It may have been pouring rain outside yesterday, but that didn’t stop volunteers from braving the weather to decorate trees all through Warwick, Queensland in time for the Jumpers and Jazz in July festival opening today. Jumper in the States may mean a shapeless dress, but over here the word refers to cozy sweaters.

My friend Ann and I pulled our own jumpers a bit tighter against the cold so we could check out some of the earliest completions like this gorgeous tree outside the library.

Jumpers and Jazz in July

 

We couldn’t get over the detail in this amazing display in the library parking lot. A whole table covered with knitted food like spaghetti and meatballs…

 

knitted food

 

…and a knitted hamburger with French Fries next to a platter of knitted burritos. Someone was very creative. 🙂

 

knitted hamburger

 

Tucked up in the tree was this little knitted doll with a star-topped wand, and all sorts of other creatures like owls and bugs.

 

Jumpers and Jazz festival

 

Even the Warwick Town Hall was decked out for the occasion with its stately pillars covered in a rainbow of patchwork squares and larger than life knitted flowers.

 

Warwick Town Hall

 

For the next two weeks thousands of people will descend on our little country town to attend jazz festivals, gourmet dinners, wine tastings and all sorts of events.

On Sunday afternoon a group of friends and I will attend the Like Chocolate for Women event. I’m so excited to see this interesting combination of soft jazz, delicious chocolate and inspirational speaking.

It’s put me in the mood for chocolate, of course. Something decadent like these oh so simple but delectable Dark Chocolate Cups that my friend Shirley and I made. Filled with coffee-flavored yogurt, fresh fruit and whipped cream, they are light but scrumptious.

 

Dark Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt Cups

What is your favorite chocolate dessert?

Dark Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt Cups

Ingredients:

4 dark chocolate cups
1 small container latte/coffee flavored yogurt
1 banana, sliced
1 pint strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 Tbsp powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
4 sprigs mint leaves

Directions:

  1. Divide yogurt evenly among four dark chocolate cups.
  2. Add bananas and strawberries.
  3. Whip cream until stiff, fold in powdered sugar and vanilla.
  4. Top dark chocolate cups with whipped cream.
  5. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.