What is it?

Posted February 11th, 2010 | Permalink

I know I just did a “What is it?” but they’re so much fun, and everyone can play! So here’s another one. Oh, and good luck with this one, by the way. It’s a charmer.

Lord Licorice, may I have a minute?

Posted February 10th, 2010 | Permalink

My husband will be making an annual pilgrimage this week. He’ll leave his office, head down the cold, winter streets, pulling his coat closer to keep out the wind, walking swiftly to shorten the journey. It’s 5 blocks. Or, maybe 4.

Once there, he’ll order up some Red Hots, some Mexican Hats, a couple of gold coins, maybe a Scottie Dog or two.

He’ll have it all packaged up in pretty, red boxes, and bring it home to his adoring fans.

It’s a trip he makes every year just before Valentine’s Day.
And just before Christmas, and just before Easter, and just before Mother’s Day and my birthday and the kids birthdays and many other times. And it’s a trip we make as a family every time we’re in the Old Port in Portland (we took these pics on our last visit, so we could remember all the good stuff forever…until our next visit).

Old Port Candy Company.
Ever been there? Of course. How could you not? Best fudge, coolest candies, all your childhood favorites. Crazy stuff. We love it. I love those wax bottles with a tiny bit of juice in ‘em. Or, how about the Neopolitan Coconut Slices, remember those? All pink and white and brown? And those little skinny candy cigerettes that puff a little sugar when you exhale. Love those. And did I mention the fudge?

Oh, I did?

At this time of year, of course, there are special chocolates, truffles and boxes of fudge, all wrapped in red, velvet boxes. Add a little Bochox, and I’d say you can’t go wrong. How about bacon flavored jelly beans? Who doesn’t love bacon? Or let’s have some chocolate dipped Twinkies, shall we, or maybe some chocolate dipped potato chips. Oh, those sound SO good to me. Salt…sweet…

Anna, the Candy Queen at Old Port Candy Co has culled the best collection of new and old, hot and sour, sweet and sassy. She’s a candy lover. Through and through. The best part about Old Port Candy Co is that Anna loves ALL KINDS of candy, and it shows. She’s always seeking out the candies that you can’t live without. And when you walk in, you can tell that you’re in a shop run by someone who loves what they do. She’s like Willy Wonka. She’s probably got a bunch of Oompa Loompas out back, dipping Ring Dings into a huge vat of warm, gooey chocolate. Just for you.

Probably.

And she makes it really easy for you. Because she likes to share in the candy joy.

I usually call ahead before Christmas and give her a list, “This is what I want my husband to buy when he comes in…Oh, and don’t let him forget these…And, we can’t live without these…” And sometimes, when it’s a surprise for my husband, I just order online and have her send it to me. Why take chances?

Anyway, I’m pretty excited to see what Cupid brings this year. For the kids, maybe some chocolate hearts, some fire balls, some gummi crocodiles. For me…let’s see, will it be chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate licorice? Or, will it be my favorites: chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate licorice.

Charitable Choice

Posted February 5th, 2010 | Permalink

Wanna keep things a little warmer this vacation? Not quite so eager to spend a week in the snow? Or, perhaps you don’t have any snow. Not everyone lives in Virginia right now, right? We can’t all be getting buried by storm after storm after storm. Here in Maine, we’re seeing grass this week and if we don’t get more of the white stuff soon, we’re going to have to bring it inside for vacation.

There’s plenty to do inside too.

Wanna help someone? Wanna feel like you’ve done something good in this crazy world? Wanna show the kids that it’s not hard to help out? Ever heard of Project Linus? No?

Project Linus is a volunteer group that provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

Yes, I took that wording directly from their mission statement. Visit the Project Linus website and check out their “Patterns/Links”. You can find patterns for easy, no-sew blankets that kids of all ages can help with. Try a simple “knot blanket” that requires nothing more than the ability to cut a 4″ long straight (or pretty straight) line, and tie a knot. Or, simple sewing patterns for those with a little experience, or get right into it if you’re a family with serious sewing skill.

So, pop some popcorn, make up some cocoa, sit down in front of the fire and create a simple, warm blanket. You can decorate it, add pockets and even enclose a note to a child if you want to. Check out “Chapter Listings” and find a chapter near you. A simple email to the Chapter Coordinator will tell you where you can drop off your finished blanket. They will attach a card to it and deliver it to a child in need of some comfort.

You might want to do this on DAY ONE of vacation. Because helping others is addicting. You may find you want to make a blanket every day, or spend the next day in a soup kitchen, and another day reading to kids at the library, and another day making a meal for someone who can’t make their own…