Celebrate Easter with Van Otis

Once again, New England weather may wreak havoc on an impending holiday. Parkas and knit caps will replace dresses and bonnets. Colorful eggs will be hidden in dirt-encrusted snow banks, and the plastic Easter grass lining our baskets may be the only green we’ll see for months.

Van Otis always offers ways to brighten the holidays with gifting and celebration solutions. On Saturday, March 29, join Van Otis’ experienced candy makers at their 341 Elm Street retail location for “Create Your Own Easter Treat and Support the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester”. The event will be held from 9 am to 3 pm, and price per participant is only $5. Half of the proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester.

Marshmallow treats, in the shape of a bunny or Easter egg, will be cut and covered in chocolate. Participants will then be encouraged to add a personal touch with sprinkles and drizzled chocolate. All treats will be bagged and ready to take home, or even better, eaten immediately.

Candy and chocolate lovers of all ages are encouraged to attend and will be eligible for a chocolate bunny raffle prize. For further information, please visit our website at www.vanotis.com or contact us at info@vanotis.com or call us at (603) 627-1611.

Valentine's Day

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, a day of candy hearts, sappy greeting cards, and sweet expressions of love. This holiday comes a mere 44 days after you shouted from the rooftops that, from now on, you’ll only eat gritty protein bars and kale cooked 31 different ways.

Some would claim the holiday originated to honor a saint, who was persecuted for promoting love. I believe that some guy couldn't imagine Day 45 without chocolate, so he proclaimed it a holiday.

Whatever your beliefs, Van Otis offers compromise between January 1 and February 14. Van Otis’ chocolate-dipped strawberries are resolution covered in celebration.

Berries can be dipped in your choice of dark, milk, white chocolate, or an assortment and come in one, two, and three-pound sizes. They are only available at the Manchester retail location (no online orders) and are best enjoyed within 12 hours.

Trust us, they’re a lot better than chocolate-covered kale.

MAKE YOUR OWN CANDY CANE

Van Otis Chocolates is opening its doors on Saturday, December 7th, from 10am to 2pm, for a candy cane demonstration at 341 Elm Street Manchester, NH.

Customers will be able to watch our experienced candy makers handcraft candy canes the old fashion way. At the end of the demonstration, you will be handed a free sample ready to be given your final touch.

The event is suitable for candy lovers of all ages. In addition, a big candy cane will be raffled off in the store. Don’t miss this fun event on the first Saturday in December!

For further information, please visit our website at www.vanotis.com or contact us at info@vanotis.com or call us at (603) 627-1611.

PHYLLIS

Let’s talk turkey.

This year, Thanksgiving is three days before the month of December. There are 26 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, allowing four weekends to shop, decorate, mail cards, hang lights, sing a carol, wrap, tag, bake, celebrate, reflect, and generally prepare for Christmas.

This presents the dilemma of holiday decorating. Do you forgo the cornucopia and replace it with a snowman? On principle, can you eat pumpkin pie under blinking lights, while smelling balsam?

As usual, it’s Van Otis to the rescue. Since all of their handcrafted candies are works of art, they serve as both decor and dessert.

For 8 years, Van Otis has offered patrons Phyllis, a hollow, 13-lb chocolate turkey. She is a popular Thanksgiving fixture in the Manchester retail store and would be a great centerpiece on any Thanksgiving table.

After dinner, guests will surely help make Phyllis disappear, so you’re ready to hang mistletoe.

Easter

Several years ago, I admitted to the delinquent nature of our household’s mystical creatures in a blog titled Hop Out of Bed – It’s Easter! You would think that a public admission would have sparked improvement. Alas, it has not.

Part of the difficulty is that some holidays have incredibly erratic schedules. The Easter bunny gets super confused every spring. He can't even count on Easter falling in the same month every year. And the tooth fairy? Well, let’s just say she doesn’t come around here anymore.

This year, Easter is on March 31. That’s less than two weeks away!

Thankfully, Van Otis is a great holiday assistant. They offer traditional bunnies, pixie bunnies, and fudge-filled eggs in a variety of flavors including nutty peanut butter, peanut butter meltaway, caramel marshmallow, vanilla cream, coconut cream, and vanilla butter cream. Most are available in milk or dark chocolate, and all live up to Van Otis’ handmade confection perfection.

As with any seasonal Van Otis product, these are available for a limited time. So stop into Van Otis’ retail store at 341 Elm Street in Manchester, New Hampshire and stock up!

Time Change

It’s that time of year again – set your clocks ahead by one hour or “spring ahead”, which is a cheerful way of saying you just lost an hour of time.

Twice a year I roam about my house thinking, why does a chronically late family have so many clocks?

Our lack of punctuality could be blamed on the inconsistent settings. It’s not uncommon to see digital displays of 10:08, 10:12, and 10:13 all within a two-foot radius.

