Where Elvish Blood Sings: The Quest.

[CuriousRick]

I've learned a cheap and easy way to make fudge that has presented me with some unusual ideas of what kinds to make. I've made cherry, lemon, strawberry, butterscotch, chocolate-peanut butter, German Chocolate Cake, and of course, plain old chocolate and plain peanut butter too. You can make them Keto or sugar free too.

With condensed milk and the flavored chips of your choice? I make a keto peanut butter fudge with butter and powdered monk fruit

 

[Annisthyrienne]

Yes, that's one way. But you can also use cake icing with the chips to solidify. Usually the white chips are best for the cake icing versions. But if you use cake icing, don't add any other sweetener or the condensed milk. Once heated in the microwave, the icing will be nearly liquid and it's already sweet enough. That method is the way to adapt so many different flavors. But thinking about your cookies, I'm wondering if I could make banana cream fudge now.

 

[CuriousRick]

Yes, that's one way. But you can also use cake icing with the chips to solidify. Usually the white chips are best for the cake icing versions. But if you use cake icing, don't add any other sweetener or the condensed milk. Once heated in the microwave, the icing will be nearly liquid and it's already sweet enough. That method is the way to adapt so many different flavors. But thinking about your cookies, I'm wondering if I could make banana cream fudge now.

I haven’t cooked it myself with icing. But I have had some. So very sweet! I also have a simple vanilla wafer recipe. I will mix it up with other flavors like cake batter. Etc.

 

[Annisthyrienne]

You can find some sugar free icing, but only in limited flavors. Also, whipped icing won't work right, so don't use those either. It's a shame, because I would like to make a buttercream fudge, but I've only ever seen that kind as whipped. Maybe I need to shop somewhere else.

 

[CuriousRick]

We need to share recipes!

 

[Annisthyrienne]

Definitely!. I have to say that the lemon fudge didn't work out too well. Apparently it isn't a popular flavor for fudge. Just not what people were expecting. But the cherry proved really popular, especially when I started adding dried cherries to it. One time I made the strawberry fudge for a pot luck luncheon at work, but I made a mistake in using the icing with the condensed milk and it didn't solidify right. It only got to be sticky and tacky. Even after re-melting it and adding more white chips, it still didn't quite set up right. I just put a little sign on it that called it bubblegum flavor.

 

[CuriousRick]

I haven’t tried the sugar free icing. I need to. I am a diabetic and hooked on carbs!

 

[Annisthyrienne]

I hear ya, same here. I don't make fudge very often as a result. I mostly get curious when I have a new idea for a flavor and see if I can make it work. As with any trial and error process, their not always hits.

While at lunch, I did have an idea on how to make the banana cream flavor though. I'm pretty sure they don't make that flavor in cake icing, but I think I recall them making it in the powdered Jello pudding mixes. I was thinking that if I mixed in that with the condensed milk, that could be the flavor part. Maybe add in some banana pieces just for interest, and then use the white baking chips as the setting-up element. I think I'll try it sometime.

 

[The_gladiator]

I've learned a cheap and easy way to make fudge that has presented me with some unusual ideas of what kinds to make. I've made cherry, lemon, strawberry, butterscotch, chocolate-peanut butter, German Chocolate Cake, and of course, plain old chocolate and plain peanut butter too. You can make them Keto or sugar free too.

That sounds awesome. I love fudge

 

[Annisthyrienne]

fudge recipes

 

[Annisthyrienne]

more fudge recipes

Even more fudge recipes

 

[Annisthyrienne]

Peanut Butter fudge.

 

[Annisthyrienne]

I hear ya, same here. I don't make fudge very often as a result. I mostly get curious when I have a new idea for a flavor and see if I can make it work. As with any trial and error process, their not always hits.

While at lunch, I did have an idea on how to make the banana cream flavor though. I'm pretty sure they don't make that flavor in cake icing, but I think I recall them making it in the powdered Jello pudding mixes. I was thinking that if I mixed in that with the condensed milk, that could be the flavor part. Maybe add in some banana pieces just for interest, and then use the white baking chips as the setting-up element. I think I'll try it sometime.

So I tried the banana cream fudge over the weekend. I used the condensed milk and white baking chips method, but added Jell-O banana cream pudding to the condensed milk. Everything was sugar free except for the condensed milk, but at first I didn't use enough baking chips. The sugar free kind come in a 9 1/2 oz. package and it really should be 12-16 oz. package. Anyway, this meant that the mixture didn't set up firm at first, so I got more chips and added another bag, re-melted the fudge I made at first and mixed in the second 9 1/2 oz. package. If you've been adding it up as I've described, this makes 19 oz. of baking chips, which now made the fudge set up and made it hard to cut like a brick, but it was still good.

However, I didn't really eat much of it. I was mostly doing this as an experiment to see if it could be done with the pudding mix. It might have been even better with a chopped up banana to add fresh banana taste. Anyway, I gave the batch to my sister, who is an interpreter at a school and she took it in and passed it around to teachers and students. apparently it was a big hit.

