Tis' the Season...

Tis' the season for holiday parties, sweets, treats and so much more! Our holiday season is in full swing, and it kicked off with a dessert buffet for Sergeant's Pet Care of Omaha. This is Sergeant's second year with us, and this year we had a buffet focused on cakes, bite-size desserts and of course, Karen's favorite treat, the Berry Bark!





After Sergeant's, my assistant set up "shop" at the Bellbrook Boutique, a unique gift show for women small business owners, and that show went beautifully!
Then is was time to start nailing down all the details for our many corporate holiday gift orders, updating our homepage with the new seasonal special, Funnemark Fudge, and promoting our Christmas deadline, December 12. (check the homepage for details on the deadline and why it is necessary for a made-to-order confisserie and bake shop like us)So, right now, I hear some of you saying..."Funnemark Fudge? What in the world is that?" It is a dual-layer Peanut Butter/Chocolate Fudge that was inspired by one of our very own customers, the Funnemark family of Algona.

Carol, a very loyal friend and customer, had bought some sweets for her son's family, two of which were the chocolate and peanut butter fudge. After eating them separately, Chad started putting two pieces together and eating them at the same time and thought "hey...this is good." After returning home, Carol called up and told me I needed to make a 2-in-1 fudge..so I did...and it's fabulous! It seemed only fitting to name it after them!

But life is not all work and no play, the last couple weeks have also brought me much joy from the birth of my new nephew, Strummer William Paul Grout, who is an absolute cutie and I adore him to pieces!

Bradley and I also attended the Legacy Ball, a fabulous dinner/dance/auction fundraiser for Algona's cutting edge hospital, and a "night out" with my parents and friends from town.
And just lately, an extended weekend trip to Georgia, a surprise from my best friend Amanda, and her husband, Nathaniel Roper. They wined and dined me, took me shopping and bowling and it was a much needed break to clear my head before the holiday rush!
Lots going on, and much to look forward to with the holiday season! So don't hesitate to contact us for any special holiday gift requests, browse our selection of Keepsake Boxes and Gift Baskets, or be creative and make your own! Let the Chocolate Season help you create that perfect, personalized gift for anyone on your list!

Happy Holidays...and let the fun begin!!!! :P

Sweet (sugar plum) Dreams!!

Happy Memories

As a chocolatier, I get the opportunity to be a part of so many happy memories. Nothing is more fun than delivering a bag of hand-selected sweets or surprising someone with a "thank you" gift basket. A person's expression when they see receive a chocolate gift or cake really makes this profession more rewarding than anything I have ever encountered :)

In the last month, deliveries have gotten very popular, as well as requests for custom cakes. I've been able to decorate cupcakes for my sister's baby shower, (and I'm actually at the Ames hospital writing this, as I wait for baby Strummer to be born...pics will be up later!!!) make an armadillo wedding cake for a fabulous hair dresser, Shauna; do wedding favors for one of my favorite post office workers, Sylvia; as well as 2 celebration cakes for Michelle, an employee at Woodhouse Auto Family. (and while at Woodhouse, I also got to visit some of my favorite customers...one of which was Kim who ordered some Gourmet Apples! *hi kim*!)

On-line orders have a life of their own as well, since I usually don't get to meet the person who orders, and sometimes don't get to meet the recipient, but I love the little side notes written to me about why this gift needs to be extra special :) or if they need advice to make a unique assortment..... and sometimes the destinations are just as exciting as the present being sent, like when we shipped to Nigeria, Alaska, France or even just across the border to Iowa!
Events I'm looking forward to in the next couple weeks are a dessert bar/employee party for Sergeants Pet Care, a silent auction donation and thank you gifts to Legacy Ball (a hospital fundraiser in Algona) a women's business only holiday gift boutique show, and of course, the upcoming holiday season!

So I just wanted to say "thank you" for letting me be a part of your lives, and making my life more worthwhile because of it.

A Whole Lotta Livin' Going On....

Oops! It's been a long time since I've posted...sorry about that! (i think someone just needs to send me a reminder email every once in awhile!) :)
Well, there has been a lot going on at The Chocolate Season and on the homefront. Custom cakes are becoming a big hit. Just lately, we created a vanilla cake with ganache filling and Italian buttercream for Kaylee's 1-yr old birthday party as well as catered an assortment of birthday treats, which featured a classic carrot cake with not-so-classic garnishing (including a naughty bunny made out of fondant!) for Diane's Pharmacists Mutual friends in Algona.

