Sundae dough strain leafly

Book cover
The Archipelago publishes every Wednesday. See the pinned comment for links to the contents.
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I tied the boat up to a small jetti, somewhat relieved Alessia couldn’t see the knot I hastily threw together, and pulled myself up onto the platform.
Already I could feel a degree of exhaustion. The short row to the shore had already eaten away at the atrophied muscles in my arms. Still, the impatience in my brain had won out. It needed exercise more than my body needed rest.
While I built up some reserves of energy, I took in my surroundings. I hoped to find an islander on a break, idly waiting by the sea, and who might want to talk about Vexids. But while the port didn’t seem busy, anyone I could see was engaged in a task. Porters carried textiles - mostly wool and cotton - off to waiting traders, sellers and buyers negotiated with the waiting boats down by the dock, but no one was stopped. Usually, beyond trade, ports were a place where you’d find those relaxing, finding peace in the coming and going of the waves. But here, there were none.
“Can I help you?” I turned to see a woman in her mid-thirties bounding towards me with almost excessive enthusiasm.
“Yes. I’m just visiting. I came on the large ship.” I tilted my head towards the Deer Drum boat, floating off the coast like an island of its own
“Ah excellent. Another from Deer Drum. Welcome. Can I introduce you to our island? Maybe give you a tour?” She grinned wide, as though pulling her own cheeks back with hooks.
The woman’s overt enthusiasm felt abrasive against my own lethargy. An ache ran across my back. “I would love to understand more.” The words felt stiff, my vocal chords still stretching into shape. “We may have to move slowly though, I’ve been recovering from an injury.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” the woman replied with the same tone and smile. “Well, if you want to learn more about the island, you’re in luck. My name is Endesha. My passion is sharing the island’s history with others, and I’m on my passion rotation right now. ”
“Passion rotation?”
“Yes. Are you familiar with our island at all?” She said, clasping her hands together by her stomach.
“Honestly, nothing. I know a couple of the islanders have been here. One girl in particular, fifteen years old.” I held up my hand out about Mirai’s height. “I hear she’s visited a lot and likes the place. But no idea beyond that.”
Endesha looked up, searching her memory. “Ah, yes. Mirai. Brilliant young woman. I’ve met her a few times. Fits right in here, a mind like that.” She said, pointing a finger. “Well, maybe we can walk to the town square, it’s only a short walk, and I’ll tell you a bit more about our history on our way.”
I nodded in agreement, and Endesha held up an arm to guide the way. She led me up through the town past beige stone structures till we arrived at a long, thin building. Inside I could hear the thrum of machines, the thudding so loud it threatened to topple the aged and cracked walls. Endesha pointed to an engraving; old eroded numbers that read 7-7-10.
“This is one of the oldest buildings in the work part of town. And it celebrates our most important rule.” Endesha looked at it with reverence. “When The Archipelago formed, those here felt that too many had died living wasteful lives, never doing what made them truly happy. And so beaame the law.” She began counting each point on her fingers. “Seven hours of work, our sacrifice to keeping the island running and ensuring we have food to eat. Seven hours to rest, eat and sleep.” She leaned in, her mouth grinning with delight. “And ten hours to chase our passions, and become the best people we can be.”
“You only work for seven hours? The other seventeen are all yours?”
“To be the best we can be.” She corrected me with a wagged finger. “The whole town is separated into three sectors. Here, near the harbour, is our industry, to the North we have the homes where people live and sleep, and to the east, is the true treasure of the island. The drive sector.” She turned and jolted with purpose, drawn eastwards by the sector’s mere mention. My legs strained to keep up, joints unsteady and unsure. “I’ve spent a fair amount of time pouring over the documents from the island’s founding and how they describe the old world. There are old descriptions of people watching moving pictures, or making men and women move with hand-held controllers just for fun. They use the term *to kill time*. Can you believe that? To kill time.”
I thought of the many times on Alessia’s boat, on a relatively still day, when I would simply sit on the edge, watching peaceful waves roll by. “I… I think we might still do that?”
