Homemade Dole Whip Treats

Disney and Dole Whip are

the epitome of summer fun.

The perfect creamy, pineapple-y soft-serve,

 that according to Disneyland legend,

 used to be only available in the Adventureland Tiki Room. 

It is a cold, refreshing cup of happiness that's perfect for battling that Anaheim sun.

Since we don't have any trips planned to go see Mickey in the near future, 

I though we could have our own pineapple party...

To "whip" these up, 

I cut pineapple with my trusty cookie cutter...

got a big dollop of Cool Whip...

spread it on...

added a touch of detail with a pointy skewer, 

then popped in the freezer until serving.

(you can insert a popsicle stick in the bottom also for easy eating)

It is "Dole-licious" if I do say so myself!

Now my house is the happiest place on Earth...

Goody, Goody... 5 fun things to do with Gumdrops

Gumdrops just make me happy.

They are bright, colorful and festive any time of year.

They are also one of the most versatile of all the goodies in candyland.

Here are some of my favorite ways to use them...

Yellow gumdrops with a sprig of rosemary make instantly festive pineapples.

Much more convenient than a trip to Hawaii!

Gnome matter how hard I try, 

I can not resist these legendary garden creatures...

A scoop of ice cream, sugar cone and strategically place gumdrops, 

turn an ordinary desert into a magical treat!

(I use Clover Sonoma Sweet Cream, 

not only is it the perfect color but I think it makes the perfect scoop.)

The word drop often has a negative connotation, 

"I dropped my phone", "She dropped the ball", etc.

But if you put the word after lemon or gum it makes everyone smile.

Why not combine the two into a happy hour crowd pleaser?

I shake together:

2 oz chilled vodka, 1/2 oz Triple Sec, 1 oz simple syrup and juice of half lemon

Garnish with floating slice of lemon and skewered yellow gum drops.

I make sure the gumdrops rest on top of the liquid,

 so the sugar from the candy dissolves into the cocktail!

Upgrade the gingerbread man's house to a sweet and colorful abode...

Nestle him in an acrylic house full of gumdrops 

and he'll have the most festive place on the block.

Lastly, gumdrops make the perfect wreath.

They are ideal for decorating cupcakes, cookies or simply on a plate...

Sweet holiday wishes!

And it was all Yellow- College Care Package

Yellow is bright,
Yellow is cheerful,
Yellow is optimistic.
Yellow is also the theme for the latest care package I sent to my daughter in college!

We miss her like crazy and

hope a box full of sunshine will help with any homesickness.

Even in college, you still have to eat your fruit right?

Her favorite banana bread and silly pineapple for her room should fulfill her daily allowance...

We've got any sweet tooth cravings covered with fun and favorite candies...

Buttery batches of microwave popcorn...

Quinn's adds a healthy and sunny twist on the classic dorm room favorite.

Lemony lips and bold beauty masks are festive and fresh...

And of course she needs new highlighters,
She's spending all her nights studying, right?

"Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do
Yeah they were all yellow"

                                      -Coldplay

Palm Tree Chips with Pineapple Salsa

Nothing evokes the feel of tropical summer fun like

palm trees and pineapples.

I'm livening up our Taco Tuesday chips and dip, 

with a tribute to both.

A palm tree cookie cutter instantly transforms spinach tortilla wraps into the perfect chips.

Cut tortillas and fry in hot vegetable oil, turning frequently (to retain the green color) until crisp.

Soon you'll have a grove of gorgeous trees...

Dip them into vibrant pineapple salsa...


and it's a match made in tropical heaven.

Pineapple Salsa
Finely dice and combine:
2 cups fresh pineapple
1 large jalapeño, seeds removed
1 small shallot
add:
dash of salt
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

Stir all together and serve

A new twist on Pineapple Pizza

The recent headline that Iceland's President wants to ban pineapple pizza, 

ignited great debate in our family.

We were torn, half loving the sweet juicy fruit as a topping 

and half despising it.

In an effort to unite and delight, 

I created a few fun "Pineapple Pizzas", 

everyone will like.

Once I decided to take a totally literal approach, 

these pizzas really took "shape"!

I prebaked Pillsbury pizza crust for 8 minutes at 400 degrees, 

then cut into pineapple shapes.

(this can be done ahead of time, then later you can top your pizzas and heat in the oven)

then topped with fresh mozzarella cheese and back in the oven for about 5 minutes.

Thinly sliced green and yellow bell peppers add the pops of pineapple color...

The second pizza has a mixture of shredded cheddar and jack cheeses, 

topped with mini pepperoni,

(again in the 400 degree oven for 5 minutes)

then a little fresh chiffonade basil.

Pizza night isn't complete without a fun dessert 

and this pineapple pizza twist couldn't be easier...

A slice...

topped with a pinch of shredded coconut...

then kiwi...

and mint.

A fresh, healthy pizza that may even remain legal in Iceland!