Colorado Spirit box. The perfect gift for the beer and whiskey lover, local is good :-)

It's almost 6 and I just sat down. Haven't stop for two weeks, now I ran out of chocolate! All orders are ready to be delivered and shipped first thing tomorrow. If I could do this full time it wouldn't be so exhausting. I am looking forward to my long weekend next week, first in a long time.

Display refilled for today, always feels good :-) Thanks to all my lovely customers for their support & appreciation <3

In the kitchen again this morning, theres no rest for chocolatier :-)

And more shipping, this is fun I am getting good at this :-) but still need to make another production this weekend, they are going fast :-)

Three more orders on their way, I love Click & Ship, there was a huge line at the post office, just run thru :-)

First two shipping of this Holiday Season on the way, always feels good to send packaging of goodies to my lovely customers <3

First batch of Champagne Truffles are ready to go :-) soft and sparkly center, tomorrow @GlacierLongmont, cin cin!

Good morning, two more batches of @Stranahans chocolates ready for diping in luscious Venezuelan Milk chocolates, White Russian, Latte, Double Milk Stout all ready to go. I have made some changes for the Double Milk Stout, is caramelized Milk stout beer ganache, very intense and creamy.

This morning display looks nice, I feel very good about it :-)

Up at 4 this morning, finishing up and starting up chocos for the busy season, would be more fun if I didn't have to go to work after! Good morning :-)

Be Aware @Stranahans chocolates are back! Must be 21 up for these babies :-) Available @GlacierLongmont Tomorrow.

November

November and the first snow came quickly, but this is Colorado and in two days we might have high temperatures in the 70's, so I am enjoying an extra day at home, listening to holidays music and watching the snow outside, while planning my weekend.
I have two or three new flavors in mind that i really want to add to the Holiday collection.
One is inspired by my recent Italian trip, Pistacchio! Those amazing italian pastries, I want to recreate that flavor to enjoy whenever I want to recall that memory and to share with all of my affectionate clientele, the wonderful Italian flavor.
The second is insipred by the "Washington Apple" drink, I had it a while back and fell in love with it. I want to reproduce it in a chocolate.
The third is something I have already made for a very limited time (actually only one batch was made, the Stranahans chocolate with the incredible Stranahans Colorado Whiskey, we are talking serious stuff here.
Also a spiced Latte chocolate, I enjoy my hot coffe in the morning and I like to add a little bit of pumpkin spices in it with a splash of cream, yum!
So I have the Holidays figured out, I will be working this weekend and the next couple to make sure we are ready.
The chocolates are sold at the Glacier ice cream & Gelato In Longmont 1749 N Main st, at the Cheese Importers 33 S Pratt Pkwy, longmont and of course online on our website
We can also provide party platters for your Holidays Party, just contact us with the details.

Have a great week.

September

After a nice and well deserved rest, during the summer, I am ready to start the chocolate season with more energy, hopefully.

I have already started the production this week and I am confident that I will be able to have everything ready within a week or so.

Many of the flavors are available already at Glacier .

I will like to have the fall collection ready and aboundant before I leave for Italy this coming October. The website will be close for orders but the chocolates can be purchased at Glacier as usual.

I will have the Pumpkin pie, Stranahans, Latte and maybe a Grasshopper chocolate I am thinking of, and if anytime is left on my already busy schedule I might add the Smoked sea salt caramel.

As for the last year I am still working full time so my time is limited to what I can manage with a job, two small children and the chocolates, but I am confident that I will one day be immerse in chocolate full time. Till then I am trying to enjoy what I can do and dont get overwhelmed with what I can't.

Have a great week.

Good morning, I feel inspired today, after sipping a nice refreshing Grasshopper last night, I am dreaming of a chocolate that taste exactley like the drink :-)

Smile you are Beautiful! http://ping.fm/uYhmH

Today is all about fruit and summer at the store. I am making Orange, Blueberry, Pinâ Colada chocolates and getting some cute wedding cake chocolates ready for the display. Fun fun fun. Happy Tuesday.

I would like to add maybe two more flavors of Marshmallows for the display case @GlacierLongmont. What would you like to see? Post your favorite on our FB page to help us pick the best option :-)

Got in a new shipping of Dark Chocolate, now I can rock & roll! Dip Marshmallows in chocolate today, I am excited about the Pina Colada ones, I will decorate them with flaks of organic coconut and dried pineapple wedges.

