KikiAnn

I live in the greater Milwaukee area, and grew up going to the original Spice House in Wauwatosa, owned by Bill and Ruth Penzey. I believe Bill Jr broke off into the larger franchise and mail order business (Penzeys), and his sister wanted a smaller local flair (only two local stores and mail order). Bill Jr purchased the original Penzey store from his parents. I was a devoted Penzey user until a couple years ago, when I broke off ties and switched to the Spice House exclusively, for reasons I won't go into. My frustration is as you noted. Although the stores share many of the original brands, there are also many that are proprietary to one or the other. I miss my Penzey exclusive blends, but am finding new treasures at the Spice House.

Glad you got them!

Although I haven't purchased any other appliances, I've looked at them. I've seen a small stand mixer as well. And I may recall a pressure cooker.

I watched that video. There is another out there that does side by side tests, if I recall. Can't wait to see who snags one!

Remember my post from earlier this year? "But the reason for my post: Before Christmas while walking down the non-food section, I found a blender. Called the Ambiano Professional Blender, it looked identical to my Vitamix. Since I had already purchased a $500+ Vitamix, I encouraged Mom to try this model at the $79 price tag. If it under produced as I thought it would we would return it. Out of the box, it looked and felt identical to my Vitamix, tamper and all. I am quite certain my pitcher would fit on this base, although I haven't tested it. Performance? Side by side nearly, mostly exactly, Vitamix quality. We tested it on everything - hot soup, smoothies, frozen. Seventy Nine Bucks." This blender appears in the November 30 flyer. Priced now at $69. Mom's is still going strong a year later. I can tell you my Vitamix canister won't fit on the Ambiano base. Hie thee to your local Aldi's on Wednesday!

I am from Wisconsin, and Nueske's bacon is very proudly identified by restaurants who serve the product. They have several varieties, and those bacon lovers I know swear by it. Sadly, I am that nutcase that actually does not care for bacon.

My Aldi in Wisconsin does indeed have beer and wine. About a year ago, they started stocking New Glarus Brewery Spotted Cow. Because Wisconsin

Since the blender, I've started keeping an eye on the Ambiano branded small kitchen appliances offered. I've seen a copycat Fry Daddy, for example. If I thought my Vitamix might break someday (!) I would stash an $80 Ambiano blender in my closet to replace it. They went quite fast. At my Aldi's, some shoppers wouldn't recognize it for what it was, but those like me certainly did.

It's a valid theory. I have a certain way to pack the cart during the store run. A certain way of unpacking for The Tossing Of The Items. Otherwise, the lovely loaf of bread mentioned upstream is likely to be crushed by canned goods. Eggs are the only careful handling I see.

I ready that discussion after Mom purchased hers. After using the machine, I side with those that say it is comparable. I'd have to do a side by side, but hers is as solidly built and heavy as mine.

I rarely post here but avidly read and learn. I take my Mom shopping at Aldi's weekly. For elderly, the experience can be quite frantic. She needs someone to help unload the cart (speed is of the essence - those checkers fly through the process) and afterward, I help pack. Checkers toss items back in the cart and you have to do the bagging at a long counter. I have found some gems at Aldi's, I can't live without the Clancey (Aldi) brand of queso chili tortilla chips. I do not like their Fit & Active yogurt. I've found good produce - mushrooms, avocados, lemons and limes. They have a small corner of specialty items (refrigerated), and I occasionally find fun items to try. But the reason for my post: Before Christmas while walking down the non-food section, I found a blender. Called the Ambiano Professional Blender, it looked identical to my Vitamix. Since I had already purchased a $500+ Vitamix, I encouraged Mom to try this model at the $79 price tag. If it under produced as I thought it would we would return it. Out of the box, it looked and felt identical to my Vitamix, tamper and all. I am quite certain my pitcher would fit on this base, although I haven't tested it. Performance? Side by side nearly, mostly exactly, Vitamix quality. We tested it on everything - hot soup, smoothies, frozen. Seventy Nine Bucks.

I looked at Mom's bowl last night. It has a diamond shaped mark on the bottom, in which it reads "West Bend, stainless steel, made in USA." I live in the Greater Milwaukee area and remember as a kid going to West Bend with Mom and Grandma to visit the West Bend Company Factory Outlet Store on a regular basis. The bowl was likely purchased there, along with other kitchen and Oster novelty items. I think we had every Oster gadget invented in the 1970s.

I second the West Bend manufacturer comment above. I had to weigh in - my mom has that exact same bowl. It is simply quite the perfect weight, size and the handle puts it over the top. I will ask her about the markings on the bottom. I've tried to find a remake source for years. The joke among my siblings is that whoever makes it to the house first after mom meets her maker will grab that item first. Even before the wine stash.

I rarely log in or post here. But to see a picture of what my family calls "Schmaun" and to hear the name Kaiserschmarm for the first time broke the seal. My Austrian-roots Milwaukee, Wisconsin, family has made this dish for three generations, at least. I'm sure the name has morphed through generations and cultures, but what you describe, ninagluck, sounds right. Originating with my Nana (great grandmother), this recipe for Schmaun has been passed down: Beat about 10 eggs. Add 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt and about 4 cups flour with milk alternately to heavy pancake consistency. Melt one stick margarine in fry pan and add batter. Turn occasionally (like scrambled eggs). It's like a big scrambled pancake, very filling, and was served with syrup. We never ate it for breakfast, but often on meatless Friday nights. Funny, in Wisconsin the dairy state, we specifically used margarine instead of butter.