Lawson’s Chip Dip remains a huge favorite to so many people in the Great Lakes area, and it’s only available at Circle K gas stations and The Lockview restaurant in Akron.
When I was growing up the only chip dip to serve at parties was Lawson’s Chip Dip. Lawson’s started in 1939 when dairy owner J.J. Lawson started a store at his Broad Street dairy plant in Cuyahoga Falls to sell his milk. The Lawson’s Milk Company grew to a chain of stores in Ohio and was bought out by Consolidated Foods in 1959. Lawson’s convenience stores were common in Ohio from the 1960s through the mid-1980s. Lawson’s stores were sold to Dairy Mart, and Circle K bought Dairy Mart in 2003 and kept the Lawson’s products.
I had to get gas today because I was getting a Low Fuel Level warning, and the cheapest gas around was at the Circle K in Solon. I knew I needed to indulge in some Lawson’s Chip Dip for old time’s sake. The refrigerator case held three sizes, the largest being 24 oz (1 lb 8 oz). Circle K also sells Lawson’s ice cream and other dairy products. The chip dip is a French onion dip and isn’t as oniony as dips such as, say, Helluva Good Chip Dip. The flavor is very understated, and the dip is creamy.
So if you are like me and want to indulge in a childhood craving, be sure to check out the refrigerator section of your local Circle K gas station and convenience store.
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) 

If you’ve read my About page, you know that my mother is a huge fan of Julia Child. As a young wife, she taught herself to cook with her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking and by watching her series The French Chef. I had no idea that she had her cookbooks autographed by Julia and Paul Child. We were sitting around talking about the new movie, Julie & Julia, the other weekend, and she told us a really cool story. Apparently Julia Child was autographing her newest cookbook release back in 1971, and Mom had brought her well-loved cookbooks with her as well. Julia’s husband, Paul, was so impressed at how well-used they were that he pointed them out to Julia. The result is that Mom has all three of her Julia Child cookbooks autographed by Julia and Paul Child. How cool is that?
I cannot get enough of Trader Joe’s Pomegranate Limeade at the moment. There are two Trader Joe’s in Cleveland:on the West Side in Westlake and on the East Side in Woodmere. I bought the Pomegranate Limeade on a whim a few weeks ago and went back two days later and bought three more bottles. I drink it straight and cut with tap water. Both ways are refreshing and delicious. I plan to enjoy it until it is pulled from the stores, which knowing Trader Joe’s could be any day now. I still miss the Triple Espresso Mochas and Triple Espresso Lattes.