GHIRARDELLI AMERICAN VEGAN CHOCOLATE

Most of the better quality chocolates are from foreign companies, but Ghirardelli chocolate is a California company (the only American one that I found that makes a good vegan chocolate.) Their vegan brand is "Intense Dark Twilight Delight 72% Cacao". Please remember though, it is made on machines that make non-vegan chocolates, which I would imagine all companies do also.

MY FAVE 3/4 SLEEVE COTTON TOP - UNISEX?

Boatneck, 3/4 sleeve tops are hard to find and when you do they are fairly expensive. I like these tops because they are roomy and very comfortable. They come in many beautiful colors and are very casual. They are $7 each, but if you buy 5 or more the price drops to $5 each. These can easily be uni-sex. The sizes run a little big. They can be purchased in light and heavy weight, depending on the season. 100% cotton.

PS They also have short sleeved tops in really nice earthy colors. I do think for a Floridian they can only be worn in winter because they are not light weight enough (for me.)

www.usa-wear.com

Columbia Knit Factory Store

RECYCLED PLASTIC KID'S TEA SET

I just love this set. I bought this for my granddaughter for Christmas and she loved it. It consists of a teapot, 4 cups, 4 saucers, 4 spoons, cream & sugar holders. The colors are deep pastels. It sells for $24.95 and is made from plastic milk jugs. Made in California. This is a nice sturdy set. www.madeinusaforever.com

WHAT IS VERMONT FAMOUS FOR?

Maple Syrup. So, why do some people buy it from Canada? Because they don't read the label.
This is probably the easiest thing you can buy to help save American jobs. There are more choices for Vermont maple syrup than for Canadian maple syrup so it should not be a problem to find one that you like.

AMERICAN WINE

New Year's Eve 2008 was when I was bitten by the Made in America bug and I decided to buy wines made in America instead of foreign countries. I always thought that French and Italian wines were the best, and maybe they are to a wine connoisseur, but to me, American wines are just as delicious and less expensive. Certain regions of the US are better than others, for instance California being the best, and perhaps, North Carolina not as good. I have a tendency to like wines from Oregon and Washington, as well as California. There certainly is no lack of choices in American wines. So next time you are in the market for a bottle of wine, think American.