Candy Land

Valentine’s Day often means chocolate, and I, for one, have no problem with that.  Forget those dreadful chalky conversation hearts; I never did like those much, especially after a certain third-grade Russell gave Katie Mills a BE MINE heart while I merely got STAY COOL. (Seriously, Rejection is a lifelong friend.)
 
Anyway, back to chocolate.  In the eighth grade, with thoughts of Russell long forgotten thankyouverymuch, I began to dream of receiving one of those red velvet-covered heart boxes that contained only four perfect pieces of chocolate.  Ideally, this box would be handed to me by a sweaty-palmed boy in front of all my friends, but I would settle for surreptitious presentation, if the poor fellow couldn’t yet make a public commitment.  Of course, the red velvet heart box never appeared, and I went home to listen to At Seventeen, by the brilliant Janis Ian, who like me knew the pain of Valentines that never came.

Don’t worry, things started looking up, just as Ms. Ian, my mother, and my grandmothers said they would.  I got my share of candy and flowers, ranging from the Joe College specials of carnations and baby’s breath to fragrant bouquets of roses to pink tulips (one of my favorites). 

Happily now, my Valentine proclaims his love in some form or other every single day, and, honestly, when I glance down at my fuel tank gauge and see the needle on full, I know he loves me.
But, back to chocolate.
Let’s just say the Mister did want to pick us up a little sweet to share.  I would have to recommend he stop by Vaughn-Russell, our local chocolatier, just around the corner.

 This sweet little confectionary was founded in 1950 by Marva and “Mac” McManaway.  The couple had moved south, and they had high hopes for introducing a local candy store to the area.  Although Mrs. McManaway sold the store in 1999, all the candy is still made the old-fashioned way with no preservatives, no wax, and no Lucy-and-Ethel assembly lines. 
According to new owner and confectioner Billi Beard, Vaughn-Russell’s signature item continues to be its mint pecans, made from roasted Georgia pecans.  Each nut is individually dipped in minted chocolate, and the recipe and process have not changed since 1950.  Order early, as during the holidays the store sells more than 1000 pounds of mint pecans!

Take a look around your neighborhood, you might find an artisanal chocolate maker or perhaps just an old-fashioned confectionary.  Either way, consider supporting a mom-and-pop candy maker this year; if you do, you’ll be treating yourself to chocolate made with the most important Valentine ingredient of all, love.
And by the way, it’s reported that Janis Ian received 461 Valentines in 1977; two years after At Seventeen was released and won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance.
Town and Country Mom received no compensation or confection for this post.  She’s relying on the Mister to satisfy her chocolate cravings.