Lisa Returns For More

tried Nestlé Cranberry Raisinets for the first time. I was a little unsure of this cran-raisin thing, but chocolate makes everything good, right?
To be honest, I do not like raisins covered in chocolate and I expected these would be the same, or nearly. I was very surprised that they were good.
The cranberry offered a nice little tang into the creamy chocolate and it was easy to gobble up the entire package. But at 100 calories, it’s a healthy snack, right?



The Gummy Earthworms had me puzzled momentarily. I wondered why there was only one to each package—then I decided it must be to keep them from breeding and exploding all over the place.



I tried to feed it to my new found friend. But the little guy wasn’t fooled one bit. So I pretended to be a bird and chewed it up myself — my son would not pretend to be a baby bird. Oh well, although it may be a little weird to be eating a worm, it tasted like most gummy candies, pure chewy sugar. Maybe I should pick up a few for the next time I feel like telling someone to leave me alone and go eat a worm.



I’m a big fan of strawberry flavored hard candy so I eagerly ripped into the Harry Potter Blood Pops. Since there’s five in the package I shared one with Haden and my grandson, Tristan.



Tristan’s parents were actually out seeing the newest Harry Potter while we were enjoying our treat. When I saw all the red on his face I got a little concerned, I feared his parents were going to be angry.



But, the greatest thing happened, as soon as he played in the sprinkler a little, the red vanished. No soap needed, it easily washed away and by the time they returned there was no evidence. Now, if I could just get it off my keyboard—jk!



Adrianna felt a little left out since we didn’t share anything with her. She wonders if any baby candy exists, lol.

Chrissy's Canadian Corner: Cranberry Raisinets

from Wisconsin, it's four different flavours of Pixy Stix, Harry Potter Drooble's Best Blowing Gum (turns your mouth blue), and *Craisinets.
When Jeanna asked who would like to review Cranberry Raisinets, I jumped at the opportunity. Who am I to refuse chocolate?


I almost didn't get my hands on them since Little One's pudgy little baby hands went straight for the package of milk chocolate covered cranberries.
Ooh, I had to rescue the lovely drool soaked packet.
First of all, I LOVE cranberries. I love Craisins®. I love chocolate as long as it's not too sweet and not too much. Cranberries + Chocolate = a match made in heaven, right?

Well the Raisinets sort of survived the trip across the border. They were pretty much in tact, but looked like bunny droppings by the time they arrived at my house.

Here's a close up for your viewing enjoyment.
See, they really do look like bunny poop. Hubby claims they look like deer droppings. Either way, don't let their appearance fool you.

Brought to you by the famous Nestlé company are these tiny bundles of goodness.
I remember as a kid we'd get Nestlé Raisinets as a treat once in a while. I think my grandparents and mom would trick us into thinking we were having the real thing. I think most of the time they just got chocolate covered raisins from the Bulk Barn.
Anyway, chocolate or yogurt covered raisins were always a favourite of mine.
While I generally like Nestlé products, these weren't on the top of my list. The chocolate was good, but not stellar, and the cranberries were just okay.
Perhaps I've been a bit spoiled by having our local chocolatier, The Manitoulin Chocolate Works, so close by.
I have a confession, I am a chocolate snob. The Cranberry Raisinets get 3 out of 5 stars for me. Am I being too harsh?
Can't wait to test out the Harry Potter Drooble's gum, it's cotton candy bubble gum. The package claims that it turns your mouth blue.

*The Dish understands that Craisins® are trademarked by Ocean Spray. You'll have to forgive Chrissy, she's Canadian.

They're Called What Now?

might not know you're eating Cranberry Raisinets if you didn't see the package, but if you like the originals, you'll like these. If you're discerning about your bean, remember you're still eating Nestlé milk chocolate, and it seems extra thick wrapped around these cranberries.

I crave original Raisinets from time to time, and the press release says they've been around for over 80 years. I'm guessing they'll be around for plenty more, but I can't say the same for Cranberry Raisinets. That could be because I ate them out of the fridge and prefer this kind of snack room temp or melty.


I should have eaten them after taking this photo, and the whole thing makes me rethink my original reaction to the suggestion of mixing them with popcorn, which was "Blech."

The beauty of hot buttered popcorn mixed with candy is not only the combination of sugar and salt, but the way the hot corn melts whatever its being blended with. This is a major reason to just say "Yes!" to Milk Duds and popcorn, although the reaction does nothing for Jujy Fruits, Dots, or Sour Patch Kids.

In defense of the Cranberry Raisinets, everyone who grabbed some at the last Duck Creek taste testing loved them. My Aunt Em raved about them and the few kids who got a taste liked them too. (Surprisingly they do not like everything.)