I will have Raspberry Marshmallows tomorrow @GlacierLongmont. Sorry they have been missing for quite some times now, time to bring them back. I will make another flavor as well, which one would you like to see in the display case?

Just finished another batch of chocos. I added Imperial Stout and Chai to the display. Next Orange, Blueberry, White Russian and Irish Coffee, also need to finish up Asia. Have a great day!

New Spark

What can I say about the past couple of months? That I haven't been myself, I haven't feeling well at all and everything around me took a different prospective. I had hard time seeing things clearly or just get excited about something, a new project or even everyday life.
I can not explain what happend I can only say I hope its over for good, because was scary, and still is, feeling or place to be.
I have been in the kitchen this week at Glacier (Longmont) picking up my production, the chocolates are selling well and the only reason it is slower is because I have decided to slow down, otherwise I could have been crancking chocolates at a faster pace every week.
It felt good to be back in the production line, I was dreading it for some reason because I am physically exahusted, but while in there immerse in thoughts and chocolate, I felt a new spark, a well known feeling I used to have all the time during the first few years with my chocolate madness fever. Then is not over I thought, I still like doing this, of course I do, it is my room with a view sometimes, its a breath of fresh air, its the spark I need to get going when everything else seem so stagnant and still.
New flavor, new something. Here at work I have been staring at this tea box in one of the mail box of one of my co-workers, it is one of the Celestial Seasonings tea, Vanilla Ginger Green tea. Wow I love vanilla (I always have a bunch of beans available, to use into everything I can think of, and make my own vanilla extract),Ginger is so refreshing and zippy and I like to have fresh ginger in the fridge just in case, green tea well that is going to be a tricky flavor to highlight with chocolate. I think it will have to be a white chocolate, I just don't see how all these delicate and unique flavors could stand against a dark chocolate, or an intense milk like the Venezuelan one I use. So white it is for now, I will experiment and report back and maybe have this flavor available soon at Glacier.
Until then have a great 4th of July and be safe.

Good morning and Happy Friday even though today is my Thursday ;-P I am slowly working on the production and also dreaming of something new, which is a very good sign right now. I will be probably @GlacierLongmont later today working on more chocos.

Finished the Gianduja and the Turtles yesterday. Today I will dip Sea salt caramel and start on the Imperial, Chai and Milk stout. I have to work on Orange, White Russian, Irish Coffee and Blueberry in the next few days, slow pace I know but I am extremely fatigued at the moment, but I am hoping to have more stuff done by the end of the weekend anyway.

Had a nice posited vibe this morning been in the kitchen and all. I haven't been well lately and I have hard time feeling motivated or even excited about things, so it was great to feel the sparkle again for my chocolates, maybe it is time to create a new flavor. Have a wonderful day.

Chocolates

Chocolates are back in small production. They are available at Glacier homemade ice cream and Gelato and Cheese Importers in Longmont.
I will be working on Gianduja, Chai and Blueberry this weekend to implement the production.
I wish everyone a great weekend.

Little break.

Summer break for me, I haven't feel well lately and its mostly stress related. So I am taking a break from everything I can. I will resume production as soon as my well being improve. Hopefully soon. I apologize for the inconvenience and I wish everybody a great Summer.

Have you ever considered a Meat-Free Monday? Its in! http://ping.fm/6T3Ny

Just went to @GlacierLongmont to finish up Mother's Day production. Everything is in order, you should be able to find your pick. I wish every mom a very peaceful and serene Mother's Day :-)

I will not attend the Colorado chocolate festival this coming Friday and Saturday. After long thinking I have decided I wasn't going to be able to get ready and the amount of work involved is too great. I need to take care of myself and my family for now. I will miss it I am sure but I know there will be other times and hopefully more time and energies to do it all. Thank you and have a great week.

