While at Disney World (specifically, in the Magic Kingdom), I led the "Dole Whip Brigade." At the entrance to Adventureland, there's a small shop that sells a little dessert snack called "Dole Whip" -- a pineapple-flavored ice-cream-like substance that's absolutely addictive. I head there at least once every trip to the Magic Kingdom, often twice in a visit. While there with "the girls" (my sister, her daughter, and her daughter's two daughters -- but that's a "whole 'nother story"), I introduced them to this treat.

Not wanting to leave the Disney Magic behind, my niece, Sandy, experimented with ingredients to try and recreate a Dole Whip herself. She was plenty successful, too. And she shared her recipe with me. I modified it only slightly -- using vanilla ice cream as a base instead of frozen yogurt.

She said to run the mix in a blender for a little bit to smooth it together. But not having a blender .... well, I wondered how successful I'd be if I tried. So when I went to Wal-Mart, I saw a cheap $16 blender and snapped it right up, along with a half-gallon of ice cream and a can of pineapple juice concentrate.

I mixed up a small batch in my new blender. It wasn't too bad, but didn't taste quite the same. I stored the results in the freezer to let it harden up a bit.

Later, I cracked open that container, and was surprised to find the taste had mellowed out and was very much like the Disney version. SUCCESS after all!

So, armed with this boost to my confidence, I loaded up the blender with a more substantial batch of ice cream, pineapple concentrate, and water. I watched as it bucked and rumbled as the ingredients started mixing together. Finally, it was getting smooth and flowing in that lovely pineapple-colored swirl inside the blender. I turned around to the counter to clean up the mess I'd made. As I was doing that, I heard the blender slow down -- a lot. I turned and looked at my latest creation, now completely engulfed in a shroud of smoke.

The BAD News: One $16 blender is now ready for the recycling bin. And my house now stinks.

The GOOD News: The batch of "faux Dole Whip" was safe and secure - and is now in the freezer.

But overall, consider this. At Disney World, a small cup of Dole Whip costs $3.50. I got a whole half-gallon of the stuff for $20. I definitely came out ahead -- and I didn't have to pay for a park ticket or the parking!

....