“Not here.” Endesha said, her arms outstretched, allowing a broad chest to bellow the words out. “Tell me, Ferdinand. When are you happiest?”
“What?” I said, my feet almost tripping on the words.
“When do you feel happy?”
I tried to go through a list. The drunken walk back to our property on Talin Barier with Alessia. Singing songs with the Deer Drum crew. When Alessia gave me my room on the boat. So many came back to Alessia. Too many. “I’m not sure,” I said, still dodging the truth even to a stranger. “People maybe?”
“Even in the old world people spoke of having a calling. Something they wanted to do - not for glory or riches, but for the love of the task. Pursuing that is where happiness lies. Sure, you can be fine sitting about on a warm sunny day…” She waved an arm dismissively. “But real contentment lies in what drives us, what fascinates us. Don’t you agree?”
A small smile flickered across my lips as I remembered my own calling. While the chase of the Citadel on Kadear had been intoxicating, travelling the Archipelago had been more than a want. Happiness that lifted your chest as well as your lips. “I’m beginning to.”
Her already huge smile gained an extra lift at my agreement. “Then is it not the duty of this - or any island, to help you achieve those dreams? To push you to do what you are capable of.” She prodded my chest with a hard finger. “That is what those ten hours are for. To chase what drives you. To become what you are capable of. Not for the island, but for yourself.”
The conversation paused as the road widened out into a large town square. In the middle was a wooden stage made of varnished pine. It was low enough that you could step up to it with a good leap, but wide enough to hold a good thirty or forty people if required.
“We have a bit of a ritual that comes with those passions,” Endesha chuckled, staring at the platform. “I took a while to understand it, I had to go through pages and pages of correspondence among the island’s first council members. However, what they realised is that one of the most important parts of chasing your passions is to acknowledge them. To state your dreams aloud and not cower from them.”
It made sense. So many times I had stared at that map in my home in Kadear. But other than brief conversations with Thomas my wishes of travelling were hidden. Only external events brought that desire out of the darkness.
Endesha walked towards the stage. I could almost see the years of the residents who had taken to the stand in her eyes. “Between the ages of fifteen and sixteen, all residents come here to declare their passion in front of the island. I came here,” she pointed to each individual invisible attendee. “I told them I wanted to learn about the history of Vexids Receives and share it with visitors. And in attending, they told me that they would help me, push me in pursuit of that passion.” She turned to me, her smile reverential. “In a few weeks, the next group will take to that stage. And you can be certain I will be witness to their proclamations.”
I thought about what I would’ve said on such a stage. How much easier would my travels have been if I had had to declare that drive to my fellow islanders, and they in turn were duty bound to help me pursue it?
Endesha meanwhile was telling me about the history of the stage. The details of when it was first built and the repairs done to it over the years, and how it intertwined with the rest of the planned town. But the dates and minutia weren’t the reason for the smile on my face. It was the growing understanding of this place, and the freedom to give yourself not just to your island, or your own greed and vices, but to what called you.
It seemed to shake off some of the lethargy in my bones, and when Endesha asked if I wanted to continue on to the see the passion sector, I obliged.
We made our way east, as Endesha regaled me with the founders’ foresight in the layout. A series of workshops each in their own courtyard, their entrances facing inward. Each one had large wooden shutters at the back and front the entire width of the building save for a small doorway at the end. The lack of warmth in Winter was a price worth paying for the community the openness created.
We turned and entered into one of the courtyards as I was met with the output of people’s hobbies: the sound of sandpaper grated across wood, the tune of an accordion pushing notes through its pipes. I could smell the aroma of old books, in between the wafts of fresh paint.
The sights and sounds were a melody somehow borne of cacophony. No thread connected each space. Each room was home to a different activity. All the island did was give space for them to grow. And yet, the end result seemed harmonious.
I watched a woman placing red hot metal into a great furnace, while next door another folded dough, flour pluming into the air each time the bread hit the table.
