Let's talk CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!

Mentioned in an earlier entry that Tracy, Dan & Joan’s daughter is the owner of Miesse’s (mee’ sees) Chocolate here in Lancaster. A company in business since 1875. It is a relatively small company with a RICH heritage. Great product with NO PRESERVATIVES.

Taking a picture of Tracy is like trying to get a squirrel to stand still. Summer is not a great time to catch chocolate being made. Just for us, they opened the factory. (You know we are important!!!) Alex, A Son, gave us a great tour.

First a run down on the equipment, some very old:

Not sure if Tracy had help, but the displays are great. The above is one of the older scales. The heavier equipment is pre-1940 vintage, like the pots and mixers. The caramel mixer pulled out and allowed to harden before cleaning. (I have it on good authority, that this is great to break off when hard and chew on.)

Dark chocolate specialty mixer/scraper.

I may mis name some of these, but I have an excuse…….

Below is an original slate table for spreading and working fudge and chocolate…. This sucker is about 4” thick and heavy.

 This machine below squirts caramel or What filling needed onto each piece going thru. You can see this on the virtual tour.

Sherry mentioned the famous ‘I Love Lucy’ scene, where she was trying to keep up with the conveyer belt. (Shoulda known, Tracy produced a card board picture of Lucy doing just that!!!)

Alex was quick to point out that this is older equipment with less safety features, and all this is fed and operated by hand. The above is the cutter (sharp blades). The chocolate is run thru on about 18”x18” cutting boards. Turned 90 degrees and ran thru again, if the desire is square. They can be adjusted for different Rectangular shapes.

Another cutter on the left and What we were waiting for ‘CHOCOLATE’. I found one thing is very critical, temperature! This is mine, Milk Chocolate. NO SHE WILL NOT DIVULGE THE RECIPE! They have been in business since 1875 by protecting such things. LOL

Sherry’s favorite, Dark Chocolate, another vat of the good stuff, then of course one of White.

They were turning so slow, I figured I could dip my finger in, but no one would turn their heads!

The chocolate dip, on a conveyor belt then thru the Chocolate falls inside, followed by a trip thru the cooling tunnel.

This is for chocolate covered candies and a biggie, Pretzels, covered in white, dark or milk chocolate.

There is Joan, smiling as always and enjoying the taste and her daughter's success. In a pinch around a holiday, the whole family pitches in to help all the regular workers, GIT-R-DONE.

Of course there are samples and our picture showing we completed the tour!

Violins and other musical instruments in chocolate. I loved the chocolate ‘Thank You’ note.

I couldn’t resist a pound each of maple with milk chocolate, and Pecan, caramel in Milk choc. We then splurged and got Sherry a half pound of P-nut butter and dark chocolate.

Everything is hand packed, Tracy is boxing our Candy here, (Not every body has the boss pack for them):

I will leave you with a view of some chocolate:

 AND Then, what would a factory be without 2nd and 3rd’s on sale:

Nite Shipslog
PS:
For a virtual tour and more:
http://www.miessecandies.com/page5/
A little more on chocolate tomorrow WHEN we go to the Famous Central Market in Lancaster

I am sure you have noticed……

The ‘bad, odd, off the wall things’ that happen in our lives, on vacation, at work or when we are just being us, make the most told stories.

It is funny now, but not then. I was once in a trio singing at Christmas time (yeah,me, really singing). The three wise men. I forgot my part and sang my whole solo verse as ‘Myrrh is mine,..Da-da- da- duh, da da da……. etc.’

For years we got Christmas Cards saying, MERRY CHRISTMAS….‘Myrrh is mine da da da da daaaaaa’. 

Sherry and my BIL Elmer are the only ones still alive that know;  once I drove a total of 100+ miles the wrong direction. I achieved the name of ‘Wrong-way-jack’.  Replacing ‘U-turn Jack’!  I may one day live that one down.

Remember Junior Samples, of “Hee Haw” Fame? Well growing up, my sibling’s names were: Junior, Odis, Kat, Ovaline and Shirl. I knew their names as well as mine, I never questioned them, that was their names.

Sister Kat is in the hospital once. Sherry and I approached the information desk and I asked what room ‘Kat Lankford’  was in. The lady looked and looked. Finally she said, “We do not have a Kat Lankford, the only Lankford we have is Mary K.”

“We must be at the wrong hospital,” said I, as my sweet wife elbowed me and said, “Honey, Kat’s name is Mary Katherine.” 

“Well no one ever told her brother!”

I once had a visit from an FBI agent. My job assignment required a TOP SECRET (SI) clearance. (I had submitted all the information asked). The Agent turned on a recorder, read me my rights, then said:

“You listed a Junior (NMN)  Darnell as a brother in Shelby, NC, No such man exists.” He listed off several Darnell names in Shelby. One was B.F. Darnell Jr.

“B.F. Darnell is my Dad’s name, he doesn’t live in Shelby.”   Can you see eyes rolling? I did. I could imagine this dude thinking, and they want to entrust our military secrets to this kid, his IQ score must be wrong?  LOL

As he clicked off the recorder and stood, dismissing me, he said, “Cpl Darnell, I think the mystery is solved, thank you for coming in (Like I had a choice)!”

Now that I look back, seems the FBI would have looked at my Dad’s name on the application and at Junior’s name and figured that, without me having to show my ignorance. hahahahaha

But this backward boy can laugh at himself and I know down inside, “shucks I am a genius!!!”  Shakespeare wrote: ‘To your own self be true.”

Thanks for coming by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Many humans mistake ‘making a living', for 'making a life..'

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1963 Morris Pickup, a neat little truck.

