Love is in the air...

Well we sure have been busy with weddings this month! Seeing the requests for favors, wedding desserts and cakes have prompted me to re-write the wedding/catering page on the web site, http://www.thechocolateseason.com/wedding_event_catering.htm

The re-construction will continue with new product photos of favors and truffles featured on the bride's cake table as well as pricing options to order these cute lil' guys yourself on our shopping cart! So no matter if it is a wedding, baby shower, graduation, or just as a special thank you gift, these 1-piece, 2-piece and 4-piece options will be available for you!*personalized ribbon is available for any event

*custom box with wedding colors from our latest wedding this month

*my good friend Jess got married this June and gave out her favorite Chocolate Season treat...a mudball!

*4-piece boxes are always a great gift

*a new "purse" complete with handle, is one of my favorite boxes!

*seriously...how cute is this?

I am also narrowing down my choices for one or two more fun boxes to share with you (maybe "something blue"...a baby blue box with polka dots?) When they are available, I will be sure to announce our newest addition to the vast array of products already offered! :)

These are all new and exciting things, but bear with me, I won't be able to get the web site updated in the next day or two, but when those items are updated, I'll be sure to let you know!

On the home front, my husband Brad has officially become a full-time photographer! He's been shooting professionally for several years now, but always with a web design job as his "full-time" work. Well, it got to the point where is was soooo busy with photography, that he was working two full-time jobs. After much thought, he pursued his passion and we are so excited for this new stage of our lives!
http://www.bradleyjensen.com
Also at home, a new project is underway...the floors. 108-year-old floors are being sanded down, stained and "finished"....a task my husband is undertaking and wow...I'm impressed. I'll put up some before and after photos when he's done...it should be quite the project with great results!

I have another exciting announcement as well...but i will save that for a post later this week ;)

Best wishes to all!

Wine and Chocolate

I'm back!!!
Europe was amazing and I can't even begin to tell you about all the places I went, chocolate I ate and people I met :0)
I will try to post very, very short stories after this one with random tidbits of information from Switzerland, France and Italy. But before I tell you about new chocolate flavor combinations, the most sinful drinking chocolate ever, or just about the beauty of Europe, I must tell you about an amazing small business owner I met while in wine country.
My friend Jonathan and I were out dining when we met David Clark, of Domaine David Clark, Vins fins de Bourgogne. He is a passionate man full of infinite wisdom regarding types of vineyards and soils, methods of growing grapes and the whole process of producing a fine bottle of wine. His wealth of knowledge is only surpassed by his kindness and genuine spirit.
Long story short (ok, not that short), David invited Jonathan and I out to his winery in Morey-Saint-Denis, in the heart of Burgundy, for a personal and informative tour. He is a native Englishman who started his own winery about 5 yrs ago. He produces 5 wines from his vineyards, (Bourgogne-Passetoutgrains, Bourgogne, Bourgogne-Grand Ordinaire, Cote-de-Nuits-Village, and Morey-St-Denis...all of which basically tell where his grapes are grown...) and this is where he hand prunes and personally tends to all 20,000 of his vines!!!

He is strictly organic and believes in old-style wine making, with no added enzymes for saturated color or other additives to change the most important part of the wine...the grape. David operates the whole winery himself, with added help during harvest. Fun fact about harvest, he will personally look over all the grapes and pick out any grapes with defects or bruising...using only the best for his wine....wow. :)

I could go on and on about David and they way he tends to his vines, but I also wanted to point out that he was even nice enough to not only explain the history of Burgundy wine making and about different soils and grapes, but he shared his very exciting 2007 vintage with us, which is currently aging in oak barrels. Yup, you're right...I was able to experience my very first pipette! Being the professional he was, David swirled and swished and spit...Jonathan and I...well...it was so great, we just swallowed! I couldn't get enough! Even though it was young, I could already see the differences and characteristics of the wines we tried!
And if that weren't enough, David even gave us a bottle of his 2006 Bourgogne Pinot Noir, which I think will age beautifully....if I can practice enough self-restraint to not open the bottle next week.

The only bummer is that David does not personally sell his wines, they are sold by other companies and stores. Lucky for us, he is sold in the USA, but sadly again, he isn't found in NE. So I am currently "googling" Domaine David Clark in hopes to snag more of his very special wines! (perfect for that family dinner or a relaxing night home...reading my favorite book as of yet...The Other Boleyn Girl...oh, the combination would be sinful!)

So please check out his web site, http://www.domainedavidclark.com
and drop him a line or read his blog, where you will learn a load of interesting wine information from a true source...perfect bits of info to impress your in-laws or your boss at the company party!