Creaking metal snatched my attention. Atop one of the rooms to the left was a small windmill. Rusted iron blades oscillated with each rotation, but still it turned in the light breeze. From its base, a slew of cables ran down the roof disappearing through a hole near the edge. Looking into the shadowy room I could see two figures. A middle aged man, with curly balding hair, and a teenage girl.
“Mirai!” I called out.
Mirai looked up, two wires in one hand, and a tool in the other. “Ferdinand! You made it off the ship.”
“Eir finally let me go.”
Mirai put the wires down on a bench and pointed to the man behind her. “This is Charles. Charles, this is Ferdinand. He helped us move from Deer Drum.”
The man took off a pair of thick, leather gloves and reached out to shake my hand. His face was blotched, and there were a few wrinkles across his brow. But his cheeks were taut and youthful. “Good to meet you. Welcome to my electrical shop.”
“Charles does electrical engineering as his passion,” Mirai said, jumping in to add more information. “He’s built so many things. Small engines, toys… every workshop in this courtyard has electric lights now thanks to Charles.” She pointed to the bulb hanging from dangled wiring above.
“I’m no genius. But I’ve got pretty good over the years.” Charles said, thumbs tucked into the straps of his overalls.
Mirai continued. “He’s currently trying to get a windmill working. He could power the whole island off wind power alone.”
“It used to be a common form of electrical power in the old world,” Endesha added, stepping between us. “I believe there may be the odd island in the Archipelago where it exists, but it would be a serious boon to have it here.”
Charles grinned but bowed his head.
“Charles has been letting me help out for the past few days. Soldering cables, testing currents, that kind of thing,” Mirai beamed.
“She’s been a great help. Hard to try and fix the turbine on the roof and measure the currents down here at the same time,” Charles added with a chuckle.
“It’s amazing. I’ve been sitting on that boat for months just watching the oceans roll by,” Mirai stretched out the words so they were as boring as a flat, windless sea. “I designed that one fish net, but other than that I haven’t got to do anything. But, Ferdinand, I love this stuff.”
“I’m glad it’s going so well,” I smiled.
Suddenly she snapped her fingers. “Here, let me show you something.” She turned, leaping between tables, before returning with a series of wires that connected a lightbulb to a small metal box with a wooden handle. “I made this. Turn the handle.”
I looked at her hesitantly.
“Go on.”
It was only the width of my palm, but still, the small pole was hard to turn.
Mirai laughed. “Harder. You’ll have to go faster.”
My muscles were still wasted and weak from the Anmanion islands, and even this small chore was causing my arm to ache. However, for Mirai’s sake, I put in more effort, pushing past the resistance, until the wheel span faster and I saw a small flicker of light from the bulb. The spark invigorated me, and I cranked harder until a soft yellow glow from the bulb rose and dimmed with each shift of my arm. We all watched the light for a few seconds, until the stiffness in my wrist returned and I had to stop.
“Mirai, that’s amazing.” I smiled, shaking off the aches.
“I mean, it’s nothing compared to what Charles has done.” Mirai looked to the side, turning her cheeks. “But it’s a start.”
“It’s an excellent start,” I nodded.
The enthusiasm came back. “I just love this stuff so much. I wish I could do it forever.”
“You could,” Endesha interrupted.
All heads turned to her.
“Anyone can join Vexids Receives over the age of fifteen. It was one of the rules created by the island’s founders. All you have to do is declare your passion during the ceremony.”
I felt my teeth grit, watching this stranger so ignorant of Mirai and her world. Mirai’s face lit up. “When’s the next ceremony!?”
“About three weeks’ time.” Endesha replied, ignoring my grimace.
Mirai’s eyes glossed over, filled with an idyllic vision. “I can keep doing this? I can stay?”
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The Archipelago publishes every Wednesday. See the pinned comment for links to the contents.

