food

It All Started with a Cupcake

True Story: the My Delight Cupcake Truck regularly comes to the park at the end of our street. Seriously! Like, I can (and do) walk down to get my sugar fix.

I may even have friends alert me ahead of time.

Last Thursday that was just the edge of the sugar bowl I ended up diving into.

Without the encumbrances (aka kids), E and I decided to grab a bite to eat and go grocery shopping. AKA “Date Night”

But “wait, the truck is down the street. Let’s walk down first.” Picked up a snickerdoodle and a caramel churro.

Didn’t leave them in the house while we went out – Aaron might come home and well… $10 in cupcakes are not meant to be inhaled by the undiscerning. So on our adventure they went, too.

“While we’re out, let’s stop and pick up my free birthday bundt cake.” OK

After a few other stops we finally made it to dinner, BJ’s to share the $20 Thursday rib special which comes with a FREE pizookie. Can’t say no to free. OK can’t say no to pizookie. I forgot to take a pic before and E wouldn’t let me ask the couple on their obvious first date if I could photograph theirs…

“Well, while we’re down here let’s pop into Krispy Kreme and see if they still have the cookie donuts.”

Bummed that they had run out of the Nutter Butter – that was my favorite. Even more bummed that these were limited time only. Easily the best KK donuts EVER. #bringthemback

Stopped at Target and these just jumped into the cart

The kids (Aaron) had eaten the whole package before I got even one last time! Not even one! This package lasted all the way until Saturday (probably due to the mildly threatening post it note) when we broke them open to taste test with Dennis & Stacey. No one would consent to an unboxing video so you’ll have to assume by the empty package that they were yummy. I continue to be a fan of the Oreo/Pop Rocks mashup.

YES, we finally made it grocery shopping. At that point, I just wanted to be home because 1) I freaking HATE grocery shopping, 2) E was buying boring stuff like vegetables and leg shanks and crap for the kids, 3) the inevitable crash was quickly setting in, and 4) I still had the cupcakes in the car!

Should I be eating all this sugar? Most def NOT! I SHOULD be more consistent with my Plexus regimen. I SHOULD be more balanced in my diet choices. I SHOULD have SOME impulse control. I SHOULD be modeling these things for my children. But I’m also trying to indulge now and then and well… last Thursday ended up being one of those times.

Will there be other “Thursdays”? Probably. I mean… I am, well, ME.

MoralS of the story: 1) ALWAYS visit the cupcake truck when it’s down the street from your house – support small business, 2) sign up to get your free birthday bundt – because it’s frosting even I eat, 3) Thursday’s rib deal at BJ’s is an AWESOME deal AND comes with a FREE pizookie, 4) KK needs to add the Nabisco donuts to their regular menu, and 5) try all the LE Oreos – well except kettle corn, that just sounds gross.

In the interest of transparency, I may have also had a Boston Cream Pie donut from Dunkin for lunch. Shhhhh don’t tell the big guy, he may schedule an intervention.

adventure, food

Chimney Cakes – no passport required

If you’ve never heard of Chimney Cakes you’re obviously not as obsessed with sweets as me or don’t watch as many travel food shows and videos as me. That’s ok, I’m here for ya. 

I’m not sure where I first saw these; probably an episode of Delicious Destinations with Andrew Zimmern or a Facebook video. The idea of a hollow churro that could be filled with additional yumminess sounded even more awesome than the looping churro ice cream sundaes from The Loop in Westminster. BUT, convincing E to go to Prague for donuts? Probably not likely. 

Side note – if you’ve never been to The Loop, GO!

So, when I read Nancy Luna’s article in the OC Register about the newly opened House of Chimney Cakes, a plan started. Luckily, the boys and I had a day off today for Veteran’s Day. The boys aren’t usually up for my crazy adventures but once I promised food and no museums and then showed them photos of the chimney cakes they were sold! 


So did they live up to the hype? Ummmm YES!

First off, there are a ton of options which tends to overwhelm us so we opted for two combos on the menu – Oreo (duh) and s’mores. 


Watching them make the cones in front of us was pretty awesome! Rolling out the dough, loading into the special rotisseries, the dripping buttery goodness, rolling them in the coatings. And then all the topping choices! Wow!

