Sugaring Season

Perhaps you've seen them -- the metal buckets hanging off the sides of trees, little spouts stuck into the wood -- it's maple sugar season in Western MA. I've seen signs at garden & supply stores advertising sugaring supplies, and someday I hope to have a sugar maple of my own to tap. But for now, the best I can do is enjoy the sights and flavours of local maple sugaring.

The River radio station has a Sugarhouse Directory on their website. It pretty much focuses on sugar shacks around the Northampton area -- doesn't get into shacks around Belchertown, but if you're in the Northampton area or Amherst, take a look. If you're a little south and east, like in B'town, take a look at last year's post -- it's worth it for the links to the two local sugar shacks. There are still some good weeks left in the season -- enjoy!

Happy (Mid) February

My, oh my. It sure has been a while since I've posted. And it's not entirely because I haven't had things to post.

I had a lovely early dinner at Judie's, ate another delicious popover, had soup and salad -- all for only $11;
I witnessed a flood on Hamilton Street during all those meltings and rains;
I've been driving around the area looking at countryside and visiting open houses;
I've been feeding birds, and generally keeping myself busy supporting the local library system.

This message is mostly just to encourage you to check the links on the right for local events and for school cancellations -- there's supposedly a storm coming -- be prepared -- get up early to see if you can sleep in.... And when the storm disappears, treat yourself to a popover!

Captain Candy Strikes Sugar into the Heart of Amherst

Perhaps you have heard of Captain Video in North Amherst -- where you get free popcorn while you search for a movie and where there are large bins with candy to buy. Well, Captain Video has expanded their candy selection into Captain Candy, a new sister-store at 103 North Pleasant Street between Bart's Homemade and Panda East Restaurant. We discovered the sugary delight on New Year's Eve and stopped in after dinner to peruse their selection of sweets.

And what a *selection there was to peruse! Bins and bins of bulk candy (150+ reportedly) -- gummies, licorices, jellies, chocolates, taffies, and sugar-frees; nostalgic candies like Bit 'o Honeys, Mary Janes, Now & Laters, Sky Bars; and novelty candies like gummy snakes, licorice pipettes, extra-large lollipops, and jawbreakers bigger than my fist. They also have a chocolate case with hand-made chocolates (chocolate covered cherries, truffles with sea salt, chocolate brandies, etcetera) for the more discriminating candy lovers.

The large selection, very reasonable prices (many of the bulk candies come in at $1.99/quarter-pound, packaged candies are individually priced), great location, and enthusiastic and friendly staff (we had an entertaining time talking to the manager/owner/employee) make this a perfect place to find the treats that will satisfy your sweet-tooth -- or sweet-teeth, as the case may be. Just be sure to brush & floss after your visit.


*A listing of candies I remember from my first visit: swirly gummy bears, large sour gummy bears, gummy sharks, gummy peach penguins, gummy cola panda bears, gummy brains, gummy fried eggs, fruit gels, realistic gummy worms, gummy worms, gummy dinosaurs, bit 'o honeys, mary janes, black taffy, licorice scotty dogs, nerds, now&laters, licorice pipettes, cotton candy, smooth&melty mints, lollipops, mint nonpareils, squeezable liquid candy, yard-long gummy snakes, sky bars, french chew taffies in a variety of flavours, jelly belly jellybeans, gummy raspberries, gummy fruit salad, peach slices, mexican hats, jawbreakers, sour patch kids, sour gummy worms, fruit slices, chocolate covered coffee beans, chocolate-covered cherries, truffles, swedish fish, spice drops, red licorice laces, licorice wheels, salt water taffy, laffy taffy, cowtails, giant sweet tarts (or giant smarties)... and there were many many more. (I can't wait to go back again!)

3 Seasonal Treats

The season has come for treats and goodies, and though I'm not typically a chocolate person (ice cream is usually my sweet of choice), this winter I am craving dark chocolate delicacies -- and more. Here is my top 3 list this season:

Sipping Chocolate from Trader Joe's
This rich chocolate drink is amazingly better than any hot chocolate I have ever had. Most hot chocolate is too sweet and too thin. But this chocolate is deep, dark, and lightly sweet. Add it to hot whole milk, and you have the perfect winter drink.

Atkins Vanilla Caramel in Dark Chocolate
Something happens in the holiday season, and I invariably start craving caramels. I tried making them once, but I didn't pay enough attention to them and they didn't quite work out the way I had hoped. This year I found my happiness at Atkins Farms in their candy department in the form of vanilla caramels wrapped in dark chocolate. One of these satisfies a caramel/chocolate craving. Two of these brings a smile to my face.

Fresh Gingerbread with Hot Orange Sauce
This can't be purchased -- it must be made from scratch and eaten warm. Don't skimp on the spices in the gingerbread, and definitely don't skimp on the orange sauce -- smother the gingerbread with it and you won't be sorry. Delightful.

Treats for the season. Comfort foods for the darkness and cold. Enjoy!
Happy holidays!