And the cycle of life -- well, chocolate -- continues.

The orders for Sale #3 finally left the building last night, after a number of delays. There were printer-ink issues and Internet outages that slowed the shipping. There were shipments from suppliers that didn't arrive, and general dumbassery on my part. There was the pulling out of hair and e-mailed apologies.

And yet, it's done. With the exception of one large order of marshmallows that has to go to Everett, Wa., and is sitting here waiting to be ferried to the post office. And then on to getting the Gothic Weekend orders filled next week, so that they're timely, getting me back on a do-able work schedule.

The learning continues. The stress comes from the fact that unexpected problems are, not to put too fine a point on it, unexpected. Which means that when X happens, it comes as a big surprise, and I end up feeling stupid because I didn't plan for X in the first place. And there have been far more Xs than I thought there would be.

In other developments:

• I have graduated from plastic dipping tools (better than fingers) to brand-new stainless steel dipping tools (better than anything, save an enrobing machine). Will the chocolates be better because of it? How could they not be? Having good tools rocks.

• I've started picking up odd food items when I'm out shopping or buying stuff online, and then brainstorming what I can do with them. On the shelf at the moment: Chile-powder coated mango slices, partially dehydrated bananas, and coconut milk powder. No, I will not be using them all together. I don't think.

• Experimentally, I've been making "bark" by adding random ingredients to leftover tempered chocolate, letting it harden, then breaking it up. The best so far has been pistachios, almonds and currents added to dark chocolate, although the milk chocolate version is mighty tasty, too.

• And finally, if you've ever wondered what a double batch of marshmallow looks like as it's being whipped in a 5-quart mixing bowl, here's an action shot:

Comments

[Maggie]

Hi,

I don't know if you got my email on Friday since I replied to the paypal invoice, but my order was missing one of the chocolate marshmellows. I had ordered 2 of them and 1 of the coconut. The invoice in the package noted 2, but there was only 1.

Everything was delicious though!

Thanks!
Maggie

[Dawn]

Hi, Maggie --

Ooops. And grr. I've made a note of the missing marshmallows, and will send out some more to you on Wednesday. Glad you liked everything!

[Maggie]

Thanks, Dawn - it's no problem! Everything tastes terrific! :-)

[Deanna]

Hiya! I sent you an email last night....as of today, I've not received my box of 7 sins + 1, and the requested replacement of defective truffles instead of the 2 orders of marshmallows....help? Thanks!

[Dawn]

Hi, Deanna -- I just sent you an e-mail, and everything will be on its way shortly.

[Nancy Lebovitz]

My Gothic Weekend chocolates haven't arrived....what's up?