For about a month now I've been debating getting an OLED for mainly PC gaming but also work (probably 70/30 split, 70% gaming). I've probably read and watched hundreds of threads/videos on this topic.
The one I want the most is the AW3423DW, but it's not sold in my country for a reasonable price ($1600 USD). Same with the Samsung OLED G8.
When I compare that to the LG C2 42" which I can get for about $800 USD, it just doesn't make sense to get the QD-OLED. The thing is: 42" is too big for me, and my wife would definitely get migraines / eye strain / fatigue from using such a big screen as a monitor.
The Dough 1440p OLED glossy monitor looks perfect for me, but yeah I don't wanna risk ~1000 USD to possibly get scammed.
So I guess I just want to hear from those who are/were in a similar situation as me, what did you do? Are you holding off on buying? Did you end up buying the C2 anyway and adapting to it?
For reference I'm currently on a 3080, using a LG 27GP850-B at 1440p. I'm happy with it but after seeing my friends gaming on OLEDs, can't help but want to upgrade.

I have access to my choice of two clones of the strains listed below. They are described as mature/ "pre-teens". They are sun-acclimated, ready for the backyard - basically plug and play. Since I am only limited to growing two, which 2 would you choose, and more importantly, why? They are all photoperiods, so none of these ladies will be ready for harvest until October+.I'm having a hard time making a final decision, so hopefully this group and help me to make up my mind:
Superboof (Black Cherry Punch x Tropicana Cookies. Breeder cut)
Cobracabanna (breeder - Kind Farms.Passion Snake x Dual OG 4 (Passion Snake = Snakes Cakes S1 Bx ) (Snakes Cake x Snake Lite. Pheno hunted)
Purple Jane Dough (breeder Lumpy's. 50/50. Pheno hunted)
Apple Crisp (Described as an Indica-leaning Hybrid that mixes some of the best phenotypes from the Cookies strain crossed with a Sour Apple x Sour Diesel. Pheno hunted.)
Choka Cola (breeder Marks Organix in York Maine. Granola Funk x Rootbeer x I-95. Breeder cut)
Cap Junky ( breeder Capulator and Seed Junky Genetics. Alien Cookies x Kush Mints #11. Breeder cut)
Banana Creme Cake X Jealousy (breeder Seed Junky - pheno hunted)
Anonymous og (breeder 3C Kushishima - pheno hunted. Strong og Kush derivative)
Gold Dust (breeder Exotic Genetix, crossing Rainbow Runtz x Scotty 2 Hotty. Pheno hunted)
Banana Bellini (breeder Mt Baker Home Grown. Indica. Pheno hunted)
Candied Truffles (Terple #17 (Candy Cut) x White Truffles. Indica dominant.Pheno hunted.)

Here is the prompt I gave ChatGPT:
Write a Breaking Bad season summary, where you give a summary of 10 episodes centered around the theme of Walter White opening a bakery and competing against Gus Fring's bakery empire. Walter is on the quest to create the perfect muffin.
And here is what ensued. Enjoy...Breaking Bread.
Season Summary: Breaking Bread
Season 1 of Breaking Bread follows the exhilarating journey of Walter White as he embarks on a risky endeavor: opening a bakery to compete against the powerful bakery empire of Gus Fring. Fueled by his determination to create the perfect muffin, Walter dives deep into the cutthroat world of baked goods, facing challenges, betrayals, and unexpected alliances along the way.
​
Episode 1: "Rising Dough"
Walter White, a former chemistry teacher turned aspiring baker, convinces his former student Jesse Pinkman to join him in opening a bakery. They set out to perfect their muffin recipe, unaware of the fierce competition they will face.
​
Episode 2: "A Crust of Trust"
Walter and Jesse face skepticism from the community as they struggle to establish their bakery's reputation. They enlist the help of Saul Goodman, a charismatic lawyer, to navigate legal obstacles and gain a foothold in the market.
​
Episode 3: "The Yeast Connection"
As word of their delicious muffins spreads, Walter and Jesse find themselves caught in the middle of a turf war between rival bakery owners. They must make strategic alliances to protect their business and secure their position in the industry.