Stoop Labor, I hate that term

It seems to portray the work as demeaning, anyone doing it as low class, trash, or unfit for any other job. I guess I am a dinosaur talking, but work is work. The term labor is used, but it is still just plain work. You get paid to work. some jobs pay more than others. Growing up I did not know what entry level jobs meant, as matter of fact I don’t think those terms had not been coined.  Everyone knew that some jobs would not pay enough to buy a house, support a family or even buy a car.  Some jobs were beginner’s jobs.

You took one of those so you could have a work history. A History to show you were dependable. You could be counted on to be on the job EVERY DAY.  Then if you were ambitious enough, you started checking out other jobs that paid more. My daddy had the opinion that if you were getting paid 50 cents an hour and wanted more, you had better put out 75cents an hour’s worth of work; And after awhile the boss will notice and recommend you for a raise.

No one I knew expected their first job to be much more than a stepping stone. Since living in Florida I have learned a lot about labor jobs. Seasonal work and Temporary labor. Picking fruit pays $9.50-$11 an hour. We have many folk on welfare and unemployment who will not touch those jobs, they can make more tax free than working.  I have always preferred to work. One company has had only two US citizens apply for work, one lasted a day the other a week. Most folk do not want to work, they want a check.

And yes, before someone bites my head off about there is no advancement, there is. Men go from picking fruit to working on construction. Some real ambitious folks will form their own picking crews.  Some start their own landscape companies after working at the job for a year or so.

Anyway, I read that term ‘STOOP LABOR’ the other day and it irked me. My daddy did it, my kin folk done it in their early years and were proud of the steps they made to success. Merchants, truck owners/drivers, ministers, and real estate folks. All from down on the farm where ‘Stoop Labor’ is common.  I am not talking about me, but I am the product of a family who was not afraid of work.

It wouldn’t have hurt some of the lawyers and politicians I have known, to have done a little stooping.

Okay, off the soap box and glad you chose to come by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Life sometimes gives you a second chance, take it!

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Zaglemeyer Kampcar, around 1920. Built on the T-model Frame in Bay City, Michigan. The slideout was way ahead of it’s time. Betcha it was CCCold.

James Buchanan, number 15!

Washington had his Mt. Vernon, Jefferson his Monticello and our fifteenth President James Buchanan his beloved Wheatland.  Wheatland is here in Lancaster, PA, and two blocks from ‘Haven’, the home of our good Friends Dan & Joan. I named their home just now, because they really do have a home. A safe sanctuary of family love, for their kids, who come often.

Dan was gracious and made reservations for us at Wheatland, where we had a guided tour of the home and surroundings. The guide was surprised and happy to have their neighbors come to tour after many years of living up the street.

If you are familiar with Mr. Buchanan, history does not treat him well. He was the last president who agreed that slavery was a state’s constitutional right. He himself abhorred slavery, never owned a slave but was a constitutionalist and as president felt personally obligated to follow the constitution.

If you want to know a person’s good points, talk to his family or fans. All the folks at Wheatland are volunteers because they love and respect Mr. Buchanan, as it should be. WE got to know the other side of History.

These are actually wooden blinds from the 1800’s, you see a very intricate design hand carved into the wooden valance.
Okay, so you poor folk who actually saw and used up to a two holer, here is the rich guys ‘5 holer’, and the first I have ever seen with the kids seats. A new meaning of, ‘The family who goes together stays together!’

I made up the above statement, actually Mr. Buchanan was the only president who never married. He was engaged once, the lady died and he remained single.

Above is a painting of the President Buchanan.

The hand drawn picture on the left was used to restore the home. There had been a hand drawn picture of each room. Below is his Top hat.

Above on the left was a wedding present for his Niece, Harriet Lane. He adopted her and a cousin, Buck Henry, after the deaths of their parents. So Harriet was his daughter as well as his niece.

A picture of Harriet in her later years, Her life being very unique, she was the first person called ‘The First Lady’, as she served James as his social advisor and director when he was president. Our guide said she was the Jackie Kennedy of her time, a fashion model for the ladies who liked the latest.

Above left is a bath tub, and beside it a ‘Potty Chair’. (Yeah I know I am obsessed with these things.

The bed he slept and died in, at Wheatland.

According to our guide, Mr. Buchanan was the most experienced president we ever had. Having filled the office of Sec State, Ambassadors, Senator, Rep etc. The desks above where labored to write ream after  ream of paper to explain his presidency that most seemed not to understand. They say he was blamed for the civil war, I always gave Abe that position.


Our gracious hostess, I could not get over the thought that Mrs. Pelosi was giving the lectures.

The ‘mouse trap’, caught them alive, they were released outside to be caught the next day (according to our guide).
I apologize for the photos, because like most museums (etc) NO FLASH pictures allowed. The house is unique, as it looks the same from the front as the rear. I love OLD WOOD, knowing that the wood was nearly 200 years old, gives a carpenter a good feeling.

This wood  floor was not covered with carpet. Love the square nails.

Love these old beams in the smoke house.

Everyone gave Heddy Parker, his lifelong house keeper, VERY MUCH CREDIT for running his every day life before and after Harriet Lane.
One day I will try to sit down and list the presidents homes we have visited, they have all been interesting. VERY FEW of our leaders have been poor folk.
From Lancaster, Pennsylvania. James was not born here, but this became his home. After being here I have more respect for him. I think, as with all presidents, he was a very good man in a tough job. President of the USA 1857-1861.
Sorry about the length, but I did not want to make two entries. He is remembered for his Last words as president. Spoken to Abe just before Abe was inaugurated.
“Sir, if you are as happy entering this office, as I am leaving it, YOU SIR, ARE ONE HAPPY MAN.”
Thanks for coming by the log.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'  Maya Angelou
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Now resting at the Henry Ford…….

The most famous Presidential Vehicle, JFK’s Lincoln (fixed that, lol) quiet a change from Buchanan’s transportation: