Been a while, let's talk candy...

It has been a long time since I posted anything. One of the reasons I started this blog was to have an outlet for ranting so as not to turn off any "friends" on Facebook. So, I could complain about the disappearance of the yogurt that used to accompany the apples in the kids' meals at Arby's. I could bemoan the great loss of Moose and Zee and all the wonderful artwork and graphics from what was Noggin and is now the bland Nick Jr. with the added insult of commercials. I could whine about how the argument between my '06 Tacoma and bentonite clay last summer has claimed another victim, the front wheel bearings. I might even cry over the closing of Dakota Soda Company in Rapid City, SD. But, I think I will just make you drool instead.

Today I fulfilled a promise to my kids by taking them to Minnesota's Largest Candy Store in Jordan, MN. It was an experience! We were on a budget, each kids had $10 to spend, I had $20, and no more. So, I was not able to partake in any of the 127 varieties of root beer they sell, nor was I able to sample any of their homemade apple streusel. I did, however, walk out of there with some of the freshest marzipan I have ever eaten, and the BEST orange dark chocolate bar I have ever tasted, Chuao's Orange-A-Go-Go. They had a wonderful assortment of salt water taffy as well as an amazing collection of imported European candies and chocolates including a line imported by Koppers. They had hand made nut rolls, a bizarre selection of bacon containing candies, and tons of novelty candies in all sorts of tins and plastic gizmos for kids of any taste. Nostalgic candies were also in abundance, Zots, Pop Rocks, candy lipstick, button candy, Nik-L-Nips, Fruit Stripe Gum, and more. I really enjoyed getting to show my kids candies that I remember being very fond of when I was their age, and they liked hearing it too. While they ended up choosing many of those items, both girls were most excited to spend nearly a third of their allotted money on a 3 foot long gummy snake. Honestly, there was so much to take in it is impossible to really see all of what they have, no matter how slowly you go or how methodically you think you are going through the aisles. They have many other gourmet food items such as maple products, soup mixes, pastas, jams, and so on. When we were there sweet corn was just coming in and was quite popular with other visitors. Apple season is their main season, though, as it is an extension of Jim's Apple Farm, then fresh apple products become the main draw. This place does not have a webpage, they are not on Facebook, and I do not even think they have a phone number you can call. But I guess those in the know simply know you can't miss the giant yellow building on Highway 169. They do not take plastic, so bring cash or your check book.

While we are talking about good eats, we came a cross another gem, Sugar High, in Ennis, MT. We had just come out of the mountains after the most enjoyable drive along Gravely Range Road when we came across this place and decided to eat. It was like heaven after all the terrible tasting and over priced meals we had in Yellowstone National Park. As a bonus feature on the 'Super Size Me' DVD there is an interview with Eric Schlosser who explains that if you are going to eat fast food a place like 'In and Out Burger' is "doing it right" by making their patties fresh and cutting their own fries on the spot. Well, Sugar High then is definitely doing it right. From the moment we walked in the smells from the grill made us forget all our recent bad culinary experiences. The burgers were fabulous, all the toppings were free, and the fries? OMG! Yes they were hand cut on the spot, but they were skin on and SKINNY! Oh, we needed this food if for no other reason than to restore our faith in the restaurant industry. And I did not even get to talk about their ice cream, the array of toppings was a true kid pleaser. So, if you are ever in the area, Sugar High is a definite must.