A chocolate tasting and a runaway pigeon!!

This replica roll of LifeSavers candy pictured below is erected in the municipal park in Gouverneur, NY. This candy is attributed to Gouverneur native Edward John Noble (b 1882). Yes, Gouverneur is the home of the Lifesaver. This is one of the places I visited with "pigeon" yesterday. Pigeon is a bird who is on the run from Mrs. Jordan's first grade class in Rochester, MN.

Pigeon behaved himself while we were in Gouverneur, NY as he "got wind" that my Uncle David is the Chief of Police and he had better be on his best behaviour - and there was to be no naughties on the lifesaver or the bronze eagle on top of the memorial arch (sorry, no photo).

Pigeon behaved himself quite well on the L-O-N-G drive to Watertown. It is a good hour from our house to get there. He knew we were going someplace special that he wanted to let the students back in Rochester, MN know about! A chocolate tasting!

The chocolate tasting was held in the Dulles State Office building in Watertown, NY and was sponsored by Habitat for Humanity. It wasn't a large event, but it was fun nonetheless!

Our first stop was Lil River Fudge. Lil River Fudge is located in Alexandria Bay, NY - in the "heart of the Thousand Islands." They have a variety of products for sale, but today we were sampling their fudge! Before we left the tasting, Grumpy had gone back to buy a box of Peanut Butter Fudge. Yes, I know. This was a chocolate tasting....but, well....I'M the one who likes the chocolate. Grumpy isn't a big cocoa man.


Our next stop was The Handmaiden's Garden. Connie Nicolette, owner of Fairie-ality/Sackets Soapworks had a display of chocolate scented bath balls, soaps and even chocolate paint. I got a real kick out of Connie as she told Grumpy to paint my hand with the chocolate paint and to lick it off. (BTW he did paint my hand but did no licking. lol)You can visit her website to see the variety of products she has to offer. Connie's shop is Located in Sackets Harbor, NY. Grumpy and I will make sure to visit you at your shop this summer on one of our boating ventures!

I have driven by The Chocolate Cottage many, many times. Next time I am in that area....well, I won't be driving by, but pulling in! Mary Ellen Moglia, owner of The Chocolate Cottage totally suprised me when she told me they were not just a chocolate shop! They also offer soups, salads, baked goods, coffee, and have a full liquor liscense! I was even more intrigued when she told me that she offers Fondue Friday (sweet or savory). Hmm, that would be a great Valentine idea....oh Grumpy.....

Check out Mary Ellen's website for more info on her Gourmet Chocolate desserts, truffles and pastries! The Chocolate Cottage is located at 527 Coffeen Street, Watertown, NY. Hope to see you soon Mary Ellen! :)

I didn't expect to see The Mustard Seed at the tasting, but well, let me say they certainly belonged there! The Mustard Seed is a Natural Food Store located at 969 Arsenal Street, Watertown, NY. The first time I visited the store was before they were at their current location. Grumpy took me to this "awesome" natural food store as I had been griping that I wanted to go to one. I had no idea Watertown had this store until Grumpy took me there. (Grumpy hails from Watertown...he's my source of all the "good" places in town!). After the store relocated to Arsenal Street I had less of a hard time finding it!

What did they offer at the chocolate tasting? How about chocolate tortilla chips with pineapple salsa? Grumpy kinda had the nose turn on, but he gave them a try and loved them! So did I! I meant to go back and buy some but got wrapped up in talking and never did make it back. No matter, I will go back to the store itself and buy some! They also had some organic Green & Blacks milk and dark chocolate. Oh yum. I savored all 4 pieces all by myself thoroughout the afternoon. The milk chocolate was my favorite! That was not normal for me as I am usually a dark chocolate girl.

Check The Mustard Seed out online and if your in the Watertown, NY area, be sure to stop by. They offer much more than products as they also have a small Cafe where you can get coffee and sandwiches!

Here is where "pigeon" made his appearance. He wanted to meet my friend Ellen Nesbitt and her sister Angela of St. Lawrence Chocolate. A few month's back Ellen sponsored a giveaway on my blog where a lucky winner received a box of their handmade truffles! Ellen and Angela make chocolates and truffles that are very unique in that they are "related" to the area such as "Golden Knights" (Clarkson University Mascot), Canton Coconut, Burg Berry, Sugar Shack....you can read about these and many more at their website. Right now if you check out their blog The Chocolate River you can read about the special chocolates they have for Valentine's Day!

Last but not least was Calla Lillies Shop. Calla Lillies is located at 118 West Main Street, Sackets Harbor. I loved the pretty blues that was covering her table! She had many handmade items - one of which was Grumpy's favorite of the show....the white chocolate bark with pretzel with M&M's. While they don't have a site yet, you can visit them when in the Sacketts Harbor area!

All in all the chocolate tasting was a great event. I hope they do have it again...and I hope for a bigger turn out! I think it is great for local businesses to get together in this way to show us what they have to offer!