​
Episode 4: "Kneading Trouble"
Walter's obsession with creating the perfect muffin strains his relationship with Jesse. Their conflicting visions for the bakery's future threaten to tear them apart as they grapple with their personal ambitions.
​
Episode 5: "Recipe for Disaster"
Gus Fring, the powerful owner of a bakery empire, takes notice of Walter and Jesse's rising success. He sets out to undermine their business, using his vast resources to sabotage their operations and steal their customers.
​
Episode 6: "The Secret Ingredient"
Walter's pursuit of the perfect muffin leads him down a dark path as he experiments with unconventional ingredients. His increasing desperation to surpass Gus Fring's baked goods pushes the boundaries of ethics and sanity.
​
Episode 7: "Rise and Bake"
With the support of loyal customers and the local community, Walter and Jesse's bakery begins to gain momentum. Their dedication and relentless pursuit of quality win over the hearts of food critics and ignite a baking revolution.
​
Episode 8: "Proof of Success"
As Walter and Jesse's bakery thrives, tensions escalate with Gus Fring, who resorts to more aggressive tactics to dismantle their business. The competition intensifies, leading to a high-stakes baking contest that will determine the true baking champion of Albuquerque.
​
Episode 9: "The Final Rise"
Walter's single-minded pursuit of baking perfection takes a toll on his relationships and his own well-being. The line between passion and obsession blurs as he risks losing everything he has built in his quest to outshine Gus Fring's empire.
​
Episode 10: "Baking Bad"
In the season finale, Walter and Gus engage in an epic final showdown as their rival bakeries go head-to-head in a climactic bake-off. With the future of their businesses and their legacies on the line, Walter must confront the consequences of his choices and decide how far he is willing to go to achieve his baking dreams.
​
Breaking Bread explores the themes of ambition, obsession, and the lengths one is willing to go to pursue success. Through the artistry of baking, Walter White's transformation takes center stage, showcasing the darkness and brilliance that can arise when passion and ambition collide in the world of pastries.

I am from Brazil and here is starting to get easier for us to get access, so: I was wondering, are the strains from like 2010 still available? Remember reading leafly at the time and crazy to smoke some of the strains famous like GSC, Northern Lights, Sour Diesel, Og Kush, WW etc etc. Can you guys recommend some of the banks that still have these "original" strains or theres no such thing and there are only hybrids?

The Upcoming ALDI Finds Ad for 06/07/23 - 06/13/23 is now available. The ad actually starts three days earlier in some stores. A list of items in each category is included below.
Bold denotes items that are new since the corresponding Aldi Finds Sneak Peek ad was published.

• Home Goods
  • Huntington Home 10-Tier Shoe Tower - $19.99 (each)
  • Huntington Home 4-Piece Bamboo Sheet Set - $34.99 (each)
  • Huntington Home Breezy Striped Window Sheers - $9.99 (each)
  • Huntington Home Cooling Down Alt Comforter - $34.99 (each)
  • Huntington Home Multipurpose Woven Throw - $19.99 (each)
• Kitchen
  • Crofton 11" Stainless Steel Frying Pan - $16.99 (each)
  • Crofton 2-in-1 Prep Tray - $9.99 (each)