Mother's Day

I have just sent an E-card to my mom back in Italy, just few simple words to remind her how much she means to me, how I appreaciate her and that I love her very much. We are so far away I want to make sure she knows everyday that I know now what she had to go thru been a woman, raising kids, making sure we always were provided for, at all the time!
There are so many women out there that cannot provide for themselves or for their children, it is overwhelming and I feel we can make the difference in this world if we just make up our mind to do so. I made up mine, I want to make a difference, even if it is small, it is the beginning of hopefully a chain reaction.
Please give it a thought.
Happy Mother's Day.

Up at 4 this morning, had some catch up to do. I have placed vanilla and raspberry @thegourmellows in the display case @glacierlongmont, first test run from the store. I have high expectations for this project.

Too many ideas, too little time.

Probably is the lack of energies the main problem. I am sure I could organize my time more efficiently if I had higher energies level. I feel like taking a break but I can't actually do that, because the moment I stop or try to stop, thousand more ideas and projects come to mind, I am restless! I am overwhelmed by my own thoughts, kind of silly huh!? I need to focus on one thing and get that going, see where it goes. Instead I usually get tired and sometimes bored with my projects and try to find something new and more exciting to do, that takes an enormous amount of energies and in the end I am more tired than before.

Right now I have a mental block, artist block? I don't know whatever it is, is preventing me from seen the bigger picture and it's making me tired and demotivated. I guess it is almost the end of the busy season so that could be the real reason. In any case I am in need of a change and a new project is on the way, I am not sure where I want to go with it but for now I just want to experiment and possibly have fun while doing so :-)

Meanwhile please hang in there, and bare with me, the chocolates will be back soon I promise, just need to feel the love again.

Went into @GlacierLongmont this morning after a week, I will be there later today to dip Caffe' Corretto & Gianduja. Lots to do this week, also working on The Gourmellows® project.

I just created a non dairy caramel, I can wait to dip it in dark chocolate, the consistency is very nice and similar to the original one.

Been working on a side project. Not much energies lately I am afraid whatever got me in the past couple of weeks is not letting me go, maybe its time for a break. I need some time to gather my thoughts.

Ahh Colorado Spring, it's Snowing!! You can count on it, I actually don't mind :-)

Arlecchino

Just for fun, but I am loving the pattern, might turn into something else, will see. For now blood oranges, touch of pomegranate and a layer of slightly oranged salted caramel.

I added few more chocos to the display at Glacier, also a new experiment, Arlecchino just having fun w colors.

Well the display case @GlacierLongmont is just about empty! I will try to make few more things today and few more bunnies, but after that I am heading home to start cooking for a nice family weekend. I am still very tired and fatigued from been sick these past few days, hopefully I will be able to catch up with production and start getting ready for the Chocolate Festival.

Just delivered more chocolate boxes at the Cheese Importers @ 33 S Pratt Pkwy, Longmont CO 80501 Dark chocolate Bunnies too. Charming shop with wonderful people.

I think I have found my new ultimate favorite Marshmallow! Toasted coconut, wow! Vegan Marshmallows surrounded by unsweetened organic toasted coconut, right after I made them, still soft I cant describe, its just perfect! Also no corn syrup for these babies, organic cane sugar, organic agave syrup and yummy goodness.

Good morning. I left few samples of the gelatin free Marshmallows and dairy free truffles at @GlacierLongmont, stop by and let me know what you think. Thank you I hope is a wonderful day for everybody!

If you have a minute today please got to my web site to take my "dairy free chocolates" poll @ www.d-chocolates.com Thank you :-) changing my life around.

Dairy free products?!

So I have turned vegetarian after few years, I used to be in my early tweenties. Now I am experimenting with recipes for my personal use but also for my products.
I have been posting about the gelatin free marshmallows, that finally turned out to be quasi perfect.
Now I am also experimenting with dairy free truffles. I am not sure if I am going to change my entire line of chocolates, but I would love to offer an alternative for people that dont eat dairy for different reasons.
Also the challenge of finding new alternatives and ingredients it always tickle my creativity. Yes I like to make my life a little bit complicated sometimes, but thats fun to do.
So here are my first dairy free dark chocolate truffles and gelatin free chocolate covered marshmallows.
I will leave some tomorrow (Monday, 29th) at Glacier homemade ice cream and Gelato in Longmont, to sample. Let me know what do you think :-)

The dark ganache truffles are looking good, silky and smooth. I am not planning to change all my line, but implement possibly some vegan/vegetarian alternatives.

