Ode to Ice Cream

"I LOVE ICE CREAM"

For years this bumper sticker lopsidedly sat on the back of my Pop's yellow Cadillac's bumper.

It's true though.

Dad loves Ice Cream.

As kids we often walked to Baskin Robbins for a few scoops of the happy stuff. I remember once after a bad day, Dad took me to Baskin Robbins and said these words of wisdom, "There is nothing so bad, that a little ice cream won't help feel better." It is true. A scoop of ice cream somehow makes everything seem brighter and bearable; two scoops is even better. Try this magic formula sometime after a bad day. (My personal favorite: Baskin Robbins Chocolate Chip and Mint Chip).

On a side note: Making Homemade Ice Cream is such a fun family summer activity. Here is a recipe for making Ice Cream in ziploc bags and you can even make it with milk--in other words, you can make this NOW without a trip to the market or target.

Make sure you seal everything properly or you could end up with a huge mess.
I also read about people who shook up their bags by jumping them on the trampoline or putting it all in a large can and kicking it around the yard.
Good Luck and Enjoy your Summers!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup half and half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup salt (The bigger the granules, the better. Kosher or rock salt works best, but table salt is fine.)
Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
1 pint-size ziplock bag
1 gallon-size ziplock bag

1. Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.
2. Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.
3. Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add mix-ins, and eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Easy cleanup too! Serves 1.