Twice a year we have the opportunity to synchronize our clock plethora, but twice a year we simply press the hour button until we've advanced or gone back an hour. As a result, each room in the house has its own time zone.

At Van Otis’ retail store on Elm Street in Manchester, New Hampshire, you’ll find handmade confections that will put a spring in your step. Check out their website (www.vanotis.com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/vanotischocolate) to see the latest seasonal options before it’s too late!

Curses, Foiled Again

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. You know how I know? There are shiny pink and red displays everywhere. Heart-shaped candies compete for my attention in the grocery aisles, convenience store racks, and at my favorite craft supply store - because nothing says “I love you” like grabbing candy at the checkout counter while purchasing glue sticks.

If your love is not fully expressed through chalky chocolate disguised in fancy foil, look to Van Otis. Van Otis Master Chocolatier J.P. Pisciotta’s confections meet the same high quality appearance AND taste standards that customers have come to expect and appreciate.

Stop by Van Otis’ retail store in Manchester, NH to see what J.P. has created for Valentine’s Day or shop online at www.vanotis.com. They have assorted candies in heart-shaped boxes, chocolate cupids,chocolate-covered strawberries, heart-shaped chocolates, and much more. Any item bearing the Van Otis label will tell your loved one how much you care.

Holiday Cards

I have done fairly well with my holiday shopping. I made a list, purchased early and online, and wrapped as I bought. I can proudly (and obnoxiously) announce that I’m nearly done. My remaining list consists of those hard-to-buy-for folks with no corresponding gift ideas.

You know the type. When you ask for gift suggestions, they reply with something like, “You don’t need to buy me a gift,” or, “Surprise me.” I’m really tempted to do just that. “Surprise! I hope you love this toilet plunger!” That might inspire more detailed answers next year.

Since the holidays aren’t about expressing sarcasm (out loud), I haven’t bought any plungers. Instead, I have decided to give the pleasant surprise of Van Otis gift cards. Van Otis gift cards are one-size-fits-all. There are so many treat options including caramels, Swiss Fudge, truffles, cashews, and popcorn, to name just a few. My gift card recipients will definitely find something that they like.

Corporate Gifting

Several years ago, I wrote a blog about my job responsibility of employee recognition. Along with this task, I was also responsible for finding the perfect holiday gift to recognize our customers and thank them for our business partnership.

I really enjoyed this part of my job but was surprised each year by the difficulty of the task. I am a highly skilled shopper with YEARS of training – just ask my husband. So finding something that expressed appreciation AND would be valued by the recipient should have been a piece of cake piece of chocolate.

The difficulty was finding a gift that contained a quality product, looked festive, and could be enjoyed by many staff members, rather than a single business contact.

Van Otis offers several corporate gift options in their gift guide that will relay your company’s sincere appreciation. Each option contains handcrafted confections and/or Van Otis’ cashews and popcorn, wrapped in elegant and festive packaging. You can check out your options at www.vanotis.com or stop by the retail shop in Manchester to place an order.

Chew on This

My fraternal grandparents were very appreciative gift recipients, although somewhat eccentric. Old and worn was for daily use; new and nice was saved for a special occasion.

For years my grandfather wore slippers that were tattered, torn, and worn through the soles. Of course many family members noticed this, so he received new slippers nearly every Christmas. When my grandfather passed away, we found boxes and boxes of brand new slippers stored in his closet. We’re still unsure what would have qualified as a “special occasion” for breaking out a new pair of slippers.

I realized the degree of their appreciation for new and nice the year we gave my grandmother a new entryway rug. Shortly after Christmas, the rug was hanging on her living room wall. We tried to explain that it was a rug, not a wall hanging. Disgustedly, she responded that she certainly was NOT going to let anyone step on it.

If my grandparents were alive today, Van Otis’ new line of caramels would earn a place on their bookshelf or hanging next to their door mat. These candies are so pleasing to the eye that you may hesitate eating them, that is, until you eat your first one.

Van Otis Master Chocolatier, Jack Michael Pisciotta has created the perfect blend of innovative flavors for this new line of Gourmet Caramels. Van Otis is currently offering an introductory assortment that includes six premium flavors: Vanilla Bean, Pumpkin, Raspberry, Anise, Sea Salt, and Molasses.

Seasonal flavors, like Pumpkin, will be available for a limited time only but will be replaced with holiday-inspired flavors throughout the coming months. 

First Aid

Let’s review the contents of my first aid kit – bandages, antibiotic wipes, aspirin, latex gloves, dark chocolate, and a lancet. One of these things is clearly NOT like the others – the lancet. No one in their right mind wants me operating a sharp, pointy tool during a crisis. No one.

