So much to share, so little time.

Notes and effluvia, for my own records as well as for anyone following this stuff with perverse interest:

• Local Portland deliveries still outstanding will be made this weekend -- if you're one of these people and don't hear from me tomorrow, drop me an email with your availability (polidorichocolates over at the Gmail.)

• Sale #3 will ship on Friday or Saturday. Recipients will get email with tracking numbers.

• The proceeds from the previous sales have gone far towards funding Polidori Chocolates. Equipment has been purchased, inventory replenished, experiments done. It's also kept the lights on and the water running, as money's been tight since my writing gig at the Portland Tribune ended. So, it's working. And the Honest-to-God-Official-Website should arrive just in time for the super-hot summer weather when I shouldn't be shipping anything. Because my timing is golden.

• Speaking of shipping, it's going to cost more from now on. I was already eating $1.45 on each order to keep shipping reasonable -- and then the post office raised the price of Priority Mail. Add in the cost of packing materials, the case of cold packs that ran me almost as much in shipping as the packs themselves ... and I'm going to have to raise the cost of shipping to $9. I hate to do it, but it's still a lot more reasonable than UPS, who now want 25 bucks to guarantee three-day delivery of a one pound package to the other coast.

• The new phone book is here! I have business cards!  I'm SOMEBODY!

• Improvements have been made to the Envy truffles, giving them more of a punch of lime (the secret was to cook down the key lime juice to a concentrated syrup) and to the marshmallows (bigger, stickier vanilla beans and a switch from Bourbon vanilla extract to Tahitian vanilla, which has a less harsh, more floral flavor). Both are currently rocking my proverbial socks.

• And in case you've wondered what keeps a chocolatier entertained while she's dipping truffles, the answer is: TV on DVD. My computer, with its lovely flat-screen monitor, is a few feet from the dining room table dipping station, and I've been catching up on The Shield and Big Love. Also, the Netflix movies-on-demand feature is a wonderful thing to have, even if they STILL insist that you use Internet Explorer.

• And also, if you've read this far ... there will be another sale announced tomorrow. Friday, May 30. I would have done so sooner, but it's taken me awhile to conceptualize the new flavors. I'll leave the details for the announcement, but here's a clue: 1986. Gabriel Byrne and Julian Sands. Mad, bad, and dangerous to know. Also: Because I've had so many requests, full boxes of each flavor will now be available.

• And now, off to more of Vic Mackey and melted chocolate.

Comments

[Molly]

I loved the Envy truffle. Loved. It. Also the toffee one. The boyfriend was a big fan of the ones with fruits. (We doled them out sparingly and shared them all.) Deeelishus.

[elocin]

Hmmm....Gothic truffles? Lord Byron and Shelley in chocolate form....delicious! *licks*

Dr. Polidori. Ya know, that didn't click until now. Duh.

[Sandy]

I'm psyched for new flavors (and business cards!). I'm going to a big event in Atlanta next week - send me some business cards and I'll promote you. :P drop me an email if you're interested.

[eBayer in Seattle]

Fed Ex Ground Service beats UPS in price now---give them a try.
Can't wait to visit you when I return to my dear home town next time.