 

[The_gladiator]

Glad it was a success, sounds pretty good
Now I’m hungry.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

I do remember Logan too. Sorry to hear that Glad wasn't doing so well. I hope things get better for him.

the winds carry his name to his ears, the wolfs head lifts, sniffing the air, it hadn't taken him long to return to the elf's lands, the peace of the Elven woods always soothed the beast when he was troubled, he followed the scents on the wind, DW, and another he hadnt scented in, well, too long too remember. As he neared the edge of the woods he slowed his pace, his amber eyes focusing on the figures, his head cocked to one side his ears swiveled as he approaches, coming to sit at Annisthyrienne's feet, his tail gently swaying behind him, his eyes Alight with Joy at seeing her again

 

[Annisthyrienne]

Spotting a familiar figure enter the Glade brings another smile to my lips. So there are a few friends from old who still remain. Letting my hand drop from my lap, my fingers glide through luxuriously thick fur, scritching and massaging through the ruff and between the ever alert ears.

"Good to see you again, old friend."

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

Spotting a familiar figure enter the Glade brings another smile to my lips. So there are a few friends from old who still remain. Letting my hand drop from my lap, my fingers glide through luxuriously thick fur, scritching and massaging through the ruff and between the ever alert ears.

"Good to see you again, old friend."

the Wolfs eyes close as her fingers and nails find their way into his fur, pushing his head into her hand gently a soft growl rumbles his chest before he gently licks the inside of her wrist, then he backs away a few steps, a dark mist forms around him, swirling and obscuring him from everyones view, the mist rises from the ground as he shifts, within seconds the mist vanishes as quickly as it appeared, and there he stood, in his usual Black jeans, boots and tank top, his amber eyes still aglow with the smile his lips held. He bowed his head to her in respect "as it is good to see you as well, im glad to see time has treated you well"

 

[Annisthyrienne]

The transformation is always fascinating to watch, and after so long a time not seeing it, she found herself spellbound by it. So it was a minute before her mind registered that he had spoke to her at all. She shook her head to clear it of the effect long enough to reply. "Well, perhaps 'treated me well' is a phrase that could be interpreted differently depending on perspective. But at least I'm not gone to the Elders yet. You are looking well too, Sir. I'm always happy to see my wolf-kin friends. I still occasionally spot Luna showing up on that other realm I frequent, but sightings of her are getting rarer with the passage of time. She has so many followers and hangers-on that I think it overwhelms her a bit when she is spotted and everyone conglomerates around her. Wild as she is, she is a private soul at heart."

The thought brings a sigh to the elf's lips as she realizes that with time, all seem to seek their privacy more often than in the past. "I have to admit that even I am not the social butterfly I was before. An abundance of attentions not necessarily desired will do that, I suppose." As she speaks, she offers her friend a selection of cookies to choose from. "Don't worry, Caitydid brought these as a gift. I have to assume they are not poisoned or bespelled. She and I have always been on good terms, I think."

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

"Well, perhaps 'treated me well' is a phrase that could be interpreted differently depending on perspective. But at least I'm not gone to the Elders yet. You are looking well too, Sir. I'm always happy to see my wolf-kin friends. I still occasionally spot Luna showing up on that other realm I frequent, but sightings of her are getting rarer with the passage of time. She has so many followers and hangers-on that I think it overwhelms her a bit when she is spotted and everyone conglomerates around her. Wild as she is, she is a private soul at heart."

That look of wonder on her face as he shifted made him chuckle lightly as she shakes her head, her beautiful smile returning to her lips as she speaks, He nods at her words, "Indeed, the years have passed, for the better, and for the worse in equal parts for me as well, my health suffered for a period last year, but after i made changes to my lifestyle i am once more my old self." Her mention of Luna brings his smile back in equal parts joy and sadness, memories of the brief times theyve held conversations and talked about mutual interests "While i am still friends with her i believe in the other Realm as well, it has been nearly as long since ive spoken to her, as it has been to you my dear" he states, moving to sit beside her so she wouldnt have to continue to crane her neck to look up at him

"I have to admit that even I am not the social butterfly I was before. An abundance of attentions not necessarily desired will do that, I suppose." As she speaks, she offers her friend a selection of cookies to choose from. "Don't worry, Caitydid brought these as a gift. I have to assume they are not poisoned or bespelled. She and I have always been on good terms, I think."

he nods at her sagely words "Indeed, as strong as she is, it drew many to her and not all were welcome as you said" he eyes the cookie box, his head canting to one side in a very wolf like manner as he eyes the Delicacies she offers "Not bespelled hmmm? " he teases, his eyes crinkling "As amusing as i think you and DW would find it, if said cookies were to turn me into a squirrel, i think i shall try one, and hope for the best " he teased with a husky chuckle, picking up a chocolate chip one he bit into it, eyes closing as if waiting for something, after a minute he cracks an eye open looking around "Am i still human?" he quips, grinning "are you still writing? or have you retired from that as well?"

