You may remember a while back when I asked for opinions on the SodaStream home soda maker.

Well, I finally got one.  Actually, I got one soon after that conversation, but never set it up or gave it a try.  First, because I still had other pre-bought soda to get through (I don’t drink it all that often, so it took me a while), & then because I was really nervous about using it.  I’m not good with new machinery & had visions of CO2 exploding, water spraying everywhere, syrup mixes spilling & getting everything sticky.  So I put it off…& put it off…& put it off.

But finally, I worked up my courage & gave it a try. It was amazingly easy to put together & make that first bottle of soda.  I chose Lemon-Lime from the sample pack the SodaStream came with.  I was also hugely relieved that it didn’t need to be plugged in somewhere, because if there’s anything I don’t have, it’s extra outlets & counter space. :cat

I was so excited to try the soda for the first time, but I have to tell you—I was disappointed.  Yeah, it was a little warm having been made with water straight from the tap, but aside from that, it tasted like cheap, generic soda to me, & flat cheap, generic soda on top of that.  And I thought to myself :ohcrap because once again—of course—I had gone totally overboard, buying up big bottles of nearly every flavor syrup they had at the same time I bought the machine.  Yeah, the smart thing would have been to wait until I’d tried the sample flavors that came with the SodaStream itself, then go back & only buy my favorites…but no one has ever accused me of being smart. :elvis

So like I said, I was disappointed, wondering if I’d wasted an awful lot of money & how bad the rest of the flavors were going to be if even the Lemon-Lime was kind of gross.  But I left it in the fridge overnight, & an amazing thing happened.  It tasted better the next day after sitting for a while & getting much colder.  I still can’t say I loved it, because it still seemed flat to me, but it was…less of a disappointment.

After finishing that flavor, I tried another—Diet Pink Grapefruit. Oh, I had such high hopes for this one, because I absolutely adore all things grapefruit.  And this time, I added a bit more carbonation.  Okay, a lot more. LOL  And instead of trying it immediately, I stuck it straight in the fridge & left it overnight.  I think that really helped, because when I finally gave it a sip, it was good.  Not as grapefruity as I’d hoped, but very much like Fresca, which is exactly what they compare it to.

So now I think I’m going to like this thing.  I’m eager to try their Diet Cola & Root Beer &…oooh, Cherry Cola.  (Wish they had that in diet.)  And after a bit of trial & error, I think I’ll be able to find a balance of carbonation that I like.  It still doesn’t fizz as much as regular (pre-bought) soda when I open the bottle or pour it into a glass, but maybe it doesn’t need to.  If it tastes fizzy enough, maybe I just need to get used to that aspect of making my own soda.

And I already have a new SodaStream shopping list started:  Second CO2 canister for back-up.  More Pink Grapefruit mix.  Extra bottles—preferably the smaller ones—so I can have more than one flavor on hand at a time.

But once again, I would love everybody’s opinions on this.

Did you feel the same way at first?

Have you found what works best to make for a fizzier, tastier drink?

And what are some of your favorite flavors to mix up with the SodaStream?

Happy Sunday, everybody!

This week, I AM HAPPY I got my revisions finished & turned in.  Now to cross my fingers & wait to hear what Editor C thinks of them.

I AM HAPPY that I was able to find Madame Mommy Dearest‘s glasses after she thought she lost them in a crowded (Wal-Mart! :scaredya ) parking lot.  She didn’t, but was growing increasingly upset.  And I always get the 9-1-1 call when she loses something, since I seem to be fairly lucky when it comes to finding stuff again.  Probably because I look everywhere, as many times as it takes, & don’t give up unless it’s really & truly hopeless.  And I did find them, even though it took a lot of prayers to Saint Anthony, about thirty minutes on the phone with Wal-Mart & an hour searching everywhere else before they suddenly, almost miraculously appeared about two feet from where we’d been looking…& in a spot MMD swears she wasn’t in.

I AM HAPPY that Season 8 of Supernatural has started.  I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it yet…some of it I loved, some of it kind of bugged me, & I’m sorry, but Sam’s hair is getting out of control.  I don’t mind a little shag on a man & think he looks good with it a little long.  But when he starts needing to brush it away from his face every five minutes, it’s too much. :biteya

That about does it for me.  Hey, what can I say…I’ve mostly been buried in my Revision Cave this week; not a lot of chance to get out & have anything fun happen.

So how about you?  Did anything great happen to you this week?  How about a couple things you’re just plain thankful for?

Now to announce the winner of our second signed copy of SECRETS, LIES & LULLABIES from Free Book Friday…

:dancebat Wendy K.!!! :dancebat

Congratulations, Wendy! :hitched Please contact me with your full name & mailing information, & I’ll get your prize out to you as soon as I can!