The Story of Ian and His Big Heart

My son Ian has a beautiful heart. He's a really thoughtful and caring kid. Ready to help out whenever anyone needs it, and regularly puts others needs before his own. 

But that's not what this story is about. This story has to do with his physical heart. It's a Flowers Tale I wasn't sure I'd ever write up, but Ian has asked me to do it a few times now and he wants to read about a big time in his life. 

So in a post that's going to bring back a lot of memories for Theresa, myself, and the rest of the family, here's The Story of Ian and His Big Heart!

Hawaiian Punch Drink Mix taste test comparison

How about a nice Hawaiian Punch? 
I found 4 different Hawaiian Punch drink mix packets and figured we'd have to try them all! 

There's Hawaiian Punch Lemon Berry Squeeze, Fruit Juicy Red, Berry Blue Typhoon, and Wild Purple Smash. 

Hot Tamales Cotton Candy taste test comparison

Hot Tamale Cotton Candy? I love Hot Tamale candies! They are one of my favorite movie snacks! But, can that spicy goodness be captured by a cotton candy? We'll find out! 

The Hot Tamales candies are a bright red color, while the Hot Tamales Cotton Candy is definitely not. It's the standard pink color that we're used to seeing. I think the bag is maybe exaggerating the color of the cotton candy. It's nowhere close to that color. 

Theresa - Can you imagine how much red dye would be in that if they did? 

Theresa - This is going to be a love/hate relationship. My favorite candy and my least favorite candy. 

She does not like the texture of cotton candy at all. 

Nespresso machine coffee taste test

Today we are testing out 3 different Nespresso coffee machines. It just so happened that while we were in Colorado, we had 3 different versions of coffee makers that all used the same Nespresso coffee pods.  When an opportunity like that comes along, we like to compare them. 

Way back when, Theresa and I had a Starbucks habit that was getting to be expensive. Looking for another option for quick coffee in the mornings, we turned to Nespresso and their coffee pods. 

And all three of these were ours at some point in their lifecycle. 

First there's the Nespresso Essenza Mini by Breville (~$170). This is our latest purchase and is hopefully going to be just the right size for the RV. 

Second is the Nespresso Lattissima by De'Longhi (~$300). This was actually our first Nespresso purchase and we've had it for over 10 years now. It has the benefit of a removable milk frother than can be refrigerated when not in use. This has since become my mother's coffee maker. 

Last is the Nespresso Lattissima Pro by De'Longhi (~$500). It's a step up the from the regular model, including a larger milk frother and bonus hot water dispenser. This is what we've been carrying around in the RV with us, and it's time to let it go. 

Minecraft Suspicious Stew Pringles taste test comparison

Minecraft? Pringles? Two things that the kids just happen to love! 

A longtime reader of the blog sent me a link to these Suspicious Stew Minecraft Pringles, letting me know about them and suggesting we make a stew to try along with them. That definitely sounds like our kind of taste test! Thank you for sending it to us!

But, despite all my efforts, I could not find these Minecraft Pringles in stores anywhere! Luckily, my brother Patrick keeps an eye out for these sorts of things too, and grabbed a canister for us. Thank you!

So, we've got to make a stew now. I know just who to ask to help. 

Tabasco Pipcorn Popcorn and Cheese Balls taste test

While perusing a Market World, I found a snack I've been wanting to try for a while! Pipcorn! 
I first saw this brand of popcorn on Shark Tank years ago (like 2019). Back then, you could only order it online, and when I went to place an order, they were overwhelmed by the Shark Tank success and had sold out. I hadn't thought about them much until I saw these again in stores years later. Tabasco flavored popcorn and cheese balls! Yum!

I had first tried a licensed Tabasco popcorn while visit my brother in Texas during his flight school. It was some of the most delicious popcorn I've ever tried and I've been trying to find something like it again ever since. Will this Tabasco Pipcorn satisfy my spicy popcorn cravings? Read on and see!

Pop Pop's Homemade Raisins

Homemade raisins? I knew it was possible, but I never really thought about trying it. My dad was given a grocery bag full of grapes and knowing there was no way he could possibly eat them all before they went bad, he set off to make homemade raisins!

And thought it would be fun if we did a taste test with them. One of these came from the store, the other is homemade. We'll taste them blind and see what we think! Which one will be better? Let's find out!