The other items have clear health benefits. While wearing latex gloves, you clean a cut with antibiotic wipes, cover it with a bandage, and administer aspirin and a piece of dark chocolate for the pain.

Dark chocolate has so many benefits that it should be in every first aid kit, medicine cabinet and plentiful at doctors’ offices. Van Otis has many items to choose from, so stop by their retail store or website and be prepared for your next health emergency.

Dark Chocolate is Good for Your Heart

Studies show that eating a small amount of dark chocolate two or three times each week can help lower your blood pressure.

Dark Chocolate is Good for Your Brain

Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart, so it can help improve cognitive function. It also contains several chemical compounds that have a positive effect on your mood and cognitive health, including caffeine, a mild stimulant.

Dark Chocolate Helps Control Blood Sugar

Dark chocolate helps keep your blood vessels healthy and your circulation. It also has a low glycemic index, meaning it won't cause huge spikes in blood sugar levels.

Dark Chocolate is Full of Antioxidants

Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants help free your body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells.

Dark Chocolate Contains Theobromine

Theobromine has been shown to harden tooth enamel and helps suppress coughs.

Dark Chocolate is High in Vitamins and Minerals

Dark chocolate contains a number of vitamins and minerals that can support your health, including potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron.

Chocolat

One of my favorite movies of all time is Chocolat. If you haven’t seen it – DO! The acting, scenery, and storyline are fabulous. It has multiple plotlines, some dealing with serious topics, but remains quirky throughout. The authenticity of the little town and characters make you want to move there. Of course, then you’d be living on a movie set.

I won’t ruin the story for you if you haven’t seen it. But to tempt you, the gorgeous Juliette Binoche plays the main character. She befriends the amazing Judy Dench and talented Lena Olin. The movie is dripping with all things chocolate, and just when you think your sweet tooth is satisfied, in comes Johnny Depp.

One of the many chocolate items featured in the film is hot chocolate. Now, this isn’t just any hot chocolate. It’s ultra thick and has a hint of chili pepper in it.

This movie sparked my interest in chili chocolate. I was hesitant at first, imagining chocolate with strong Mexican flavor. Really, chili chocolate is nothing more than yummy chocolate with an after bite of heat in your mouth. It’s wonderful.

And because they have it all, Van Otis offers their version of spicy chocolate. Dark Volcano Bark and Milk Volcano Bark can be found at VO’s retail store in Manchester, New Hampshire. Well, I say they have it all. Johnny Depp isn’t included.

Let the Games Begin

The Olympics reminded me how important it is to train for any sport. Therefore, I started early and believe I’m prepared for fall sports season. I streamlined the time it takes me to maneuver a folding canvas chair in and out of its ridiculously compact carrying case. I can throw my voice to carry “Go Team” a fair distance. I’ve also worked my rotator cuffs so that I can swat mosquitoes in my nether region. I’m ready to play sports spectator.

If you have elementary-aged kids, they may participate in a volunteer recreational program. This is the time when the parents are divided – volunteer coach or spectator. I’ve always fallen into the spectator category. I figured I’d be much better at it than coach.

Not every parent volunteer does this type of self-analysis before raising their hand. My kids have had their fair share of well-intended volunteer coaches who carry a For Dummies book in their back pocket and yell, “Good Try!” a lot.

I never judge. I think that anyone who will give up 6-8 hours each week to teach kids how to field a baseball rather than pick dandelions deserves only gratitude.

But here’s the dilemma. What do you give these volunteers at the end of the season to express your appreciation?

Van Otis has a tasteful solution to your gifting needs. The Sweet Impressions line offers chocolate plaques for football, tennis, soccer, baseball, and music enthusiasts. Most plaques also have accompanying foil-wrapped chocolates to compliment each theme. 

Be a Winner

Every once in a while my husband and I talk about what we’d do with a major lottery prize. And like most couples who do this, we don’t actually buy lottery tickets. However, we do occasionally purchase raffle tickets to support a cause and have been winners.

My husband once bought a single raffle ticket at a hunters’ banquet and was the big winner of some fancy, schmancy gun. I wouldn’t recommend winning the grand prize and bragging about it in a room full of multi-weapon owners.

When it comes to games of chance, most people say, “I never win anything,” and they don’t enter. I’m horrible at statistical math, but I have to believe this reduces the odds. Although in my case, I once won a trip to the Women’s US Tennis Open in New York without personally entering.

My dad likes games of chance. He isn’t in a local convenience store every night buying scratch-off tickets, but he takes advantage of any free opportunity to win something.

He purchased a hairdryer, and in the box there were multiple entry forms for chances to win trips to various US Opens. He filled them out for each of our four family members, and I won.

I encourage you to be more proactive. Van Otis Chocolates offers a monthly giveaway of 1 pound of assorted chocolates. All you have to do is complete the online entry form for a chance to win delicious handmade chocolates. What are you waiting for? You could be July’s winner!