At home we've been having fun with family time at Lake Okoboji as well as keeping up with my sister's rapidly progressing pregnancy and very rapidly expanding belly! Little Strummer just might come out early, which would be a relief for my sister. But last weekend Sara, Crystal and I threw her a baby shower full of fun games, and a chance to decorate onesies for my new nephew. The shower featured Amanda's favorite food, hot wings, some yummy cupcakes (courtesy of, well, me!), a jungle-theme with a bunch of balloons (talk to sara about how fun that was...) and was held at Crystal's beautiful home in Urbandale.

My husband has also been super busy with senior photos (a new service he's offering) and I think they are so fantastic! I didn't think I could love anything more than his wedding photos, but lately, his senior and family photos are just so exciting to me! http://www.bradleyjensen.com

And even though we've lived in our school house for over a year now, we threw our first official dinner party...aka: taco night at our home with some wonderful couples, and had a grand ol' time. So fun in fact, that Brad has already announced the 2nd Annual Jensen Pancake Feed to be following shortly. Oh dear. :P

More to post later, but look forward to our fall caramels to be officially released in just a short time (less than a week?!) and get ready to indulge in some nostalgic yumminess!

"Custom"er Cake!

Last week I had the fun opportunity to bake a cake for a very special customer. This customer has been a true joy with his with word of mouth advertising, repeat orders and has the honor of being my first customer....ever! (with an order of Rocky Road popcorn and Marbled Cheesecake brownies)! Ben is not only one of my most loyal customers, but he's just one of those guys that is a true friend to those around him, has great work ethic, and is a "stand-up" kind of person.

His need last week was for an anniversary cake for his parents, and after prompting him for some wedding details, we came up with this: a classic white wedding cake, filled with chocolate ganache, topped with a sour cream fudge frosting and accented with daisies, blue detailing and a pearl border. (wedding color was blue and daisies were the flowers). Verdict on the cake? Parents loved it! That is something I always love to here :) So thank you Ben for being a wonderful customer and for making my first order EVER such a great experience, it truly means so much to me!!!!
Other news...A new Reason for the Season is here! http://www.thechocolateseason.com
Now you don't have to choose between Bejeweled and Hand-dipped truffles, because for a limited time only, The Chocolate Season 8-piece truffle box will feature both types of chocolates as well as a one or two special "sneak peak" caramels! (which will not officially release till this fall)
To even "sweeten" deal, we will be giving you the opportunity to purchase this box of chocolates with a 20% discount, making it only $7.75! So now is the perfect time to give that special someone (even if it's yourself)...something special :0)I hope this week gives you time to make memories, or to contribute in the making of someone else's (like Ben!) And just like Ben, if you ever are in need of a special birthday, anniversary, or "just for fun" cake...the sky is the limit... so don't be shy! Just ask! contact@thechocolateseason.com

Family, Friends and Framboise...

Oh goodness me, how time flies! I'm so sorry for my tardiness in journaling, I can't believe how fast the weeks have gone!

First, random tidbit of information, we have changed our "look"! Our new business card features the Chocolate Season "Tree" which will be our new icon/symbol, and I hope you will grow to recognize this even if our name is not attached! My brother brought up a good point..."why the tree?" Well there is a certain bible verse that always comforts me, and I thought that not only does the tree stand for "season, naturalness (ie w/packaging and ingredients used) but mostly because of this reason: Psalm 52:8

"But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love
for ever and ever"

If anyone has ever started a new endeavor, business, or even a family, life changes like that can be scary. But I know if you trust in the Lord, and give thanks to Him, and do all for the sake of Him, He will love you and comfort you in all trials and celebrate with you in your success, which through Him would not be possible. So I think the "tree" is always a good reminder of that!
But I hope the web site and labeling will soon follow suit by fall... so get ready for some major over-hauling!!!

I have luckily been quite busy with family and friends as well as busy with some new customers who have presented interesting orders as well as fun stories to share.
On the caramel front, the framboise (raspberry) caramel has been perfected and I am quite happy with the results!
The one question that was heavily debated was "seeds or no seeds" since there is a whole heap of fresh raspberries in there. After several opinions, it has been decided that we will keep the seeds, due to the "naturalness" and peak flavor that is imparted. I can't wait to share that framboise and chocolate fleur de sel caramel with you...and soon to come...mocha, apricot and possibly anise caramels?!
I had some wonderful visitors this month as well, including my best friend Amanda and her charming husband Nathaniel, from Georgia. They continue to bless my life with their friendship and support and I was so happy they were able to come stay a few days with myself and Bradley. They were instrumental in causing us not to overwork (even though we kind of did anyway) as well as provide the best seafood pesto pasta I have ever tasted!! (thanks nath!)