Working on more Marshmallows, trying to find a more practical technique. Also I am trying some vegan truffles, starting with a simple dark.

Well I am still experimenting with vegan Marshmallows since I wasn't satisfied with the results, they didn't compare to the regular ones. So few more batches are been made as I type :-P. Getting expensive though.

Just finished dipping Sea salt caramels, tomorrow I will be working on Asia and few more. Now I am going home to my boys. :-)Ciao.

Schools closed 4 st Vrain district http://ping.fm/A1v5u

Had to dug the car from under the snow then dug my way out of the driveway, nothing like an early morning workout!

Back to work, the not so fun one anyway. Got some chocos done and more prepped, hoping to get more done after work. Happy Tuesday.

Last day to vote for your Longmont favoite 2010 http://ow.ly/1p4nl Whats your favorite? We know for sure @GlacierLongmont

Sunday morning, coffee, the smell of fresh baked Challah and French toasts, relaxing music and my kidos, taking it all in now.

These are definitely 21 and up kind of chocolates! No kidding around here these are fueled with Colorado made whiskey @Stranahans Wow!

Bunnies

Bunnies waiting impatiently to be picked up @GlacierLongmont. Snowing today, the day before its officially Spring, love Colorado :-)

My new creations of this week, who knows me also knows that I tend to get bored with the everyday routine :-P. So here are "Latte" & "Rum banana".

The first batch of @Stranahans whiskey chocolates is on the way, little taste gave me a buzz :-) yummy stuff.

Nutrition: 10 Reasons To Face The Challenge http://ping.fm/kDm11

I think the creative bug bit me this morning! I got some new mold in and I can't wait to try them out. Mother's day challenge here I come:-)

Stop Japan from Commercial Whaling - The Petition Site

A sore subject, has been for years, now we can do something about it.
Thank you.

From: http://ping.fm/OPi55

Morning, early in the kitchen today, we were all out of Irish coffee chocolates, can't happen the day before St Patrick's day right!?

Vegan Marshmallows anyone!? Yes this is the fifth attempt, thanks to David Soleil beautiful blog and book insight, several days spent reserching like a mad woman, reading labels, get acquainted with molecular Gastronomy, quite a bit of cash spent and failed experiments.
I am pleased with the result, but I think it needs little bit more work, they are slightly softer than regular marshmallows, I haven't had a vegan marshmallow before so I am not sure what kind of consistency I am aiming for. I am sure I shouldn't expect the same of a gelatin base marshallow though. I did ordered some of the vegan commercial ones to see how they are.
It is hard to let go of my marshmallows, the original one, as the recipe is almost fool proof, I have made so many different variations of flavors and texture and never had a problem with it, plus I do like the taste which is not too sweet and the consistency, especially when I let them dry a little bit. I will keep experimenting, the vegan marshmallow movement is getting big so I am sure soon we will have commercial vegan products to replicate the gelatin ones.
I have to say that these ones are wonderful, fluffy and slightly springy, they do melt well too.

OK the vegan/vegetarian marshmallow quest is becoming an obsession! I think this is the 5th batch I made in 2 days.I am getting closer.

More Bunnies are peaking out of the case @GlacierLongmont, 3 different sizes, rigorously made with El Rey dark Venezuelan chocolate.

Lets the experimentation begin!! Oh I feel like a little kid play with the brand new chemistry set. So excited. Hopefully I will report success soon.

Love this. http://ping.fm/j3H9M

I am totally engrossed in molecular gastronomy, I wish I didn't skip all those chemistry classes :-) working on vegan vegetarian Marshmallows hopefully by this weekend. Waiting on the key ingredients, then its lab science time!

Happy March 8th

Torta Mimosa.












To celebrate and honor all the wonderful women that touched and keep touching my life and to all of the women out there that make the difference in this world everyday, I made Torta Mimosa, it is a typical italian cake made with sponge cake, cream chantilly with chocolate bits. Its made to resemble the Mimosa tree flower (Acacia).
Thank you.

