Sweet Sugar High!

My last destination in my hometown tour is the sweetest place you have ever encountered!  It's been in my hometown for over one hundred years.  I took my mom there for a little break in our routine.  She hasn't been there very many times in her 85 years, and she said it brought back memories of her high school years. Bakersfield High school is just a block away from the now famous Dewar's Ice Cream parlor! My grown kids never miss a trip to Dewar's, when they are in town!

Mom said she passed by there everyday on her way to school, but never went in, because they were a poor family and she had no money.  It was a joy to treat her on this day!

They make their own ice cream and still have an old fashioned soda fountain inside, where you can order a 'black and white' (any of you remember what that is?), a malt or a sundae of any flavor!  Here's the soda menu.  It should bring back a few memories if you have ever been to a soda fountain.  

They also make their own candy!  Their taffy chews are my favorite--peanut butter, caramel or peppermint including many other flavors! This does not even mention their handmade chocolates and truffles!  My first husband, now deceased, used to bring home heart shaped boxes of chocolates on Valentines Day every year.  One big box for me--all milk chocolate--and a small box for each of our kids!  What a memory!

Mom waiting for me to take the picture! 

Two scoops!

Although I know that you cannot taste the goodies, please enjoy the tour of the interior, as it is a treat in itself with its quaint pink, black and white decor, and painted candy ceilings!  Enjoy!

Another favorite--the chandelier!

and on a hot day, besides ice cream, you need an old world fan:

Sorry that you were not with us to sample the treats, but you can order some at the Dewar's  website! Or here's their Facebook page.  You won't be disappointed! 

Dress It Up!

I love chocolate covered cherries!  Available only at Christmas time, mostly!  I have even made them from scratch; well, bought cherries with the stems attached, chocolate for dipping and made my own fondant filling, some with rum!  But I won't go into that now.  

For today, I want to share a couple of ideas to dress up the ones that you can get quickly and inexpensively at the market.

I usually eat them straight out of the box,  hee hee!

But with just a little effort, you can make a show of them for you and your guests!  Get a lovely plate--this one is a vintage Franciscan Desert Rose candy dish, footed and with a long handle.  Add some fancy paper cups--these are foil, but you can get those with Christmas designs on them.  Place the candies in the cups, add other treats around and there you have it!  Don't forget to garnish the plate with a maraschino cherry and a sprig of mint or parsley for color!

Then there is another way--put the candies in a see-through container, add a fabric or ribbon bow around the rim and you're all dressed up to serve! And this idea adds a little bit of the season to your everyday counter top!

What do you do with your favorite candy to "dress it up" for the Holidays? I bet you use your own home made candies!  Share a link to your recipes and ideas, below.