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.

Spummer?

This beautiful spring weather has been lovely but confusing. For example, this morning when I barked a third get-out-of-bed warning, my daughter lifted an eyelid and said, “We have to go to school?” She is very bright – academically.

The cause for confusion is that our weekends have been filled with traditional summer activities. We’ve had so many BBQs that we’ll be craving a turkey dinner or any departure from potato salad by mid-June.

The kids have been in the swimming pool almost daily since the second week of May. My son even made a daring late-April attempt by jumping into the icy water. Before the father of my future grandchildren could ruin my chances for future grandchildren, he defied gravity and flew back out of the pool. Upon catching his breath, he announced the water was very cold - another academic wiz.

Those crafty confectioners at Van Otis are also anxious for summer. Check out their spring and summer line, including the artsy daisy pops and molded chocolates for motorcycle enthusiasts.

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!

Happy Mother-in-Law's Day

I’m fortunate to have a wonderful mother, but this Mother’s Day blog is dedicated to my mother-in-law (MIL). She deserves all the love, happiness, and yummy goodness available at Van Otis Chocolates. VO Chocolate Covered Creams will be the perfect gift this year!

My MIL is fabulous and best of all, she’s funny. She’s rarely intentionally funny, but she can laugh at herself along with the rest of us. She’s entertained us so much over the years that I began to keep a journal of things she and my father-in-law have said that we want to remember.

Here are a few stories involving my MIL. Our Mother’s Day celebration is guaranteed to be filled with lots of laughter and likely, some new stories for the book.

Before heading to the prom, my MIL wanted to tell her daughter to be good and have a good time. Her parting words to daughter and date were, “Be a good time!”

In response to a text about my son’s game schedule change, my MIL replies “G7”. She calls not long afterward. Giggling, she says, “I meant to text G8 for great.” I point out that G8 would actually read “gate”.

Upon leaving the movie theater, my MIL says, “That was a good movie, except there was an awful lot of fighting in it.” She had just seen The Fighter.

My son said to me, “I wish you’d have another baby. I want a little brother.” My MIL responded, “No, you don’t. Soon you’ll be driving, and you wouldn’t want to have Joe Jr. tagging along.” My husband (whose name is not Joe) said, “Ma, who’s Joe Sr.?”

In his heavy New England accent, my dad was talking about a former, local ice cream stand called Averills. My MIL, sitting at the opposite end of the dining room table, said, “Who would name an ice cream stand A-holes?”

Happy Mother’s Day!

And Speaking of White Chocolate...

Put this mix in several bowls and spread them around your next party setting. Be prepared to hear people exclaim that they can’t possibly like it because they don’t like white chocolate. Next they'll get mad at you because it's so addictive. It’s going to happen. I guarantee it. Someone might also give you an award for being the best party host on the planet. I won’t guarantee this, but it could happen.

White Chocolate Party Mix1 1/2 cups of EACH of the following:

• Corn cereal (i.e. Corn Chex)
• Rice cereal (i.e. Rice Chex)
• Toasted oats cereal (i.e. Cheerios)
• Van Otis cashews
• Small pretzels
• M&M's
• 2 large Van Otis white chocolate bars
  

Mix all of the first six dry ingredients in a large bowl. Melt Van Otis white chocolate in a microwave or on a stove top according to melting directions. Pour the melted chocolate over dry ingredients and stir until coated. Spread mixture onto a piece of waxed paper. Once hardened, break apart and store in a sealed container.

Party in a Bag

Easter always helps me turn the corner from winter to spring. I’m willing to exchange snowflake for springtime decorations, including my retired Van Otis candy molds. Some people have connections to get courtside seats; I have connections to get old pieces of metal shaped like bunnies and chicks. I win.

Every Easter, I try to outdo myself with new basket displays and unique content. After recently seeing a Van Otis Facebook post, I knew I had found this year’s “unique”.Jelly Bean Bark is bite-sized chocolate pieces embedded with brightly colored jelly beans.

The bark comes in Van Otis’ exceptionally creamy white and milk chocolate. I was surprised to discover that of the two options, Van Otis’ white chocolate Jelly Bean Bark is my favorite. (Remember, I’m a dark chocolate fan.) There’s saltiness to the white chocolate that pairs well with the super sweet jelly beans.

Another reason I’m drawn to the white chocolate bark is the overall appearance. Each half-pound bag of bark comes in a clear package, tied with a pastel-colored ribbon. The white chocolate bark looks like squares of confetti cake.

Get your own party in a bag at Van Otis’ retail shop in Manchester, New Hampshire or at www.vanotis.com. Also make sure to “like” Van Otis’ Facebook page for updated product and event information.