Mixed Up

I'm back from spending several days in Knoxville celebrating the life of and saying goodbye to Papaw. I still feel like I'm in a fog of emotion (yes, I know that sounds like something Buddy the Elf would say... throne of lies, anyone?), but spending time with my family was such a blessing. Papaw was so well loved and would have been proud of the way we memorialized him.

It's hard to figure out how to follow up a remembrance post. Straight into commenting on (making fun of) my fellow Y-goers? Simply a picture of the cute pup? A true story Tuesday? I haven't really known. So bear with me as I try this out.

I love to cook and bake. It's funny that I spend so little time sharing my adventures in the kitchen. As much as I love experimenting on the stove or in the oven, I equally love experimenting with concoctions at the soda dispenser. Now this isn't your average "suicide," we're talking about (note: a girl I babysit for calls mixing lots of sodas together a "kamikaze." No, sweetheart, they will always be called "suicides"). These are culinary masterpieces. My two favorites are below.

Diet Cherry Coke
I know that Coke makes Cherry Coke Zero, but they used to manufacture Diet Cherry Coke. They might still, but it isn't sold in Charlotte anymore. While I tolerate the Zero variety, it isn't anywhere as delicious as the original Diet Cherry Coke. So what's a girl to do? Make her own. These can be made two ways - both parfait style.
- Add a splash of regular Cherry Coke to your cup
- Fill 7/8 full of Diet Coke
- Add one more splash of regular Cherry Coke to top
If your fountain doesn't have Cherry Coke, add Fanta Cherry. Enjoy. Delicious and guilt-free.

Creamsicle
I perfected this masterpiece the lone, fateful semester I was at Virginia Tech. It was probably the best part about my stay there. As much as I hated the school, I will throw them a bone and say that Virginia Tech had the best dining halls in the world. At my favorite, I would end each meal with this delicious creamsicle treat.
- Fill cup with vanilla soft-serve
- Add orange soda (Fanta is preferable)
- Start with splash, stir, gauge consistency. If not orange enough or too thick, add more soda. If too runny, add more soft serve.
People acted grossed out, but trust me... you will love this frozen confection.

So there you have it. I'm the Paula Deen of carbonated beverages. And I'll own that.