Inspiration Challenge: Paris {Mendiants}

Welcome to another Inspiration Challenge. This month’s theme is Paris. Boy o’ boy did I have a time with this one. Have you ever felt like you’ve lost your creative mojo? Well that’s totally me right now. I have so many ideas that flow through my brain on a daily basis but I can’t seem to get my act together and get them done.

I first thought of doing Paris themed cookies since I’ve never made any before but I just couldn’t bring myself to bake cookies. Then I thought that I would make macarons. They’ve been on my to do list forever but I’m too scared to try them. I chickened out and passed on doing them. Next idea was a paper project. It was a go until I realized that I had procrastinated too long and didn’t have enough time to sketch out a plan. Finally, I started researching French desserts and stumbled upon a French confection called Mendiants. Bingo! I had a plan. I’m all about simple and quick.

You know that saying “it’s so easy a caveman can do it”? Yeah that’s how easy these are. I used this recipe as my guide to make them. The post has a great intro with some history as to what Mendiants are. I chose to make mine with Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips, roasted and slightly salted almonds that I sliced in half, roasted and salted pistachios, and a medley of dried fruits (cherries, cranberries, blueberries and strawberries).

They are vey tasty. The combination of chocolate, nuts with a little salt and sweet fruit is perfect. I’m not a fan of dark chocolate but if you are I would suggest trying them with dark chocolate. It would only add to the rich flavor. Mine didn’t come out as pretty as the ones in the recipe post I used but I’m pleased with them.

Traditionally these are made at Christmastime but they would be great any time of the year. Who knew something so simple would be French? When I think of French desserts I immediately think difficult and complicated. I would love to make some more French desserts.

I wanted to let you know that Stephanie {Ellie’s Bites Decorated Cookies} and I will be taking a little break from the challenges for the summer. Not only are summers hot to be baking but Stephanie has two adorable kiddos that are looking forward to doing fun stuff with mom and dad during their school break. I’ll be looking forward to getting out of this funk I’m in and finding my creativity again. Last time we did challenges we took a break as well and resumed in October. We’ll likely do that again. Thanks for your understanding. The challenge theme when we return will be Balloons. Endless possibilities there.

This break doesn’t mean that I won’t be posting. It’s only a break from the challenges not a break from blogging. I have plenty of things on my list that I need to get around to doing and posting.

I can’t wait to see what Stephanie came up with for this challenge. She has a way of coming up with things that I would have never thought of. I need to borrow her brain for a bit. Check out her challenge post here.

As with all our challenges there is a link up below for you to share any project you made that fits the Paris theme.

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Inspiration Challenges are a collaboration between myself and Stephanie of Ellie’s Bite’s Decorated Cookies. There are twelve challenges in a year, each with a unique theme. We challenge not only ourselves but you to come up with decorated cookies, cakes, cupcakes, recipes and crafts for each theme. A link-up will be hosted on my site for the duration of the month for you to share what you’ve created for the challenge. We hope that you’ll join in on the fun and can’t wait to see what you’ve created. Let your imagination guide you and inspire you.

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