Pool & popsicle

*Image & card by Hartland Brooklyn Card Co.

Yesterday I spend a glorious day poolside and in the refreshing waters of my friend's pool.  It was a perfect way to beat the TX heat and enjoy the summer.  I even got to practice passing for my upcoming trip to Masters Nationals for water polo this weekend, which I'm really looking forward to.  Today I will beat the heat by completing my indoor household chores, eating a popsicle and possibly heading to Sea World to pick up my educator's pass.  I can't think of a better way to beat the heat than by getting splashed at Sea World.  How do you stay cool in the summer?

Observe

*Image & print by Daleigh Designs

Currently, I'm in the middle of teaching my students about dystopia and the Holocaust.  It makes me more reflective of the choices I have and the freedoms I take for granted regularly.  I have to remember how good I've got it now and again.  Last night, I stood out on the patio and observed my garden while it rained softly, it was lovely.  (TX rain is usually torrential, so this was rather pleasant).  What little things do you need to stop and observe?

Sunday Sundae

*Image & photo by Mrmophotography

We ate all of the pie and we are out of brownies and home made ice cream.  I say this constitutes a success, wouldn't you?  I need to come off of the weekend sugar high and get ready for work this week.  Happy Monday to you all.  How was your weekend?

Smorgasbord

*Image & shirt by Little Lark

Today is the day of the ice cream party.  We have at least 31 flavor combinations to entice all of our guests.  My husband has been busy in the kitchen and on top of home made vanilla ice cream we have a key lime pie, a cherry pie and a batch of dark chocolate brownies.  This is in addition to the other ice cream flavors we purchased and all of the glorious toppings.  I think I'll skip weighing myself tomorrow.  I also have some great balloons and decorations to make the house look more festive.  Now all I have to do is finish cleaning the place so I can start enjoying myself.  What is your favorite birthday dessert?

31

*Image & print by Brian Tuchalski

Of course, a happy birthday to me too.  It has been a great day & now I think I might have some ice cream...

Truck

*Image & print by Quail Lane Press

I do admit it, if I could have an ice cream truck I would probably consider hiring one for the driveway amusement.  Not one of the newly converted creepy ice cream vans - but a real old fashioned truck.  I think I was overwhelmed by all of the food trucks in Portland. Now I want one of my own.  I will not try to make my house look too much like an ice cream parlor - but I am considering streamers & balloons at a minimum.  What else could give it that festive feel?

Chaos

*Image & print by Slow Industries

I think that this poster makes a good point.  I would much rather have ice cream, especially if the alternative is darkness & chaos.  I've been daydreaming about the decorations I'm going to put up for my party.  I was thinking I might even go for an ice cream cone shaped pinata.  I know that I am in the land of pinatas, and could probably find one shaped like an ice cream cone - but it might just not be what I am looking for.  I know I need to find waffle cones and fun dishes.  I wonder if I could go to an ice cream parlor and buy fresh waffle cones on Saturday?  I would make them myself, but all I have is a Belgian waffle maker, and I'm not sure it would make cones.  Any essential party accessories you recommend? 

Theme

*Image & print by two for joy paper studio

There is only one party theme that fit this birthday year perfectly - ice cream.  To me, 31 is synonymous with tasty frozen treats, and that makes for one good birthday party.  Now that I have a theme I can go all-out.  We have our very own ice cream maker so things will get even better.  I'm putting in my requests/demands and there will certainly be hot fudge.  What are your favorite ice cream toppings & parings?

Scoop

*Image & art by MikeDestructive

We inaugurated our ice cream maker on Saturday and decided on a vanilla custard as a good first time recipe. It really complimented the blondies (vanilla brownies with white & dark chocolate chips and walnuts) my husband baked. I also have to say that being an in-home ice cream taste tester is not bad work. Now I am going to hunt down the perfect fruit based recipe for this weekend. I have adventure in store because a dear friend is coming to visit. How does Meyer lemon sound?

Screaming

*Image & painting by SodapopCorleone

Guess what came in the mail yesterday? That's right, the ice cream maker! We couldn't wait to fill it with sugar and cream to churn out some ice cream but part of the machine has to be frozen for 24 hours before you can begin. No fair! It's in the freezer taunting me, really. Now I just have to find a kick ass recipe so I can have the ingredients on hand to make something amazing tonight. Which flavor should I choose first?

Vanilla

*Image & print by oohprettyshiny

Vanilla is one of my favorite ice cream flavors. Simple, smooth and perfect with pie. Apparently I was wrong expecting the ice cream maker this weekend... next weekend it will be dropped off at my front door. Until then, I have plenty of time to look for recipes. Do you have any that you'd like to share?

