Thursday, September 30, 2010

Simply Sparkly


My simple pleasure this week
 is found in a little pink can.



It’s called a Spritzer,
but I call it a Sparkler
because in its former life,
that’s what this little piece of liquid heaven was called.

We first discovered Sparklers in the 1980s when I was expecting The Practical One. They were not only delicious, they were healthy. We’ve always been a little crunchy granola, you see, and when I was sitting on the nest, we were Mr. and Mrs.Euell Gibbons.

No junk.
This little beverage of sparkling water flavored with natural fruit juices fit the bill. It was and is manufactured by Knudsen Farms and comes in a variety of flavors.

My favorite is red raspberry.
I like to drink it out of a pretty glass.



Back in the 80’s, Sparklers were a budget buster. They cost about $5.00 for a pack of four, high even for today. We purchased one pack per week, and four days a week, I would carry one to school to treat myself over lunch.

They were also packaged differently back then. They came in tall bottles which bore a resemblance to those wine coolers popular at that time.

Which caused a bit of a problem...

One day, a  a student in another class saw the bottle and reported home that a teacher at the school was drinking wine coolers at lunch.  Angry Dad stormed the schoolhouse at lunchtime and dragged the principal to the cafeteria to catch the perpetrator in the act.

My principal was not taken by surprise and knew the identity of both the accused tippler and her drink of choice. He was also confident that one look at me, 8 months pregnant, would put the matter to rest.

So he waited.
  In I waddled
in my designer dress from Omar the Tent Maker,
 carrying my crunchy whole grain lunch
 and sinless Sparkler.

Angry Dad reacted.
“Well that’s even worse!”

He was not to be mollified and held his ground until a further inspection of the offending bottle and a promise  that the cooler incognito would henceforth be opened away from curious eyes to avoid the appearance of evil.

Whenever I drink a Sparkler, I feel the need to yakkity yak that story to some available listener. Today, it was you. 

Unfortunately,
 I don’t get to enjoy the pleasure all that often.
 For nearly two decades, I didn’t enjoy it at all.

Growing families have a way of turning simple pleasures into silly indulgences, and we focused our budget on more practical things. Sparklers became less frequent and eventually stopped altogether when they were no longer available. 

We assumed that they went off the market, a victim of appearance of evil prohibition.


But a few years ago, the husband stumbled upon these things.

Now packaged in cans and called Spritzers,
they are my beloved Sparklers nonetheless.
See? Knudsen Farms.


I was elated and searched every local grocery store to find more. Unfortunately, this is Coca-Cola Country, and there wasn’t a Sparking Spritzer to be found. Instead, I have to rely on the husband to find them in his business travel and bring them home.


When he does, it’s almost like
getting a bunch of flowers.
Really.

I treasure my Sparklers
and dole them out just the way I did
all those years ago...
One a day until they’re gone.

But…
Last weekend, I opened the outside refrigerator, and I discovered...


That good man had ventured from market to market and purchased seven packs of Red Raspberry Sparkling Spritzers.

I was delighted.
I was also cautioned.

“Now, Deb-or-ah,” he said, “You have 28 Sparklers in here, and I don’t intend to buy more for a while. You have no one to blame but yourself if you glug them all down in one week  day.”

So I haven’t.
But this week’s simple pleasure was knowing that I could if I wanted to.

*****
Sharing this today with Dayle at
for her simple pleasures party.
Please follow the link. You will not be sorry that you did.

41 comments:

Denise said...

What a dear husband. There is no telling how many places he scoured to find you those drinks. I do hope you'll enjoy them. And, drink as many at a time as your heart desires. (Hope you don't get a bellyache).

southerninspiration said...

Awww, what a love story! And as usual, I laughed out loud at your story. You are so comical.....I would love to sit and laugh with you!
I'll eep my eyes open for your sparkler/spritzers and think of you and smile if I see them!

Suzanne

Anonymous said...

Where do I start??? First, your husband wins, hands down, the sweet husband award for this week!! What a wonderful guy.

That story of the angry parent going to your school is hilarious!! I love it. And for you to be pregnant, even funnier.

Waaaay back in '86 my oldest had just started school. Grandpa was visiting and took my little Mindy shopping with him. He brought home a brand new item - little drink boxes. Well, Grandpa went home and mama Marla happens to notice that the little drink boxres had WINE in them. Grandpa never noticed. Thank goodness my little Mindy had not helped herself to one out of the fridge. We laughed about that one for years, and still do.

elizabeth said...