  • Crofton 24-Piece Durable Food Storage Set - $9.99 (each)
  • Crofton Drink Caddy - $12.99 (each)
  • Crofton Fruit or Corn Gadget - $2.99 (each)
  • Crofton Master Cutting Board - $9.99 (each)
  • Huntington Home IndooOutdoor Tablecloth - $7.99 (each)
  • Range Master Thermometer, Light, Tenderizer or Press - $9.99 (each)
• Décor
  • Huntington Home Americana Gnome - $8.99 (each)
  • Huntington Home Americana Mini Gnome - $4.99 (each)
  • Huntington Home Craft Beer Candle - $5.99 (each)
  • Huntington Home Gnome Candle - $6.99 (each)
  • Huntington Home LED Gnome or Truck - $9.99 (each)
  • Huntington Home Summer Gnome - $8.99 (each)
• Home Improvement
  • Easy Home 16" Pedestal Fan - $19.99 (each)
  • Easy Home 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner - $129.99 (each)
  • Easy Home 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner - $169.99 (each)
  • Easy Home Mini Dehumidifier - $9.99 (each)
  • Easy Home Tower Fan - $19.99 (each)
• Garden & Patio
  • 8" Hydrangea Assorted Colors - see price in store
  • Range Master 17" Portable Tabletop Gas Griddle - $69.99 (each)
  • Range Master 4-Piece BBQ Tool Set - $12.99 (each)
• Apparel
  • Adventuridge Men's Trekking Sandals - $14.99 (each)
  • Crane Men's or Women's Polarized Sunglasses - $5.99 (each)
  • Royal Class Men's 2-Pack Sleep Shorts - $9.99 (each)
  • Serra Fashion Earrings - $4.99 (each)
  • Serra Ladies' 2-Pack Rib Bralettes - $9.99 (each)
  • Serra Ladies' Cooling Pajamas - $8.99 (each)
  • Serra Ladies' Denim Shorts - $9.99 (each)
  • Serra Ladies' Summer Sandals - $6.99 (each)
• School & Office Supplies
  • Pembrook Father's Day Card - $1.49 (each)
• Sports & Outdoor Activities
  • Adventuridge Hammock Chair - $49.99 (each)
  • Belavi 30" Outdoor Fire Pit - $59.99 (each)
  • Bestway Blue Rectangular Pool - $29.99 (each)
  • Crane 3-in-1 Foldable Mat & Lounge - $14.99 (each)
  • Crane Air Lounger - $14.99 (each)
  • Crane Animal Ride-On Float - $9.99 (each)
  • Crane Backpack Chair or Lounger - $34.99 (each)
  • Crane Foldable Mat with Backrest - $12.99 (each)
  • Crane Rainbow or Shark Sprinkler - $19.99 (each)
  • Crane Sand-Free Outdoor Mat - $8.99 (each)
  • Crane USB Neck Fan - $8.99 (each)
  • Fluid Life Vest - $9.99 (each)
• Alcohol
  • State of Brewing Tropical Fruit Smoothie Seltzer - see price in store
• Beverages
  • Gold Peak 6-Pack Assorted Varieties - $7.18 (Six 16.9-oz. bottles)
  • Protein2O Protein Water Assorted Varieties - $2.08 (16.9 oz.)
  • PurAqua Iced Tea Mix Canisters Assorted Varieties - $2.99 (19 oz.)
  • Smart Kids Organic Juice Pouches Assorted Varieties - $3.49 (48 oz.)
• Snacks
  • Combos Pretzels - $2.48 (6.3 oz.)
  • General Mills Gardetto's Original or Rye Chip - $2.99 (8–8.6 oz.)
  • Great Gherkins Garden Pickles Spears or Chips - $2.99 (25 oz.)
  • Hostess Donettes Snack Pack Powdered or Chocolate - $3 (12 oz.)
• Dairy & Eggs
  • Two Good Mixed Berry or Cherry Lowfat Greek Yogurt - $1.28 (5.3 oz.)
• Deli
  • EatPastry Fudge Core or Salted Caramel Core Cookie Dough 4-Pack - $5.99 (11 oz.)
  • Simms Chilled Snack Sticks Pork or Chicken - $3.99 (8 oz.)
• Frozen Foods
  • Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Pint - $4.48 (16 oz.)
  • Bremer Chicken Marsala or Chicken Parmigiana - $5.79 (24 oz.)
  • Cattlemen's Ranch Mushroom Swiss or All American Seasoned Beef Patties - $8.49 (2 lb.)
  • Fremont Fish Market Extra Jumbo EZ Peel Raw Shrimp - $14.99 (32 oz.)
