I hit up the post-Halloween candy sales and came across M&M's White Chocolate Candy Corn in the clearance area. Since we've looked at other M&M flavors in the past – M&M's Coconut, M&M's Mint Crisp, M&M's Wildly Cherry, M&M's Razzberry – I thought I'd give this a quick review.

M&M's White Chocolate Candy Corn

Of note is that the packaging is designed vertically vs. the horizontal style typically seen in a bag of M&M's. These are obviously targeted at the Halloween market, with the M&M's guy dressed up like a candy corn.

Orange, White, and Yellow Colors

The candy itself has the same shape/style as Peanut Butter M&M's. Circle in shape and plump. The colors of white, orange, and yellow match the look of candy corn. But the taste? Pretty much like eating white chocolate chips… which is kinda gross. Amy thought they tasted like candy corn, but I didn't really sense much of that. Overall, there's an element of fake plastic flavor that just isn't very good. Yuck!

There's a good reason these were on clearance.

Continuing a yearly Halloween tradition here on SteveandAmySly.com…

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown debuted on October 27, 1966, as the third Peanuts television special (the first obviously being the Christmas one). It is here that most of the world who wasn't reading the comic strips was introduced to Linus Van Pelt's fascination with "the Great Pumpkin".

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown LP from 1978

Charles Schulz thought it would be funny to see what happens if a child confused Halloween with Christmas… and the rest was history. This year, the show is celebrating its 46th anniversary.

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They say a lot of things change in your life after you have a child.  While that has been very true for Amy & I, today I was reminded of one thing that has oddly stayed the same.  Of course, I'm speaking of buying used LEGO bricks and spending time cleaning them!

How LEGO Quatro stacks up... literally!

A few years ago I wrote about ripping off a kid at a garage sale by grossly underpaying for a large collection of bricks.  While I made out quite well on that transaction, it took a bit of work to get all the bricks cleaned and sanitized.  I've continued this cycle many times over the years.

Recently, Amy picked up a used bucket of LEGO Quatro bricks for Wesley at a local sale.  The Quatro line features LEGO bricks that are 4 times the size of standard LEGO, and twice the size of the popular Duplo line.  Like all LEGO bricks, they work together so you never quite outgrow the toy.  I've still got Duplo bricks from my childhood I pull out every now and then to work into new creations!

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Last year I wrote about a card Amy & I received from our alma mater, Taylor University. Since we are both alums, the pitch encouraged us to give financial support to Taylor, as even though we are married, it would actually inflate the alumni giving numbers by counting as two gifts.

This year, Taylor decided to play up Valentine's Day a bit more, but delivered the same questionable plea. It sure is nice to be remembered by your place of higher learning around a Hallmark holiday, isn't it?

Seriously, Swallow Robin Hall?

Recently, my sister uncovered a photo of my first bike.  It was quite small.  Thus, it didn't take long for me to graduate to a larger frame, and thus we have my 2nd bike, which I took possession of in 1981.

Steve & Dan in 1981

In this photo, I'm the one on the left, hanging out in Grandpa's back yard sporting a spiffy fall outfit!  My cousin Dan, who is a year older, is on the right.  I've moved on to a single-speed, cruiser-style bike, with fatter tires and a coaster brake.  You will note that the bell from my first bike has made the transition.

Oh, and it's a girl's bike!

Closer look at my cruiser bike

An interesting piece of trivia regarding this photo… while the handlebars are different on the two bikes, they are actually the same model!  You see, these bikes were hand-me-downs from Dan's two older sisters (hence the step-through frame), continuing the odd Steve Tanner tradition of never owning a brand new bike.

My parents have a hilarious Super 8 movie of me riding up and down our alley shortly after I received this bike.  Soon there was a car approaching, and I hadn't quite figured out how to work a coaster brake, so to get out of the way and stop, I intentionally crashed into a fence!

While I did enjoy the bigger bike and the ability to coast, when compared to the bikes that my friends had at the time (typically a BMX-type model), I have to admit that I didn't feel very "manly" while riding this thing.

Thankfully, that inferiority complex was corrected with my third bike, my favorite of all time.  But we'll cover that wonderful machine on another day!

Continuing a yearly tradition here on SteveandAmySly.com…

Halloween has come and gone… and so has It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Now that Turkey Day is soon upon us, why not revisit the special that doesn't get as much attention as its established Halloween and Christmas siblings, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

This episode first appeared on CBS back on November 20, 1973 and was the 9th primetime Peanuts special to air. Because its age is older than Christmas and Halloween, most of the voice talents are very different. Linus is voiced by the same person as in You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown, Stephen Shea… who incidentally was the younger brother of the guy who originally voiced Linus in the Christmas episode, Christopher Shea. The episode won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming.

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My sister Karen is our resident family historian. She's been researching our family tree and digging up archival photos for years. The other day she e-mailed me a photo of my first "real" bike.

Steve rides in 1980

Found in the albums of my late grandpa is this photo of me in 1980, riding a red 2-wheeler bicycle. I've moved on from the plastic Big Wheels and tricycles. It was purchased at a garage sale in Wisconsin and repainted, fenders and all. While this bike did come with training wheels, it looks like 5-year-old Steve has moved beyond them!

I'm descending a hilly road at Phantom Ranch Bible Camp, the camp I worked at for many years, and where I met Amy. My uncle was the Executive Director, so we often would drive up there and enjoy the property.  I look so intent and focused, probably because I'm trying not to crash! This was a fixed-gear bicycle, meaning that it didn't have the ability to coast, nor did it come with any brakes.

Take a closer look!

At the time, helmet wearing wasn't in vogue, but check out that bell on the handlebars! I remember it had a little flag logo on it that eventually fell off.  Still, I tried to let people know I was coming by ringing it… a lot!

Completing my cycling ensemble is a stylish tank top that featured the word "Sneakers" printed on it; I'm not quite sure why. How about those red gym shoes? Awesome. And no spandex here… I'm apparently content to bike in jeans.

Interestingly enough, just 3 years later, I would fall and break my right wrist in this very same location. Of course, then it was winter and I got injured while sledding.

I've always loved to ride my bike, enjoying the freedom that comes with that experience. Special thanks to my parents who helped encourage that as I grew up!

I'm White. I Blink!

Just as I've picked up a rear red blinking light for my bike (again, to keep drivers from running me over), I've also added a triple LED front headlight.  It produces a steady light or blinks… and is also required by law in Chicago for riding at night.

As you can see, it also nicely highlights my bike bag bracket, notable for that big grey splotch of epoxy.  I cracked the bracket over 20 years ago, back when I used the same bag on my 10-speed.  Hmm, maybe I should paint that spot black or something! (And if you are wondering how the light works while the bike bag is mounted, yeah, I'm working on that solution as well!)

Spousal Clashing?

You might say that our Halloween costume this year reflects current events!

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Continuing a yearly Halloween tradition here on SteveandAmySly.com…

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown debuted on October 27, 1966, as the third Peanuts television special (the first obviously being the Christmas one). It is here that most of the world who wasn't reading the comic strips was introduced to Linus Van Pelt's fascination with "the Great Pumpkin".

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown LP from 1978

Charles Schulz thought it would be funny to see what happens if a child confused Halloween with Christmas… and the rest was history. This year, the show is celebrating its 45th anniversary.

Continue Reading…