Cheering for the SpaceX Dragon launch

We're a space loving family. Both Ian and Alli are big fans of learning about all things Space. They know they're planets backwards and forwards. Even the dwarf planets. We've watched rocket launches on our TV and voted when it was time to name the new dwarf planet Gonggong.
On Wednesday when the Dragon tried to launch the first time, we were ready and waiting. It didn't happen that day, but got rescheduled Saturday. That worked better for us since we could plan the morning around it!

Disneyland Treats at Home - National Mint Julep Day - May 30th

We're kicking off yet another series today. Disneyland Treats at Home! And it's great because today coincides with a National Day. It's National Mint Julep Day!
When I think of Mint Juleps, I immediately think of Disneyland. And if you're already in New Orleans Square at the Mint Julep Bar, why not go ahead and get a sack of Mickey beignets too?

Making El Torito at Home!

It started one evening on the couch with Theresa thinking about what tasty foods we haven't had in a while.
Theresa - That sweet corn cake from El Torito is really good.
Joe - Well then you know what that means. We need to make El Torito at home!

Brach's - A Hard Candy taste test

Brach's Hard Candies. You know, those candies you can pretty much guarantee that your grandma has a couple of in her purse. But, which one is really the best?

I found this giant bag of Brach's candies for a pretty good deal. It was the kids who decided we should turn it into a taste test.

Relaxing in Bora Bora Day 7 and 8 - 2020/02/12

Our Bora Bora trip is starting to wind down. There's just a couple days left before it's time to head back home.

Memorial Day Weekend 2020

It's Memorial Day Weekend in beautiful sunny Southern California.

Kids Second Taste Test - Orey-ems versus Kissey-Os

The kids were all excited to tell me about their second taste test that they've come up with. This time they're combining Oreos and honey with either M&Ms, calling them Orey-ems (Oreo Honey M&Ms, or Hershey's Kisses, calling them Kissey-Os (Kisses Honey Oreos). It was either Kissey-Os or Orey-isses. Mommy thought Kissey-Os sounded better.

Making Wendy's At Home!

For tonight's Make At Home Meal, we're going to attempt to recreate Wendy's. There's so much to do for this one!

Saturday Morning Breakfast - Vitantonio Mickey Mouse Waffler

We've got a special treat today. During the clean-up of their house, a friend of mine came across this old Mickey Mouse Waffle Maker and asked if we'd like to have it. I know a couple of kids who happen to love Disney, so yes! Absolutely!

Flamin Hot Chips Taste Test

Theresa is a big fan of spicy foods and Flamin Hot chips are pretty high on the list of favorites. There's at least 15 unique Flamin Hot style chips, and today (which happens to be Mothers Day), we're going to taste 5 of them. 

If there's any question what the color of Flamin Hot is, it's a dark fiery red.

National Strawberry Picking Day - actually we're picking Mulberries - May 20th

Today is National Strawberry Picking Day. Ordinarily we might be able to go to a strawberry farm and actually pick a basket of strawberries, but with this quarantine, we're not all that free to be out and about. Instead, we're going to change that into Mulberry picking day. Close enough for us.

Making PF Changs at Home!

I'm really enjoying this At Home series, with all the variety that we've been able to make.
Today, we're doing another sit-down place. PF Changs!

Making Cinnamon Twists 6 different ways - And how not to make Cinnamon Twists

Back when we did Taco Bell at Home, one of the things we made were cinnamon twists. I had never made these before, so it was fascinating seeing how these little wheat pellets in different shapes could expand to be 3-4 times their original size once they were deep fried in oil.
Seeing how they reacted in the oil, I was very curious to try out a few different ways to cook these up.

So, here's 6 different ways to cook Duros. We're going to cook them up Boiled, Baked - covered, Bakes - uncovered, Deep Fried, Microwaved, and with a Magnifying Glass.
These are all unflavored. Once we figure out our favorite way, we'll make a batch and dust them with cinnamon and sugar.

Another fun sleep-over

We had such a fun time on our last sleepover, the kids were excited to have another one.

National Chocolate Chip Day - May 15th

It's National Chocolate Chip Day! The chocolate chip is important enough to be celebrated twice a year, both today, May 15th, and also on Chocolate Chip Cookie Day on August 4th.

And it all started back in the 1930s when Ruth Wakefield was making a batch of chocolate cookies for her guests at the Toll House Inn.
Today we're celebrating with lots of different treats. The morsels by themselves, chocolate chip cookies (thanks Aunt Rita), Chocolate Chips Cookie Dough ice cream, and also Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. Yum!

Saturday Morning Cereals - Eggo Waffle Cereal, Homestyle and Blueberry

Happy Saturday morning! We're back again after taking a little break, ready for our next Saturday morning cereal. Today we've got two breakfast foods. Cereal and Waffles!

