Thursday, July 26, 2012

7Up Yours!!!

Sometimes you leave the house with the best laid plans; instead of things working out just how you thought, your day takes a sharp right turn and unfolds in an entirely different manner than you had expected.  Often times that can be a bad thing.  Often times that redirection leads to frustration and a checklist unchecked.  Other times, it leads to something so wonderfully-effervescent that it can only be likened to the combustible mix of soda and Pop Rocks! (More on that later)

The ubiquitous gathered, ruffled top in a green and white, bamboo print cotton with
 pom pom trim.  Matching capri pants with pom pom trim at the hem. 

A matching basket purse?  Yes, indeedy!

Last weekend we were set to go do some demo recordings for Mary's label, Wild Records. They are currently filming a documentary and the crew was supposed to be at the studio.  Thusly, Mary was desirous of a new outfit.  I know, I know, the designs are becoming slightly derivative, but it is summertime and the livin' and the sewin' are supposed to be easy, right?

The Uncola!

On our way up to the location, I took a "sharp right turn," so we could go take a few photos by this painted 7Up sign.  Sights like this are VERY unusual in our neck of the woods and, having driven by it for years, I wanted to capture it while we still could.  The sign is painted on the side of a defunct bar turned tow yard.  Frankly, I'm not sure if they served "Pool Sandwiches" or if patrons were supposed to "Park in rear Pool," but I love advertisements painted on the sides of buildings.  Lack of punctuation notwithstanding, we felt very brazen as we parked in the in the tow yard's customer only parking and jumped out of the car to quickly snap a few photos.  After the photos were taken, we hopped in the getaway car and headed north.


As we inched along on the freeway, the parallel between the increase in traffic and the increase in temperature became increasingly evident.  Mary's phone rang and that is when our day's plans changed entirely.  The filming/recording had to be postponed and that left us with an afternoon of freedom.  As it turned out, our pal, Charles Phoenix, was making an appearance at the Summer Soda Tasting hosted by Galco's Old World Grocery/Soda Pop Stop, in Highland Park, CA. 

A small fraction of Galco's soda pop offerings

If you're unfamiliar with Galco's, it is a small, family-owned, neighborhood market that opened in 1897 as an Italian grocery.  Over the years, the neighborhood changed and so did the focus of the store.  For the last two decades, Galco's has become synonymous with soda pop, but not just any soda pop - craft-brewed, regional, hard-to-find, vintage soda pop in glass bottles.

They're also known for stocking many old-timey candies.
I highly recommend a Cherry Mash...if you like that kind of thing.

Certainly not the oldest example of 7Up, but considering
 the subject of our recent photo shoot, I thought it only
right that we show the vintage 7Up display a little respect. 

It has been brought to my attention that I should include more pictures of
myself.  In an effort to appease the masses, here's Mr. Tiny...hardy-har-har.

In honor of the occasion, Charles was on hand to mix "poptails" for the soda tasting.  Our favorite was the "Luscious Lavender," a combination of Frostie Blue Cream Soda and Nesbitt's Peach served ice-cold with a garnish of a single Swedish Fish.

Mary sampling the "Aqua Limonada" garnished with a Gummy Worm.

Usually when we help Charles at his shows/appearances, it is mostly selling books and t-shirts.  The star of this show, however, was the much anticipated unveiling of the newest taste sensation from his world-famous test kitchen - The Seven Layer Soda Pop Rocks Cake.  We were drafted into assembly and decoration detail and were whisked away to the back of the house to begin preparation on what was to become the hit of the day.

The first coat of frosting never looks perfect....

I've told you before, I'm rather handy in the kitchen but baking is most assuredly not my forte.  When Charles asked us to assemble and assist in decorating the cake, I wasn't sure which of the two tasks was more intimidating.  I jumped in without fear, however, and started stacking and icing!   I think I did a pretty good job of assembling my first-ever seven-layer cake.  Each layer of the cake was representative of a soda flavor (grape, lemon-lime, cherry, etc.) and sandwiched in between each layer was a healthy portion of Pop Rocks nestled in a thick swath of cream cheese frosting.  After an intense brainstorming session, Mary began applying the decoration.  We had a box full of tricks, but it became clear that the best approach was to team with the theme and cover the top and the sides of the cake with Pop Rocks and use the wax soda bottle candies to blast off the rocky surface. The center of the cake held a star-shaped sparkler that nearly set off the fire sprinklers when the cake was presented to the crowd.

