Candy of the Month

Blowing Bubbles...

Bubble Gum is the candy of the month!!

Not just any bubble gum mind you.

I am talking specifically about the

Big Three

Bubble Yum

Hubba Bubba

Bubblicious

Bubble Yum was actually the first soft bubble gum ever created! - Introduced in 1975 by Lifesavers - the demand became so great, the company actually had to curtail marketing to keep up with it. Hershey acquired the Bubble Yum brand in 2000, and is responsible for one of the Gakeest flavors of gum - Hershey's Chocolate - yucko! My personal favorite Bubble Yum flavor is Original, followed by Cotton Candy as a close second.

Hubba Bubba is a Wrigly Brand - they offer bubble tape and "goop". Personally I don't find the bubble tape as satisfying as a nice soft plug of bubble gum, BUT, from a kid standpoint I can see the advantages of the tape - it can be rationed and made to last a long time....the "goop" is really not something that provides a pleasurable chewing experience - anything that goes from liquid to solid while you chew is a bit unnerving - don't you think?

My favorite Hubba Bubba flavor is Cherry lemonade. Hubba Bubba Max has the duo color gum, which is especially pleasing to the eye.

Bubblicious is produced by Cadbury Adams. Bubblicious packaging is the most eye catching and their gonzo grape flavor is vastly superior to other grape "imposters"

Bazooka and gumballs from a machine DO NOT COUNT this month! - anything that looses it's flavor within the first 30 seconds is kind of a waste of time (in my humble opinion!)

My most vivid bubble gum experience happened when I was about 13. My brother, Mom, Grandmother, and I were taking a Summer road trip from Northern California to Oregon for a family reunion. As usual, my brother and I had spent our pocket money at the first service station we stopped at - loading up on candy and of course, packs of gum. I was chewing grape Hubba Bubba - and for some reason had stuffed about five pieces into my mouth at the same time... we may have been having a gum-chewing or bubble blowing competition but I don't really remember.

I DO remember my jaw hurting as I chewed what, over time, had become a huge flavorless wad of gum. We were driving through Redding California when I finally decided to throw the wad out of the car window. I am sure you have guessed the result of that action by now, but the next time we stopped and got out we were all treated to a hideous mess. My huge gum wad had melted and stretched over the entire side of my Grandmothers white Vega - purple goo with road debris and bug parts stuck to it - it was disgusting!

Needless to say

Gum was outlawed for the rest of THAT trip!.

To participate in this Month's Candy Club Challenge

Post a comment about your favorite gum experience, flavor, or go out and try one of the BIG THREE and blow some big bu-bu- bu -bubbles!

Extra credit for those who have had to have chunks of gum cut out of their hair in the morning!

the prize this month is a Sweet B Lollipop Baby! -

Contest runs through the 18th of June!

In the meantime......Wanna See how Bubble Gum is made?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z69N3zwJUIE

I specifically love the "extruder" part and the big bin where the gum is kneaded - luscious!

Chew your Gum, even if it's ABC gum!

- Sweet B

Candy Club Winner!

Sheryl Parsons is the winner of the Easter Candy Challenge.

Sheryl will be receiving one of my Sweet B Lollipop Babies as a prize!!

Sheryl has two great blogs - Simply Sheryl's and Mother's Dream Artworks!

I will be starting a new challenge in the next few days so do not despair another chance to win a free goodie is right around the corner!

Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart. ~Erma Bombeck


Sweet B

Skeleton Key Hunt!

NO SKELETON KEY HERE

At least not the Mysterious EHAG key!

Keep searching - the prizes are fabulous and there will be

ONLY ONE WINNER!

to check out the prizes or to see the list of participating EHAG artitsts

CLICK HERE

Will you find the SKELETON KEY?

The Wicked Artists of EHAG

Have a chilling challenge for you!

Join the hunt for the elusive SKELETON KEY

One lucky winner will unlock a treasure trove of

EHAG Trinkets!

