Am I the only one who remembers 7up Gold?

For a brief moment in 1988, this was available.  I was ten, and loved it as much as a ten year old could love a soda.  Soda was a rare treat in our household.  Because we were broke, the grocery money had to stretch as far as possible.  But on some lucky days, there would be a sale on 7up products, or a little extra overtime.  Paydays are magical things when living broke.  Frozen pizza and soda tasted like ambrosia after a week of rice and beans.  7up gold tasted unlike any other soda on the wall o' beverages.  It was like apple ginger ale, with a dash of sweet spices.  And it had caffiene!  Buzz, buzz, buzz!!

But then as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.  And I have been just a little sad when I walk down the soda aisle ever since. 

Maybe 7up will jump on the retro/throwback bandwagon and re-release it as a special edition.  Look how well Pepsi Throwback did.  And Salsa Rio Doritos, another childhood fave I thought I'd never taste again just came back.  I emailed 7up.  Maybe if enough junk food nerds did the same.....I can dream, can't I?

I don't get it.

How is this ad offensive?

thanks msnbc

I just don't see it.  To me it looks like some twentysomethings out having a good time.  Offensive?  No, this is offensive:

how would you like to explain this to the kids on their way to soccer practice?  At least everyone in Fargo is wearing clothes.

Switchplates!

One of the things I got this past holiday season was The Big Ass Book of Crafts.  It's loaded with great ideas that will keep me busy for a while.  I've already done one project: fancy switchplates!

I used some scrapbook paper and some pages from a Dr. Seuss book that was past it's prime.  The project was super easy.  I wiped down the switchplates with a little alcohol to remove any crud, then brushed some decopauge glue on them and applied the paper.  The glue made the book pages a little transparent:

I'm pleased with my plates, and wondering what else in my house should get the "Big Ass Craft" treatment.

Happy New Beer #2 Pennsylvania Pale Ale

Hey beer fans!  I'm sipping some Pennsylvania Pale Ale today.  It's a product from the always awesome Philadelphia Brewing Company.

I'm sipping from a standard pint glass.  The brew pours out a pretty amber-ish color with a frothy head.  It smells nice and hoppy, without being overpowering.  I've smelled some pales and IPA's that had a greener fragrance than my lawnmower.  Can you tell I'm NOT a hop head?  Nothing against hop lovers, it's just not my thing.  Anyway, back to the Pennsylvania Pale. 

As I sipped, I tasted just a touch of malty sweetness, followed by the floral flavor of the hops.  It finished crisp without being overly bitter.  I could see drinking this with a big pile of hot wings or some tacos.  I shouldn't have typed that.  Now I'm craving wings. 

I know I said it before, but I just want to repeat how awesome PBC is.  They operate out of a building that was originally built as a brewery in the 1800's.  Their tasting room is open Saturday afternoons, with plenty of samples and tours of the brewery.  If you're lucky, you might get to try a sample of beer fresh off the line.  Also, if you're into variety cases, you can get one custom assembled with your choice of beers in the sales office.  How cool is that?  Did I mention cases straight from the brewery are usually about $5 less than a distributor charges?  yeah, I visit this place a lot.