Here's Mr. Tiny with the finished cake.
How is it possible that even standing behind it,
 my head is bigger than a seven-layer cake and
a comparable shade of red?!?!

Because we were assembling the cakes in the kitchen, a few attendees understandably assumed that we were employees of Galco's.  One lady repeatedly asked Mary to sell her some macaroni salad.  Mary's kindly explanation that not only was the service deli closed, but that she (Mary) was not an employee, only angered her and deepened her macaroni mania!  Frustrated, the woman turned to me and demanded that I sell her some macaroni salad.  You should have seen the daggers she shot me when I explained that I too was not authorized to serve Galco's, apparently-irresistible, macaroni salad.

"Crusted and dusted with over two cases of Pop Rocks,"
 the Seven Layer Soda Pop Rocks Cake!
Can you see the star sparkler sparkling?

The wedge of wonder!!!

The mad scientist with his latest creation
 and hordes of hungry fans!
The best part of the event was that while the cake was on display, the Pop Rocks kept popping and almost took out a few eyes.  There was a subtle, yet consistent, to borrow a phase that is no doubt trademarked, "snap, crackle, and pop" that underscored the event's festivities.  I got word that more exciting information regarding the Seven Layer Soda Pop Rock Cake will be forthcoming.  Stay tuned!!!


Galco's Old World Grocery/Soda Pop Stop
5702 York Blvd
Highland Park, CA
(323)255-7115




Now how's that for a wacky right turn?  What's your favorite flavor of pop?  Although I rarely drink it, Mr. Tiny's favorite is a toss up between Nehi Peach (not allowed in California due to our overly-strict lead laws as they relate to the glass bottle) and Root Beer (pretty much any kind).  I'm too chicken, but have you ever tested the limits of human fortitude by mixing soda and pop rocks?   Don't forget to "like" us on Facebook if you're so inclined.


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

37 comments:

  1. Wow, I love the cake!!!! Yes I have mixed pop rocks and soda in my mouth, you get an explosion of fruit flavors.

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    1. You are a daredevil!!! I might have to give it a go now knowing that I won't die!

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  2. Wowee! Mary's outfit is fantastic! And so is that cake. It makes me giggle a little with joy actually. I can remember as a kid, hearing the mythological stories about people were killed by mixing Pop Rocks and soda. We all oohed and ahhed and dared each other to do it. : ) Favorite soda flavor? Orange. But only if in a glass bottle.

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    1. Thanks Eartha! I never really believed the legends but I was also much too big of a chicken to try it and EXPLODE!!!

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  3. As usual, I must get to this store.

    I adore her outfit and that purse is to die for.

    That pop rocks cake made me squee with delight. I once had a dessert at a restaurant that was just a chocolate mousse, or so I thought, until I bit in to it and realized it had pop rocks in it. I yelled, "This has pop rocks! Best dessert ever!!!!" People stared a little, but I'm used to that.

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    1. I totally swiped an extra pack of Pop Rocks while we decorated; I hadn't had Pop Rocks since I was a kid. The thrill is definitely still there!

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  4. You guys are so awesome. I only hope one day to be as cool as you ;)

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    1. I'm sorry, Lauren. It will NEVER happen...because you are already WAY COOLER than us!!!

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  5. I'm sorry, but I have to stop following this blog! (Just Kidding) I'm going to be in SoCal the first week in November & everytime I read your blog, I add a "must-see" place of interest. At this rate, I won't come home 'til January! haha

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    1. You'll just have to take a longer vacation or better yet, move away from the cold forever!!! I hope the places you visit live up to the hype I give them. Have fun!

