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!