"candy hearts" news and stories

• Deep-dish pizza company Uno apparently has debts deeper than its pockets: It has filed for bankruptcy protection, with plans to "recapitalize its balance sheet."
• For those in the Boston vicinity craving products typically found south of the border, Roslindale Square's El Chavo Mexican Products is a "treasure trove of Mexican foodstuffs," from tortilla presses to imported confections.
• Ginger Park's "Son-in-Law" eggs, wrapped in panko-crusted pork belly then fried, are "one of the best morsels in town" -- and potentially your home kitchen, with the recipe provided.

We love those conversation hearts from Necco (and, what the heck, the knockoffs too, whether they be bitter or sweet or plain obnoxious). When I was a little girl whose head was filled with images of princess hats, men on white horses, and endless gifts of Whitman's Samplers and sugary candy and roses for Valentine's Day, I imagined the time when my sweetheart would express his love with those sweet, sweet hearts.

But it's never really happened as in my dream. When my husband proposed? It wasn't by handing me a candy heart imprinted in pink smudged block letters with "MARRY ME."

Has that ever happened, to you or someone you know? Please do share.

[Photo Sarah Gilbert]

Necco unveiled its annual newbies amongst the sayings which festoon its iconic Valentine candy hearts today. The coolest in my book are hearts featuring the words "and" and "to" so hungry lovers can create phrases such as the suggested "kiss me to be mine" or my own, spur-of-the-moment creation, "UR kind to be true to my baby and website."

Each new year brings with it a special theme. Last year: sports. Bor-ing. This year, in keeping with the thousands of troops who aren't, is home. New phrases include "home soon," "go home," "call home," "sweet home," and the slightly risque "home run" and "house party." Finally, Necco added "ILU" for you text-messaging sweethearts (if I have to explain that to you, you SO don't need that heart).

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