After taking a 7 year hiatus, on National Waffle Day (August 24th) the Eggo Twitter feed said that if they received 10,000 retweets, they would bring back Eggo cereal.

Making Sonic at Home!

This Make at Home series can keep going and going!
I can't say that I've been to Sonic Drive-In all that frequently, but when I've gone there, it's been tasty. And there's a few things that stand out to me there. And to use their current slogan, "This Is How We Sonic."

YoCrunch yogurt taste test, Oreo, M&M, and Snickers

We seem to be on a yogurt kick lately. First the Starburst yogurt. Then the Sour Patch Kids yogurt. Last the GoGurt Hershey's Cookies 'N' Creme yogurt.
There's a yogurt brand out there that has done all the work that we might do at home, by giving us a base flavor and then treats to mix in. Let's do it!

There's 3 flavors that we'll be tasting today. Oreo, M&Ms, and Snickers.

Making White Castle at Home!

Tonight's meal is White Castle. Since White Castle is mostly an East Coast chain, I only get it when I'm visiting family. And yes, I know the Sliders come in the freezer section, but it's just not the same.
And so today, in our continuing quest to make fast food meals at home, we're making those White Castle gut bombs sliders in our own kitchen.

Friendship Bread

One night Theresa and I were sitting on the couch.
Theresa - We should make Friendship Bread and send it to our friends.
Joe - What's Friendship Bread?
Theresa - You never made Friendship Bread when you were growing up?

I never have. Theresa explained that Friendship Bread was something you got from someone and then fed over the next 10 days. On day 10, you split it up again and send it along to more friends.
That sounds like a fun thing to do while everyone is stuck in the house. I'm on board! Let's do it!

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day!
Ian made Theresa a card.

Ian and Alli's first taste test - Sour Bursteys

Ian and Alli were both very excited to tell me something in the morning. Apparently they had been discussing things they could do the next day before they went to sleep last night. They want to have their very own taste test. The first one they've ever done where they're the ones in charge.

They were excited to put it together and told me everything they had planned. And of course they wanted to make sure I would write it up in one of my stories. 

M&Ms Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches

It's a warm day in Southern California, a perfect day for a treat. I've got a bunch of taste tests ready to go, just waiting for inspiration, and today we did find inspiration.

Looks like a tasty treat.

Theresa makes delicious Sopaipillas at home

With all this baking that's been going on, Theresa was looking to see what other tasty things we could make. Somehow she came across a recipe for Sopaipillas, those delicious fried dough pillows that our family loves. When I think of them, I can't help but think of the Most Entertaining Mexican Restaurant in the World, Casa Bonita.

Making Taco Bell at Home!

Tonight's dinner is going to be something special. The kids love eating at Taco Bell, so continuing our series of making meals at home, tonight "Yo Quiero Taco Bell". We're going to "Live Mas", "Make a Run for the Border", and "Think Outside the Bun". Let's do this!

GoGurt Hershey's Cookies 'N' Creme yogurt

Today we're taste testing a new yogurt from GoGurt and it happens to be flavored like one of Ian's favorite candy bars. Hershey's Cookies 'N' Creme.

And like usual, we'll taste it along with a real Hershey's Cookies 'N' Creme bar.

May The Fourth Be With You! Happy Star Wars Day!

Happy Star Wars Day! We're celebrating at home!

National Lemonade Day - May 3rd

Today is National Lemonade Day! We love lemonade, and especially making it ourselves. We made it ourselves back when we made our own Chick-Fil-A at home, but that gallon is long gone. To celebrate National Lemonade Day we've got to make more.
But what's the best way to have lemonade? I think that's a better question and more in line with the types of taste tests that we do.

And so the kids and I raided the freezer for whatever frozen fruit we could find. Together we made Blueberry Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Regular Lemonade, Pineapple Lemonade, and Cherry Lemonade. Which one will reign supreme?

Ian and Alli make their own lunch

Alli and Ian both woke up on the right side of the bed today. They started off the morning saying they wanted to be super helpful today. After helping fold laundry, pick up the house, and organize a few closets, they decreed that they would make lunch all by themselves.

Making Arbys at Home!

Our next meal we're going to attempt to make at home is Arby's! Of all the fast food restaurants we go to, I might like Arby's the most. But, we don't make it over to Arby's very frequently. It's just not convenient for us now. There's some very tasty things that we're going to need to make if we're going to try to recreate it at home.

Making Olive Garden at Home!

Today we're moving away from the homemade fast food and moving into the homemade sit down restaurant food.
Olive Garden is a big favorite, so much so that both kids choose to eat their birthday meal there. We always order the same thing when we go. Pasta e Fagioli and Fettuccini Alfredo. I think we can take a swing at making this ourselves.