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Tag Archives: So Sweet Candy Cafe

Sweet Halloween Spirits on Throwback Thursday

We can call yesterday either a real Wuss-out Wednesday or a real Blogger’s Sick Day; the result is the same, and the least said, soonest mended.  Already I have said too much.  I continue to say too much by complaining that headaches continue plague me.  I daresay I do not lead a healthy enough lifestyle.  I must work on that, but in the meantime,  let me attempt another Throwback Thursday Post.

That is a good quote.

I went back to October 2016 for a shot of one of my favorite places, the So Sweet Candy Shoppe in Utica, NY.  I have not been there recently so cannot report on their current Halloween decor.

Must have spirits on Halloween.

I looked in my Media Library in October 2017 and found this shot from Dikin Durt Distillery in Herkimer,  NY.  I do not know that it is overtly Halloweeny, but it does involve spirits.  I say that counts.

Those are some big pumpkins!

Skipping ahead to October 2019, here is a more Halloweeny shot from Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit, NY.  I have been there once this year (perhaps you read my blog post about it) and hope to go again.

I think my concluding paragraph will bring me to 200 words, my admittedly arbitrary blog standard (it did).  I will provide the headache and healthy lifestyle update in a future post.

 

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No Ambition, But a Couple of Shout-Outs

My only ambition right now is to NOT be making my Thursday blog post on Friday morning.  I can just hear one of you say, “So your ambition is to make your blog post now.”  However, that is not strictly accurate.  Let us not quibble over semantics.  Let us see what kind of a blog post I can make with this very low amount of ambition.

Give that skeleton a cup of coffee!

I threw in a picture to pep things up.  It is from October 2016, the month I started putting pictures in the blog (I have been blogging since 2011) (Wow! Has it been that long?).  It is from the So Sweet Candy Shoppe, originally called the So Sweet Candy Cafe, at 531 Varick St. in Utica, NY.  I have not been there in a while.  I must make my way to Utica one day soon (preview of coming attractions).

My favorite shirt!

Continuing the theme of throwback, and shout-out to local businesses, here is a shot from December 2016:  Original Herkimer Cheese, 2745 State Route 51 in Ilion, NY.  I bought that shirt and wear it a lot.  I need to go to the outlet soon and get some Chutter: cheese that spreads like butter.

Ooh, look, I got myself over 200 words. Score! Let’s see if tomorrow I can make my Lame Post Friday post on Friday.  No promises.

 

Here’s the Cow Bell!

This evening, I bestirred myself to take a picture of the Cow Bell I mentioned in my last blog post.

Is it not adorable?

I also took a better shot of the sugar cookies from the So Sweet Candy Cafe.

They tasted as good as they looked.

Yes, we already ate them.

For anybody just tuning, these were part of a Christmas present from my sister Cheryl. I wrote about it yesterday, I neglected to give any information on the local businesses where she shopped. In lieu of my usual Tired Tuesday Post, I shall do that now.

The So Sweet Candy Cafe, where she got the sugar cookies, is located at 531 Varick St., Utica, NY, phone number 315-765-6463. They are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Newport Marketplace, where she purchased the Cow Bell, is located at 7583 Main St., Newport, NY, phone number 315-845-8822. They are open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.n. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Awesome Country, where she found items pictured in yesterday’s post, is located at 106 Park Ave., Booneville, NY, phone number 914-489-1460. They are open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

I close with another picture of the cow bell, showing a few surrounding decorations. I am still feeling the Christmas Spirit, and I hope many of you are too.

There might be a couple of Halloween decorations there as well.

I Forgot the Cow Bell!

My sister Cheryl gave me the most appropriate present for Mohawk Valley Girl: a basket of local stuff.

I should have taken the picture as soon as I opened it.

Of course I was not surprised to see items from the So Sweet Candy Cafe, our friend Margaret’s wonderful store.  I am surprised the Santa and Mrs. Claus sugar cookies lasted long enough for me to get a picture, and we have not eaten the Egg Nog Fudge, either.

Aren’t they cute?

I was delighted to see a card from local artist Maria Vallese of Retro Sorrento, whose works were recently added to the So Sweet inventory.  However, the item that made me do back flips (figuratively speaking, of course), were the turkey joints.

I must get more to send to my correspondents!

Turkey joints, for non-local readers, are a marvelous confection made in Rome, NY, where I grew up.  Steven had never had one, but now he is a true believer.

Lots of yum!

Other goodies included a big jar of garlic pickles and smaller jars with jellies and honey.  The whole thing was wrapped in a beautiful Christmas dish towel.

Cheryl loves dogs as much as I do.

I immediately made up my mind to take pictures for a blog post but got distracted (hey, it was Christmas morning!).  I luckily remembered to snap before Steven had eaten all the turkey joints.

Cheryl told me the pickles and jellies came from a place in Booneville called Awesome Country.  Sounds like a good place for Mohawk Valley Girl to visit!  The towel and ornament came from Newport Marketplace, another of my favorite places.

