Happy Presidents Day

Happy Presidents Day

Count your pennies and try not to lie today! George and Abe were a custom order from

Tracy Nuskey Dodson

of

The Vintage Sister Studio

Click HERE to visit her blog!

There's something Vile in the Valentines Aisle

Can you believe it's almost Valentines day?

For most of us Valentines Day is a sentimental holiday.

Lace hearts and gilded cards arrive in the mailbox

Fresh flowers and roses are delivered by hand,

and boxes of delectable delights or small tempting treats are offered to those we love.

Personally, I love Valentines day, and I look forward to hitting the candy aisle a few weeks ahead of time just to "see" what there is on offer.

This year, however, I found myself shrinking back in horror at the dismal display of
Valentines Wannabes that were strategically stacked in my neighborhood Target.

Those of you who know me well know that one of my biggest pet peeves is finding specific Holiday candy packaged as something else.... Easter Candy Canes would be a good example of this.

I can understand why retailers want to exploit our love of specific candies and chocolates all year round - but there is something about buying pastel candy canes in April or purchasing Halloween Cadbury Eggs, that takes a bit of the enjoyment out of the candy.

Here are a few of the worst offenders. Seasonal candy, masquerading as something it is not in a thinly veiled attempt to profit from our sentimental love of Candy...

PEEPS

Really?

Do you really think dying them red and dipping the bottom makes them a Valentines treat??? Oh, and I just love the flavor reference;

"Strawberry Creme" - with an accent over the e - as if this makes it some kind of decadent pleasure... Really folks - a Peep is a Peep is a Peep

Peeps belong in Easter baskets - end of story!

Shouldn't these be called "Teds" or something???

Why, why, why?

Lets just call these what they really are....

...Marshmallow Hearts dipped in chocolate.

Actually, marshmallow hearts sound yummier than Peeps hearts because we all know that Peeps are not real marshmallows.
The ONLY time peeps really taste good is when they come in pastel colors and are nestled in an Easter basket... am I wrong?


Again, this marshmallow monstrosity is not a "peep"

Now don't get me wrong, I love Dots (traditional - eat them in a movie theater dots).

I wonder if anyone taste-tested this Valentines version before they left the factory... or perhaps someone accidentally dropped a bottle of shampoo into the batch that I bought?
Ok - so you call it "Cupid Corn" - and suddenly we are supposed to buy it by the pound for Valentines day.

What's next...Lepra"corn" for St. Patties, or Presidents day corn?

the trick to loving Candy Corn is that you only eat it ONCE a year.

Lets face it, we all eat enough Candy Corn in October to last us until the following Halloween

a little goes a long way with this candy.

If we all stuck to the traditional Holiday candy that was SUPPOSED to be consumed for Valentines, perhaps these imposter's would disappear from retail shelves.

Try some good Old-Fashioned Conversation Hearts this year!

Printed with Corny messages and so hard that your loved one stands a 1 in 5 chance of chipping a tooth.

This Candy has been a valentines stand-by for decades.
(even though the Necco Co. has changed the flavor a bit - they still scream Valentines)

Or how about a Kiss?

I swear Hershey kisses taste different on Valentines Day.

Their simple shape and cute packaging make them perfect for filling candy bowls, boxes and bags.

Red hot Cinnamon hearts, sugar coated gummy hearts and simple foil covered chocolate hearts are all appropriate and TRADITIONAL Valentine goodies.

Of course the store I was in was also filled with tacky heart shaped boxes, all priced under ten dollars and decorated with images of Darth Vadar, Elvis or puppies and kittens.

How romantic can an acetate covered heart shaped box with a plastic flower stuck on the lid really be?

One really good, high-quality piece of chocolate is better than a whole stack of cheap heart shaped boxes. And I don't buy the argument that these cheap, flavorless chocolate boxes are for "kids" - why should kids be subjected to this kind of junk?

I say visit your local chocolatier, or go online and order from one of the hundreds of truly artisanal chocolate makers in the U.S.

Surprise your Valentine with something SPECIAL - not something that is "on Special"!