International Women's Day

March 8th is the international Women's Day. I am accustomed to celebrate it because in Italy is almost a national event. I have noticed though that in the USA is rarely acknowledged and I was wondering why.
Anyway as for any celebrations, events, holiday etc etc, unfortunately there is always the commercial part of, which I don't necessarily like.
I have decided since I haven't been able to celebrate this recurrence in a while, to donated to the WFP to support their worldwide effort to help fight hunger. The women work in this battle is essential and I feel we can make the difference as women, citizens of the world, mothers and fathers. I strongly feel for this cause the same way I feel for smaller causes, like Downsonthefarm, which is a local nonprofit organization operated by a wonderful, strong and courageous woman, doing what she believes can make a difference in others lives.
So I am throwing a challenge for this coming week, for everybody out there to find a way to make even a tiny difference in our and others lives, it doesn't matter how big or small, what it counts is that we don't forget the world out there.
Let's celebrate with actions.
Be the best we can be.

To honor and celebrate the international women's day March 8th pls share. http://ping.fm/xhrKv

Spring is back!

There it is our very first Spring's Hare, or Bunny if you prefer :-)

They will be soon populating the display case at Glacier Homemade ice cream & gelato in Longmont.

Oh forgot a sneak peak of the chickies.

Another 4:30 raise this morning I didn't think I was going to make it, but it actually feels good to be up and in the kitchen getting some Easter Spring chocolate done. Ciao

The first chicks of Spring found a cute nest @GlacierLongmont. Working on more ideas to mould in chocolate.

Did I mention I love the town early early morning? Too bad that after having fun with chocolates and dreams I have to go to work, back to real life huh! Finished a batch of Asia and got other stuff done before 7 am not bad. Will be back later:-)

I present you Colorado Summer.

They are finally out! Double milk stout w. @Lefthandbrewing Milk Stout, chocolates @GlacierLongmont. Enjoy :-)

Getting ready to be in the kitchen early tomorrow morning. Finish few things and work on a new flavor, will reveal it tomorrow :-)

It's Sacher torte time!! I have not baked in a while and I am in withdrawal. I might considering have chocolate cakes at the store soon :-)

Looking forward to try out the first batch of double Milk Stout chocolates! Milk stout caramel and ganache. For the true Stout lover!

Catching up.

I thought it would be easier to catch up with the production after Valentine, but with the corporate order and family needs, I found myself falling behind.

So the case is crying right now, sorry about that, I will be making the white Russian and raspberry today and caffe corretto and gianduja in the next two days.

Also I want to try the double Milk stout chocolate for the display. Stranahans whiskey next :-)

All ready to go??

Phew, just delivered the 160 boxes fog the Colorado Rural Electric Association! Took me almost more to pack and deliver than making the actual chocolates. :-).

Amaretto chocolates for the corporate order, I am almost done! Few more Imperial Stouts and then it's packing time. Woo hoo.

Just got done dipping 250 chocolates! Tomorrow need to mould 400 more and Sunday will be finishing and packing 160 boxes. Looking forward to Monday :-)

After the Valentine's rush, its time to restore the chocos order in the case:-). Just added Deep cover, Blueberry, Brandy vanilla, Gianduja and Amaretto. More to come this weekend & hopefully have some time for those new flavors I am dying to try out :-P

Keep those chocos coming!

Good morning! Time to start making chocolates again, after a short break, also waiting on white chocolate, should be in today and some more shiny gold cocoa butter :-). New craziness of the month? Double Milk Stout chocolate, double layer with caramel and ganache made with LeftHand Brewery Milk Stout :-) Ciao.

Its a beautiful day. Delivered some chocos @Cheese Importers. Having a nice meal with my Love and kidos.

Had a good day with my family finally! Chatted with Chris about business opportunities, would be great to have my hubby as a partner, he is a great manager. Love him :-)

Some in-store pics from the last two days. Crazy time I tell you. Today break time with my kidos:-) http://ow.ly/17jhp

These are our Irish Coffee, very popular this season.

Another crazy busy day! Just got back from the kitchen, to work at my work and then go back to work some more :-P. my hands and back are begging for mercy.

Went to bed @ 1:30, very tired but I might be able to restock the case today. I will go back to the kitchen as soon as I am done here at work. I am very grateful to all the nice wonderful people that stopped by in these past few days to try my chocolates and always gave me a word of encouragement, I really appreaciate that, I think it means I am doing the right thing, going the right direction.

