This Sunday is another *Free Concert* in the plaza. The *Gourmet Food Trucks* will be back with a great selection of yummy food for all you foodies out there. ALSO if you come to town Sunday and purchase something at MY FRIENDS AND I and say you saw us on the Blog, in an Email or on Facebook you'll get entered in a drawing for a *$25.00 Gift Certificate* (sunday only)


If you haven't done so already go to the Facebook link on left and "like us on Facebook!"

August Giveaway

Here's a picture of the giveaway for August. It's a cute little bird basket, 2 eggs and a $25.00 Gift Certificate. You can enter to win every time you come in the shop OR you can email me from this blog, tell me you'd like to win and I will enter you. EASY!
If you haven't done it yet, click on facebook symbol below our heading and like us on facebook!

Candy samples

Yesterday and today at the shop I gave out samples of the candy I made from the recipe below. It was a BIG hit! Then I gave everyone this blog address to get the recipe. So many had never been to our blog. If your new here WELCOME! I Hope you'll bookmark it as a favorite and come back often. If you're a blog regular HELLO to you and thanks for reading us.
Either way, make this candy. Your going to love it!

P.S. If you click on older posts at the bottom you can read all our posts from the beginning.

Crockpot Candy

Remember way back in one of my post I gave you a link to the Crock- pot Candy recipe? Well I finally made it and it's really good AND really easy!
If you come into the shop this weekend you can try a sample for free. (pictured is just a small amount, it makes tons). Want to make them yourself? Here's the recipe.

Crock-Pot chocolate candy~

2 lbs (36 oz) salted dry-roasted peanuts
4 oz (4 squares) German's sweet chocolate
1 12-package semisweet chocolate chips (about 2 cups)
2 1/2 lbs white almond bark

Put the peanuts in the bottom of a 4-quart slow-cooker. Layer the chocolate over the peanuts, beginning with the sweet chocolate, followed by the chocolate chips, and then the almond bark. Set the temperature on low and cook for 3 hours. DO NOT STIR THE MIXTURE. After 3 hours, stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until smooth. Drop the candy into cupcake pan liners, using about 2 tablespoons per liner, Allow the candy to cool completely before removing the cupcake liners. Makes 30 to 40 pieces. I used the tiny cupcake papers and it made 3 times that much.

Just a note: I had a hard time finding white almond bark, but found this at Target (that's where I bought all the ingredients) it worked just fine.

Really great food on those trucks! AND we did hit the cupcake truck. We brought them home for later. They will be back on August 7th. Mark the date come listen to free music and try out some of the food for yourself.

P.S. Did you notice the facebook link on the left sidebar? Yep we're on facebook now. Hope you'll go check it out and like us on facebook.

Today is the Free Concert in the Plaza AND the Gourmet Food Trucks in the parking lot. My family is visiting from IL. and we are all excited to check out the food being offered. We can't be there till around 4:00 so I hope there will be some left! I went on line and the one that has cupcakes got my attention!
Come on down it's going to be a beautiful day.

This Sunday July 24th is another free concert in Niles.
Here's who's performing in the plaza from 1 to 4

Patrice Pike Band (Americana Rock from Austin)
Rita Hosking Duo (Songwriter, folk, traditional)

In addition we are going to have Feed your soul with the following Gourmet Food Trucks in town from 12-6 that day. They are the new rage in gourmet eating.

Grill Stars - www.TheGrillStars.com -- If you remember Boss Hawgs BBQ in Niles then this truck will send you back in time with Gourmet Burgers Like the "One and Only" or Succulent BBQ flavors of Southern Pulled Pork and Texas Beef Brisket.

Thats Sweet Dessert Truck - http://www.thatssweetbakerâ€'y.com/ --
This Truck serves up Gourmet cupcakes that will have you coming back for more with flavors like, Salted Carmel, Chocolate Maple, Red Velvet and Maple Bacon. Also serving up a variety of other sweet sensations.

Twisted Chill - www.Facebook.com/TwistedChâ€'illTruck -- The Name of this truck says it all. A self serve, soft serve ice cream truck with 8 different flavors and endless amount of toppings And two Cool Owners make this "One Epic Truck"

BBQ Kalbi - www.BBQKalbi.com

MOGO BBQ - www.Mogobbq.com

Five Ten Burger - www.FiveTenBurger.com

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Here are the dates for Niles Plaza Summer Concerts for this summer. You might want to mark your calendar . More on these concerts in future blogs.

Aug 7 Royal Dueces Confirmed (East Bay Rock-A-Billy)
Ron Thompson (Newark's own, a Blues Hall Of Fame legend)

Aug 14 WOOSTER (Pop/Rock/Raggae from Santa Cruz )
Gregory Page (Jazz/Pop from San Diego)

Sept 11 What's Up Big Band ('Rat Pack' classics, two singers & a 20 piece)
Tracy Newman & The Reinforcements (L.A. songwriter & SNL alumni)