Sweets for the Sweet

Chocolates

"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now
and then doesn't hurt!"
~Lucy Van Pelt (in Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)~

Coffee.... Chocolate.... Men....

Some things are just better when they're rich!

"Seated high on a golden throne, Motezuma observed by his subjects with reverent awe, repeatedly drank from a golden goblet containing a beverage called chocolatl. When the Indians honored the Spanish by offering them the bitter, dark brown drink, they explained that the beans from which it was made had come from paradise, and so each sip would bring wisdom and knowledge..."
~Readers Digest--1986~

candy *More than 3000 years ago, chocolate was enjoyed by the Mayans and Aztecs. Cocoa and hot chilies where combined to make a drink called "chocolatl"

*Europeans were introduced to the drink in the 17th century..dropped the chilies and added sugar.

*Chocolate became indulgencies of Seventeenth century 'Social Elite'. "Chocolate houses' sprang up everywhere.

*Solid chocolate became popular in the 1800's. The first chocolate bars were just tablets of coarse-ground chocolate and sugar.

*Dutch settlers who brought chocolate to the American colonies.

*In 1765, a man named Baker started a chocolate mill near Boston.

*Fry & Sons discovered a way to make chocolate edible in 1847.

*Cadbury Brothers discovered a means of making eating chocolate much smoother and less bitter. Richard Cadbury created the first heart-shaped Valentine's Day boxed candy sometime around 1870.

I'd give up chocolate, but I'm no quitter....

There is nothing better than a good friend - except a good friend with chocolate.

http://techdirect.com/valentine/vsymbol.html

Conversation Hearts

conversaton *Conversation Hearts, originally called Motto Hearts, were created in 1886.

*8 billion Conversation Hearts are produced a year.

*They are manufactured in Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Louisiana.

*2001 will bring new Sweetheart sayings selected from Seventeen magazine (First Kiss) and American Girl reader.

*To make Valentine's even sweeter and a lot fresher,ULTRA mint Kiss Me Sweetheart will be launched in 2001.

*Sayings reserved especially for the new mint treat, will be "Ultra" and "Kiss Me."

*The fat-free, sodium-free candies contain approximately three calories per small heart and six calories per large heart.

*Since the turn-of-the-century, more than 250 billion Sweethearts brand Conversation Hearts have rolled off the production lines.

Candy is Dandy!

- 1,241: The number of locations producing chocolate and cocoa products in 2004. These establishments employed 43,322 people. California led the nation in the number of such establishments with 136, followed by Pennsylvania with 122. (Source:http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html)

- 515 locations produced nonchocolate confectionary products in 2004. These establishments employed 22,234 people.

- The total value of shipments in 2004 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products was $13.9 billion. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was a $5.7 billion industry.

- 3,467 Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2004. Often referred to as candy stores, they are among the best sources of sweets for Valentine's Day.

- The per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2005 was 25.7 pounds. Candy consumption has actually declined over the last few years; in 1997, each American gobbled or savored more than 27 pounds of candy a year.

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/006116.html

Happy Valentine's Day home

A brief history of this holiday.

Flowers & Their Meanings

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Give Me Your Heart

Hearts and cupids and doves and lace. How did all of these things get connected with love and this holiday?

My Traditional Valentine

Learn about fun valentine traditions of today and yesteryear.

Sweets for the Sweet

Here are some fun facts about conversation hearts and CHOCOLATE. .

Valentine's Day Recipes

The way to their hearts is through their stomachs!

Poetry for Those You Love

These poems are not only for husband and wife, but also for children, parents, and friends. I can't seem to stop adding poems to this page. Come and see.

My Funny Valentine

Want to know who you may marry? This page is full of old and new funny little wives tales that will lead you to your special person. At least that is what we have been told. Let me know if any of these old tales work for you.

Be My Valentine