Wow. I spent the last 4 hours working at the kitchen, and no matter how fast I can crank up chocos, they just keep disappearing right before my eyes! I have never experience something like that, its like my dream come true in a nightmare! Well taking a break working some more at work, then back at the kitchen.

Never enough chocolates in the case! I apologize to all my wonderful customers if they find the case empty at this moment, will be in to work on more chocos. Thank you very much:-)

Had a nice chat with my friend Cinzia @ LefthandBrewing always fun talking to her :-) She gave me anther 6 pack of Deep Cover yeah! Will play with the Milk Stout for a new type of chocolate, need more hours!!

Back @ GlacierLongmont this morning, restocked couple of things, still more to make, finished @LefthandBrewing order for Saturday yay : -)

Chocolates case was wiped out by this afternoon!!! Wow, I really need to stay up all night?

Shipped 4 more orders this morning. Case @GlacierLongmont keeps emptying at scary pace, need 48 hours in a day and 2 more hands : -) Ciao!

Exhausted

I know I still have a lot to do and I hope I can hang in there just few more days! These past two weeks have been crazy busy, I have been cranking up chocolates like nobody's business, oh well my business: -).

I can't keep the display case full for more than half day, its funny and tragic, every morning I get there the case has been raided! So I restock, and then I go back in the afternoon, and again, raided! Ahh, can't complaint business is thriving, I am very grateful for the consensus I received from the public. THANK YOU.

It is exciting to think that maybe sometimes soon I could switch things around and go full time with my chocolates and part time at my day time job.

I am looking forward to rest a bit on Sunday afternoon and Monday, then need to start again for a big corporate order production, wow.

Production continues! Up really early, got lots done, still more to do, but I feel good about it. Was fun to be in the kitchen this morning.

Deep Cover, No More?!

Well I think I have picked up what it could easily be the last pack of Left Hand Deep Cover!
Unfortunately they are discontinuing it to make room for another Ale.
Bummer, I really like the flavor I achieved with the caramel and it had a great name.
If I am lucky they might have more at their brewery on Boston Ave. and since I am dropping off chocolates for the beer chocolate tasting this coming Saturday, hopefully I can buy some more that will last me for few months. After that I will probably switch with a different Left Hand beer.
New name new look? Maybe same look (because is so cool) and different name.
We'll see.

Spent he night fixing the new shopping cart on my website, is working great now! Enjoying some coffee then off to Glacier for more chocos:-)

The online store is closed due some problem. Sorry for the inconvenience, it is still new and require little bit of work. Also I think I am all sold out of the Hearts Collection, I am hoping to fix that his weekend. Thank you for the great appreciation.

Just delivered Chocos at the Cheese Importers, just love that place and the people that work there, always very friendly.

Heading to Glacier Homemade ice cream & Gelato to finish up few orders, just when I thought I was done working today : -P Never!

Lots of requests, only two hands : -)

Well I need to thanks the journalists that had done such a great job highlighting me and my chocos.

The demand is been beyond my slightest idea and perhaps overwhelming to say the least.

I am really grateful  for all the compliments and the appreciation I am getting now days from the public, it was unexpected.

The only problem now is my production time, I still have the same schedule as I did before which it means limited extra time to make extra production.

So I just want to apologize if for any reason we are going to run out of chocolates (the Hearts Collection) in the next few days. I will eventually be able to take off from work (my day time job) later if things go well, but I can't really do that now.

After all is still an artisan production, everything is made by hand, the making, the cutting, the finishing and the packaging. It is a labor of love and it takes time.

Thank you very much : -)

Haiti needs help now | The Wall Against Hunger - World Food Programme http://ping.fm/HKNbj

Chocolate is one of the most sensual ingredients to work with. So when it is turned into a gourmet delicious treat it's the perfect Valentine gift. In my opinion any way: -) Happy Friday.

Good morning, snowing today! Still lots of work to do, finishing the Hearts Collection, also Raspberry Marshmallows available tomorrow. Ciao

Hearts Collection

Since the Hearts Collection is a limited edition, and after all its still just only me making the chocolates and I still have to work during the day, I have placed a deadline for the orders.

