The "Sweets for the Sweet!" Story

It was an ordinary day. Thinking about what to buy for my sweetheart for Valentine's Day. Could get her a dozen roses from Costco, but they die so fast. Could take her out to eat, but we do that so often that it wouldn't be a real treat. Could get her a heart-shaped box willed with candy, but I would have to help her eat it and I don't need that. Then I got this email about all the different types of treats that are given for Valentine's Day and thought I might pick one off the list. I'll publish the photos of then that were taken by Stephanie Adams and a small description of each and let you decide.

Layers of chocolate and soft vanilla caramel are poured over toasted pecans to createturtles, which are known as pecan buds at See's candy shops all over California

No potatoes are involved in the making of Idaho Spuds, which actually consist of coconut-flecked dark chocolate covering a springy cocoa-flavored marshmallow center

Chocolate-covered macadamia nuts are a quintessential Hawaiian treat and can be found anywhere and everywhere on the islands

Children in Wisconsin have been enjoying Candy Raisins (which don't actually include raisins) since 1930. After the factory closed down in 2008, a version was reverse-engineered and relaunched as Candy Sunshine, available starting in March 2012

Florida's coconut patties come in flavors like key lime, mango, and piña colada

Legend has it that peanut brittle was created by Virginia folk hero Tony Beaver, who poured peanuts and molasses in a river to stop a flood. I guess this is one candy I will not buy Carol for Valentine's Day since her peanut brittle is probably twice as good as the one pictured here.

Salt water taffy is sold up and down the Atlantic City boardwalk in New Jersey, and again, probably not a good choice, since we buy enough of it during the summer while on vacation.

Maple sugar is twice as sweet as regular sugar, making these candies tooth-achingly delicious

Pennsylvania's Peanut Chews were first formulated for ration boxes back in 1917, but the bars of molasses and peanuts covered in dark chocolate continue to be popular today

Whoopie Pies, sweet creamy frosting sandwiched between moon-shaped pieces of chocolate cake, are the official state treat of Maine. Hey wait a minute, didn't I just write a story about this and we decided that Pennsylvania is the home of the Whoppie Pie!

Tennessee's Goo Goo Clusters are a sweet treat with longevity—the chocolate, nougat, and pecan candies turn 100 in 2012

When you order pralines (a combination of sugar cane and pecans) in Louisiana, be sure to pronounce it praw-LEENS

Ohio is the Buckeye State, so it's no surprise that that favorite treat is also known as buckeyes. The chocolate-covered peanut butter candies look like the nut from the buckeye tree

Hey, all these treats look good, but I think I will opt-out of a sweet treat and buy my sweetheart something really unusual. Will let you know what I decide upon closer to Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's Day to all. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.