Thursday's Field Trip

Props to the Mount Pleasant Economic
Development for landing this company

Yesterday, the Lunch Bunch had a field trip to Mount Pleasant, which is about 60 miles away. We took a tour of the Sweet Shop, a non-descript chocolate factory which looks like an unassuming single-wide. Think of it as the Tardis of chocolate shops. This place was deceptively larger on the inside. 

The Sweet Shop makes all the custom chocolates for several retailers, including Neiman-Marcus, Nordstrom's, and the Pittsburg Penguins. You can find their fudge at Six Flags and Buc'cees (The South's version of a convenience store/upscale Cracker Barrel gift shop). They also have a retail location in Mount Pleasant and are opening another in Longview some time in the future. Plus, several other companies carry their chocolate under their own private labels. Our tour was interesting, and reminded me of Joanna Carl's Chocolate Mystery series (recommend highly). And yes, it came with free samples. 

1/100th of the
Sweet Shop's Interior

Afterwards, we went to--what Cindy promised me would be a FABULOUS Mexican Restaurant--the Jalapeno Tree. It wasn't fabulous. And my shellfish allergy reared its ugly head as Ruthie ordered shrimp enchiladas upwind from me. Now everyone knows I have food allergies. As of this writing (Thursday night) my hands are still swollen from the allergic reaction. I hate my body. 

Good  Okay Food

Afterwards, on our drive back to Texarkana, we stopped by New Boston (a suburb, sort of) about 20 miles from home. We went to, what Marty refers to as my "theme park." The Little Country Greenhouse is a plant store with a few fun extras. Currently, they have a butterfly exhibit. We stopped by to walk the butterfly house, where we saw different species of butterflies, caterpillars and even an albino parakeet. 

Monarch Butterflies--the Texas State Butterfly

Queen Butterflies

Almost a Butterfly