  • Grill Master Collection - $59.99 (7.37 lb.)
  • Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Jalapeno Popper Pizza - $3.99 (14.15 oz.)
  • McCain Baby Cakes - $3.49 (20 oz.)
  • Roseland Original or Honey Garlic BBQ Baby Back Ribs - $9.49 (24 oz.)
  • Season's Choice Whole Onion Rings - $3.79 (16 oz.)
  • Sundae Shoppe Unicorn, Galactic or Mermaid Cones - $3.99 (17.58 oz.)
• Fresh Meat & Seafood
  • Never Any! Fresh Lamb Loin Chops - $8.99 (per lb.)
  • Simply Nature Fresh Family Pack Organic Grass-Fed 85/15 Ground Beef - $17.96 (per 4 lb.)
  • Wild Caught Cod Portions - $9.99 (each)
• Pantry Essentials
  • Olive Garden Garlic & Romano Croutons - $2 (5 oz.)
  • Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing - $4.18 (16 oz.)
  • Reggano Cavatappi - $1.29 (16 oz.)
  • Stonemill 4-in-1 Global Exploration Blend - $4.29 (5.42–5.8 oz.)
• Household Essentials
  • Downy Downy Beads - $15.94 (26.5 oz.)
  • Downy Downy Rinse - $6.97 (25.5 oz.)
  • Febreze Laundry Favorites Assorted Varieties - $3.24 (8.8–16.9 oz.)
  • Range Master 2-Pack Multipurpose Lighters - $4.79 (each)
  • Tide Simply Plus Oxi Refreshing Breeze - $10.44 (115 oz.)

Corresponding Sneak Peek Ad post: (US) Aldi Finds Sneak Peek for 6/4/23 (6/7/23 in some stores)
Previous Aldi Finds ad: (US) Upcoming ALDI Finds for 5/31/23 (5/28/23 in some stores)
Archived Aldi Ad

From the email:
Palena Fresh Dear Customers,
If you want to skip the detailed story below, scroll all the way to the bottom for the highlighted text - which will give you the punchline of this email. If you like a read, continue...
I have a story to share with you—a story of growth, resilience, and self-discovery. It's a tale that intertwines with the journey of this business & the relationships that have shaped my life.
Once upon a time, I broke a boy's heart. His name was Corey, still is I guess. While totally not my type he was a nice boy who I knew loved me but in my youthful ignorance, I failed to appreciate his affection.
On my 21st birthday, Corey gifted me a pink KitchenAid mixer— a gesture that far exceeded his financial means. However, I callously disregarded his love & ended up exchanging numbers with another man right in front of him at the club which resulted in a relationship which would go on to last nearly 10 years. I witnessed Corey's heart shatter, but in my self-centeredness, I barely gave it a second thought throughout the immediate coming years.
That pink KitchenAid, Kitty, became a silent witness to the events that unfolded in the subsequent twelve years. It shared space between my dishwasher & kitchen counter at home and little did I know then that one day, Kitty would play multiple pivotal roles in transforming my life.
It was during those years, some 5 years ago, that I made a life-changing decision. I finally succumbed to the requests & I decided to make & sell keto pizza bases, something I had been asked to do countless times before. Little did I know that this decision would alter the course of my life forever.
Kitty, my faithful companion, could uncomfortably produce enough dough for 4 x 12" pizza bases at a time. The moment I made the announcement, the response was overwhelming. Within days, I found myself with over 120 orders, & the floodgates never seemed to close. I worked tirelessly, pulling consecutive all-nighters to fulfill the orders and personally deliver them across Sydney.
As I embarked on this accidental entrepreneurial journey, my relationship simultaneously began to strain, as did a number of friendships due to the commitment and growth of the business. Within a matter of months, my burgeoning business had outgrown the confines of my home kitchen. I had to find a commercial kitchen space to rent, which I found in Leichhardt, NSW, to accommodate the increasing demand.
However, this newfound success came hand in hand with numerous challenges. My business faced setbacks that tested my resilience. Our bank accounts were hacked, leaving us drained & vulnerable. A disgruntled employee took us to Fair Work, unsuccessfully seeking a share of the Palana Fresh pie. I discovered that over $40,000 had been embezzled by a negligent bookkeeper while I was fully engrossed in creating our food. On top of that, we found ourselves at odds with the local council due to the objections of a neighbouring café with a 25-year history, not wanting us there. And then came the COVID-19 pandemic, with open kitchen crowds attracting ongoing police attention despite our strict adherence to social distancing protocols .
Amidst these trials, it became evident that we needed a larger facility to sustain our growth. The decision was made to move the business to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, where my then partners family resided. However during the move, my ten-year relationship crumbled.
With a few bags & my canine babies, I set off to join the new facility in QLD. However, fate had other plans. The borders closed, leaving me & my 3 dogs stranded as a NSW resident without a home. I found myself crashing on a friend's couch and paying rent for the facility in QLD that held my precious kitchen equipment without being able to operate. I pleaded with the QLD government to let us in, desperate to reunite with the one thing I had left from everything I had created in my life.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I managed to leave NSW & re-join my beloved kitchen and upgrade to a blow up mattress. I then had the challenge of fitting out the new kitchen and making enough stock to re-open, only for our fully stocked freezer to lose power a couple of months later, rendering another restart.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, I couldn't afford the luxury of taking time out to heal from my personal life. The orders kept pouring in, and I had a responsibility to feed the people who believed in me. Despite the obstacles, over the past five years, we have handcrafted over 800,000 products, fulfilled over 20,000 orders, and injected over $3.5 million into the local economies. It's a testament to the incredible support & loyalty of each and every one of you, and the small number of staff who have come and gone.
While kitty retired into being an overworked & broken dust collector, sitting upon the shelf, she’d been there to witness the pride of what we created together. I often wonder, if Corey could have any idea what his generosity, love and heartbreak helped create & I thank him often, in my mind for taking one for the team, whether he knew it or not.
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, as grateful as I am for all the lessons along the way I now find myself at a crossroads. As I look at Kitty on the shelf and admire her, I don’t want to become her.
It's time for me to take a step back for a little while, to rediscover who I am and what lies beyond this remarkable business. I have such an attachment to not only this business, but my customers also & I have striven to be the best I can be for this business & you for the last five years. However, on the flip side, It's been two years since I've seen my family & five since I’ve seen most of my friends. I yearn for a sense of normalcy and for the chance to heal the wounds of the past five years. Running your own small business can be extremely rewarding but even more life consuming. I’ve debated this decision for many months now. I love what I do so very much, but I am emotionally & physically exhausted. My body aches everyday and botox is my only chance of not looking like a sultana. I don’t want to let you all down, but the time has come for me to say, just give me a minute or five, before I become an unrepairable dust collector, like Kitty.
I plan to take a good 3 months off as a much-needed break. In this time, I plan to find happiness again in both what I do and in myself and allow myself to have the mental space to figure out better ways to continue to bring you our food, but in a way that isn’t at the detriment of me or my life. I’m also now a 32-year-old female who does want to be a mother before it’s too late. If I continue working 15 hours a day, 6-7 days a week, I fear I will miss creating that life for myself.
As I embark on this journey of self-discovery, I want to express my deepest empathy and gratitude. Thank you for standing by me, for believing in the products we create, and for supporting this business even through the darkest times. Your unwavering loyalty has been a guiding light, giving me the strength to persevere.
While I take this much-needed break, I invite you to stay connected. Who knows what the future holds?
So, for the time being, we are going to take a break. We plan to do one last send-out & allow you time to get your last orders in. The next order cut off for all states will be Saturday 16th June with orders leaving us Monday 26th June, or earlier if we can get everything made before then.
With heartfelt appreciation and empathy, it’s not goodbye, it’s see you later!
Mel xx