My heart is doing a little happy dance at this simple pleasure. My hubby would so do the same type of thing for me...when I long for a romantic love letter or some such thing, I remind myself of the hundreds of little things he does, showing how he things about and of me.
I'm smiling...wish we could have an icy cold sparkler together!
Elizabeth
http://www.justfollowingjesus.com

Lynn said...

Cute story, and what a great hubby-enjoy!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Deb-or-ah, I'm laughing out loud ... again! This is divine. I think "Omar the Tent Maker" is where I lost it. LOL!

That sparkler drink look likes my cup-of-tea, so to speak. Hubby did good.

Angel said...

Debbie - You've done it again! I'm laughing and getting all misty at the same time. My heart was so touched by the sweet gesture your hubby made to stock pile your fridge with your fave drink. And that "cooler incognito" at school debacle was hilarious. Keep yakking!

Patti said...

That is TOO funny about being accused by a student of having a wine cooler on your lunch hour!!!

I have NEVER seen those sparklers before...never even heard of them actually. But that's probably because I wasn't looking for them. Anyhow, they sound really tasty and refreshing, though

Hope you're having a lovely day.

Blessings,
Patti

Karen said...

I agree with Dayle, I lost it with Omar! But, I would love to get a hold of one of your little Sparklers. Thanks for stopping by my place.
Karen

Gail said...

I really enjoyed that story! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Also thanks for visiting my blog and your sweet comment about my dining room. I'm looking foward to following your blog.

Have a wonderful day.
Gail

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Deborah,
Thanks for coming by today and for your nice comments. Very appreciated.
Loved your story today. I have never heard of those drinks either. Someone gave us a bottle of sparkling cider for Christmas, we had never had it before, but it was delightful, probably much like your spritzers.
Funny how we have something we love and they either quit making it or you just can't find it anymore. We lived in Germany many years ago, 39 to be exact, and bought groceries at the commissary, and we used to get these cookies made by Sunshine called Cherry Coolers,
and lemon coolers, they are delightful cookies dusted with powdered sugar. Anyway,
once we came home to the states, we looked high and low at every grocery store we knew and even called around. Could find the lemon but never did lay eyes on the Cherry coolers again. It was a huge bummer!! lol

Oh Well.........life does go on, sad as tho it is!! lol

I bet that parent felt a just a we bit
D U M B!!! Course, guess they were right
to check it out, cause there probably are a few teachers that just might try something like that, don't know any personally tho!!
Course, think he probably could have been a bit more diplomatic about it.

Made for a great story at least!!
Have a great day,
Blessings, Nellie

Vanessa said...

That's a good man right there! I have had "sparkler's" before and my favorite was the Raspberry too! I love this story and they way you told it, hilarious as always!
Vanessa

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your story with us, you better keep that man! Thanks for visiting.
Sandy

Jane said...

Ah, the story of you at school with a suspected wine cooler. Just goes to show that folks would be so much better off if there wre to mind their own business,

Jane

Gabriele Agustini said...

I seem to remember those! Yes, I'm sure of it now, because I can almost taste them. YUM!!
Fun story, great husband!!
I like your blog a lot!
gabriele

Miss Merry said...

I love your story about the spitzers! I wish I could have been a fly on the lunchroom wall. Doesn't anything taste better in a fancy glass? Those spitzers sound pretty darn good - I will be checking our grocery shelves. And what a great guy - I would rather have a husband like him than one that brought me candy and flowers 0r even diamonds!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

this post really made me smile. It's such a great feel good post. Your husband is the best and I'm glad your fridge is full of sparklers just for you....

Evelyn S. said...

Your photos tell a wonderful story by themselves...but your words narrate a story of love!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

What a keeper! I love anything with raspberries - this sounds soooo good! I'll have to see if I can find it.

Manuela

Kelli said...

I sure hope we have those around here! What a sweet hubster!! I think plain old H2O tastes better in a fancy glass!!

Mevely317 said...

How fun is this?!
We're similarly hooked on raspberry ice, aka' "red stuff" ... but never thought about enjoying in a pretty glass ... good idea!

Sharlotte said...

You are such a talented writer,I loved reading this post! I've never seen nor tried these "Sparklers" before, but now I'm going to be on the lookout for these little treats! Thanks so much for sharing and dropping by to visit.
Sharlotte

Amy Kinser said...