When they take them out of the special oven they actually steam from the top looking like delicious volcanos!

The churro-like cones were both crunchy and soft, and not too thick or bready. They made the perfect vessel for the ice cream and toppings. No mushy cones or drippy mess. Perfection. 


Aaron and I shared the s’mores cone which was coated in ground graham crackers and filled with vanilla soft serve, graham crackers, chocolate pieces, chocolate syrup, and a blowtorch toasted marshmallow! There was a surprise Whopper at the bottom of the cone, too. 


Justin & Anthony’s Oreo cone was covered in cookie crumbs and filled with swirled ice cream, syrup, and cookies. 

Will we go back? What do you think? 

Easy parking in the lot. Cones cost us $7.95 each fully loaded. Seating out front. Walking distance to “real food”. Employees were super friendly. 

food, holiday

Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING

 I’ll admit it, I’m THAT white girl.

Leggings. SUV. UGGs. Little dog in my purse. And the second they start hitting stores, PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING!

Eric can’t stand pumpkin anything. But me, I crave it year-round.

Creamer. Ice cream. Baked goods. Milkshakes. Beer. Bring it on! And the pie… OMG PIE! I don’t like pie crust so I’ve been known to sit down and devour all the filling with a can of ReddiWhip. Or better yet, Cheesecake Factory’s amazing fall only pumpkin pecan cheesecake. Seriously, heaven on a plate.

I even made the big guy take me for pumpkin pancakes at Corky’s Sunday to officially start the season. And the first pumpkin pie milkshake? That happened weeks ago when I was on my way back from Sadness.

So when we were binging at Target last night for date night (it’s our thing, don’t judge), I might have actually squealed when I put these in the cart. E just rolled his eyes.


So how were they?

So what else have I discovered?

  • Noosa pumpkin yoghurt 😙
  • Hershey pumpkin kisses 😍
  • Starbucks pumpkin scones 😍
  • International Delights Sugar Free creamer 😀
  • Dairy Queen pumpkin pie blizzard 😍
  • Costco pumpkin streusel muffins 😍
  • Pumpkin Cheerios 😙

I’ve also discovered that there are some really good copycat recipes for the Starbucks scones out there. Check out http://damndelicious.net/2013/12/04/starbucks-pumpkin-scones-copycat-recipe/. They’re super easy to make, as in, EVEN I CAN DO IT. Now, you can enjoy pumpkiny goodness year-round!

So go be THAT girl and partake in all the pumpkin goodness you can find before they’re replaced with peppermint flavored everything and those nasty conversation hearts – but that’s a post for another day.

family, food

It’s all about THE cake

I’m not a huge fan of CAKE. I know… shocker. Mostly because of frosting. I’ve been known to scrape it off and leave a pile of that crap behind on my plate.  Especially the flowers! UGH! (Frosting lovers, you may want to sit close to me at events.)

Our wedding shove it in your mouth moment? Mine was tiny and nearly frostingless. I want to like it. Honest I do. But I just don’t.

My Aunt Gertie used to make me chocolate cake with no frosting. But she’s long since passed and the guys in my life like frosting. Especially the Crisco & sugar frosting in a pinwheel cake*. GAG!

I can tolerate it when sandwiched in a whoopie pie or when eating a cupcake the right way.  I think because the frosting doesn’t actually touch and coat your mouth. Literally, GAG!

So imagine my delight when on a rare trip to Stater Brothers I encountered THE best chocolate cake ever. Like EVER! Super moist. No frosting.  Don’t have a mess in my kitchen from baking? Perfection! (And no, the Costco version is not as good. Bigger but not as good.)


Now, don’t go criticizing my grocery store cake. I’ve eaten at high end bakeries and cake shops my whole life. I grew up in the back of Brown’s Bakery for Pete’s sake. But THIS CAKE is it.

When I’m feeling like crap, I’ve been known to text one of the guys and remind them of their love for me. And usually, I share. But not this time.

It’s just been a hell of a summer. And damnit I deserve the cake.


And for once, the boys respected the note.  Even Anthony’s damn dog stayed away. I guess NO ONE wanted to tempt the Wrath Of Mom.


Stick a fork in me people, sometimes, I’m just DONE.

Next time, I’ll share. Maybe.

*I promise a post about pinwheel cake in the future.