Year in Review: 2009 at Candy Yum Yum

(Gratuitous picture of The Baron eating a mini Drumstick that actually had no cone.)

2009: It was the best of candy, it was the worst of candy. (Actually, it wasn't the worst; it doesn't get any worse than Rainbow Twizzlers.)
We started off the year with the inauguration of Barack Obama, and I fantasized about what a celebratory candy bar might look like. January was also the month when I discovered the giant Necco cardboard heart that said “YUM” on it and I began my obsession with claiming said heart as my own. Alas, my love went unrequited. Thanks a lot, Necco. See if I ever buy your damn wafers again.

In February, THE book arrived on my doorstep, thus becoming the Sugar Baby’s first actual obsession.

In real news, there was a peanut butter/salmonella crisis that made Reese’s lovers quake in their boots.

March came in like a lion with news of the kids today using Smarties as smoking material. Apparently it was a fad that came and went without any great trauma.

In April, I kicked off the popular occasional column called “Sweet Treat of the Week,” wherein I interviewed people of various levels of fame and age about their candy preferences. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Also in April, there was an increase in interest for white Circus Peanuts. Some detective work revealed that there was a cupcake recipe going around that utilized the white candies. In my research, I discovered a recipe for a Circus Peanut Margarita, which began a year-long trend of candy combined with booze. (Fun!)

And again, there was a tainted nut scare. This time it was pistachios.

April was also a sad month, creating yet another candy-associated memory.

In June, Mr. Goodbar revealed that he had been keeping a spread sheet of the statistical breakdown of M&Ms. Candy geeks everywhere rejoiced.

July brought a new look to Candy Yum Yum. The Connection created a new logo for the blog, and the official Candy Yum Yum swag store opened. (The tote bags are particularly nice, if I do say so myself.)

In August, we received the sad news that Kits and B.B. Bats, the well-known filling-ripper-outer candies, were going to be discontinued.

In happier news, passengers on Air Force One get special presidential M&Ms for the flight. Apparently my letter to Barack Obama went unheeded.

Closer to home, the Sugar Baby decided to wedge a Starburst in the lock of Grandpa’s new motorhome. All attempts to recover it were unsuccessful.

In September, something amazing happened. I discovered Chocorooms.

Continuing with the candy/booze theme, I found a recipe for a Candy Corn Cordial.

October: Halloween. Enough said.

Also of import, The Great New York Candy Extravaganza took place, in which I visited Economy Candy. (I still have candy from there to try.)

In cyber news, the FTC announces guidelines for bloggers, saying they must state when they’ve received payment or products in exchange for reviews. Bloggers everywhere are left scratching their heads wondering why magazines and newspapers aren’t made to be held to the same standards.

November saw the ultimate chocolate experience: a chocolate body scrub at the spa.

And once again, spirits were on the mind when I concocted my Marshmallow Cocoa Martini. The first time was pretty good. The second batch was nary so delicious.

As a last ditch attempt, I took some time in December to make Candy Cane Vodka (pretty color, but still reeked of bottom shelf liquor at a cheap nightclub).
And, in earth-shattering news, the Sugar Baby makes his own fudge and doesn’t even bother to tell me.

That was 2009 at Candy Yum Yum. How about you? What were the big candy stories in your life? Did you discover anything exciting? Or something particularly disgusting? Let me know!
Up next: a run-down of the year's new candies and the best, worst and most beautiful of 2009.