Lastly, I receive many requests about what wine to pair with chocolate. Personally, I have never tasted a wine I liked that would not compete with the different notes found in chocolate, so I often tell people to try a port or sherry. But, while in France, I tried a dessert wine that was phenomenal, and I can vouch that the source who recommended these two wines to me is top notch! (a writer for Robert Parker!)
So next time you're having a tasting party, try Mas Amiel- Maury and Dr Parce- Banyuls!

Best wishes to you all and more to come!!

And Baby Makes 3?

Well, actually 4, in the case of my sister Amanda...who is now officially "expecting"! This will be Brad and Amanda's first child, but their first bundle of joy is Bosco, their lab mix. He's a 3-yr old who's full of energy and love...and is actually quite smart!

But my glowing sister is officially in her second trimester and I can't wait to keep you updated on baby details. A true Berg, she has suffered quite a bit of morning, afternoon, and evening sickness (thanks mom...) :0) but is on the upswing and says she can't wait to eat more Chocolate Season! (hee hee hee!)

I'm so excited to know the gender of the baby since I know whether a boy or girl, they will be showered in affection as well as "rocker" baby clothes. So if anyone knows where I can buy some baby Converse Chuck Taylors, drop me a line, since I want Baby Grout to match seamlessly with Mama and Papa Grout!

Sorry such a short post, but I just wanted to let everyone know how truly happy I am for my sister and I can't wait to rub the belly and *hopefully* be there for the delivery.

*just don't go into labor early amanda!!! i'm in a wedding the week before.....*
xoxo

PS- off to Switzerland, France and Italy today, so I will try to post, but if not, look for pictures and a chocolate adventure story to come once I get home!

An Easter Holiday

So how was everyone's Easter weekend? My weekend started early with a Friday night dinner with Rod and Mary, my in-laws, who took us to a lil' country restaurant called "Around the Bend" I believe. Always wonderful catching up with them, after dinner they stopped home and saw "the kids," our dogs Barry and Leia...who were excited to see them (to say the least) but they were good sports and welcomed our pooches' affections with open arms :0)
Brad and I left home for Algona early Saturday morning, with Chocolate Season orders in tow for my loyal friends and customers in Algona. Also along for the ride...another cake! I've really been into making cakes lately, and I only hope to explore this wonderful art form more. This cake had dual purposes, serving as an Easter cake as well as a cake celebrating my brother Mike's birthday and my dad Ed's birthday. (we have a "birthday buddy" system in effect with the Berg family!)
It was a chocolate cake with whipped chocolate ganache and fruit preserves, covered in a layer of homemade buttercream and homemade marshmallow fondant. This was my first encounter with fondant...and wow...they should call it "Fun-dant"! (ok...that was cheesy...)
At home we had a fun time playing Mike's "Scene It" game, watching a movie (Berg tradition), as well as decorating eggs and having an indoor Easter egg hunt for my niece and nephew, Hannah and Ian. And it was super awesome seeing Amanda and Brad, my sister and brother-in-law...but sadly...we were missing one important family member...Sara. (miss you!) She's still in TX finishing her last clincal.
The weekend wrapped up with Easter service at First Baptist where Pastor Kevin's message is always inspiring and down-to-earth. All in all, a very fun and relaxing weekend and a great opportunity to see family once again...(thanks for hosting us mom and dad!)
I hope your Easter was full of Easter eggs and cookies, as well as family and friends, but lets not forget the real reason for Easter, which is to give thanks and rejoice in Jesus' resurrection and marvel at the sacrifice made so that we may have eternal hope and joy in our Savior!
Have a beautiful week!

Luck O' the Irish

With St. Patty's Day just around the corner, I had just the right inspiration when playing around with cake the other day. My mother-in-law Mary is Irish, and her sister Sherrie, and husband Frank had been on my mind a lot lately, so I thought I would make them a cake! Knowing that Sherrie is very proud of her Irish heritage, a fun lil' shamrock cake would be a nice surprise for them, especially since I needed an excuse to see their smiling faces at Mulhalls...(where they are both floral geniuses!!!!!)
So this was the end product of my creative efforts...something cute and casual...nothing to serious...just fun with a couple tips and some way-sweet buttercream on a chocolate cake filled raspberry mousse! (Hope you enjoyed it Frank and Sherrie! It was wonderful seeing you!!!)
Also thoughts about St. Patty's Day brought up the idea of "lucky" and how lucky I am to have two awesome, beautiful, fabulous lil' sorority sisters. Though I'm alum now, I still continue the journey of getting to know and appreciate my Chi Omega family. The closest to me in my family is Julie, and most recently, her lil' sis Felicia.
Both girls have incredible hearts and a willingness to laugh and learn and be supportive...all of which came in handy this afternoon when I was teaching them some ins and outs of The Chocolate Season.
There were challenges (curling the gold ribbon and "sculpting" cellophane) and triumphs (learning the correct "nesting" technique and packaging those darn pretzels!) But the whole afternoon theses girls did nothing but laugh and ask questions and had such a willingness to learn about this side of my life, my passion for perfection and for really putting your heart into every little detail :)
So even though I am BEYOND "lucky" (or I prefer the word "blessed") with beautiful friends and supportive family, this afternoon with my two little sisters made me appreciate the little moments in life even more...so thank you girls for all you do and I only we hope we can hang out more! (no ribbon work or nesting required!)