THE HUNT BEGINS ON THE

EHAG ART BLOG

MAY 4th!

Dump your Easter Basket!~

Easter Review 2009

Now that the big bunny day is over, lets get down to business and review some of the best and worst candy that was up for offer this season!

For the rest of the month, post a comment about new candy you tried this year, your least liked, or your very favorite Easter Candy

-and you will be entered to win a mini Sweet B lollipop Baby!

Just to get the ball (or egg) rolling...

My personal favorites

Yes, the coconut nest!. Although I usually don't eat the jellybeans, just the coconut nest part- I just can't get through the Easter season without eating at least 3 or 4 of these, and they have to be Russel Stovers. I think the first one I had was in February - right after Valentines. Shameful, but true!

Another ALL TIME favorite

The Cadbury Creme Egg

Growing up in New Zealand resulted in a steadfast allegiance to ANYTHING Cadbury - the creme eggs being up at the top of the list.

This year the Orange Creme egg was a nice surprise. The orange flavor was different -but went well with the creamy interior.

Quick Facts from Cadbury
So, how do people eat their Creme Egg?
53% of people bite off the top, lick out the 'creme' then eat the chocolate
20% just bite straight through
16% use their finger to scoop out the 'creme'
How people unwrap their eggs can also reflect their Creme Egg eating style, we have...
Delicate Peelers - To achieve a considered, methodical & subtle eat
Stage Peelers - Who unwrap just enough to keep the 'creme' off their fingers
Quick Discarders - Who rip off the foil as they just can't wait to eat their Creme Egg

Personally I like to put mine in the freezer, crack it open, and eat the filling with a tiny salt spoon.

Just a quick note here: Last year Cadbury put out a Christmas Ornament Creme Egg ...

... that was WRONG - just plain WRONG!

Keep the Candy Seasons Seperate guys!

Some new additions to my candy basket

Brachs Chicks and Rabbits. These little cuties have the same consistency as Circus peanuts - Especially good if the bag is left open for a few days (Have I ever mentioned my penchant for stale candy?)

Have you tried these little beauties?

Raspberry 3 Musketeers - delish!

And the Nostalgic Contingent.....

Sugar eggs! I won one of these as a child - it was HUGE (at least I remember it being huge), I can still remember how beautiful I thought it was, and how I ate it really slowly - breaking off pieces at night before bed (what were my parents thinking - letting me keep it in my room??) AND - how my brother cried because I wouldn't share - that was probably the best part.

Ok - I've totally "Spilled" my Easter Basket - lets hear from you!

- Sweet B

Hunt for eggs!

Join the Prim and Whimsy Easter Egg hunt

Click

HERE to visit the parade of Easter eggs and enter to win a prize basket FULL to the BRIM with art supplies!

Here is my Egg , Halloween style since I have been working on pieces for the Spookytime Jingle booth at the National Halloween Convention.

By the way..... If you are planning on attending the Convention - stop by the booth and mention that you are a "fan of STJ" - this will qualify you for MULTIPLE entries in the booth giveaway!

A chance to win original Halloween Art.... YOWEEEE.

Speaking of giveaways

Stop by the EHAG art blog to enter the Frightful Fete Giveaway. Use EHAG as a search word in eBay to see the wonderful creations the EHAG artists have made in honor of this event.

- Sweet B

National Halloween Convention

HERE WE COME!

in case you weren't aware - the gang over at

SpookytimeJingles.com is filling a booth at the upcoming National Halloween Convention.

Here are just a few of the goodies that I have sent in. A wonderful vintage style Wooden Candy Bowl - the word "TREATS" is painted on the back side. The bowl is shown here with some strings of candy garland.

One of several Lollipop men who agreed to attend. A "TWO FACED SWEETIE" ornament
Some Lollipop Babies

If you are going to be ANYWHERE in the vicinity - I highly recommend attending

- it looks as if it is really going to be a SCREAM!!.

- Sweet B