Also this month my sisters Amanda and Sara came to Omaha where were able to have a fun-filled photo shoot taken by my talented husband! We thought this would be a nice memento of us girls before lil' Strummer is born, and if you want to see some pictures, go to http://www.bradleyjensen.com and click "berg sisters" and enter the password: algona
I am always amazed and blown away by how talented and creative my husband is, and now he even offers senior and family packages...trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Lastly, Sara just stopped by for a day and let Bradley and I take her and Scott out for horseback riding, lunch and ice cream! This was my first visit to Shady Lanes Ranch, and the trail we rode was scenic and, well, shady! :) I highly recommend stopping out for a unique date or family day...this was for sure one of my most fun Saturdays in a long time!New to come, a discounted special on our 8-piece chocolate box. For a limited time I will be offering the best of both worlds...the hand-dipped and bejeweled in the same box! And each box is guaranteed to have at least 1, if not 2, "sneak peek" caramels which will officially release in the fall!

I promise to faithfully post more info on that soon, as well as some info on exciting times in Okoboji! All I can say for now is a big "THANK YOU" to my mom, dad and our special new friend, Mary Lynn Ingvall from Dowden-Hinn Realtors in Spirit Lake. http://www.dowdenhinnrealtors.com

Best wishes and chocolate kisses from The Chocolate Season!

So Let Them Eat Cake...

Sorry a wee bit late with this post...but with the holiday, my schedule kind of got away from me! (though my holiday was fantastic....parades, swimming, wine and cheese and fireworks! how was yours?!)
So my exciting news...well, this last weekend I experimented with some new flavors and found a couple winners! Some flavors you can look forward too if you order soon (because we might run out!...but then I guess I can make more huh?!) are a refreshing lemon-mint white chocolate ganache (inspired by my uncle Frank), a PB &J milk chocolate ganache (inspired by my niece Hannah and nephew Ian, who I thought would enjoy a kid-friendly chocolate), pumpkin-caramel milk chocolate ganache (inspired by, well, me...i love pumpkin!) and caramalized black sesame seed milk chocolate ganache (inspired by no one really...i just saw Food Network using black sesame seeds in a dish and I thought "huh...i like black sesame seeds....let's try it...")

So that's some fun news, and on the horizon, look forward to a cookies n' creme ganache... you excited? I think one of my favorite twins Karen in Alaska would enjoy this ganache, since she looooooves white chocolate.



My other great news? The Chocolate Season is welcoming Julie as our new apprentice! She is a wonderful girl and very dedicated hard worker. As a "must" she is very serious about all things chocolate and has super bow-tying skills! I am so excited to have her with me...she is becoming my newest essential here!

Besides all that, I've been dabbling around with some cakes, and thought I'd share them with you. Like most Americans, i love a big ol' slab of moist chocolate cake with a dense sugary fudge frosting...but after my trip to Europe, have been inspired by "component cakes" or European tortes and gâteaus.
So here are a couple pictures of a white chocolate strawberry charlotte with chocolate lady fingers, vanilla sponge, a passion fruit cream, sponge and white chocolate strawberry mousse, topped with strawberries and white chocolate curls.This next picture is of a chocolate-chai tea torte made with a cinnamon pastry dough for a base, vanilla sponge soaked in coffee syrup, chocolate mousse, sponge w/syrup, chai tea cream, sponge w/syrup and topped with an Italian buttercream, dusted with cocoa powder, and accented by textured dark chocolate tiles. A very fun cake indeed :)

Now, if you're like my husband, you're probably wondering where these cakes are on the web site? Well I have so many fun ideas for component cakes that I couldn't dare narrow it down for the site. But I do love custom cake orders and requests, and would love to make one for you or your next special occasion! If your mouth is already watering...just drop me a line...we'll chat :0)

Best Wishes to All and more to come next week!!!

PS-if you have any ideas for desserts or truffle flavors, please let me know! Who knows...the next one may be named after you?!