New & Exciting?!

I was able to experience a couple things this last week that were "New & Exciting!" I had the honor of "escorting" my sister Sara to her very last clinical in Texas. We met up with her friend Tara (fellow PT) and we caravaned to Oklahoma City. We spent the night and then finished the looooong journey to Abiline. Sounds like a smooth ride right? Well...there was one bump in the road.
Being 3 girls stuck in cars driving, we saw on the horizon a Dairy Queen sign...and had to stop. Pulled into a small town DQ and after talking a bit, we realized Tara's car was still running...and was locked. uh-oh. So after a call to the local police, we waited in the parking lot....sang the blues, played the guitar, sara hopped on her bike...you know, all the usual stuff you do when waiting for a locksmith. After a huge locksmith fee (poor Tara...) we got back on the road, blizzards in tow. *yum*
Once we arrived, my visit consisted of grocery shopping, a pizzeria, a southern Baptist church and an airplane delay...twice.
But a big "Thanks " to my two PT girls...I had tons of fun and wish you both luck in the next 8 weeks! :0)

Now, the second "New & Exciting" event this week....Artisan Marshmallows!!! These plush puffs of fun are made from all-natural ingredients and have been pre-released just for Easter. Our classic Vanilla Bean marshmallows are half-dipped in white chocolate, tinted with bright Easter colors...fun to nibble on yourself or stick in a loved one's Easter Basket.

Read the full description and see these sweet puffs here!
Special for March, the full line of flavors won't appear till the end of May...so snatch them up and try one before they're gone :)

I hope you all find something "New & Exciting" this upcoming week to spark your imagination or make a new memory...I sure did!

One Night as a Hopeless Romantic....

I am a die-hard romantic. I was the little girl who wanted to grow up to be a princess. When reading any romantic books or watching romantic movies, I grew up thinking that every man gazed upon his lady love with a look only described best by writers like Jane Austen, and that every relationship began with letters dripping with romance, coy innuendos and formal requests to "call upon you again".
So when I received an invitation from my dear friend Amanda George, and her friend Heidi, to come to a "romantic girls' night," I jumped at the chance! My invitation was filled with rose petals and a tissue, as well as movie list including Emma, Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice as well as Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. I had my top pick, and all I had to do was RSVP.
Before arriving at the movie party, all us girls (about 12 of us I think) thought we were in for a night of homemade chili, snacks and a nice romantic movie...oh, and did I mention the dress code? Pajamas!
Upon entering Heidi's home, there was a trail of rose petals leading to her door, where I noticed a shelf of letters with various knick knacks partnered with each one. After a hearty chili dinner (yummm) our hostesses told us that before revealing the movie of choice, we were to watch a movie montage of different clips from all the movies. And that each girl had to read one of the "mysterious" letters which "appeared in Heidi's mailbox" that afternoon. The letters corresponded with each movie clip, featuring love sonnets from Mr. Darcy, Gilbert, Professor Behr etc....After gushing over the romantic writings of our fictional "gentleman callers" we popped in the movie of choice....Little Women. A quarter way into the movie we heard something hitting Heidi's french balcony doors. Snowballs? Who would be throwing snowballs? All of us girls ran over to the balcony doors and flung them open to find three, attractive, singing, men below us. They were serenading us, complete with guitar and the song, My Girl!The men (who turned out to be Heidi's brother and his two roomies, Arnie and Martin) proceeded to come up to the apartment and tell us how they saw us gorgeous girls from afar, and had to meet us in person! Cue the salsa music, and each gentleman picked a gal and started dancing! After dancing with all of us, we all received a red rose.
Then, the movie started up again and all of us looked around and said "did that really happen?" hearts a flutter, and cheeks rosy with a "puppy love" flush, we all looked like little girls, who just got done dreaming about their prince charming...only we had LIVED the romance!

After the movie, we sat around chatting about the night, the movie, our favorite characters and just relaxed. It was a fantastic Saturday night, and I could never be more in debt to my "very organized and super planner" hostesses than I am now...thank you for letting me live a romantic dream, to think that there really are Mr. Darcys still in this world and that though cheesy, and overdone by today's standards, our night of rose petals, love letters and dancing was just with this gal needed...and it was so much fun I wish I could re-live it night after night!