Halloween 2018

A trend I've noticed for several years is homes that set a table up outside their homes to hand out Halloween candy to the trick-or-treaters. I see the advantages of this setup. Seeing the groups come up to your house. Not having to continuously open and close your door. And in the case of this home, they invited other neighbors to come over and spend the evening. They served dinner and sat around in a circle for good conversation. A great way to make new memories.

How has your Halloween changed through the years?

Mary's birthday

When Charles See arrived in Los Angeles in 1921 and opened his first candy store, he chose a picture of his mother Mary to represent the quality and personality of his products. According to the company website, "Mary See died in 1939 at the age of 85, but the company's ability to adjust to changing times - without abandoning the passion for quality and service that Mary See represented - kept it going strong throughout the decades to come."

Now, nearly 100 years later, the See's Candies store in the Stonewood Mall has celebrated Mary See's birthday this past weekend with discounts on their fine chocolates. Yum!

International Valentines

Ah, Valentine's Day. A day for chocolate, flowers, kisses, and loved ones. Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world.

In South Korea, on February 14th or White Day, men give candy or gifts to women. Then on April 14th or Black Day, the women who didn’t get anything on White Day go to Chinese restaurants to eat black noodles and mourn the disaster that is their love life.

In Slovenia, it is thought to be the day that plants and flowers start growing, so it’s the day that farmers and vineyard workers plant seeds. Slovenians also believe that birds get engaged or married on Valentine’s Day.

I hope your Valentine's Day yesterday was a special one.

Without Valentine's Day, February would be... well, January.
~Jim Gaffigan

Apples to apples

Christmas is just around the corner. So, once again I ended up at Stonewood, our local mall, with my daughter for a quick errand. As we wandered past shops, I spied this beautiful sight: amazing looking candy apples. Yummy! Although I was drawn to the Chili Apple, the Rocky Road looked delicious too. My daughter's choice was the Snickers-topped apple. While each one had its own appeal, I did manage to resist...this time.

To open, or not to open...

Growing up, my favorite treat at my grandparents' house was molasses chips from See's Candies. As I got older, I was shocked to discover that people outside of California hadn't heard of the wonderful (but California-based) See's chocolates, which I happen to think is the best chocolate candy in the world.

Most See's stores are located in big shopping malls. This small standalone store has been on Paramount for a long time. But recently, it has turned into what See's is calling a "seasonal" store. Now they open for a couple of weeks prior to a holiday, then shut back down until the next holiday.

Apparently this time around they can't make up their mind if they're open or closed.

Happy Valentine's Day

No matter where you are, who you are or are not spending this day with, no matter how you say it or who you say it to, this day is full of love. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!