The larger pieces are better because you get more cranberry and there's that pleasant cranberry skin consistency under all the chocolate.

I'd like to see larger, thinly coated cranberries.
Cranberry Raisinets were available nationwide in July and come in 5.5 oz and 23 g 100 Calorie Packs (pictured).

We Have A Winner

Actually we have three winners, and photos from one.


wanted everyone to know she followed the Eat Candy Win Stuff (and go out and play) contest rules, and only used things she found in her kitchen to make the following recipe:

Chopped Onions, Tomatoes, and Cheese with Nestlé Crunch candy bars. Can be eaten together or separately on a plate. Yum.

Although chocolate cheese is not so uncommon around here, Diamond's recipe does sound like something from the Rachel cooks episode of Friends.

To make her the perfect winner, Diamond is very active and loves to play. Although Barbies is her favorite, playing with her little brother, swimming, and building elaborate sand structures with the Duck Creek kids are high on her list of things to do.

Brooke and Aunt Em scarfed up most of the Cranberry Raisinets

Thanks to Nestlé for the Cause for Play toy sets.

Up next: More Madtown Munchies, Nestlé Cranberry Raisinetes, and a Duck Creek candy panel.
Everyone fought over the new Raisinets and those who got some, mostly Aunt Em and Brooke, loved them. They're good, yes they are.

On The Menu: Madtown Munchies

Sivan and Jeremy, UW History Majors and owners of Madtown Munchies

I talked to these two entrepreneurial college grads about their UW-Madison campus business, Madtown Munchies, and will post their story next week. Good looking, aren't they?
Sivan reminds me of Bianca from AMC (All My Children), you know, Eden Riegel, Imaginary Bitches.
Jeremy started the business in his Madison apartment. Today Madtown Munchies has an office on University Avenue and a warehouse with six freezers. They deliver snacks all night and way past bar time by bicycle, in Wisconsin weather.
Do you know what it's like to ride a bike full of groceries in five feet of snow? I do. Here's a reminder.

Okay, this guy was bike skiing at Elver Park, but you get the idea.

Their slogan: "Like A Booty Call For Food"

Oi, Taste Testers (how lazy can I get)

Anyone interested in taste testing some lovely milk chocolate Cranberry Raisinets?

Your input will be part of a group post unless someone wants to review the product separately.
I'm liking this More Fun, Less Work thing.

So Far: Chrissy, Lisa, and me. Maybe I'll turn this thing into a Wiki...The Wisconsin Wikidish.

Wiener Lab

is it a Labrawiener? I'd never seen one before, but it acted like a lab (note the happy tongue).
Can I get a "Sweeet babi?"
The Wiener Lab was one of my favorite things at the art fair last week and would be a great name for a hot dog stand.

Lisa's most excellent post ended The Dish as you knew it.
My new motto: Less effort, more fun.

A BIG thank you to all who posted, let me know if you ever want to do it again.

Postcard winners so far: Andi, Mary Ruth, Bon Bon, Lisa, Heidi
Play Bucket winners: Diamond, Snowflake, Cyndie's second graders
✾ Winners please send me your address if I don't already have it.

What Famous Wisconsinite Are You?

I find this result somewhat troubling

Thanks to my cousin for a weekend spent thinking about the qualities I share with one of the nation's most notorious serial killers.
Take the test on Facebook and find out What Famous Wisconsinite you are.
Excuse me, got some furniture to make.

✃ First three people to take the test get free postcards courtesy of the Ched Curtain.

Guest Blogger Lisa: Is A Trouper

I hear the word "candy" I come running. I was thrilled to find so many goodies in my mailbox.



I started with the Creatable—it was a lot of fun to get to play with my food before eating it. I made a cool bracelet then tried not to bite my own arm while eating it. LOL. They reminded me a lot of strawberry licorice in taste—not bad. The package said that there were several flavors inside, but I really thought they all tasted the same.



Fear Factor Frog Legs with crunchy candy bones and gooey sugar sauce had me going. I would never eat a bug, this is about as close as I would get. The blood tasted like liquid sucker—very sweet. And it seemed the leg could be chewed forever.



Haden tore into that frog leg. "Super Gross" is right. But if you like a sugar high, I think you’d like these.



While I absolutely loved looking at the ant farm and find it so creative, I did not want to actually eat an ant—remember I’m a no-bugs kinda gal. My son crunched right through it as well, tasted like hard sugar candy and you really didn’t notice the ants at all.



were great, similar to the little candies that are like Tootsie Rolls but come in other flavors. Chewing them took me back to my childhood of raiding grandma’s candy dish. As you chewed, the cherry flavoring got a little over the top for me, I wouldn’t mind if they toned it down a bit.