We will accept orders for the Hearts boxes up until Sunday February the 7th. After that date, availability is until supplies last.

The Hearts Collection is available at our online store and for Longmont area and surroundings (or if more convenient in general) orders can be picked up at Glacier Ice cream & Gelato @ 1749 N Main st. Longmont, 80501.

Thank you for you appreciation. Happy Valentine's Day!

Shopping cart

I tryed to use my time wisely while recovering from some sort of flu this weekend, and worked on the website as I mentioned before.

I did find a pretty good shopping cart and although it's easy to use it will require some tweaking to customize the colors. The item description caption is a bit too dark for my background, so I will try to change that as soon as possible.

Other than that I think its a pretty sleek looking cart.

Also I found some yummy social network icons that were just too perfect! Overall I am happy with the way it looks, I just need to get new pictures to work with.

After few days under the weather, I am hoping to be able to catch up with the load of production that awaits me! Been working on the website too, fun stuff.

WebSite

Well I am sure everyone that visited my website lately, has noticed that it keeps changing.
Yes its me I am playing with it and I am still learning, and yes having some fun with it.
I am trying to find the best look for what I want to say, better context and pictures.
I will be adding a better shopping cart very soon, since my Paypal one isnt that great.
Until then, thank you for you patience.

This morning the huge moon playfully followed me, played peak a boo and finally went to sleep in the heart of the Beautiful Rockies.

Times-Call article

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with Times Call reporter Magdalena Wegrzyn. It was something I never done, the pictures, talking about my passion, how it started and all.

I have to admit I was very very nervous, I am an emotional creative person and I do much better than talk.

Well I just got a copy of the article, in the food section,  and it look amazing. They took their time for the pictures and the interview and it shows.

I am thrilled and the butterflies in my stomach don't want to go away.

I am silly I know, but this is me!

You can check the article online at:

 www.timescall.com/food/food_story.asp?id=20494 

The First box of the "Hearts Collection" is here! @GlacierLongmont.

Spent the afternoon with Magdalena Wegrzyn from @TimesCall for an interview for their Food section. Out tomorrow! Exited & nervous.

More pics of the chocolates display case at Glacier.

From left to right, Orange, Blueberry, Sea Salt and Asia.

In the reflection Chai, Gianduja, Imperial Stout and Maple.

The Hearts Collection is ready today. 18 flavors available @GlacierLongmont right now. Finishing up chocos 4 Left Hand Brewery event 02/01.

Slowing down!?

I am glad I started the production with plenty of time. I was forced to slow down by a major tooth/head ache due to an infection, that is making me miserable. Going to take care of it this week, hopefully it will fix the problem.

So now I do need to focus on the production for the Left Hand Brewery order. They are having a Beer/Chocolates pairing events, on the 1st, 14th and15th of February. Three different type of chocolates to pair with three beers.

I should have all the Hearts done by this week, White Russian, Passion Fruit and Amaretto are already done, the first batch at least, I hope I am going to need more!! :-).

I also feel the need to slow down a bit to try to enjoy my two little boys, sometimes we run run run and forget to stop and smell the flowers. I miss them, I miss the luxury I had with my first son, of working part time (I just got here from Italy) and it felt like we did lots of things together. I used to go on a stroll every day with baby Mason and enjoy it so much. With William unfortunately I dont have that luxury and honestly I dont have the energies, or I do but they come and go. I think this is something that every parents have to go thru, especially if both have to work full time and opposite shifts!

Better not complain though at least we have a job, a roof on our heads and food, there is much much worse out there, and we are after all very blessed indeed.

Just made the first Passion Fruit chocolates batch of the season. Tart and sweet at the same time, exceptionally smooth.

Added 2 more flavors to the case @GlacierLongmont, Blueberry and Brandy Vanilla. We have more than 15 flavors available right now, plus Valentine's Hearts are arriving soon! Passion fruit, Amaretto, Sea Salt Caramel, Gianduja and White Russian.

Extra virgin olive oil and basil ganache, a pleasant surprise. Infinite possibilities with chocolate and prime ingredients.

Full case @GlacierLongmont, looking good. Flavor of the day "Irish Coffee" available only in store. Let me know what u think.

Another early morning, I love working in the kitchen, when is still dark outside.On the menu' White russian and Irish Coffee creams. Ciao!