 

[Annisthyrienne]

Her laughter is lilting on the air as she tries to imagine him as a squirrel, all jittery and lacking any sort of attention span beyond a few seconds. "Well, the fluffy tail might be amusing for a while, but the buck teeth wouldn't be quite as endearing. I can't speak for Cait, but I can't think of any other form I'd prefer you in besides the two you have."

She thinks back over the years to some of the other wolf-kin she'd known and befriended. "I don't suppose Niriate or Shire Wolf are still around, are they? They both ran in Nordic lands, as I recall. Shire came to the other place with me for a time, but eventually slunk away, I guess. many of those I used to write with followed me there for a time, but most all of them have gone their own way, sooner or later. I still keep in touch with my Sasha. I forget what name she went by here though. In her honor, I named my female Doberman after her."

She grins at his caution. "Still human.... for now." It never hurt to hint at a little uncertainty. Keeps them on their toes, as it were. "Yes, I still write actively in that other place. I currently have about four stories of varying degrees of frequency. One is daily, sometimes twice a day for replies. Another is weekly, and the other two that I might consider still active are 3-4 weeks between replies. Sometimes I think they would have probably died off by now, judging by my partner's seeming lack of eagerness to reply, but I think I've found a couple co-writers as stubborn as I am to give up on the story. I did have to finally make a policy that if two months go by since my last reply and I have no reply in return or message telling me otherwise, I have to assume the story is gone to the ghosts. Really, that is the only thing that technically qualifies two of my stories to still be 'alive'. One of those flirts with demise all too often. But that's the nature of the beast, isn't it?"

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

"no i agree, Buckteeth definitely isnt as threatening" he grins, the hint of his fang peaking beneath his lip, finishing his cookie quickly he dusts the crumbs off his shirt as he relaxes back against his chair, "i did have a bushy tail once, i was swimming in the lake near my cave, and a thunderstorm moved in, had a lightning strike so close, its like someone had my fur in a static web, i looked like a malamute that had been blow dried" he admits with a laugh "big ole frigging cotton ball, im glad no one was around to see it" he winks teasing at her, loving the sound of her laughter and seeing her smile again after so long, although the reminder of Niriate and Shire, his smile softens as memories return of his time with them both and the depths their conversations had reached on topics far and wide.

"Sadly yes, time marches on, opinions and views change, and real life can pull anyone away without notice. its funny, i was talking with a friend some time ago who is a professional writer, and people laugh when we talk about the "voices in our heads" of our characters, side characters, other non essentials that we dream up, think up for our stories, and we will have a spat were all we can do is write because they speak to us, then fall silent, and we struggle to continue writing for one reason or another and good stories die to early. or opinions and differences can arise between co writers that make continuing to write hard because the tone of the story just suddenly feels off."

He falls silent for a bit as he thinks back of the stories he'd written that ended for one reason or another over the last 20 years "have there been any stories or ideas youve had? perhaps looking for a cowriter?

 

[Annisthyrienne]

Actually, on that other site, I started a whole thread called the Story Idea Exchange thread. The idea is like those 'leave a penny. take a penny' cups you sometimes see at convenience stores. If someone is in need of a story idea, they can help themselves to any idea I've posted there, not necessarily writing it with me. (heaven knows I could never have that much time to write.) Or if they have an idea they don't mind others using, they can post it there too. I always come up with far more ideas than I could ever write, so one day I thought 'why just keep them to myself?' and that's how it all got started.

One of the recent ideas I posted there not too long ago was after watching videos on Rule 34 site. I started thinking about what if our characters (or video game characters we like playing) were aware of their existence being at the whim of writers or players who decide what sort of situations to put them in and what sort of things to happen to them. So as an example, if Jill Valentine were aware that some perverted player got a hold of a mod for the game to make her have to hunt zombies in the nude or something, and inevitably she knew she would end up being raped by zombies or monsters or zombie dogs, or whatever is in those games. Of course, the characters we develop for our stories don't have it much better, do they? We put them in some pretty messed up plot situations.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

at the mention of Rule 34 he erupts with laughter, his eyes gleaming with mischief and amusement "mmmm naughty elf" he teases as he settles down "Its funny you should mention that, Ive long since forgotten the authors name, but there was a Paranomal Romance series I'd read some time ago, that had that VERY plot line, it was a 3 book series with 3 different "authors" within the book, the characters of their respective book universe that she thought she made up, were people from an alternative dimension that she glimpsed through the veil of space/time and her actions and writing was somehow manifesting and altering their worlds. the characters were aware of their authors doings and controlling of their lives and found a way to drag the woman into their respective universes to "torment" and eventually the whole fall in love thing"

he chuckled again "God, id forgotten about that series, now im going to have to see if i can find it again, worth the reread" reaching out he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear "i would love to see the ideas you have floating around" he growled softly,

 

[Annisthyrienne]

Perhaps there would be room for such a thread here.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

he smiled warmly, "Perhaps, if i could tempt you to return to Lit" he teases