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  6. Holy cow what fun! Marys out fit is a KNOCK OUT- it reminds me of one a girl has on during 'The Limbo Rock' in the original "Hairspray"! So much soda and what a cake, looks like a super groovy time.

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    1. Thanks Mick! Unfortunately there was absolutely no Pyrex involved in our cake preparation but we still had a great time!

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  7. Love Mary's outfit! You really need to start selling your creations online. No one is making anything like them!!

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    1. Thanks Holly!! I'm too scared to sell my stuff to anyone...Mary doesn't get to complain because she gets stuff for free. Once money exchanges hands, there is too much pressure. I'm a natural born coward...hahahahaha!

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    2. As someone who has sold clothes online, the threat is real ;) but, you can sew for us fellow Bloggers, right?! LOL

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  8. Holy smokes! LOVE Mary's 2 piece. Right outta Hairspray!

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    1. Thanks TC!!! Funny that you should mention "Hairspray" because Mary has been asking for an outfit like one that Debbie Harry wears in the movie. I guess I was subconsciously channeling Debbie!

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  9. Mary's outfit and purse are just darling! And she's so cute, she makes a swell model!! (The cake looks pretty yummy, too!) You guys do such fun things. I'm glad we get to share and have a laugh via the pics and blog!!!! Keep up the great work- (I know, somebody's gotta do it! LOL) and I'll also have a nice list of kooky places to see when I finally get out to California to visit my son!!

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    1. Thanks RS!!! I really appreciate the fact that somebody else (besides myself) is enjoying our adventures! By the time you make it out here, we'll have weeks worth of places for you to visit!!!

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  10. I love her outfit! You're soooooo good at making wonderful outfits for your sister. And that cake looks fun and yummy! I love your blog :)

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  11. Replies
    1. It ended up looking pretty neat, didn't it? Thanks!

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  12. Gosh that looks like a fun day! I love how I saw the photo of this miraculous cake on Charles' FB page, and then can get the behind the scenes lookyloo here- I feel SO in the Know... I KNOW!!!! ;-)

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  13. Wow, that cake looks great! My husband looove pop rocks, maybe I will have to make him a pop rocks cake one day...
    Mary's outfit is amaaazing as always! I agree with Holly, you should definatly start selling your clothes online...I wouldn't have a dollar left!
    x Molly

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    1. You don't need an excuse to make a Pop Rocks cake; I think everyday is the right occasion! Thank you! If I could figure out reliable production, I might have to give online selling a real go!

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  14. oh my goodness that CAKE! and that store! it makes me want to shed a tear. there are tons of specialty beer places around here, but since i'm a bit of a teetotaler i would DIE if there was a soda store! my favorites are Abita rootbeer, Ale8, and orange nehi! I always used to get a nehi when i could find it because i was OBSESSED with M*A*S*H and Radar always ordered it.

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    1. I am the same; I don't drink anything much stronger than cranberry juice but sometimes a Nehi (peach for me) really hits the spot!!!

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  15. Your outfit is adorable.looks fantastic on you.love the bag too.That cake looks so yummy.I would go crazy in there.

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    1. Thanks!!! It was hard to maintain control; especially after testing the cake and all the sodas. SUGAR RUSH!!!

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  16. So, if the recording session hadn't been cancelled, Charles would have had to put the cake together himself? Or would the task have fallen to the next volunteers in line?

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    1. I have a feeling the people would have been eating cans of frosting with Pop Rocks topping...not a bad idea, actually.

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  17. When I was in high school (in southern California) a friend visited relatives in Arizona and returned with the amazing "Pop Rocks."
    The next year I said our family was going to make a quick trip to Arizona, and the same friend said "Try to bring back some Pop Rocks."
    Not sure why it was a state-by-state issue...

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  18. I'm pretty sure I remember Raquel Welch making a disparaging remark about American society being so thrilled by candy that has carbonation in it. At times she was/is rather outspoken about such things...

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    1. I will take all kinds of advice/guidance from a woman wearing a leopard bikini, but NEVER when it comes to candy. I know it's a firm stance, but I have my principles.

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