Ah yes, the ornament!  I forgot the ornament when I took my pictures, because I had right away placed it among our Christmas display on the mantle.  It is a very adorable cowbell.  I actually remembered it before I wrote this post, but I thought “I Forgot the Cow Bell!”  would be an excellent title.  Now I am wondering if “Cow Bell to Follow” would be more appropriate.  You may notice I am late in making my Monday post.  I dare not delay further for more photography.  Let’s just say I owe you a cow bell!

 

Two in Utica

I took a drive to Utica today and went to two spots, one new, one familiar: Joseph Putrello Coffee and So Sweet Candy Cafe. This time I took pictures.

I had never been to a Barista Bar.

The Barista Bar is located on Genessee Street, in a space with glass walls. I sat in a mezzanine area and looked out as I enjoyed my coffee and croissant.

My view.
My view if I turned around.

I had parked behind the building. When I left I took an unfamiliar turn and soon found myself heading toward the Boilermaker finish line. I know where that is near! My friend Margaret’s shop on the corner of Varick and Columbia streets, the So Sweet Candy Cafe.

Yummy stuff!

I foolishly did not take a picture of the outside or the sign, but here is one of the tempting displays of treats. I noticed the Turkey Joints on top, a local seasonal treat. I wandered around wondering what I should indulge in. Nothing, really, considering my weight loss goals, but I do like to support a local business.

These Bombs seem to be all the rage this year.
Ooh, no calories here!

I had seen on Facebook that Margaret is now carrying items from Maria Vallese of Retro Sorrento. I was not familiar with her work, but I see I have been missing some beautiful stuff.

I greatly enjoyed my visit to Utica. I may have to make the trip on a more regular basis.

Joseph Putrello Coffee Barista Bar is located at 268 Genessee St., phone number 315-790-6719. They are open 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

So Sweet Candy Cafe is located at 531 Varick St., phone number 315-765-6463. They are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Two Cafes, One Pub, Good Saurday

There was not a whole lot of scatter to my Saturday, by I hope enough to warrant a blog post.

First my friend, Kim, and I went to Zeina’s Cafe in Uitca for lunch.  They were doing a fundraiser for the Red Cross of Lebanon, in aid of the recent horrendous explosion.  They were donating 50% of profits, addition to collecting any donations patrons cared to make.

It is a really good place to eat.

They were doing a HUGE business.  I must return under more normal circumstances.

Next we went to the So Sweet Candy Cafe.  How could I be so close and not stop in?

My husband, Steve, with the proprietor, Margaret.

This is an old picture,  but I neglected to take any pictures today.

Next we went to the End Zone Pub and Grub in Herkimer.  We enjoyed a couple drinks and more snacks.

Also an older picture, but here is my lovely friend Kim.

I also neglected to take any pictures at the End Zone.  So sue me.  The above is a shot of an earlier occasion,  obviously during cooler temperatures.

I came home and sat down to watch movies with my hubby, who had declined to join us.

I’d scream too!

House on Haunted Hill was on of our selections.  We are continuing our evening with other cheesy movies, I hope.  Perhaps I will write about them on Cinema Sunday.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

Monsters and Shout-outs, What Day Is It?

What a way to start the new year!  Yesterday’s blog post was dumb and today I can’t even think of anything to write about!  Is 2019 the year I stop being a daily blogger?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!  Then again, it is Wuss-out Wednesday.

Well, that was a lousy lead.  Where can I go from here?  I went back to work today and worked ten hours on my feet.  Um, I did not work on my feet, I stood on my feet while I worked at my job.  The first way sounds like I spent 10 hours giving myself a pedicure.  Imagine the toenails I could get that way!  But I digress.  The fact is, I am tired and somewhat brain dead.  I resorted to monsters yesterday and I am going to be bold enough to do it again today.  We can call it Mid-Week Monsters.  More Monsters at Mid-Week?  Titles are hard.

“Wasn’t I just here yesterday?”

Following yesterday’s dictum, I open with a vampire, Nosferatu to be exact.  I love that guy.

I should follow this guy’s example and have some coffee.   And go on a diet.

I took this fellow’s picture at the Old Barn Marketplace, on Route 5 in Little Falls, NY (you see I can multi-task: show monsters and give shout-outs to local businesses) .  Alas, they are closed for the season, but they will re-open in the spring.  I’ll be sure to visit them when they do, and write a blog post about it.

This is BEFORE he ate all of Margaret’s great treats!

Here’s a business that local readers can visit right away, the So Sweet Candy Cafe.  I don’t imagine the skeleton will be there before October, but you can find lots of yummy treats!  They are located on Varick Street in Utica, NY.

Well, this has not been a completely useless post after all.  I gave shout-outs to two local businesses and shared another picture of Nosferatu.  I wonder if I can find a peppy picture to close with and think of an appropriate title.

Sometimes even a monster has to relax.

This now seems more like a Non-Sequitur Thursday than a Wuss-out Wednesday post.  Well, it is one of those weeks where I can’t remember what day it is.

