.  Perhaps next year we will get involved sooner and be there for the entire three days of the event.  If you are a foodie, I would highly recommend keeping an eye out for this event and checking it out.  It is usually scheduled around the last week in October or first week in November.

We’ve been looking for a way to allow for more spontaneous brownie consumption and now we have a chance to give it a whirl.  We will have brownie samples, full-size brownies, and a variety of brownie gift boxes and tins all on hand at our first official pop-up bake shop.  Come in and peruse the various flavors available, or place a specific order in advance and pick it up without any delivery or shipping charges.

If you are in the area, you can swing by for an afternoon snack, or come by later and grab brownies while you relax with a happy hour drink.  36 West is a great little bar with a very friendly staff, and they have free Wii available from 4pm on.  It all sounds like a great combo to me. 

If all goes well, we’ll be setting up shop at 36 West on a regular basis, so please come by and show your support.

So, along with meeting 5 other artisanal dessert makers and many dessert lovers, I also learned about this wonderful wine to pair with Sweet Muse fudgy brownies!

Mingle with other sweets and wine lovers as you taste through each of the six sweets and wine duos and debate the merits of pairing dark chocolate pomegranate truffles and caramel brownies with a spicy, smokin’ Shiraz between decadent bites.

Taste 6 different varieties of desserts from Sweet Muse, Roni-Sue’s Chocolates, Liddabit Sweets, Gourmetibles, Gotham Cookies and WannaHavaCookie with sparkling, white and red wines from around the world lead by Swirl Events’ wine pros.

When: September 23rd, 7-9 PM
Where: AVEvenue, 15 W. 28th St. btn Broadway & 5th Ave.
www.avenyc.com; (R/W to 28th St. stop)

How much: $35

Buy tickets at www.SwirlEvents.com

The last event sold out quickly, so please sign up soon if you’re interested.
Tickets are limited and not available at the door.

For More Info Email: Info@SwirlEvents.com OR Call: 917.463.3994

THE LOCAL DESSERT ARTISANS JOINING SWEET MUSE AT THE EVENT:

Roni-Sue’s Chocolates – The finest and freshest ingredients artfully crafted into a selection of homemade truffles, our critically acclaimed honey & tea lollipops, caramels, seasonal specialties and of course buttercrunch-our signature candy. Come watch us make our candies on-site at the historic Essex Street Market on the LES!

Gotham Cookies is an organic bakery specializing in gourmet cookies and brownies.

Liddabit Sweets specializes in handmade candy bars, lollipops, fruit jellies, and other sweets made with the finest locally sourced ingredients. We live and work by our motto — Local, Artisanal, Seasonal!

WannaHavaCookie specializes in small-batch cookies, bars and whoopie pies baked fresh to order, and we ship nationwide. Packaging available in classic bakery boxes, premium gift tins or party platters. Because you know you “wanna hava cookie”!

Gourmetibles seven delicious flavors of the best tasting confection to be created in years. Our gourmet snacks have been described as “too good to share” and “so good they’re evil”. People who try it usually buy it, those who buy it can’t seem to get enough.

The Leslie was named after Leslie from leslielovesveggies who suggested the flavor as part of the recent flavor contest, and as such, I was very pleased that the brownies met with her approval. Here are some of her comments after tasting her namesake treat.

That raspberry tastes fresh picked off the vine! And the Blondie is BETTER than homemade, rich and Buttery and oh soooo Good! That has to be the Best Blondie I have ever had! Delish without being Cloyingly Sweet and overpowering. AND the serving size is JUST right!!!

While Sweet Muse will be closed for a summer break during a portion of August, we will continue to feature the Leslie blondie next month, so you can still try it yourself for a limited time.

–Chilled brownies. Store your brownies in the refrigerator or freezer. Not only will you extend their freshness, but they are deliciously dense and chewy when cold.

–Brownie Ice-Cream Sandwich. Split a chilled brownie in half, top one half with a large scoop of slightly softened ice cream, top with the other half, press the two halves together, wrap tightly in plastic and place in the freezer

–Brownie Ice Cream Topping. Crumble brownies on top of a bowl of your favorite ice cream. Pretend you are a famous ice cream entrepreneur and get creative with the combos you put together!

–Brownie Strawberry “Shortcake”. A chocolate twist on a summer classic. Split a chilled brownie in half. Place one half in a bowl and top with sliced strawberries and whipped cream. Place the second half on top and cover that with strawberries and whipped cream. Also great with bananas!

–Fruit and Brownie Kabobs. Cut chilled brownies into bite-size pieces (or cut and then chill). Alternate the brownie pieces with chunks of fruit on a skewer (3 pieces of each) and serve with various toppings, such as hot fudge or melted chocolate, whipped cream, melted caramel, and nuts. Make a smaller version that can be nibbled on the go, with just one piece of brownie and one piece of fruit on a toothpick.

The S’mores brownie includes chunks of graham cracker, mini-marshmallows, and a generous drizzle of milk chocolate. It’s a delicious flavor combination that tastes just as good sitting around the kitchen table as it does sitting around a campfire. Put a S’mores fudge brownie in the microwave for about 30 seconds, serve with a glass of cold milk, and indulge in this classic chocolate treat without ever leaving the comforts of home.