Sipping some coffee, listening to some weird-kinda-nice ambient station.Enjoying the quiet before the storm. Reading http://ow.ly/XpzQ

Good morning! Saturday finally, long week working both daytime job and chocolate life.Ahead of the game by next week the Hearts Collection will be available.
Unfortunately my hands are about to fell off my arms!
I am hoping to be done with production in the next two weeks and then just relax spending some quality time with family until next Holiday :-).

Another long long day, productive indeed.Made Amaretto, Chai, Asia and Masala turtles.Looking forward to start Valentine's Collection. Night

After getting over the 4 o'clock waking to go to the kitchen before work at 7, isn't too bad, we'll see at 10! Good morning!

Alderwood smoked Sea Salt caramel! Starting Tomorrow available @GlacierLongmont and online at www.d-chocolates.com. Let me know what you think. Ciao.

I am attending the Colorado Chocolate Festival 2010 May 7-8--Denver Merchandise Mart http://schmap.it/1rjpar . Come and see us!

Wonderful Saturday, spent part of my morning between working and update all my social networks! Fun fun. Added my biz to Merchantcircle.

Valentine's Day

Christmas has just passed and I am already talking about Valentine's Day! Well this is the way it is in retail, you have to be ahead of the seasons. These are going to be, more or less, the chocolates for Love day.

I will still have my classic collection at the Glacier and Cheese Importers, and the Hearts collection will be available only in boxes prepacked. I will have the availability on the web site as soon as they are ready.

Now back to make more chocolates!!

Have a great Week.

New web site

I am having some fun, with the help of Joomla, building my web site. I spent the weekend modifying pictures and inserting articles in the page.

Right now I am also busy getting all the paperwork done for the new year and I am starting to feel like that lady in the E-Myth, a very useful and fun book for small entrepeneurs very enjoyble to read, especially when you know you have been there before and what it feels like it!

Anyway, the thing is that running  a small business all by your sefl when you actually have to physically make the products, can be little bit owervhelming.

But I do feel positive right now and I am exited to do my new Valentine's production. It will be similar to the one I did last year, with hearts decorated in different ways for each flavor. I will have White Russian, Sea Salt Caramel, Raspberry, Passion Fruit (if I can get the puree'), Gianduja, Amaretto and something maybe one more flavor, like a surprise one.
My friend Cinzia at the Left Hand Brewery here in Longmont, asked me to make some chocolates for Valentine's Day, we did this last year and was a success. Also she mentioned two night in Febraury as well, were they are organizing a beer and chocolates tasting, something that they do often, I might attend to these two events to present myself and the chocolates as well as little bit of information on the chocolate itself.
This would be a very good chance to make new contacts and get back on the horse.

I will post the dates and details on the website as soon as possible.

Meanwhile I am gathering some recipes I will like to post here soon.

Next I think will be my Chai cake.

Ciao.

Happy 2010!

Happy Happy New Year.

I started the new year with the resolution of keep doing what I like, and even if I have to slow down to keep it manageable I will. Things seem little better and I think after all I can make this more efficient and pleasant. If I give up on this project I give up on myself and everything I have worked for in these past few years and all that time I dedicated to it would it be wasted.
I am looking forward to get back in the kitchen and make the 2010 first production.
Also I want to start on my Valentine's Day collection.
It will be Hearts chocolates in different colors, decorations and flavors, very cute and fun.
So back to the drawing board, slimming down few things to make life easier and work more fun.
I am going to stick to my main collection and add few flavors seasonally.

So the list will be mostly like this:

Sea salt Caramel
Caffe' Corretto
Imperial Stout
Masala Turtles
Chai
Raspberry
Orange
Brandy Vanilla
Gianduja
Asia
White Russian
Deep Cover
Maple (Fall and Winter Only)
Pumpkin (Fall, Thanksgiving)
Peaches & Cream (If Colorado Peaches are available)
Pear Cardamom (If Colorado Pears are available)

I wanted to try out Foodzie but I might decide not to ship chocolates for now, only in store orders and pick up, at the Glacier. Also Cheese Importers.
We will see what the year will bring and make changes accordingly.

I hope everybody had a great year and even a better one in 2010!