"Hello, my name is Donna Diegel, and I'm a chocoholic!" Anyone that knows me, knows I love chocolate and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm addicted to the stuff. I really should go to support group meetings, but then I'd be the one volunteering to bring chocolate refreshments afterwards. I'd also be dragging one of my daughters along with me. Actually, she's worse than I am. I wonder where she gets it from?
Valentine's Day is right around the corner. I knew it was coming up, but it didn't register that it was next week! I should have been a little quicker to pick up on this since the stores are full of red and pink candy, flowers and balloons. I've also been getting a lot of junk email from FTD and other candy sites. So, I really had to get my butt in gear and try to play catch up with my Valentine's articles for Suite101. I'm a little late getting started, but here I am!
There are a few on-line dessert companies worthy of my time and that I've really been impressed with lately. I thought I should share them with everyone here so I wouldn't be the only naughty chocoholic! It's not too late to order. Just do it!
Lake Champlain Chocolates in Burlington Vermont, is my absolute favorite chocolate. I should have bought stock in this company because I've kept them in business all these years! Their gourmet chocolate truffles are to die for. The outside of the truffle is a thin milk or dark chocolate shell that conceals insides made of ganache that are so silky smooth they melt in your mouth. With flavors like Cappuccino, Grande Valencia, French Roast, Vanilla Malt, Raspberry and Champagne, who could resist? Then they're meticulously hand-decorated and beautifully presented in unique and colorful seasonal boxes with matching hand-tied ribbons. I also adore their Almond Butter Crunch and Signature Milk Chocolate Bar with Almonds. Heck, I'll eat them all! They even have a Chocolate Bar Sampler with 21 bars of gourmet chocolate. WOW! I'm in love!
Another company that I've had a love affair with lately is Amy's Apples from Providence, Rhode Island. I can't say enough good things about this company. I found them completely by accident one day when I went to a wine tasting at Newport Vineyards. They were set up as 
vendors giving away samples and they had to be the most popular booth there. I believe they sold out that day. Their apples are simply outrageous! They are so enormous that one apple will feed a party of five! You might think that $14.00 per apple is an insane price to pay for an apple, but once you see the size of this thing and taste the sinfully rich caramel and chocolate covered masterpiece, you'll fall in love too! We had a Cashew Lover's Delight and a Heath Bar Heaven. I could use every adjective there is to describe how awesome these apples are, but until you try them for yourself, you'll never know true happiness!
Enjoy! I know I will!
One of these days, I really need to try one of those Amy's Apples. They look like they're to die for!
And I'm assuming you meant me when you mentioned you'd have to drag one of your daughter's to the support group meeting. I blame it all on you. It's a genetic dependency. ;)
Posted by: Erika Martin - Stampin' Mama | February 07, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Lake Champlain Chocolates are the mother-loving, um, doodie. Yes?
Posted by: Senator Gerald Penny | February 09, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Wow! Thanks for the kind words about our products! It's awesome to be surfing around blogs and find others who love our chocolate. Thank you for making a crazy busy day worth while. :) And as for the truffles, Vanilla Malt is my fav!! Have a great Valentines Day. And remember, eat good chocolate.
Posted by: Leann | February 11, 2008 at 03:58 PM