What a sweet husband. It's so funny because his comment sounds so much like something my man would say. Always the thrifty one at heart...I'm happy for you that you got a few extras.

I thought at first that the pink stuff was going to be Pepto Bismo...YUKKY

Gayle said...

Never heard of them, but makes me want some.

:-)

Sharon said...

I've never heard of these either. But they look delicious! I must remind myself, though, if I ever find these drinks - NOTE TO SELF: DO NOT drink them while reading Debbie's blog...unless you want to ruin your computer with a "Spritzer Spray" all over the laptop. Laughter would lead to choking - it wouldn't be pretty...just pretty funny!!

Your husband is such a sweetie...

Omar's still making tents??? I thought he was making "Spanx" now!! Go figure... :)

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
My favorite summertime drink is Raspberry Ice from Crystal Lite and I KNOW I would love a raspberry Sparkler! I will keep my eyes open for the Spritzers too. Your husband is surely a keeper with that nice surprise of a fridge full of Spritzers! Loved your school story...good memories all!

~Jean

Holly Lefevre said...

What a great story! I have never heard of sparklers or spritzers...those look good! When I was a senior in High School we had a life size Bartles and James in our English class...as a mom, I cannot figure out for the life of me how they let that happen.

Joan Hall said...

Love this story. I can only imagine how the dad felt when you produced your sparkler.

Enjoy, but not all at once! :)

Anonymous said...

Another wonderful story! I do love how you call them Sparklers. It makes them even more special. I think I would do the same. Your hubby sounds sweet.
An epitome of a simple pleasure. The special glass is a great idea! I do that with my seasonal coffee cups.

Victoria Lynn said...

I enjoyed every word of your tale today! How delightful! You are so blessed to have such a sweet hubby. I have not heard of those sparklers before but now I will have to hunt them down. Hmm...wonder if they have them at Whole Foods? Have a blessed weekend and thanks for stopping by with your kind comments. Blessings, Victoria Lynn

saltbox
treasures
said...

I'll have to try these! Catching up on your blog.
Congrats on 106 followers.
~ Julie

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, Miss D! That is just a hoot. LOL! And I love the phrase, "Omar the Tent Maker". I have used that on ocassion, and not due to pregnancy. LOL! Due to marshmallow in a keyhole status. ;-)

I can't get over the fact that the parent stormed the school. What was that silly kid thinking to think that you would be drinking on the job??? Some people!

I have missed coming here to laugh at your antics, and you didn't disappoint today. I'm hoping to be blogging again, maybe in a week??? Mr. Magpie took longer to heal than I thought, and then I came down with something (but am fully recovered now). I have a mountain of housework to do and other things screaming my name... do you think that I'm allergic to housework and stress??? ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

Kathleen said...

Great story! All I can say is hold on to that man of yours! I look forward to your simple pleasures every week.

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Okay, now I will be on a quest--Spurgeon and Sparklers. I've never heard of those but will be on the lookout for them here in AR.

Debbie, your comment made my day. I would love to be your friend "in real life" also. Actually, sometimes I think this blogging world is more real than real life.

Love you,
Dianne

FrouFrouBritches said...

What a sweet precious husband to bring you Sparklers! So sweet! I bet I would LOOOOVE them! I love raspberry! YUM!

You cracked me up with your Omar the Tentmaker comment. My dad wouldn't let me drink IBC root beer outside of the house because it looked like beer and I was a teenager. I, personally, being the rebel that I am, was just dying to drink it while cruising just daring a cop to stop me so I could show him my root beer. HA!

Unknown said...

Love this, my friend!!! Ok., WHAT was up with that dad?? ahh well. at least he listened to his child, right?
Your husband is a peach-or should I say a raspberry?
xo
lynn

Unknown said...

Great story....I haven't had one of these in years :)

Blessings!
Gail

CAL said...

Sure wish you had a picture of that concerned parent when he realized his mistake. Ha!! I bet he tells the story making him the hero, saving you from yourself. LOL.

I remember there was this flavored tea I would love to drink and it came in a whiskey shaped bottle and my employer did a double take.

Unknown said...

G'day Debbie ~ Have not heard of these before, but will keep an eye out. Loved your write today.

TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

{oc cottage} said...

What a guy you have there!!!!

m ^..^

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh how sweet of him to find all of those for you. I've never had a Sparkler or a Spritzer, but I'm going to be on the lookout for them now. Loved your story about the irate parent! You are so funny! laurie

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