My oldest daughter turned 13 last week. Soon after she was born, as a 34-week preemie, she was whisked into the NICU so her growth could be monitored. Her hospital stay was expected to last “5 days.” Instead, she was hospitalized for 28 days. During that time, I remember being sad, angry, and discouraged. I was also so busy obsessing at her discharge date that I’d forgotten to plan for our new life together.
Those grueling four weeks taught me two valuable lessons: learn to surrender when you’re not in control but remember to plan for better days.
The past three weeks have been a whirlwind of event cancellations, Zoom-schooling, and batch cooking. When anxiety kicks in, I open the windows and let the blossoming trees remind me that life goes on.
Upcoming Internet Events
On Facebook
While waiting for the storm to pass, I’ve created new routines to create a sense of normalcy. Last week, I committed to go live on the 37 Chocolates Facebook page every Tuesday and Thursday at 3 PM ET until schools reopen. You can already watch the recordings of last week’s videos here and here.
Warning: you may order ALL the Chocolatasm Ginger Tiramisu bars after watching the second video.
Tomorrow’s live will exceptionally be held on the Facebook Page of My French Recipe, a cooking school based in Plano, TX. At 3 PM ET, I’ll be debunking 5 myths about chocolate, click here to add the event on your Facebook calendar.
On Instagram
I’ve convinced Christopher Curtin of Eclat Chocolate in West Chester, PA, to join me for a Q/A on Instagram this Wednesday, April 1 at 3 PM. Chris has run a successful chocolate business for 15 years and I look forward to him sharing his wisdom with us all. Until then, use code “STAYHOME” on Eclat Chocolate’s website for free shipping on your purchase of $50 of more. The Bourbon Pecan Cubes are especially delicious.
Support 37 Chocolates
Bonbons by Cocoa Nouveau, tasting mat by Projet Chocolat
I’m fortunate to have a roof over my head and food on the table. Without a physical shop or office, I don’t have to worry about paying rent or employees. The best way to support 37 Chocolates at this time is by ordering chocolate from your favorite chocolate-maker’s website. If you’re local, PLEASE consider supporting my existing tasting partners in the Brandywine Valley. Without them, there is no 37 Chocolates tasting.
- WINE // Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square, Grace Winery in Glenn Mills, and Harvest Ridge Winery in Toughkenamon, all provide curbside bottle pick-up. Check out each website for ordering and pick-up information.
- TEA // Brandywine Tea Company will ship your next loose tea order to your door. Reply to this email for a list of current favorites.
- COFFEE // Philter Coffee will deliver coffee beans and gear, as well as chocolate in a 30-min radius around Kennett Square. Meanwhile, in Newark, DE, Little Goat Coffee Roasting Co. will ship its house-roasted coffee all over the country… Speaking of which, you can learn more about this beloved coffee shop in this story I wrote for Edible Delmarva Magazine.
If you are in the chocolate industry, now would be a good time to invest in yourself and watch my video training on how to “pitch, design, and lead a chocolate tasting and pairing event.” Use code “cheers” for 15% the list price. You could also take advantage of this time to discover the keys to crowdfunding success by watching recordings of the talk that Emily Stone of Uncommon Cacao, Enna Grazier of Enna Chocolate, and I gave at the most recent Fine Chocolate Industry Association Elevate conference. Part 1 is available here and Part 2 here — thanks to Thanks Kimberly Yang for recording these videos.
Thanks so much for your support, I look forward to “seeing” you on Facebook. Until, be strong, stay home, and remember that this too shall pass.
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