The Box of Boogers had me grossed out just looking at the box. When I opened it to find them all different colors I thought the makers were a little out there. But as I looked at the candy, I thought of all the 10-year-old boys who would love to gross people out by eating the boogers. So I recommend a box for every boy’s Christmas stocking this year.



I convinced myself that they didn’t look too bad, just the name was gross. So I popped one into my mouth to take for a whirl. I took them at their word that they look and feel like the real thing. The more you chew, the gooey, the slimier, and wetter they get—just plain disgusting. My son loved them though.



My older son Mikal thoroughly enjoyed the Snickers. He thought, and I agree, that it tasted like a regular Snickers. It seems the young 20-somethings enjoy the thought they’re getting overdosed on caffeine and revved up to the max. Very tasty chocolate, my favorite kinda candy.



sucker? Count me in. I snagged this one before anyone else could. Mine, it’s all mine. Delicious, much better than a Dum Dum, lots of flavor, and the thing’s so huge it will last me the rest of the year. Apparently you can get different lips if you don’t like these. But I think it’s an improvement, don’t you?

Thanks Jeanna for letting me step out of my diet and sample some of the good stuff. I’m always happy to be of service.

➦ Follow Lisa's blog. Buy Lisa's photography.

Eat Candy Win Stuff

must be months or even weeks since I've given away candy. Thanks to Nestlé Crunch, it's time once again to see how far small bars of chocolate travel in warm weather.
Giveaway wise, Nestlé is giving away a residential playground set and play buckets like the one pictured below.
They're trying to redirect all that sugar energy into an effort called Cause for Play which includes a playbook for kids working with limited space. It reminds you how to play Red Rover, use colored chalk, and turn a Rock Garden into a Pet Rock Garden. I like that last one.
Backintheday, it was out the door in all weather, be there for lunch, and back outside until dark. The neighborhood was our playground.

The Prize

To win big, grab Fun Bags (I know some of you are good at that), enter codes, and try to win a playground set and money. Nestlé dontates .25 to KaBoom! for each code you enter. If you win their contest you get a playground set, $3,500, and help choose who receives a community playground worth 30 grand.
If you win my contest you get a plastic bucket. No, really, look at all the stuff you get in there, those kids from the campground will be all over this.
Runners up get a post card promoting the new blog on which I can't get comments to work oh how I hate computers.



➳ Come up with an original Nestlé Crunch candy bar recipe using food items you'd find around your house

Ex. S'More Leftovers
-Take one Nestlé Crunch candy bar softened in glove compartment

-Scrape from wrapper with leftover fortune cookies from Chiang Jiang
-Place on uneven graham cracker chunks
-Sprinkle with colored mini marshmallows you never used last Christmas
-Melt in microwave or toaster oven, add crumbled fortune cookies

or

➳ Submit your best kid game or playground story
Mine involves peeing on JoAnn Muldowney.

Winners will be announced in the next few weeks. Contest closes as soon as I get some good recipes or stories.

Play bucket photo and Cause for Play logo courtesy of Nestlé. The Nestlé playground contest is limited to U.S. residents.

Hanging Out In New Glarus

I love New Glarus, you can walk around buildings that look like this without fear of mug or thuggery. There are no more mosquitoes in New Glarus than anywhere else in Wisconsin, but they have been on a tear of late and will be devouring me alive within the hour. There's one on the computer right now.

This is one disgruntled bovine standing in front of Roberts, a great little Swiss gift shop. You have to put up with her dirty looks before stepping inside to peruse cow bells and fondue kits.

There's also a comprehensive collection of Swiss army knives and yodeling cds inside, and the owners' daughter speaks three languages (English, Swiss German, and German).
She can't wait to get the hell out of New Glarus and was last seen waiting on customers barefoot. She has a very impressive knowledge of knives for a maybe not even yet twenty something.
Our last guest blogger is mixing up a batch of sugar in the candy kitchen, so unless anyone else would care to contribute to The Dish before it either goes silent or publishes far less often, we'll just hang out here, James, Mr. Maybe I'll Upload A Video This Month If I Feel Like Posting At All who after six days gets on my ash.

I wasn't even supposed to be writing anything here come July; take a look at the month of "May" why don't you?
Besides, my host says the alias domain won't leave pending status and is slaving on my real domain name so I should remember to use the root folder before I upload a theme which won't work for either another hour or 24.
Do you see why I hate computers?

But I love this building and the sky was really that blue that day. The pool and park are across the street and harbor events such as Greater Swiss Mountain Dog cart pulling parades. I will tell you right now, I am in love with the GSMD.
Flying insects are calling for my ash at the pool, so have a Spotted Cow while waiting for our next and possibly last Guest Blogger, Lisa.