He's #1

 I like that I can buy my dad a Van Otis Chocolate Trout for Father’s Day and don’t have to sit for six hours hoping to catch a real one.

I love the imagery of dad and daughter dipping a line while enjoying the serenity of a pond, surrounded by the music of spring peepers. However, my need for immediate gratification, fear of slimy things, and aversion to heat, humidity, and mosquitoes destroyed my angler aspirations.

I’m grateful that my sister filled the shoes (waders) of Dad’s fishing buddy. Dressed in her pink L.L. Bean fly fishing vest and carrying her matching tackle box, she’s spent many hours with our father in his favorite habitat.

This Father’s Day, I won’t be expressing my love by sitting in a canoe, smelling of bug dope. My dad will know how much he means to me when he opens a box of hazelnut truffles, Bacca Z Wine cordials, or a Number One Dad Pop. These pops come in delicious dark, milk, and white chocolate.

Check out the full line of Van Otis’s seasonal and holiday chocolates at www.vanotischocolates.com.

End of the World

December 2012 marks the conclusion of a b'ak'tun - a time period in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar which was used in Central America prior to the arrival of Europeans. Some interpretations suggest that the 2012 date marks the end of the world or a similar catastrophe.

Are you preparing for major devastation on December 21, 2012? If so, you may want to inventory the supplies in your Y2K bunker.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the jokes contrived from this concept. I especially like the irony that Dick Clark passed away during the year without need for a Rockin’ New Year's Celebration.

I know it’s not nice to make fun of people’s beliefs, but I figure this is a safe one. If I’m wrong, there won’t be anyone left to point a finger and say they told me so.

You still have time to sample all the great handmade confections at Van Otis Chocolates before December. Start with their famous Swiss Fudge and then head straight for the truffles. Don’t forget the wine and liquor-filled chocolates, the chocolate-covered popcorn, or the Van Oreos. And be sure to devote an entire day to their amazingly creamy fudge.

Actually, with all that Van Otis has to offer and only seven months left, you’d better hurry!

Peace Treatsy

There were so many notable conflicts during the 1970s and 1980s including the Vietnam War, bombings in Beirut, and who could forget the collision of chocolate and peanut butter. It wasn’t uncommon to hear, “You got your chocolate in my peanut butter!” and vice versa. I think we might have averted the chocolate/peanut butter argument if someone had thought to combine chocolate and liquor instead. Imagine a commercial where someone is walking along the sidewalk with a chocolate bar and accidentally collides with someone carrying a paper-bagged pint. Instead of an argument ensuing, I envision a euphoric scene with hearts, butterflies, and maybe even a pink unicorn - both parties are just that happy.

This kind of bliss exists at 341 Elm Street in Manchester, New Hampshire and at www.vanotis.com. Van Otis Chocolates’ confectioners have partnered some delicious chocolates and spirits including candied discs of Fragole Z Wine, Chocolate Raspberry Port Wine, Bacca Z Wine, French Brandy, and Cabin Fever Maple Whisky. Van Otis has also handcrafted the following truffles; some offers are limited, so hurry in!

Eggnog Truffle - These truffles are thickly layered with dark and milk chocolate and lightly sugar-coated. The creamy eggnog center has a hint of rum and nutmeg. It’s definitely a holiday-flavored treat.

Green Fairy Truffle - This truffle is a work of art with its powdered, mint green exterior. The extra creamy dark chocolate and strong absinth center is encased by a dark chocolate shell.

Cabin Fever Maple Whisky Truffle - This is another subtle alcohol offering with an interesting crunchy, dark chocolate exterior. The creamy chocolate center has a hint of maple flavor and an aftertaste of whiskey.

Baileys Truffle - A slightly bitter powdered exterior coats a milk chocolate shell, which encases a creamy chocolate and Irish cream center. These truffles are delicious!