Waiting

*Image & print by amandaksloan

Ever since my husband told me we were getting an ice cream maker I've been trying not to drool over the potential to make delicious frozen dessert in my own home. It feels like far too long since he confessed his purchase (after careful review of the recommendations at America's Test Kitchen). I've been ready for days to feel guilty about trying a new recipe daily, and yet I'm still waiting for the machine. Can you tell I'm growing impatient? We are wasting perfectly good ice cream weather here! Are you anticipating anything fun this weekend?

Atlantis

*Image & print by monstergallery

I just watched the final launch of the space shuttle Atlantis the final flight of our space shuttle program. Exciting and sad at the same time. I love the idea of outer space and the exploration of our universe. Hopefully we will find a way to continue manned space exploration in our lifetime. Happy Friday to you all. I'll be eagerly awaiting two packages full of goodies today - bacon buns & the ice cream maker. Bacon ice cream anyone?

I-scream

*Image & print by hindsightnostalgia

Someone ordered an ice-cream maker and it wasn't me. I'm going to pretend to be upset now that I'm awaiting said gadget's arrival. Will this be better or worse than the Dairy Queen that is down the street from where we live? Maybe it will be better in the sense that the ice cream will be custom, but that we'll have to make it if we want to eat any. Worse in the sense that we can make ice cream at home any time we want. What do you think, homemade ice cream - blessing or curse?

Yogurt

*Image & dessert styling by Trevor Jorgensen

In an effort to lose weight in our household we have been trying new things in the kitchen. This dessert was one of my husband's concoctions late one night. He came out and presented me this plate and I have to admit that I cleaned it. This delicious dessert was only 140 calories and tasted like something I could have purchased. What you see on the plate is some vanilla yogurt drizzled with a balsamic vinegar reduction containing fresh sliced strawberries and blueberries over part of a toasted Nutri-Grain waffle. At first I was skeptical about balsamic vinegar for dessert, then I tasted it - sweet and syrupy and the perfect companion to smooth creamy frozen yogurt. What has made your mouth water lately?

Indulgence

*Image by kern.justin

Ever since we bought a huge tub of vanilla ice cream for Thanksgiving I've been indulging in a little every evening after dinner. Not the best habit to start in the evenings. Especially not the best habit considering all of the other holiday eating I will be doing to celebrate this December. I guess I'll just have to run a little further and take the bulldog on more walks. I do see myself scooping some of this creamy goodness into some hot coco. Do you have an evening indulgence?

Melting

*Image by serendipityfoto

I desperately need to purchase some ice cream. Today the weather man predicted our first 100 degree temperature day of the summer. I don't know how I am going to survive this. I think that ice cream will be part of the solution for sure.

Kisses

*Image & card via SweetDee

My Valentines are all in the mail, hopefully they survive the post office travels to the Pacific Northwest (well, most of them anyway). I have a lovely breakfast planned for tomorrow that includes my specialty - Belgian waffles, with fresh whipped cream and blackberries. Add a side of bacon and anyone will know you love them. I have a few friends coming to visit and unfortunately they fly in tonight. I say unfortunately because they should have been here Thursday night. The Dallas airport, where their connecting flight to SA originated, was closed due to bad weather. Lucky for all of us, I have a teacher work day on Monday (read: no students) so I'm taking it off to hang out with my pals. That is a good show of love, don't you think? I can't wait.

Ice Cream

*Image by sdesignuint via Apartment Therapy

This would be awesome at a party or, as part of an amazing and playful wedding. I am in happy awe of this idea. I have to find a way to incorporate this bouquet into my life somehow. Maybe I'll throw an ice cream social.

Birthday cake

*image via Seattle's own Trophy Cupcakes

Today happens to be my fiance's birthday and lucky for him, I have the day off. Lucky for me my fiance is quite the baker and left me his perfected chocolate cake recipe.

One day, when we first started dating, he randomly asked me if he was officially my boyfriend. Having been completely oblivious to these types of dating rituals, even in middle school, I presented a challenge: if he baked me a cake I would consider him my boyfriend. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Half expecting something out of a box, I was blown away when I first set eyes on what is now known as 'boyfriend cake.' White cake layered with fresh whipped cream and sliced strawberries, he had me salivating before I even had a sample. Needless to say, I have much riding on cake making today. Especially because he has decided to bake our very own wedding cake. I can't wait.