 

I’m Not Tired of Santa Claus

I felt free to have a Monstrous Monday on Christmas Eve, so nobody need be surprised that I am having a Tired Tuesday on Christmas Day.  Hey, being merry can take a toll on an old broad like me!  At least I will try to refrain from whining about my oncoming post-Christmas letdown.  But no promises.

I had meant to take some pictures of my mother’s lovely Christmas decorations, which would have livened things up a bit.  Oh well, I fell down on the job. How about instead I visit Christmas Past and see what kind of photos I have in my Media Library.

Just popping in to say, “Merry Christmas!”

Here is one of my favorite decorations from 2016.  The fireplace screen was given to us by my parents the previous year (I think).  The Santa Claus, which is in fact only a partial one, was found by the ladies at Herkimer County Historical Society, after he blew from his rightful home during a wind storm.  They posted his picture on Facebook, but when the owner was not found, gave the Santa to the good home they knew Steven and I would provide.

Two very nice people wishing each other merry.

This is my dear husband Steven and our friend Margaret, who owns the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica.  We did not make it there before Christmas but I hope to pay them a visit in the next few days.  For one reason, my sister Cheryl brought some of Margaret’s treats to my parents, and I have two words for you:  Sugar. Plums.  I thought I had had them before and liked them, but I hadn’t tasted anything yet.  Go to the So Sweet and buy some!  And if they’re all gone by the time I get there, it serves me right!  I’ll be more beforehand next Christmas!

Hmmm…. it seems like Steven got me more presents in previous years.

I end with a Cavalcade of Claus, just in inject a bit of alliteration (I’m almost never too tired to alliterate).  We got these Santa’s at different times, and we love them all.  I also do not rule out acquiring more versions of the man in the red suit.  But that is for Christmas Yet to Come.

 

Not Too Mundane, I Hope

Tasty Thursday does not have the same ring as Tasty Tuesday.  And yet, I just cooked and I don’t have much else to blog about today.  If only I had also concocted a special cocktail to go with dinner, we could have had Thirsty Thursday.

“Buy me a drink, Big Boy?”

Alas, I am sipping a mundane glass of Chardonnay. No matter, dinner was tasty.

We had some ground beef Steven had taken out to thaw two days ago but didn’t feel like cooking.  This morning he suggested he purchase a can of cream of mushroom soup and do something with that.  Now I have lost all cred with real cooks, but I grew up in the 1970’s; a can of cream of mushroom soup was a perfectly respectable ingredient in those days.

I put the ground beef on to cook and poured myself some Chardonnay, so I could cook with wine.  I put Worcestershire sauce on the meat and broke it up as it cooked.  When it was nearly done, I added the soup and a can of mushrooms.  Then it was time for the spices (my favorite part!): minced onion, garlic powder, and No Salt All Purpose Seasoning from the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica, NY (just to give the post a little local flair).  I would have added onion powder as well, but our bottle of it was completely solid.  I added it to the grocery list.  I had used the liquid from the mushrooms to get most of the soup out of the can, so the mixture looked a little thin.  I added some grated cheese to thicken it up, using that up too, so that was something else for the grocery list.

We had the stuff over some pasta I had in one of our canisters.  I don’t know what the shape is called, because I had thrown out the box.  They looked kind of like SpaghettiOs (that’s how it’s spelled, computer, I Googled it!).

It was a pretty tasty dinner, although I supposed it was kind of mundane, now that I look at what I wrote.  No matter.  It was dinner.  I cooked it, we ate it, I blogged about it.  I’m going to call that a win for Non-Sequitur Thursday.  I’ll just throw in a random picture, so I’m not too mundane.

I bet you thought I was going to use Nosferatu (you know who you are).

I Think Candy Would Help

I believe this was in December.

I wanted to do a Throw-Back Thursday, but I can’t seem to settle on any throw-back pictures, so I thought I would throw back to not too long ago and give a shout-out to a local business.  This is my husband, Steven, and our friend, Margaret, proprietor of the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica, NY.  It is a lovely little shop with lots of goodies.  I think another trip there is in my near future.

“Oh shame! Oh degradation!”

Since this is also Non-Sequitur Thursday, I do not feel I need to have a theme to my throw-backs.  This is me and our dear, recently departed friend, Julianne Allen, in Dirty Work at the Crossroads Ilion Little Theatre at  in 2013.  My character was having a real wrist to forehead moment.  It is kind of the way I feel when I fear I am making a really foolish blog post (which, as we all know, is often).

I even felt kind of like Superman that day.

Here is another throw back to a mere year ago, the East Herkimer Fire Department 5K.  It is also another wrist to forehead situation, because, alas, I did not run it this year.  I meant to, but I neglected to write it on my calendar and something else came up.  Well, there’s always next year.

 

That reminds me, I need a hair cut.

Also about a year ago, Steven and I visited the Ommengang Brewery in Cooperstown, NY.  Now, there’s a place I need to go again.  Maybe I could write about it for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  It would definitely make a good blog post.  I’m afraid this has not been a particularly good post.  I’ll try to do better tomorrow, but no promises.  After all, it will be Lame Post Friday.