Personally, this year I plan to make sweet ice-cream sundaes for my family - with homemade chocolate sauce

Oh, and by the way Sweetie - I would DIE for a box of chocolates from

Cocoa Bella

Hint Hint!

A Valloween Treat

Is there anything as romantic or nostalgic as an old fashioned

heart-shaped box of chocolates? Trimmed in velvet and feathers,

this box seems to have been left by a secret admirer Look closely at the luscious assortment of delectable delights!

Which will you try first?

(Clockwise from left)

A poisonberry witch

Black Cat Crunch

Cameo creme de Morte

Wicked walnut

A beetle brittle

A malicious Mallow (center) Or perhaps a pumpkin "scream"

a creepy cherry

or a

Black cat licorice

A cruel caramel?
Or even a chocolate coffin?
This poison purple rose creme may be the last sweet you ever indulge in!
Worried about the calories? No need to fear.... this box of chocolate is on the ulitmate DIEt plan....

See more on the new Spookytime Jingles update.
http://spookytimejingles.com

September Memories Part One

I have just unpacked the last of my goodies from the "Whirlwind" that was

September 2011

Pennsylvania, Petaluma and many stops in-between

Here are just a few snaps of my trip to New Hope PA

for the STJ Holiday Soiree A wonderful gallery shop owned by a charming man who has knowledge of all things macabe and strange...
Whooo said you could take a photo?

Soiree after-party at the fabulous Frazetta Costume and Novelty shop

Lori has a thing for Reindeer!

This is one "CRAFTY" Fox

Mr. Fabulous himself!

Wendy and her Date for the evening

Sweet Jenny Hernandez at the SOiree Show

The Lady LuLu and her beautiful wares

Put a hatchet in me I'm Done!

These Lollipops love to travel

It was hard to sell this guy - he was one of my favorite pieces

Good times and Great Friends

Pics from Petaluma coming up next!

-B

STJ Holiday Soiree this weekend

Soiree Bound!

Leaving today for PA - off to participate in the

Spookytime Jingles Holiday Soiree.

It has been a mad dash to the finish and I will be posting pictures of my work and the show when I get home.

This year it will be held in

New Hope, PA

I am super excited to see all of the wonderful Halloween Art and to enjoy the Historic sights of New Hope.

find details about the show

HERE

STJ All the Way

Come on over and check out the fantastic new art on the

SpookyTime Jingles Site

click
HERE
to see and buy wonderful new Holiday art.
the special guest this month is

Debbee Thibault

Two original pieces are on the site -
which is amazing since Debbee's work is so highly collectible, and the lady has got to be super busy with all of her retail lines.


Sadly, I didn't list any new work (still not feeling good) - but that hasn't stopped me from drooling over the fantastic pieces ...
I can't pick a favorite this month, so here a just a few highlights...
"My Brain Child" has a George Washington that is to DIE!
"Crescent Moon" has an adorable candle that I so want...

"Bone Head Studios" has a trio of fantastic Halloween ornaments
"Retro Rudolphs" has some truly vintage inspired pieces
"Skeleton in my Closet" I think I have an artist Crush on Josie
- her work is so amazing
"Paul Scott" has some seriously Happy pumpkins
"Doreen Kassel" is getting her DOD on

Really - there are too many wonderful pieces to name
- you MUST head on over and see for yourself... there really IS something for everyone on SpookyTime Jingles.com!

An unexpected delivery

To say I've been feeling under the weather for the last three months is a bit of an understatement!The fact is, I've been downright sick...
Candy hasn't even been on the menu!

Did I pick up a flu bug?

Or perhaps I just ate something I shouldn't have...

Well, the truth be told - the trouble started

here... then led to this....

Next thing you know we get a telegram from some giant bird....

We tried to keep him at bay - but to no avail!

Apparently, you can't outrun him either...

Let's hope he brings just ONE!
Should we be getting the chimney cleaned?
Hey - can I get one of those fully clothed babies who already know how to swim?
If only it were this easy...but with the price of postage these days it may be cheaper to do it the old fashioned way!