adventures in chip making

A couple months ago Sara was perusing a Victorian Epicure catalogue that was hanging around one of the dental offices where she was temping. She called me that day and asked excitedly, "Don't you know someone who sells Epicure? and couldn't you order me one of these? I've gotta have a chipster!!"

I looked it up online and read some reviews and decided we both NEEDED a chipster. So I called my lady and ordered two! I thought it had to be a fantastic product because it was on back order and so I settled in to wait for the chipster to arrive.

I picked it up tonight (finally!) and drove to the store to get a sweet potato to try out my new machine. I LOVE sweet potato fries and this chipster seemed like a great, healthy way to indulge.

It even came with a recipe and seasoning suggestions.

As I was cooking up batch after batch I couldn't quite pinpoint exactly what wasn't quite right. With most recipes and new techniques I've got to try a couple of different things before I get it just the way I like it.

Jordan and his wife happened by in the middle of my "chipstering" and so they were the perfect guinea pigs to try out the chips.

After the second batch I suggested, "Maybe we need to try a different seasoning."

After that batch I said, "Maybe I need to try a different time in the microwave."

Then,"Maybe I need to try a thicker slice."

Finally Jordan looked at me solemnly and said, "Maybe you need to try..... the DEEP FRYER."

YUP! That's exactly what my healthy chips were missing. So I pulled out the deep fryer and we chowed down on the homemade sweet potato chips. At least they're gluten free.

UPS- the name in excess packaging

When Angela got word that her sister Diana has been struggling with a fussy baby, she was more than sympathetic! Truth is, Angela has been struggling with a fussy baby, as well. It's been a case of trans-continental sleeplessness and colic.

However, Angela is a mathematician so problem solving is her strength. She found some relief in a book that explains how to calm a fussy baby. And her first instinct was to share her new found knowledge with her sleep deprived sister (and brother-in-law).

.

Angela is also sold on "swaddling" and thought that it couldn't hurt to send her sister a swaddle blanket along with the book. She got right to work and placed an order on amazon.com, sending Diana the book and the swaddle and for good measure she ordered a package of chocolate. "Chocolate always makes me feel better when my baby is fussing," she explained matter-of-factly over the phone the other night.

She was quite disappointed to learn that even though she had paid for expedited delivery last Saturday, the parcel was not due to arrive until this Saturday. (according to the tracking link she checked yesterday, Tuesday) "I can't believe it takes a whole week to send something priority," she lamented

But a UPS parcel arrived TODAY (Wednesday). And Diana was excited for the surprise. It was delivered by not one, but TWO UPS delivery men and the box was biG so for sure it was just what we'd all been waiting for.

Totally faked out! The "parcel" contained the tiny bag of chocolate with the other items "to follow". I guess someone forgot to mention the theory of excess packaging to the guys at amazon and UPS. They'll need a truck to deliver the book and blanket. That's probably why it's not coming until Saturday! haha